Debating an engine swap-so cal
#1
Track Day
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So I’ve been debating and still not sure...so I thought I’d get some input!
i have a 73.5 T, with 2.4L CIS. Engine runs well and has been pretty reliable etc...and while it is period correct, it is not #s matching .
So I’ve been debating going for a swap to most likely a 3.2
What are some pros and cons I should consider?
Where is the best place to source a good engine? (Again in so. Cal)
What is a good figure for budget ( engine plus install and wiring etc)
thanks for the feedback!!!
i have a 73.5 T, with 2.4L CIS. Engine runs well and has been pretty reliable etc...and while it is period correct, it is not #s matching .
So I’ve been debating going for a swap to most likely a 3.2
What are some pros and cons I should consider?
Where is the best place to source a good engine? (Again in so. Cal)
What is a good figure for budget ( engine plus install and wiring etc)
thanks for the feedback!!!
#3
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Do it. Your enjoyment is too valuable not to butcher it with a slow revving, low hp CIS motor.
Just store the original motor in case you want to sell the car some day.
I have done almost exactly the same thing - '73.5 w/ a CIS motor & (among other things) put in a hotrod 3.2L motor with PMO carbs, SSIs, Monty dual cowhorn muffler, twin-plugged, higher compr., hotter cams & etc. It transforms the car.
Many people have also swapped in a stock 3.2L with the EFI. You get better cold starts than carbs or CIS, but the whole package weighs more than stock and is MUCH faster.
Just store the original motor in case you want to sell the car some day.
I have done almost exactly the same thing - '73.5 w/ a CIS motor & (among other things) put in a hotrod 3.2L motor with PMO carbs, SSIs, Monty dual cowhorn muffler, twin-plugged, higher compr., hotter cams & etc. It transforms the car.
Many people have also swapped in a stock 3.2L with the EFI. You get better cold starts than carbs or CIS, but the whole package weighs more than stock and is MUCH faster.
#4
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Do it. Car might me more valuable if you do it right. I would save the motor you have and put it aside even though it’s not a matching number. I’d call the usual shops like TRE, TLG and see if they know of a motor for sale. Possibly a motor from their customer who wants to upgrade or swap out their current setup.
Ive seen some nice narrow body 3.2 hotrods and the good ones changes hands quickly.
Ive seen some nice narrow body 3.2 hotrods and the good ones changes hands quickly.
#5
Burning Brakes
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What are the CA smog test issues for something like that?
#7
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I'm in the same position. No smog rules on these old cars, or better, is could say, no inspections to check compliance. I do think there are 'rules'
These old cars are most valuable 100% original (either restored or awesome unrestored) or 100% modified in a great way. I feel they are the most fun when they are modified in a great way.
You already have a mutt. Make it awesome or fun or yours.
An engine swap with an engine restore/rebuild + is probably in the 30k range, depends on core, build, and the induction/adjacencies.
DO IT. I will be.
These old cars are most valuable 100% original (either restored or awesome unrestored) or 100% modified in a great way. I feel they are the most fun when they are modified in a great way.
You already have a mutt. Make it awesome or fun or yours.
An engine swap with an engine restore/rebuild + is probably in the 30k range, depends on core, build, and the induction/adjacencies.
DO IT. I will be.
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#8
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So I’ve been debating and still not sure...so I thought I’d get some input!
i have a 73.5 T, with 2.4L CIS. Engine runs well and has been pretty reliable etc...and while it is period correct, it is not #s matching .
So I’ve been debating going for a swap to most likely a 3.2
What are some pros and cons I should consider?
Where is the best place to source a good engine? (Again in so. Cal)
What is a good figure for budget ( engine plus install and wiring etc)
thanks for the feedback!!!
i have a 73.5 T, with 2.4L CIS. Engine runs well and has been pretty reliable etc...and while it is period correct, it is not #s matching .
So I’ve been debating going for a swap to most likely a 3.2
What are some pros and cons I should consider?
Where is the best place to source a good engine? (Again in so. Cal)
What is a good figure for budget ( engine plus install and wiring etc)
thanks for the feedback!!!
A 3.2 or hot 3.2-3.4 makes for a great motor. The 3.2 motor is heavier than your 2.4 and will make the backend feel a little different than what you experience now.
With bigger motor, you will probably want a slightly wider rear tire, and then need / want flares, and then want to start making the car a bit lighter and then want an LSD and then want wevo shifter and then want different seats and then want ........budget to do this, we all just stick the receipts in a box, lie to our wives and never, never total them up.
