Advice on Parting Out?

SeaDweller · 01-09-2002, 10:01 AM

As you might be aware, I'm facing a relocation to CA, so my emmissions equipment-less SC must go. I never thought I'd find myself asking about this, but I'm considering parting the car out. Despite the fact that I have a rebuilt '83 engine, new clutch kit, excellent 915 transmission, and tons of other new mechanical and electrical parts, it looks like the car is worth more in parts than it is as a whole. The decision to part it out is purely financial. I don't expect someone to pay me the $20K+ I have in it, but I certainly can't give it away either.

Being that the car needs a front pan and some other minor body related work, it seems folks want to pay $8K for it. Isn't the rebuilt engine and excellent transmission worth at least $6K? Surely there's more than $2K worth of parts left over, especially given it has flawless Fuchs with new tires, an excellent interior, etc.

If I do decide to part it out, I'm not sure what to part out and what to sell as a whole. I'm really not interested in pulling knobs and switches for $5. I'm thinking about selling the engine and transmission, but don't know how much further to part it from there.

Being a sunroof-less coupe, I'm thinking it might be a good buy for someone interested in a track car, but what do folks expect when they buy a "roller?" Can I sell the interior (gauges, dash, seats, door panels, etc.), and still sell it as a roller? How about the Fuchs? Will someone just buy a "shell"?

I'd really appreciate some advice on this. I'm already sick with the fact I have to sell it, and it bothers me even more to think about parting it out. Any other suggestions would be most welcomed. At this point, I'm running out of time and options, and can't put the car on the market for several months.

Thanks all!

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Why not just do another engine swap, for one that is legal in CA? You can probably sell your fresh rebuild and put the money toward a motor you can register in CA. You may even come out ahead a bit, if you do the labor yourself.

From everything I hear, parting out a car is a major PITA.

Tom

Edit: my spelling sucks.

CRH911S · 01-09-2002, 10:29 AM

If you decide to part out, with detail, describe the rebuild to the engine and trans. I may be interested.

Clinton

Superman · 01-09-2002, 11:21 AM

The fact that cars are worth more in pieces than as a working car, is sad but true. Unfortunately, you would need to deal with dozens if not hundreds of prospective buyers to accomplish the
parting out' thing.

I think it is additionally sad that a nice, euro, non-sunroof SC might be dismantled. In some circles (smart ones in my view) your shell would be desirable. It is lighter than a sunroof-SC and it is still galvanized.

After selling parts, you would then wind up with a pile of parts that did not sell. And the car you once loved would no longer exist. (Sorry, couldn't resist that one)

If I were in your situation, I would not want to move to California without a 911. I would look for an opportunity to sell the engine and buy one that passes California laws. There are lots of those, and you will probably be able to pocket some moolah, since they are generally not in the great shape your existing motor is in.

Just for kicks, I might see if I can locate a USA exhaust system with a working CAT, bolt it on and see if it can pass emissions. Worth a try! Since lots of guys have upgraded to SSI or similar, there are hundreds of stock exhaust systems laying on peoples' garage floors. I've seen several in that location.

Dantilla · 01-09-2002, 11:27 AM

Another issue to consider is having a place to store the car while you are pulling parts. It will most likely be a long process, and once the wheels & tires are gone, especially when suspension is removed, the tub had better be in a place where it does not have to be moved anymore. It would also have to be accesable for a towing company to haul away the stripped hulk.

wckrause · wckrause's Garage

A smog legal motor swap sounds reasonable. It would certainly be less headache that trying to get your ROW up to spec.

I think the issue is more than just getting a CAT put back on and passing emissions. I believe he would have to put every emissions device back on. Cat, air pump, EGR valve,....

Would it be possible to move your 911 to CA and store it until a suitable engine can be found? I don't know what happens if you don't get it registered and title transfered for a few months.

Parting it out sounds like a real PITA, but if you do, how much for the Fuchs?

SeaDweller · 01-09-2002, 11:48 AM

Well, the sad thing is, the car will easily pass emissions without ANY of the smog equipment, not even a CAT. This is meaningless to the California Air Resources Board however, as it has to have all of the smog equipment, regardless of whether or not it will pass without it.

I've thought of getting an engine that will satisfy the SMOG police, but then I'd be pulling an engine, installing another one, trying to sell one, etc. Also, I'll end up way back where I started, with an engine with an unknown future.

