Purchasing advice, 911SC or Carrera 3.0L
10-21-2013, 09:08 PM
#16
BTW, I have not bought any of that stuff except where I wanted to upgrade....that is worse case scenario....or just get on with it and by a Miata.
10-21-2013, 09:32 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Remember, that plastic air box is actually the central part of the intake manifold, and provides mounting surfaces for most of the crucial CIS parts (sensor plate housing, fuel distributor, throttle body, intake runners, cold start injector, etc.). Replacement is pretty much labor intensive, because on SCs the job should be done using a partial engine drop, or an engine out.
10-21-2013, 10:39 PM
#18
Thank you Peter.
I'd venture to say yours was one of the most informative, concise and clearest summaries I've seen on either of these porsche forums. Well done.
PML. These are 25/35 year old performance sports cars made by Germans. Any car that age is going to cost you money. Any car.
When they're German, they cost more. That's about it.
Don't over complicate it. It will all become clear about the second hour, day, week or month of ownership. You'll be zipping around town, smiling, wondering why it took you so long to get around to drive an air cooled Porsche every day.
I'm never living without one again. Life is too short.
Nick
I'd venture to say yours was one of the most informative, concise and clearest summaries I've seen on either of these porsche forums. Well done.
PML. These are 25/35 year old performance sports cars made by Germans. Any car that age is going to cost you money. Any car.
When they're German, they cost more. That's about it.
Don't over complicate it. It will all become clear about the second hour, day, week or month of ownership. You'll be zipping around town, smiling, wondering why it took you so long to get around to drive an air cooled Porsche every day.
I'm never living without one again. Life is too short.
Nick
10-22-2013, 01:47 AM
#19
Fifteen years ago I bought a 1979 911SC with 53,000 miles. Although I had owned a 356C years before, I was a total novice to the 911s. The car was all original, solid, and in great shape. I have had very few issues.
I still own the car. There is nothing quite like the simplicity and nimble handling of those classics.
The head bolts (2) did break, and I started to have it rebuilt and modified a little, but then decided to find a 3.2 engine out of a wrecked Carrera.
It seemed to make a lot of sense, since it would bolt right in, and it had (to name a few things) electronic fuel injection (relieving the air box problem), a better A/C compressor, and a much better torque range. Luckily, I found an '87 model with 400 more miles than the car. It has been bomb proof. It also makes that nimble little SC more of a blast to drive.
I kept the 3.0 engine and rebuilt it myself, a good exercise in knowledge of things Porsche, then crated it up and stored it away.
Long story short, I would probably buy the Carrera, but there is something in the nimbleness of the SCs and earlier Porsches that's been lost as the cars have progressed.
Good luck in your search.
I still own the car. There is nothing quite like the simplicity and nimble handling of those classics.
The head bolts (2) did break, and I started to have it rebuilt and modified a little, but then decided to find a 3.2 engine out of a wrecked Carrera.
It seemed to make a lot of sense, since it would bolt right in, and it had (to name a few things) electronic fuel injection (relieving the air box problem), a better A/C compressor, and a much better torque range. Luckily, I found an '87 model with 400 more miles than the car. It has been bomb proof. It also makes that nimble little SC more of a blast to drive.
I kept the 3.0 engine and rebuilt it myself, a good exercise in knowledge of things Porsche, then crated it up and stored it away.
Long story short, I would probably buy the Carrera, but there is something in the nimbleness of the SCs and earlier Porsches that's been lost as the cars have progressed.
Good luck in your search.
10-22-2013, 02:03 AM
#20
Fifteen years ago I bought a 1979 911SC with 53,000 miles. Although I had owned a 356C years before, I was a total novice to the 911s. The car was all original, solid, and in great shape. I have had avery few issues.
I still own the car. There is nothing quite like the simplicity and nimble handling of those classics.
The head bolts (2) did break, and I started to have it rebuilt and modified a little, but then decided to find a 3.2 engine out of a wrecked Carrera.
It seemed to make a lot of sense, since it would bolt right in, and it had (to name a few things) electronic fuel injection (relieving the air box problem), a better A/C compressor, and a much better torque range. Luckily, I found an '87 model with 400 more miles than the car. It has been bomb proof. It also makes that nimble little SC more of a blast to drive.
I kept the 3.0 engine and rebuilt it myself, a good exercise in knowledge of things Porsche, then crated it up and stored it away.
Long story short, I would probably buy the Carrera, but there is something in the nimbleness of the SCs and earlier Porsches that's been lost as the cars have progressed.
Good luck in your search.
I still own the car. There is nothing quite like the simplicity and nimble handling of those classics.
