Kinda thinking about a cheap 911

Im kicking around the idea of buying a good running older N/A 911 as a project/track/driver. Ive seen a few that i think are decent deals especially considering i want to change the fenders, add a full cage, etc. anyway. Actually there appears to be a great deal on pelican for a slantnose for cheap

Anywho, i dont know a ton about 911s but i guess im wondering am i going to go broke trying to make a decent track car or are there enough folks out there where you can pick up some used parts and reasonable proceed new ones that arnt THAT bad?

I know there's a corvette tax, is there a 911 tax?


The fiberglass body parts don't seem too bad, but I did look up some G50 trannys and they seem to be about $5k and up... harsh

 

There is definitely a Porsche tax, but luckily, it is not as bad as the Ferrari tax!

If you are going to mod the car to a track car, look for an SC and have some fun! You can tune the 3.0, or go for a 3.2 or 3.6 transplant. Best bang for the buck is a mid year car 74-77 as they are the "ugly duckling"/"red headed step child" of the 911 line. I would suggest a 77 as those were galvanized and I think the clutch cable was different.

 

Honestly, keep it stock.

If anything restore the car back to OE. The current 'hot-rod' trend is already growing old.

You will spend more money making a hot-rod vs restoring the car back to OE. AND OE 911s are appreciating. Hot-Rods for the most part are not.

 

I don't think you can use cheap and Porsche in the same sentence any more. Porsche started galvanizing the body in '74. Putting a G50 in a early body is pretty involved (expensive). You could easily spent $80- $100K building a decent track car.
The current hot rod trend was in full swing in 2000 and is still going. I'd personally take a hot rod P car over stock any day.

 

A G50 is definitely not a tranny to put into a 915 or 901 car as it is an expensive proposition. It is much better to get a 87-89 911 with it already. However, don't give the 915 a bad rap as it is a good tranny. I liked it in my SC and Carrera.

If you want a hot rod, the cheapest thing to do is to buy one that was already done. If you want to build one yourself, gumba is right on the money on costs. When you can buy a modded one (that passes PPI) for pennies on the dollar for mods, why build one?

 

WPOZZZ,

Are decent 80s 911 easy to find in Hawaii?
I travel there quite a bit to visit family and I was thinking about buying one to keep there and play around with.
That's a clean looking turbo you have

 

Comprehensive rust proofing started with the I Series cars in 1976. I agree there are no cheap Porsches. Stick with a stock car for best appreciation, preferably a coupe. 911SC's are very reliable, I like the 3.2 liter cars 1984-89, G50 is not a necessity.

 

I understand it can occasionally get cold in MN.
Ice racing then!

Ice Driving in 911 Rally Cars - /CHRIS HARRIS ON CARS - YouTube

 

What he said. Anything pre-74 is no longer "cheap", and 930s and 993s also seem be pretty sought after.

The 996 is probably the only "disposable" 911 at this point.

 

They can be found and I probably have a better shot at it since my mechanic tells me about the customer cars for sale. I know there is a high miles CA 993 (120k) for about $23k, which is the same on the mainland. It is a very nice car and very clean with cosmetic mods. SCs and Carreras pop up as he is probably the top air cooled guy here.

Thanks for the compliment on the turbo!

 

In 74, basically only the pan was galvanized...

You need 76 or newer for full galvanizing.


Have a number of friends that race with 915 LSD transmissions. Work well and are lighter weight.

 

I think id be happy with a 87-89 G50 NA. For a few years it would mainly be a driver/track day car but when i get a bigger shop ,and not a crowded 2 car garage , it may get more serious and it would be nice to alread have a G50.

Then again, a $15k to $20k 911 will have higher miles and when it would be time to add real power a new or rebuilt tranny might be required anyway...

 

here is an intersting example

1984 3.4 Carrera RSR - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

 

another example. stock and has a bit of rust but the right tranny and looks like a really clean car all things considered... unless then just sprayed over the rust under the car

Cars for Sale: 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe in Lombard, IL 60148: Coupe Details - 357282603 - AutoTrader.com

 

You're being facetious about the spray paint aren't you? If you look at the case, they painted it to look like new. Unfortunately, they painted over the bolt heads and nuts as well. They did the same to the valve covers.

 

You,ve posted links to 2 completely different cars. I would spend some time deciding what your going to do with the car. Street, street/track, track/street,track only. Regardless of how cheap you pick up the car parts and labor are expensive. Also, check your local smog laws. If your going to modify the motor this may have an impact on what you can do.

 

After some more research it appears a rather simple rebuild Of an old aircooled motor can run 10k before labor? does this sound right?

 

It all depends on whileyoureinthereitis.

 

That's kind of the impression I was getting actually. Also, that did include machine work.

I haven't completely ruled it out but that's a bid discouraging. Especially considering one I would get would likely have a lot of miles... Id like a nice relatively reliable one where I can put money elsewhere

I will keep my eyes open and see what happens. Maybe a screaming deal will come up that I can't pass up.

 

Yes. If you start hot rodding, EFI, crank fire ignition, etc. a lot more.
Makes a good used 3.6 cheap power.

 

If you're gonna hot rod it buy one that is already done, but get a thorough PPI first. You'll pay a little more for the mods, but it will be way cheaper in the end.

 

Best value for what you want is something already prepped for racing; there always seem to be 911SCs for sale in the 'D' production class (formerly G) this is the indestructible 3.0L and at present out of favor in club racing due to shrinking fields so a thin market. Would take very little to return one to street config (swap back the bushings) $25-30K