3.0 ltr. SC engine bullet proof, but for how long?
08-09-2001, 09:16 PM
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3.0 ltr. SC engine bullet proof, but for how long?
I’m currently in the market for a 78-83’ SC and my search hasn’t been the best so far. From the few cars I have found that are in my area the cars have either been too much money, they have no history, or they have higher mileage.
My question is how many miles are too many? If a car has been well taken care of and the owner has most if not all of the records, then how many miles are reasonable to maintain a fairly highly reliable car for at least another couple years? I’m planning to attend a few DE events each year w/ the car and to drive it 2-4 times/ week so I’m estimating the car will see about 10K pretty hard miles each year. I have seen SC’s w/ mid 150’s for mileage and it doesn’t really bother me too much if the car has a good and proven history of maintenance. However, I’m currently looking at a car w/ ~185K miles on it and even though the owner claims that both he and the 1 previous owner have been meticulous concerning the car and maintenance performed on it, I’m still concerned. I know some cars have made it up to and past the 300K mark, but I thought that if a car made it to 200K that it would most likely be ready for some fairly extensive work. If a high mileage- (upper 100’s+) engine has good maintenance records and the PPI shows good compression & leak down results do you think the engine will be solid? Please help me out by making recommendations of what to look for, what to ask of buyers, any special requests in a PPI on a high mileage car, etc.
The high mileage car I’m looking at isn’t close enough for me to check out so I will be relying on the PPI fairly heavily. BTW- I do know about always having a PPI done and I actually just received some rather poor results from one, which killed a very close purchase!
2 other quick questions: Can anyone recommend a good place to have a PPI done in NYC, NY and around Baltimore City, MD?
Also- are 245/50/16 tires the correct ones for an SC? I know that 245/45/16 is much closer to stock, but will the taller tires provide bad gearing or handling characteristics for the SC?
TIA for any and all replies.
-Tony
My question is how many miles are too many? If a car has been well taken care of and the owner has most if not all of the records, then how many miles are reasonable to maintain a fairly highly reliable car for at least another couple years? I’m planning to attend a few DE events each year w/ the car and to drive it 2-4 times/ week so I’m estimating the car will see about 10K pretty hard miles each year. I have seen SC’s w/ mid 150’s for mileage and it doesn’t really bother me too much if the car has a good and proven history of maintenance. However, I’m currently looking at a car w/ ~185K miles on it and even though the owner claims that both he and the 1 previous owner have been meticulous concerning the car and maintenance performed on it, I’m still concerned. I know some cars have made it up to and past the 300K mark, but I thought that if a car made it to 200K that it would most likely be ready for some fairly extensive work. If a high mileage- (upper 100’s+) engine has good maintenance records and the PPI shows good compression & leak down results do you think the engine will be solid? Please help me out by making recommendations of what to look for, what to ask of buyers, any special requests in a PPI on a high mileage car, etc.
The high mileage car I’m looking at isn’t close enough for me to check out so I will be relying on the PPI fairly heavily. BTW- I do know about always having a PPI done and I actually just received some rather poor results from one, which killed a very close purchase!
2 other quick questions: Can anyone recommend a good place to have a PPI done in NYC, NY and around Baltimore City, MD?
Also- are 245/50/16 tires the correct ones for an SC? I know that 245/45/16 is much closer to stock, but will the taller tires provide bad gearing or handling characteristics for the SC?
TIA for any and all replies.
-Tony
08-09-2001, 11:18 PM
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Hi Tony,
Refer to the message "911sc life span" from a couple weeks or so ago. I posted the very same question you just did and received lots of help.
I think I spoke to the person selling the 911 you are talking about (located in NY). Sounded like a well cared for car, I almost met up with him to check it out - I passed on it because like you I plan on using the car quite a bit and can't see starting off with very high miles and/or no rebuild.
Ken
Refer to the message "911sc life span" from a couple weeks or so ago. I posted the very same question you just did and received lots of help.
I think I spoke to the person selling the 911 you are talking about (located in NY). Sounded like a well cared for car, I almost met up with him to check it out - I passed on it because like you I plan on using the car quite a bit and can't see starting off with very high miles and/or no rebuild.
Ken
08-09-2001, 11:22 PM
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Tony,
General guidance is allow 7K-9K per year. If you look at a 1981 911SC with 180K miles, that would be considered normal. Of course, miles are miles, so review the maintenance records carefully. Both a compression test and a leak down test will tell you alot about the condition of the engine. If you haven't already, take a look at the 911SC FAQ on the tech.rennlist.com site. It may help answer some of your questions.
On the tires, 16" tires (they were the optional size, 15" was standard) were 205/55's on 6" rims on the front and 225/50's on 7" rims on the rear. 245'S shouldn't be mounted on 7" rims. 8" are OK - club racers use them in the stock category, and 9" rims are even better, as they push the sidewall out more vertical.
General guidance is allow 7K-9K per year. If you look at a 1981 911SC with 180K miles, that would be considered normal. Of course, miles are miles, so review the maintenance records carefully. Both a compression test and a leak down test will tell you alot about the condition of the engine. If you haven't already, take a look at the 911SC FAQ on the tech.rennlist.com site. It may help answer some of your questions.
On the tires, 16" tires (they were the optional size, 15" was standard) were 205/55's on 6" rims on the front and 225/50's on 7" rims on the rear. 245'S shouldn't be mounted on 7" rims. 8" are OK - club racers use them in the stock category, and 9" rims are even better, as they push the sidewall out more vertical.
08-10-2001, 10:24 AM
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The only 2 guys in the Baltimore area that I trust are Tif (410) 268-8288, Annapolis, and Ralph (410) 526-2500, Owings Mills. Ralph did my PPI and he went through the car pretty well, he was up front and honest.
08-11-2001, 05:42 AM
#6
202K miles on mine. Driven hard daily for years and now sees the track at least twice a month. Driven as hard as a fully insured rental car while on the track. Still runs great with plenty of power. No smoke except on some start-ups. These cars are tough. I dont' think I have ever owned a stronger car mechanically. Of course, things can happen. But when an area gets repaired, I find that the said area tends to be good for at least a decade. I find that most times these engines can go for a very, very long time. The exhaust valve guides can sometimes wear before other things but are still pretty tough.
08-11-2001, 09:01 AM
#7
I would be leary of 245/50x16 no matter what rim they are on. While rims do stretch sidewalls and affect the installed width of the tires that is not the main issue here. Consider the following info from Dunlop about their SP9000
The answer depends on the goal: if the 245/50x16 is used the car will be measurably slower but highway revs will also be lower its like having a bit taller r/p.
- 225/50x16 slr 11.5" on a 7" rim
- 245/45x16 slr 11.4" on an 8" rim
- 245/50x16 slr 11.8" on a 7.5" rim
The answer depends on the goal: if the 245/50x16 is used the car will be measurably slower but highway revs will also be lower its like having a bit taller r/p.
