[COLB]

I wouldn't give up on locating the original motor. An ad on the Early S forum might turn something up. It isn't likely in the near term, but it not impossible.

techweenie or some other poster may weigh in and give better advice on how to proceed.

In general terms, 911Es are going to trade in different value bands, and the difference between bands is significant:

1. Original, correct engine with MFI
2. Unoriginal, correct engine with MFI
or
2a. Original, correct engine with carb conversion (this seems very common, and the MFI is rarely available -- and they are quite expensive to source)
3. Unoriginal, correct engine with carb or CIS conversion
4. Unoriginal, incorrect engine (a carbed or CIS 2.7, carbed 2.4, 3.0, etc)

I don't follow long hood values that closely -- it is a very hard market to follow because values are skyrocketing, and individual car values vary wildly based on color, options, originality, and other variables that are very difficult to assess if you are not an expert (and I'm not).

But as a SWAG, a restored car with the original MFI engine -- in very good (but not concours) condition is probably trading in the $80-120k range. Color is a big factor.

The difference between the top category above and the bottom one may well be $30-50k to a serious buyer -- so maybe $50-70k? Again -- total SWAG on values -- but the point is that the MFI is what makes a 911E desirable, and if it is missing, that is a big nick.

The question to ask an expert is: how hard is it to convert a CIS car back to MFI? If this can be done without major surgery -- and yours is already converted -- I would keep the running engine you have, get it painted and fixed as close to original as you can, and then drive the hell out of it and save your pennies -- and take some time to try to locate the original -- or a correct MFI motor.

However, if it is already being torn down and restored -- and you have the money -- now might be the best time to source a MFI motor, return the wiring to stock, and get it "correct" if unoriginal. It won't be cheap, and may take some time, but I bet you would eventually recoup your investment if you ever choose to sell.