Hi all,
I am running a euro version 911S that was delivered in November 1975 (model year 1976). I am at a loss as to what engine type is installed as multiple sources are contradicting each other. The car is matching numbers.
The “Fahrzeugbrief” (registration certificate) mentions that the car is a 1976 911S at 175hp.
That seems in line with Bruce Anderson’s Performance Handbook, who mentions that the MY75 911S engine (rated at 175hp) has been retained for 1976. However, Peter Morgan (Porsche in Detail) writes that the MY76 car uses the base 911 engine of the year before but at improved performance (from 150 to 165hp).
But.... A recent Porsche “Geburtsurkunde” (birth certificate) shows that the model is in fact referred to as a 911 (without the S), as according to Porsche database the S had been dropped for the MY76 and that the car is 165hp.
I would like to know if my car indeed is a 911S and has the 1975 911S engine (in line with the original registration certificate and Bruce Anderson), or in fact is a 911 (without S) and has the 1976 version of the 1975 base engine tuned to 165hp (in line with engine number held against the Porsche database). The 75 engine is the 911/42, whereas the 76 engine should be the 911/81.
Did anyone else come across the same issue? Does anyone know the differences between the two engine types and can I physically inspect the engine to see which one is mounted?
I realize this is quite a detailed question, but I don’t think I will be able to find further info. So any help is much appreciated. Thanks.
Pieter

 

What is your engine number and type stamp.
It’s on the case, near the temp sensor near the fan. You see if from decklid open not under car.

those will tell you what is in the car

 

This image (borrowed from Pelican) will help you find the engine type and serial numbers. The type number is on the horizontal part of the case, the serial number on the vertical part of the case next to the fan.

To add a bit to the confusion, in 1975 Europe got a base 911 (150 hp) and the 911S (175 hp, engine 911/42). In 1976, Europe only had a single 911 model with engine 911/81 (165 hp). The US cars were all called 911S, but they were the same HP as the Euro cars (except California, which had more emissions gear added that cost some power).




Mark

 

Hi, thanks for this, even taking the time to include a photo of the locations where to find the numbers. Super. I did know my engine no and where to locate it, but never saw the type stamp (with its really tiny letters...
A bit wiser again...! The stamp says 911/81.
According to the handbooks I have my engine no 63604xx is indeed a 911/81, so that seems ok.
But would this then be the same engine as in the 911S MY1975 (as per Bruce Anderson, which would also match the 175hp as mentioned on the car’s original registration), or would it be an upgraded 911 base engine? I can imagine this is not an easy answer to find, but would you have any idea where I should start looking for the answer?

The VIN no is 91163004xx, which shows that the car is a euro spec 911 base MY1976 (not an S). This also follows from the Porsche birth certificate (which makes sense as I reckon both pull from the same data). How is it possible then that the car carries a 911S badge and shows as a 911S on its original registration certificate?

I recognize that there have been S spec USA models for MY1976, but to my knowledge this has not been the case in Europe. Could this be a special customer request, or perhaps an error when the car was registered in Germany in 75, or was the 911S model carried on in MY1976 for some time and only then discontinued...? Very much interested to hear your ideas about this.

Thanks again.

 

Well not really or we wouldn't be driving Porsches.

I have quite a few books with some written by those that most of us would consider "gurus". Unfortunately the information is not always accurate.
I have gone to Porsche's V Pages for the info I needed for my 993 and 991. I do not know if they are available for your year. Try Googling it.

 

Thanks a lot, I will certainly follow that up.

 

911/81 is a MY76, RoW 911 2.7l 121kw(165hp) There were 2 different RoW Carrera versions for that year 2.7 911/83 154kw(210hp) & 930/02 147kw9200hp), US 911S(there was no US 911) had 911/82 121kw and Cal. 911/84 121kw

In MY75 the 911/41 110kw was the base RoW engine w/ 91142 as the S option 129 kw, RoW Carrera used the 911/83 154kw engine while US Carrera used 911/43 121kw excpt California Carrera which got 911/44 118kw