HELP ME CHOSE: 3 engines - which one?

[JabsZA]

Hi All,

I am itching to uprate my 77 991s 2.7l engine.

Through a friend of mine who is in the car dealership business, i have managed to source and narrow down to three possible engines from the UK. I plan to ship them to the US.

Options:

1) '89 3.2l - RSR flywheel, Motec M4 ECU management, Electromotive crank fire ignition,
Club Sport Mahle Pistons, 10.5/1 compression, 964 rods, Devilar studs; 300hp at flywheel claimed. ->I know Devilar studs are not ideal????

2) '90 3.6l - off a 964 @ 80k miles. Shows no signs of leaking from cylinder heads or block. Has a New Oil pressure sending unit. Has a broken Airbox. Valve covers have some oil buildup around them.

3) '91 3.6l - off a 964 @ 180k km. Claimed to be trouble free.

All 3 are quite inexpensive and from the pics look in good nick.
Worst case scenario - which ever one I chose, will have to be rebuild.

..but as relative newbie, my question is around which engine has the most overall potential for reliability, the extra power, maintenance etc...I am not a track guy, so do not see myself racing, but i do enjoy speed and power on tap....OR do i keep hunting for a 993 VRAM??

[sc_rufctr]

I'd go for option 2)... Because nothing beats the reliability of low miles and a stock configuration.

Number 1) will probably break in no time flat.
Why even consider 3) at more than double the milage of 2)? (assuming that's miles not kilometers)

[KCuv]

^^^this response makes the most sense - I guess the other Q is whats the price difference between them all? That would be a significant variable in my decision making.

[javadog]

I'd want more info on them. For instance, who built number 1? How much use since it was built? How was it used? Etc.

The next question would be how much did I trust the sellers? It's probably not uncommon to sell a turd to someone overseas. Not much they can do about it.

The last thing I'd ask myself is why buy something I can't personally inspect. If I were looking for an engine, I'd look for one here and check it out before buying it. I have a hard time believing you can buy one cheaper in the UK, where prices are generally higher than in the US, and get it shipped over here for less money than you'd have invested in buying one already here. Unless the engines in the UK are turds, and getting sold at 50 cents on the dollar to a sucker in the US....

Those are my thoughts, before I even consider which one might suit me better.

JR

[Kevin911sc]

Without getting leakdown numbers its hard to know the condition....I would hunt for the 993 VRAM, and price out a newer transmission or rebuild because all of these engines are on the upper limit for your transmission. Might as well go all the way, its only going to get more expensive.

[JabsZA]

Originally Posted by javadog

I'd want more info on them. For instance, who built number 1? How much use since it was built? How was it used? Etc.

The next question would be how much did I trust the sellers? It's probably not uncommon to sell a turd to someone overseas. Not much they can do about it.

The last thing I'd ask myself is why buy something I can't personally inspect. If I were looking for an engine, I'd look for one here and check it out before buying it. I have a hard time believing you can buy one cheaper in the UK, where prices are generally higher than in the US, and get it shipped over here for less money than you'd have invested in buying one already here. Unless the engines in the UK are turds, and getting sold at 50 cents on the dollar to a sucker in the US....

Those are my thoughts, before I even consider which one might suit me better.

JR

All good and valid points. Yes, the risk is that the engines might be turds - but whats the worst case scenario? Rebuilding? ..to your own specs? Seems like a silver lining...

Costs wise - Lets say the engine costs me 1000 - 1500 english pounds. Say thats $2k US. Shipping another $1k. Rebuild cost - i am guessing for parts +- $6-8k (i have not fully researched yet). I will be doing this myself with a knowledgeable friend who has done a handful rebuilds...so say I am all in at $10k and a couple cases of beer.... :-) That is still better than the local, used engines i have seen that sell on avg for anything $12k+...

these are my thoughts...right or wrong... I am looking at all options available..

[theiceman]

you also have to consider the emmisions regulations in your area, this should always be a concern when swapping engines.

[john walker's workshop]

I'd go for the 3.2. It will fit without modifications, other than running the wire loom, which you should get with the engine, along with the DME unit.

[JT912]

Something sounds fishy with the pricing of these. Are they stolen?

[al lkosmal]

Some of this depends on your capabilities and/or wallet.

1. The 3.2 hot rod engine would be my choice, based on the fun factor and, as John points out, ease of install....however, I am totally comfortable with tuning and programming the ECUs for engine management/crankfire systems...like the Motec. .......there is a learning curve, or you must be able to pay someone that has already gained the understanding of how to make these work well.

2. A nice, low mileage 3.6 is a good thing, but does require some mods for proper install:

Wiring Harness Adapter
Flywheel
Throttle Cable cable.
trimming or reducing/removing the throttle stop under your accelerator pedal to achieve WOT.
Single Pulley
Power Steering Block Off -if req'd
Engine Tins and Console/Crossbar - modify
Oil Cooler Install

3. A higher mileage 3.6 may not be a smoking deal, if rebuild is required.

Also , the earlier 3.6s...up to 1992, if I remember correctly, did not have head gaskets and some leaked.

[911SauCy]

I'm currently saving my lunch money for an "Option 1" so, yea, that's the way I'd go.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by JabsZA

Lets say the engine costs me 1000 - 1500 english pounds. Say thats $2k US.

That's not a legitimate price for any of those engines.

So, time to start asking yourself why...

JR

[chrisbruck]

A $2k air-cooled 911 engine is a solid boat anchor in my head....

[Cory M]

Originally Posted by javadog

That's not a legitimate price for any of those engines.

So, time to start asking yourself why...

JR

+1

big red flag

[Dr DIY]

I have no advice but I look forward to hearing the followup on this thread 6-12 months from now.

[vintagecarlover]

If u are offered these low cost engines from the uk, run away. I have a buddy who when looking was offered a few cheap alternatives that left no recourse incase the funds run away with non existent engines. Anyone that says cheap engines in this day and time needs to be investigated REALLY well before sending a nickel. Make sure u can put ur hands on them, pay and put them in your truck and take zero chances to get screwed. Glws. M

[vintagecarlover]

Can u say Scam, boys and girls? Tell the seller u will take all three and will pay COD in cash or whatever currency they use in Nigeria

[JabsZA]

Thanks all.

Yes, I am not oblivious of the potential red flags - as indicated in my OP - i have a friend in the UK who will personally, physically inspect the chosen engine. He has a car dealership, so i trust his opinion / input.

I wasn't born yesterday - i wouldn't send money to the UK without getting it vetted. :-)

[javadog]

Well, make sure he knows what he's looking at, inspects them closely and checks to see if they are stolen. Personally, I can't see anybody selling a $10,000 engine for $2,000, so let us know how that works out for you.

JR

[davetaylor]

If these engines are all this cheap, why not buy all three and sell the two you don't want and quintuple your money?