I have an '87 911 with 140k miles that needs a top end rebuild. Assuming no significant oil leaks from lower unit, do you save $ by doing just the top end or do you bite the bullet and either do a complete rebuild or drop a rebuilt engine in.

If you're gonna do this, what other modifications would make sense?

 

Chris,

I want to say a top end rebuild will run you around $3K, give or take. If called for, you could go with new, or bigger, pistons or pistons/cylinders, adding another $1K-$4K depending on what you chose. You could break the case open, and redo the bottom end, which would add maybe another $2K? to it. If you break the case open, change the rod bolts to Raceware, as the stock Porsche bolts were reduced to 9mm (as I recall) on the 3.2 engines (they were 10mm on the SC's), which can fail at extended high rpm. Another option, depending on your usage, is you could upgrade the oil pump to a turbo or 964 pump. If you track it a bunch, you might twin plug it, especially if you raise the compression with new pistons or pistons/cylinder. There are lots of ways to spend money on an engine. You need to decide what you want to do, and consider if any options have emissions complications (ie, if you decided to trash motronics and go for carb's).

Regarding a used engine, I'd rather rebuild my own to a known state than put a used engine in. Assuming of course that you're not upgrading to a 3.6

 

It's real easy to fall into the "while your in there.." mindset. If you think you are going to keep the car for a long time, go ahead and tear it apart and get it over with now, if you have the cash. I cant see spending 10k on a motor job if it really doesnt need it though. A top end rebiuld on a 3.2 seems to be pretty common by your mileage, as the bottom end hopefully is still ok.

Best of Luck

Chris

 

I would use it as a daily driver and not for racing.