I have an '86 3.2 Carrera with 137k miles on it.
Lots of receipts over the years but nothing comprehensive, only spot fixes (replaced #3 valves but no guides??!!). The car runs very well considering everything, but I'm starting to plan for a rebuild.
I spoke with Bob Farmer of Farmer's Automotive in Indiana last fall while I was still looking (a car he'd worked on was for sale). He shared a LOT of info, most intriguing was how poorly (his words) 3.2 heads breathe.
He claims that he's welded up 3.2 heads and then re-ported them to achieve much better flow, more power, and cooler running temps all with the stock intake FI and exhaust system. Using his own grind of cam, he's achieved 250 HP and 230 lb/ft of torque w/ stock chip and exhaust as measured on his bench dyno.
Farmers Automotive. When my builder contacted him though, he quoted huge prices ($6,000 for heads & cams?!) which almost doubles my rebuild cost. I rebuilt a 2.4E to 2.7 RS specs+ that cost $12k 6 years ago, so I've got an idea of what this 3.2 should cost, and $ is definitely "an object".
As a Washington DC resident, if I want to drive my 911 everyday, so I have to have it inspected regularly and maintain all emissions, etc., regardless of it's age. It's fine now in stock form (K&N cone, Vertex chip, stock exhaust & cat), but if I'm going to spend all that $ for a rebuild, I would like to tweak as much as possible. E.g. CE euro pistons w/ higher compression?
Questions:
1. What head mods can/should be done to improve breathing for a street motor, if any?
2. What would such mods cost per head?
3. What kind of power and torque improvements have any of you realized with these mods?
Anyone seen/driven a Farmer engine? Is any of this for real?
I'm asking both as a reality check and to see what other alternatives may be out there.
Thanks,
John