The head bolts (2) did break, and I started to have it rebuilt and modified a little, but then decided to find a 3.2 engine out of a wrecked Carrera.
It seemed to make a lot of sense, since it would bolt right in, and it had (to name a few things) electronic fuel injection (relieving the air box problem), a better A/C compressor, and a much better torque range. Luckily, I found an '87 model with 400 more miles than the car. It has been bomb proof. It also makes that nimble little SC more of a blast to drive.
I kept the 3.0 engine and rebuilt it myself, a good exercise in knowledge of things Porsche, then crated it up and stored it away.
Long story short, I would probably buy the Carrera, but there is something in the nimbleness of the SCs and earlier Porsches that's been lost as the cars have progressed.
Good luck in your search.
10-22-2013, 07:46 AM
#21
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Remember, that plastic air box is actually the central part of the intake manifold, and provides mounting surfaces for most of the crucial CIS parts (sensor plate housing, fuel distributor, throttle body, intake runners, cold start injector, etc.). Replacement is pretty much labor intensive, because on SCs the job should be done using a partial engine drop, or an engine out.
10-22-2013, 08:44 AM
#23
Team Owner
Remember, that plastic air box is actually the central part of the intake manifold, and provides mounting surfaces for most of the crucial CIS parts (sensor plate housing, fuel distributor, throttle body, intake runners, cold start injector, etc.). Replacement is pretty much labor intensive, because on SCs the job should be done using a partial engine drop, or an engine out.
if you're only paying 1200 for this you are doing well..
Last edited by theiceman; 02-05-2014 at 12:10 PM.
10-22-2013, 11:36 AM
#24
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Thank you, thank you..everyone.
Wow, a wealth of information here. I may have unwittingly started an interesting conversation caused by a simple type, the 1984 is NOT a Carrera 3.0L but a 3.2 L 911. However, the responses and discussions have been educational and informative especially on the 911SC. Now I know a lot more than a few days ago about this model 911. Thanks everyone.
10-22-2013, 11:46 AM
#25
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I do want to mention that the 911SC has had the following "upgrades", if one can use the term on a 27 yr old car.
- Carrera chain tensioners
- Have B&B stainless exhaust
- Tierods upgraded to turbo tierods
- Stiffer torsion bars added
- Turbo steering wheel added
- RS Door panels
- Pop-off valve added
Plus the 3.2L is no longer in the market and is gone
. I am seriously considering the SC as my first 911 Porsche now. After all I did love the way it drove, even though I probably didn't drive it like it should be...
- Carrera chain tensioners
- Have B&B stainless exhaust
- Tierods upgraded to turbo tierods
- Stiffer torsion bars added
- Turbo steering wheel added
- RS Door panels
- Pop-off valve added
Plus the 3.2L is no longer in the market and is gone
. I am seriously considering the SC as my first 911 Porsche now. After all I did love the way it drove, even though I probably didn't drive it like it should be...
10-22-2013, 01:11 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
Yes! Airbox replacement can be daunting to many, there are a number of things to take care of during replacement (sensor plate height adjustment, injector o-rings, throttle lever bushings, and cleaning, cleaning, cleaning...), and when you're all done you should be schooled in system set-up. I've always used an exhaust analyzer to do final tuning, so you must have access to a calibrated CO% machine to do that (tuning is mandatory following this job). Also, it never hurts to check system numbers, like "ice" did in another current thread, to be sure that you know why the box failed.
You, sir, are of a rare breed. Your attention to detail would have made me proud to have you as a technician in my shop.
You, sir, are of a rare breed. Your attention to detail would have made me proud to have you as a technician in my shop.
10-22-2013, 06:18 PM
#27
Go for the SC. You will love it.
In an earlier post I suggested the Carrera, but I take that back. To me, a good SC is the perfect first 911.
I thought about selling mine once, but good sense prevailed. It is a permanent and prominent family member.
In an earlier post I suggested the Carrera, but I take that back. To me, a good SC is the perfect first 911.
I thought about selling mine once, but good sense prevailed. It is a permanent and prominent family member.
10-22-2013, 09:55 PM
#29
Find a Euro SC if you don't have to deal with emissions (I don't in AZ) and you'll start with 204 HP rather than the 180...add some SSI"s and your about the HP of a stock early 3.2.
Then 'add' more lightness....my '83 SC is now 2400 lbs with a tank of gas....have no idea what a wet 3.2 weighs stock. It is fun to drive.
Then 'add' more lightness....my '83 SC is now 2400 lbs with a tank of gas....have no idea what a wet 3.2 weighs stock. It is fun to drive.
10-22-2013, 11:07 PM
#30
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That still seems crazy but I guess it's more than just a plastic box.