Whatever you do, enjoy!!
#9
Drifting
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Don't be afraid to do it. But don't rush your decision. Do research to determine what you are looking for. As already mentioned, the newer motors are heavier and have different characteristics. My personal opinion is building a period correct hot rod motor. Need to decide if you want a high revving screamer motor or torquey cruiser or? Sky is the limit but there are great options with going to a 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 build. Pic your components and compression ratio and go for the character you are looking for.
Nothing wrong with putting in a 3.0 or 3.2 - actually they are great options (I debated this quite a bit). As mentioned above, think about the overall weight, handling characteristics and other mods needed (keep narrow body?) for your desired end result.
Nothing wrong with putting in a 3.0 or 3.2 - actually they are great options (I debated this quite a bit). As mentioned above, think about the overall weight, handling characteristics and other mods needed (keep narrow body?) for your desired end result.
#11
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Wow! Great insight all around!
So the car is already far from original...which is what is the driving factor in terms of going 100% down the path. Already has RS flares, fairly stripped out interior, updated kw suspension, etc...so the engine is really the last big step!
In terms of setup my mindset was to go 3.2, efi...good power and easy/turnkey reliability...but I’m still doing my homework on other options too...
What is the concern on the weight of the engine? I’m assuming the power etc will out work the incremental weight....what else am I missing?
aside from tlg/tre are there any other key shops that might be a good place to start...I think most can do the install/build...I’m more concerned with a reliable source for the engine itself too...
So the car is already far from original...which is what is the driving factor in terms of going 100% down the path. Already has RS flares, fairly stripped out interior, updated kw suspension, etc...so the engine is really the last big step!
In terms of setup my mindset was to go 3.2, efi...good power and easy/turnkey reliability...but I’m still doing my homework on other options too...
What is the concern on the weight of the engine? I’m assuming the power etc will out work the incremental weight....what else am I missing?
aside from tlg/tre are there any other key shops that might be a good place to start...I think most can do the install/build...I’m more concerned with a reliable source for the engine itself too...
#12
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more wt. slung way out behind the center of mass... and it is not just a wt. balance (40% Front, 60% Rear) issue, it is a momentum issue (so non-linear with position, goes like z^2)
EFI (Motec or a custom Bosch unit like Robt. Linton uses on his amazing 964) can give more power than carbs with xlnt drivability; PMO carbs are even better than Webers tho PMO makes FI throttle bodies now
I have a 964/993 dual drive distr. in mine for the twin plugging, but if I had it to do over again I might go with a crankfire setup
it's all about the speed shop quote - you could put a Williams-ized Singer motor in it if you were willing to pay for a Singer, then swap motors...
or you could put a stock EFI 3.2L in - or anything in between
plenty of shops in SoCal to build what you want
EFI (Motec or a custom Bosch unit like Robt. Linton uses on his amazing 964) can give more power than carbs with xlnt drivability; PMO carbs are even better than Webers tho PMO makes FI throttle bodies now
I have a 964/993 dual drive distr. in mine for the twin plugging, but if I had it to do over again I might go with a crankfire setup
it's all about the speed shop quote - you could put a Williams-ized Singer motor in it if you were willing to pay for a Singer, then swap motors...
or you could put a stock EFI 3.2L in - or anything in between
plenty of shops in SoCal to build what you want
#13
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Funny that this thread comes up. I have an 87 3.2 Carrera with an 89 3.2L engine. Engine has 105k miles according to swap documentation.
And I'm pulling it out for a 3.6L twin plug varioram engine. Nothing wrong with the 3.2L engine. It's a very strong engine and has no issues, but I want more power.
So I get where you are coming from. I'm in the same boat for my 87 Carrera and I'm in Orange County, Ca.
I have a plan for smog too.
And I'm pulling it out for a 3.6L twin plug varioram engine. Nothing wrong with the 3.2L engine. It's a very strong engine and has no issues, but I want more power.
So I get where you are coming from. I'm in the same boat for my 87 Carrera and I'm in Orange County, Ca.
I have a plan for smog too.
#14
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How about this. It’s located near Los Angeles.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...m-16500-a.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...m-16500-a.html
#15
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The background on that engine seems a bit suspect...very few details and some odd descriptions....not sure that’s the right call.
Danco- I’ll pm you so we can exchange some additional notes!
Danco- I’ll pm you so we can exchange some additional notes!