Eharrison

So I sold my 996, which by the way is a great car and way under-rated.

But now I'm looking for a long nose roller and want a bigger motor in it. The plan is for what they call on Rennlist or Pelican, "a long nose version of a Hughes, Ruby, aka hot rod targa".

Would a SC engine be a big deal for retrofitting?
What should I (re)build? 3.0, 3.2, 3.4?
Should I stick with the 2.2 engine and build hot one?

What about the gear box?

I'm starting with a body so that's where most of my thoughts are going to be but I would like to think about what is going in there and plan accordingly.

Thanks in advance.

Ed Hughes

Hey, change your signature!

Congrats on the sale. Truthfully, if it were me, I'd start with an 80's Carrera that is in good mech shape with maybe stale paint and interior. Backdate it, lighten it and paint it. Then save some engine cash while enjoying it.

But, I assume you want to beat the smog man. A 70's roller will take some time and effort to take care of the unavoidable body issues it will have. I'd still stick with a 3.2 as a base, if only for Motronic. But, if you want to go carbs or ITB's, some smaller motors can be monsters too-just more $ perhaps.

How much do you want to spend? What timeframe?

rusnak

I guess it's going to be the longer wheelbase, with a 915? Will it be subject to smog testing?

Peter Zimmermann

I built a 2.6 liter (short stroke w/92mm Mahle piston/cylinders) for my 914/6. I chose M,S,X gear ratios for 3,4&5, and the car was wicked fast. So much so that I stayed with a very well tuned 289 Cobra one evening on the way home from work - well past 100mph. The "6" was very light, but if care is taken so can a long nose. In today's market budget about $25-30K for this job (you'll need a very good front-mounted oil cooler).

FYI; I did a 1.36:00 lap on the big track at Willow Springs, before FIA curbing, in that car (narrow body with 7" wheels and Goodyear slicks).

Eharrison

I like the look of a long nose and beating the smog man is really the main reason. I'm not looking to get this thing running before the next Palomar run that's for sure. It a project for me and Clayton so it's more for the journey than the result, however I'm really giddy about the result. I would expect that we'll be working on the body and suspension for quite sometime then before paint we'll head to engine building. I'm guessing two to three years building. He'll be almost 15 when we're done.

What I want is nice HP and reliable-ish. Reliable in the sense that I'm not going to be worried about a 300 mile trip. In all honesty I picture/hear the twin plug of yours bucking and screaming sitting in a Arctic silver with orange accents targa with minilites, maybe with aux lights and no ducktail. Low gears for back roads, top speed 115-120 (I know maybe this gearing doesn't jive with the top speed, but that's what I'm starting with).

As for the roller, remember that 1970T with the monster rust? Well the guy that had that has a couple other cars, one is a Targa that a customer abandoned after most of the rust repair was done. I'm going to look at it hopefully some time this week. I'll post photos and get the internet diagnosis.

Pre 1975 is no smog right? Don't kill my dream if I'm wrong!

I'm getting sweaty palms thinking about that lind of fun. What would be the cheaper route? 2.6 or an sc? Which would be more reliable?

Eharrison

I see this olive targa (flared) with the the silver paint and wheels.....

Minoclan

I cant tell you which is best BUT I have a 70 longnose with an 85 3.2 and a 915 trans. I spent a lot of time working on the suspension and brakes. I now have a fast go-kart (2300 lbs) that stops and handles. Good luck.

Ed Hughes

That would be a great look Ed. Except for the smog deal, backdating a Carrera would give you flares for nice rubber, a reasonably rust-protected shell and the longhood look. Look at sites like:

http://www.gettydesign.com/

You can make new cars look old and old cars look new.

But, if the guy has a roller with most of the bodywork done, that would indeed be a viable candidate. My vote is the 3.2 with a 915. You can get some nice ponies out of it without getting into it, if you find a good one, and it is as reliable as you're gonna get.

This will be fun!

ivangene

My vote is the 3.2 with a 915


unless you have WAY too much money, I can make "other suggestions"

Eharrison

When I walk outside and see that empty spot I get a little depressed, but then thinking about what's next is pretty exciting!

And the tools! OMG I get to buy some sweet tools!

First purchase, air compressor, and then welder (the wife wants a couple trellises for her roses so that's a no brainer). I've had air tools sitting in my tool box forever and never had a reason to buy the compressor....

The best part is scanning craigslist for a scissor lift. They always show up once and a while, but I never get one....

Eharrison

So are you saying YOURS isn't best? What about pictures? Love to see what it looks like.

JackOlsen

Hard to beat the bang for the buck of a stock 3.6 with a Steve Wong chip.

I sold the old motor for 2K, bought a new one for 5.9K.

264 hp at the wheels for not a whole lot out of pocket.

Some documentation here.

And the proof -- well, it's in the pudding -- here.

race911

Desire an absolutely rust free shell? Not going to give it away, but certainly don't have any plans for the car either..............

What I posted about the car last summer: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=21505

Eharrison

A 993 engine sure would be a nice set up!

I've seen your posts on Pelican, I've got a ways to go to get acclimated to that amount of information in a single thread! My right eye starts to drift outwards when I'm reading.

Thanks for the info.

Eharrison

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