1977 930 Restoration

[Tjcoury]

Hi Everyone!
My father and I recently acquired a 1977 930 roller to restore. It came with the original transmission, but is missing the engine.

We are debating finding a 3.0 930/53 engine to put into it, or upgrade to the 3.3L engine. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience either way?

Also, I’m new to the world of 930 values. Would restoring it to factory spec be best, or would the value be trashed if we upgraded to the 3.3, and painted it something other than the original color?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

[ahenthus]

I'd go for the 3.3 because it appears someone has already installed a tea tray in place of the original whale tail so it'll already accommodate an intercooler. Painting it a different color will affect the value with the concours crowd but I'd paint it to suit myself if I were you. Without matching numbers it won't be an original anyway even with a 3.0 and a proper whale tail. The most fun way to do it seems to be a well modified 3.3 with your choice of paint color. You'd never regret putting your money into modifying a 3.3. They're a lot of fun with 400hp. Nice aluminum trailer.

[RarlyL8]

Nice find!
The quality of the restoration or mods will of course affect the value. Restored values have settled some sense the craziness of 2015. Tastefully modified cars hold value but a numbers matching car should win out, even if modified. I actually have a 930/53 engine for that car if you want to go that route. It needs a full rebuild so you could do any mods you wish to it. The engine is complete to the air cleaner.

[albinski]

Go back to original 3 litre, especially now when the opportunity just jumped out !
There are not so many of these early cars out there so the each case like this is an opportunity to get one more back on the road. If you want 3.3, get this one to a roadworthy condition, flip it and get 3.3 instead..
I changed my 86 3.3 for a long time dream 3.0 76 and would never go back

[Tjcoury]

Hi Everyone!

Thank you all for the advice so far. You all have made some very compelling points, and after thinking about it and looking at the production numbers, my dad and I both agree that putting it back to original with the 3.0 engine would be the right thing to do, even if we do tastefully modify the 3.0, especially since we have the original transmission.

Would it be wise to source the original whale tail? I am leaning towards doing that, especially since it is going to need all new paint work anyways.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Tjcoury

Would it be wise to source the original whale tail? I am leaning towards doing that, especially since it is going to need all new paint work anyways.

IMO, definitely, if you've going with the 930/53 motor, as it's already so close that it doesn't seem to make sense not to go back to stock. (Leaving you with the dilemma of what to do about the notoriously inadequate "chocolate brakes" on the 3.0 930)

As far as resale goes, concurs/BAT crowd seem to love factory original, and that's what seems to fetch the most money. Although 1000s of 3.3s were built, so not as "rare" as most seem to think.

Traditionally, restoring for a profit only works out for a few people...

Modified 930s tend to make far better drivers - but appeal mostly to folks who already know that and prefer function over originality. Much smaller market/harder sell (especially if they're not aligned with your particular modifications/preferences).

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by Tjcoury

painted it something other than the original color?

If restoring, paint it the original color. Although the paint looks good to me - are you really aware of the cost/timescale of an appropriate concurs-quality respray with the glass out?

Plus, I'd point out a nugget of wisdom that I hope doesn't only make sense to you much later - "it's only original once".

(don't even get me started on folks that power coat stuff that would have been enamel or cellulose back in the day, thinking they've "improved" it - stuff looks like its dipped in plastic after).

Buy the paintable trim rings and the correct special factory screws to mount them and the H4s. RoW cars never came from the factory without the body-colored trim rings - simply painting the H4 bezels, as some think you can do, is not "correct". And looks very "wrong" in profile, IMO.

Also, that's not original (even though they work far better) - unless the car is RoW. US cars had sugar scoops.

I thought I could get away with it when I swapped out my H5s, as I had a black car and fitted black trim ring H4s. But it bugged the living heck out of me every single time I walked up to the car until it was fixed - even though paint/appearance is way down my list of priorities.

[Jeff NJ]

I just don't see the benefit of going original on any decision(paint, tail, lights, whatever) when the original motor is gone. Even if everything else is perfect and original, it's not numbers matching and that affects value a lot more than simple mods, IMO.
I say do what you want, knowing it's not a concours car and you will enjoy it far more.

[Bucketlist]

Originally Posted by Jeff NJ

I just don't see the benefit of going original on any decision(paint, tail, lights, whatever) when the original motor is gone. Even if everything else is perfect and original, it's not numbers matching and that affects value a lot more than simple mods, IMO.
I say do what you want, knowing it's not a concours car and you will enjoy it far more.

I totally agree on this and since you are leaning toward modifications you should make the car what you like. It would take a lot more time and money to get it back near original.

[jjonesx86]

Start from the outcomes you want to achieve with the car...what are your goals? Keep it forever and drive the hell out of it? Restore and sell? Bring it back to perfect original glory including trying to track down the original engine? Get it into nice driving shape, own it for a few years and then sell it without losing too much.

I think your intended outcomes should drive your decision and level of investment. Just don't fool yourself going in.

I'm a few years into a period correct restoration on a first year 75 930. Started with a numbers matching car. It will likely be sold after the restoration is complete because I prefer to own cars I can drive worry free. I would be having even more fun if I was restoring it as an outlaw / hotrod where I'm free to do whatever the heck I want. Bigger turbo, intercooler, bigger brakes, throw a ducktail on there for fun...then drive it like I stole it. That will be my next project to keep after this one is done.

[Mocker]

You can do the "modify with another engine" with any run of the mill SC/Carrera. IMO, a 930 should have the correct engine for the year, preferably the one that came with the car (but that's not a deal-breaker except for the concours folks).

The pre-'78 930s are their own thing, I'd get it back to looking and acting the part. I say that as a proud owner of a '79, which I'm happy to modify, but not to make it into a non-intercooled 3.0 liter or a 964 Turbo.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by Tjcoury

Hi Everyone!

Thank you all for the advice so far. You all have made some very compelling points, and after thinking about it and looking at the production numbers, my dad and I both agree that putting it back to original with the 3.0 engine would be the right thing to do, even if we do tastefully modify the 3.0, especially since we have the original transmission.

Would it be wise to source the original whale tail? I am leaning towards doing that, especially since it is going to need all new paint work anyways.

Definitely worth doing the original 3.0 wing, they are out there, just not cheap.
I’m having a hard time justifying using one on my 81SC

[gorskined]

awfully deep dish rear rims you may have Sc arms . . i didn't think you could go with that much of an offset with turbo arms. but it could also be the picture.
Nice car love the h4 . my fair weather driver is an 80sc steel widebody import car from Belgium with a 76 turbo 3.0l row slightly modified motor. sc cams raptor k-27 turbo long neck ic. I built it for drivability not hp, has a god awful 3.8l tail but the paint matches so I'm stuck with it for now. The 3.0l short stroke turbo motors are amazing spools up fast and pulls like hell build it drive and enjoy.

[quattrorunner]

I'd get a carrera efi engine stand in till you find the correct engine for this car. Turbo the carrera engine you'll get more easy power starting with the carrera engine.