Just got preliminary PPI results on a 77 2.7 I'm smitten with. It has steel flares, update to 964 bumpers/skirts. 2.7 has usual longevity improvements: oil fed cam tensioners, turbo valves, 12 blade flan, heat exchangers replaced with headers. As I've mentioned in here before, I'm looking for a street legal weekend/track car for use in SoCal. The price on this one (low teens) is very attractive, so I didn't expect it to be perfect.

PPI is not so stellar. Chassis is in good shape. Engine not so much. Allegedly rebuilt just a few years ago but leaking "everywhere it could leak", (PCA/Rennlist referred mechanic) thinks due to usage of "orange silicon" seals. His estimation to fix is in essence redoing the rebuild to reseal properly.

Clutch is sloppy. So is trans, but doesn't think it needs a rebuild yet. Needs brakes/rotors.

All told, he initially advised me to pass but when told asking price gave a big sigh. Totally understands it's attractiveness at that price. Thinks it's a good chassis/platform but will need ~$5k work to get sorted.

I think where I'm at is that I can't pull trigger at $12k, but if I could get seller down to $7-9k I'd be open to it. I would have a hard time going $5k in on a reseal of a low power engine, would prefer to go 3.2 or other upgrade for better reliability. What kind of pricing should I expect for a 3.2 conversion? Not a hot rod build, just a swap to newer/better performing/more reliable? FWIW I'm seeing engines, from intake to exhaust, w/ DME on ebay in the 6k range

I didn't expect it to be cherry, but I was hoping it could get me started before needing work. Mechanic thinks I might not be able to track it due to oil leaks/safety (e.g. mechanical black flag/fail tech)

Thoughts? What would you do?

 

No track gear to speak of, but since that's the intended goal I decided to field it here with you experts rather than the general population

 

I would wait for the right SC to surface... The 2.7 cars are junk.

 

pass.

plenty of fish in the sea.

 

More than $5K just to tear down and reseal the 2.7 not considering all the stuff the guy that would seal a porsche 911 motor with silicone sealent did wrong or should have done.

77 is one if the least loved of the 911's I would put my sweat and bucks in a better 911 That said my track car started out as a 77 911. There is 310 pounds of it still in there too. I removed or replaced the rest.

 

Take a pass. $5K for a re-seal is a VERY low number. Especially if that reseal means going all the way down to the case. If you are only talking R&R of cam towers, that's probably a reasonable number (caution - you WILL spend more once you are in there!).

If you have your heart set on a 3.2 Carrera, plan to spend in the $17-19K range for a decent car in good shape. Not pristine, but that will get you a driver.

 

Also keep an eye on 964s... IMO they are the best value among the air cooled 911s.

 

pass. It will turn into $10,000 plus

 

may want to post a link so everyone else knows to pass as well

 

Yup. Been there.

 

2.7's are Magnesium cases, and unless the head studs have already been time certed you are looking at big time issues. Add to that when dissasembled it may need some serious machine work to get back in shape you would be better off dropping in a used 3.0...

 

Thanks all for input!

Definitely would not rebuild 2.7 given costs, most likely go used 3.0 swap. Spoke with Jeremy at TRE, HUGE help and great guy who gave me his thoughts. Fitting since Jack Olsen's BB2 is my dream car.

Don't really want to get into 20+ territory for SC/964/etc

Still on the fence, really depends where negotiations go...

 

The 2.7 cars are a great base for a track car. It's not a cheap way to go -0 but they do make a nice alternative. You are going to replace bushings and stuff anyway = right?

Mine has 993/965 brakes, a 1985 915 and a 1991 3.6 -

Sorry - but no PS PB PSM Traction control PDK , ABS or any other nannies

 

Thank you all for your input. I hear by grant you all the right to told you so, because after back and forth and some negotiation I decided the price/risk gamble was worth taking. Picked it up tonite.

First drive was magic. Car is rough but great. Shifter is so sloppy can't find gears, and when I can the synchros are going. Clutch is out at about 1 hair off the floorboard and revs are at redline at an equal 1 hair. But when i stop looking like a student manual transmission driver and get it going it pulls eagerly and strong, so much fun. Couldn't stop smiling!

 

Pics!