New project, just getting started?

[CarpetSample]

I'm looking at starting a 928 project, I'm finishing up a 65 Mustang (wasnt too big a job though)
I'm in the Arnold MD area and dug around on craigslist for a 928, Found two that need work,
Both '82s, although one says its a "euro spec" that wont start, the other has a running engine but doesnt specify type.

Heres the links to the postings,

1982 PORSCHE 928 FOR SALE (NOT RUNNING)

1982 Porsche 928 for parts

What I'm asking is if its a good idea to swap engines or if its more worthwhile/economical to find what needs fixed in the euro spec if everything else works well. The first one doesnt have an interior or seats, and is just missing misc. stuff, (nothing some recaros, custom made cluster, etc. wont fix) and the second one says the car is in an all around poor condition (I'm sure you already saw for yourselves on the postings)
I've got a mildly flexible 5k budget.

Basically I don't want to be a tire kicker, I'd rather not call this guy who's been waiting a month for somebody to reply, get him excited, and say "oh. nevermind." I'm thinking the euro spec is going to be a better performer, but i dont know what matches up and what doesnt.
If anybody could direct me to a website or post that distinguishes differences, that would be fantastic.

[CarpetSample]

I should also explain I dont have any experience swapping engines but I can follow directions and problem solve, a friend of mine recently swapped engines in a 240sx and says if you know what you're doing its not difficult and should take no more than 2 days,
I started that mustang on my own with nothing but a chilton and some tools and got it done, granted the 928 is going to be much more complicated

[riber.bentsen]

Well the euro one is definately the 310 hp motor (twin dizzys)

It has a lot of power, but was it a non runner? And those 310hp engines require 98+ octane fuel, because of the high compression ratio..

[Danglerb]

First link is to what they say is an 82, but thats not an 82 Euro motor, its 84+ with the twin distributor, but the image isn't good enough to see if the swap is complete or lots of parts still missing. $600 is cheap, I would have already bought it if it was local to me, but be sure to verify which motor it really has in it. Making that motor work in an 82 will not be a small task, lots of electrical differences.

Second link I would skip, 82 with bad tranny, bad ext and int, isn't worth $1000, unless you specifically need some of the parts that are still good on it.

[Danglerb]

BTW I don't see either car as a good choice for making a daily driver, just parts.

Euro motor could be a total mismatch of parts, or have timing belt failure etc., so does need some checking by somebody that knows something, but it won't last long at that price.

[CarpetSample]

In that case, I figure since I'm new to the car I'll play it safe and stay away from these,
Thanks for the input, guys.

[Mrmerlin]

the Euro must have the brains to go with it since its an early LH system

[pcar928fan]

I agree CarpetSample with your last post. These cars (unless your entire idea was to part them out to get some feeling of what working on them to fix them might be like...and that might be a decent idea for you!) would not be the cars for you to bring back to life. I bought a really quite decent '85 EURO S out of SoCal earlier this year (Feb I think) and put about $750 in parts in to the thing as well as getting some dents removed and the drivers seat side bolster repaired for another $500 (a friend [Thanks Dr. Bob] was kind enough to install the parts for me) and I only like a steering rack now to have a FULLY FUNCTIONAL and quite nice daily driver... Oh, did I mention the car cost $3600?! So there are deals to be had.

You certainly should try a 928 at least once and if you are not willing to put up with a project type car budget about $7500 and you will end up with a VERY NICE S or OB that you can just drive off in and take to car shows with your head held high. Project cars OTOH are a different story. If they need paint and interior work and you can't do it, they get WAY EXPENSIVE, WAY FAST! Those two things are very costly. The basic mechanical work is really not all that costly, but if a trans has gone bad or something bad has happened to a EURO S or 32V engine, those are usually parts cars too...goes w/o saying... YMMV! This is all VERY subjective stuff. One mans trash is another mans treasure and all that.