The car has to be registered within 30 days, or there are financial penalties. Believe me, I've been looking into this for a year now, and while there are ways to circumvent the "law," if you get caught, they can fine you and impound the car until it's made legal for use in CA. I used to live in CA, so I'm aware of what I'm up against. If this car were a weekend warrior, I'd consider it, but this is my daily driver, and I'm sure sooner or later I'd get nailed with Florida tags on the car.

Is $10K an unreasonable amount to expect to get for the car whole?

wckrause · wckrause's Garage

$10K sounds high if you have rust problems, and the mileage your car has. $6K for the engine/tranny seems a bit high too, but maybe for a very well documented rebuild that somebody can see running before they buy.

Can you legally store an unregistered car in CA?

Superman · 01-09-2002, 12:03 PM

You say the engine IS in compliance with emission spec. I think I could make the car appear to be in compliance with the visual test. I'm pretty sure this is the way I would go. EGR hoses can't be that hard to hook up, or appear to be hooked up. I though air pumps went out with the later SCs, but perhaps they continued in California models. If so, find a doggone air pump and put it on for the smog test. Heck of a lot easier than parting it out and financially wiser than selling the car outright.

wckrause · wckrause's Garage

How about another option.

Sell the engine and tranny (and maybe wheels) yourself. Sell the rest to a dismantler. Are there any dismantlers in your area? They should be able to give you a quote.

makaio · 01-09-2002, 01:29 PM

Don't part your car out! Find a used 3.0 that has the smog stuff.

SeaDweller · 01-09-2002, 02:06 PM

Well, maybe I'll drop an ad on Rennlist while I'm grappling with my options.....

Thanks everyone.......

Superman · 01-09-2002, 02:24 PM

I'll be there are a thousand garages in California with a box marked "EMISSIONS CRAP." Thos boxes have stock exhaust pieces, stock EGR stuff and stock air pumps (where applicable). Heck, somebody probably rents that stuff.

Tacoma911 · 01-09-2002, 06:20 PM

I concur with Noah's message. Before moving to the PNW I had a small part time used motorcycle parts business. Very time consuming - I would say that I would made a sale for every 5-6 phone calls that I got. Its not the same as being a retail outlet selling new goods.

some guy's X6 Hustler is fun.

Trying to part out a car and get ready to relocate just makes it worse.

Does you motor have the air injection ports in the head plugged? If the the ports are there, it would seem like it would be possible to get the cat type exhaust system and smog pump retro fitted fairly easily. I know of a couple of people in California that fit the smog equipment and set emission tuning for a week for the smog test.

Best of luck with what ever decision that you make.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

I think he said in another post that the heads don't have ports for the air pump.

How does the DMV know what equipment is required on a specific car? What I mean is, my car (1982) does not have a smog pump. If Seadweller puts on an exhaust system with a O2 sensor (just run the wire back behind the engine someplace) can't he say the engine is from a later car?

Tom

Doug Zielke · 01-09-2002, 08:08 PM

You part out wrecks and junkers, not a serviceable vehicle with lots of new parts. And you shouldn't part out an SC!

How hard have you worked to sell the car?
I bet not nearly as hard as you will, trying to sell a bunch of parts to some vultures.

Elfer · 01-09-2002, 10:19 PM

First, dont part out your SC.
Secondly, and this is just an idea, why not sell your motor and tranny, then pick up a 3.2 or a 3.6 and do a transplant. I know that you probably would have to shell out more cash, but you'll be gaining more with that route. California law permits the transplant of another engine from the same make but only with the same year or later. You cant transplant an earlier motor than the year of your SC. As long as you install all of the components of the new engine, without leaving anything out especially smog equipment, then you should be able to pass smog with flying colors and still have a street-legal, DOT approved car.
Just my $.02

Leland Pate · 01-09-2002, 11:25 PM

I like elfers idea.

If you figure your gonna take a hit on selling it... what do you honestly think you could get...8K?
Think about this... I would say you could get maybe 4.5K for a well documented, complete 3.0 engine. I've seen 3.6s for sale for about 6K, you'd have to add in the extra amount needed for the conversion...maybe Jack could enlighten us a bit more on mandatory added costs.
The difference might not be all that great by doing the conversion when you factor in the amount you will lose on the car, plus the amount you'd have to spend in the future on a CA legal car.

Just something to think about. I wouldn't say that a 3.2/3.6 liter conversion is easy... but it's probably on par with trying to dismantle it for parts!

And it would be cool!