Quote:
Originally Posted by pjku79
OK, I'll be honest. I have never owned a 911. That's why I am here. I would love to have a nice one with a flat six, but its just not in my budget right now. I want one running and in good shape. I don't need another garage queen. I already have a 69 firebird in pieces. A v8 conversion to some is a demonized Porsche, but to me its a way to get a nice car for a great deal (because you all think its demonized). I am pretty handy, so I wouldn't put it passed myself to change the engine back or to a newer 911 engine once I get my firebird done.
|
I think you are looking at false economy here. I would imagine that the costs associated with these conversions are highly unpredictable -- it is very difficult to know if the engineering is solid, or if the seller is fobbing his unworkable, botched project onto someone else.
You might get a cheaper car outright, but at $25k the one you listed is NOT cheaper than a quality SC with an original motor. Not perfect, but much better condition than that one.
Good conversions do exist. A lot of times professional engineers do this sort of thing just to prove that it can be done -- and will spend tons of money to prove it. But they usually want to recoup as much of that investment as possible. If a conversion is done to an extremely high (reliable and safe) standard, they probably want a premium for the car -- not a discount.
An amateur, shoe-horned job might be cheap upfront, but very costly in the long term, and impossible to return to stock at anything approaching cost effectiveness.
Good luck with your search. If you are committed, I would definitely ensure that any conversion you buy is fully operable, roadworthy, currently registered, and can pass your local safety and environmental laws.