2000wrx

If I plan to mod the body to a wide body, change the motor to a 3.8L N/A motor and generally mess with the car til it is what I want in every way which car would be a better base to start with.

The SC seem to be much less expensive to purchase, and this might save me money for modifications, unless there is somethign I am missing.


Thanks for your help!!!


FYI I am a year from a purchase, just geeked and researching as I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

kd4yor

A 3.2 will net you more available cash to do your build and could get you a G50 while your at it.

earlyapex

There is nothing wrong witht the 3.0L motor and 915 transmission. The earlier SC's were lighter and felt closer to what a 911 should feel like IMO. The G50 shifts differently, but weighs more.

You first need to set a budget. All the things that you stated that you want to do cost a good amount of money.

2000wrx

Yea, that is why I am trying to do a lot of research, it should help me round out my concept of what I want versus what I can afford. Or at least help set the timeline of such a project.

The SC's seem to have a similar reputation for reliability to the 3.2L's, I am sure that I will have to drive both once I am closer to purchase, to see which suits me better.


"A 3.2 will net you more available cash to do your build and could get you a G50 while your at it."

How with the 3.2 do this....??

earlyapex

Look through the Elephant Racing catalog. They have suspension packages that allow you to see what can be done to a torsion bar suspened 911 and more importantly for you how much the parts will cost. An engine rebuild is a whole different issue. Budget 10-20 k since you are looking at 3.4-3.8L monsters. A good paint job with wide body conversion is about 10 k. Coilovers? Brake upgrade?

I don't want to dash your dreams. I just want you to go into your decision making process with a clear idea of what you may get into.

rentadate

If you are going to butcher get the 3.2 IMHO. That's because an unmolested SC is a beauty.

KRA993tt

I don't know all the specs of the 3.2 vs. the SC, but have followed a number of reconstruction projects. For most of these projects there is generally less work for cars that have more modern systems (relative term). If you are converting a torsion bar car to coilovers there is extensive building required. If you want a G50 transmission it is easier to start with one than convert to one. Again I don't know the recommendation of an expert but I would think if you are planning on a 3.8 you are talking transmission, suspension, brakes and then your body mods. You may end up spending the money you save on the initial cost with the transformation you are planning. Like most will people will tell you, buy the newest car you can afford. My .02

DB_NC_95C2

If it's a 'decent or better' car as the starting point, I'd start with a Carrera as the donor to improve things A - Z, especially if you want the G50 tranny. An SC that is in need of lots of work (if found for significantly less money) is probably a better choice than a 'unmolested' SC.

As for keeping an SC unmolested, I would agree.

My SC is a beauty (found it in '05 with 58k one-owner miles, everything I'm doing is component improvements, under the skin, i.e. Rennaire stuff going in this week including barrier hoses) and in trying to keep it unmolested, I thought 'stock' even when going to SSI's and 2-into-1 M&K , for retaining the stock look, if not the stock sound ;-) I wouldn't consider a 930S wheel, turbo tie rods, and much of the other stuff I've done 'molesting' the car, just improving its overall Porsche-ness.

Peter Zimmermann

Why don't you forget about the SC/3.2 and start with a Turbo? That way you get the wide body (maybe even a well-painted car!), big brakes/suspension pieces, proper oil cooling and a great base engine that you can use for big horsepower - and the car is a bargain for what you get. Obviously, depending on where you live, smog requirements will have to be considered.

g-50cab

+1 on Pete's recommendation - You'll spend 2 x the money converting a SC or Carrera

2000wrx

This has crossed my mind a time or two. My biggest problem is I am from the "want it now" generation. An a 930 while a great deal for the money (in Porsche terms) is still a 30K car. While a nice 3.2L is a 20K car and an SC can be a little less.

One thought I have had is to buy a nice 3.2L (87-89) and injoy it for a couple of years and then move to a 930 ( if I still want to).

I do appreciate all the info guys, and have been enjoying pete's book.


I guess my thinking was rather than go for all out big power, I could have a well balanced car that is well sorted and drivable. I thought the N/A 3.0-3.2L based car would get me there.

I think I need to own a Porsche before I will know what I want in a Porsche. All I know now is that I want "A" Porsche and have spent to much money and time chassing other cars when what I have always wanted is a Porsche.

theiceman

Why do we do al this talking and then Pete comes in with the painfully obvious ...

2000wrx

Key word "painfull" hehehehe

madmmac

No affiliation....except the car would be about 15 miles from where I live....

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/car/324248676.html

Oshin11

Sounds like you should get a well sorted SC or G50 car and enjoy it for a while, if you still feel like you want more power, then go all out. I would suggest an SC for you. I went with a G50 because they are a little nicer on the shifting and just a big more reliable. It has enough power for me. However, the SC having a better power/weight ratio may be better for you, the shifting is quite different though. I drove an SC and instantly knew it was not for me for my first Porsche, just too harsh. Maybe in a few years Drive both! Also, my G50 was pretty well sorted and I put a lot of TLC into it to get it to the gem it is now. About 24-25K. But with an SC, if you pay 18-20K you will be getting one hell of an SC with very low miles. My car has 123K, you could get an SC with under 50K I think, can anyone validate that?