Pablohsu

Hi everyone I am new to this forum and have never owned a porsche. I have been dreaming of finally owning a 911 and have basically narrowed my choice for the 911SC.

One question I have is concerning its radio antenna. It is possible to install an antenna that looks like an antenna of a walkie talkie radio? (1 foot long and covered by black rubber) I don't really like the automatic raising antennas, they seem to break and I feel they would be too tall for the car.

Also, I know the car only has 180HP, is there a way to get maybe 200hp without having to spend a fortune?

Also, what are the performance specs for the car, like 0-60mph, 1/4 mile times and top speed?

Thanks for your help.

Jay H

I remember a 1982 911SC owner's manual for a US car claimed a 0-60 time of 6.7 seconds. Hopefully others can state the 1/4 mile time and top speed. Use these types of measurements as general suggestions, since the 911 is not a drag type car.

You can get some hp out of exhaust changes. I'd suggest first starting out finding a solid car, then spend your money on the repairs and maintenance that the car will need (they all need something). Then, spend the time learning the nuances of driving a 911 and/or get some driver's education time too with your local PCA region (if one is accessible) or other reputable organization. Then, decide whether or not you need more hp from the SC motor.

Good Luck,
Jay
90 964

Bill Gregory

If you haven't already, you may want to read the 911SC FAQ at tech.rennlist.com, which may answer some questions.

Peter Zimmermann

Pablohsu: A good SC is an amazing car as is. Find one that passes all of your criteria, then spend the next 5,000 miles getting used to it. You have to conform to its needs, not the other way around. I'm sure that you will find the car satisfactory to drive; depending on the smog requirements of your state you may not be able to modify it anyway. Jay's comments are on the money. Regarding your antenna, yes, I've seen the unit you mention, and I believe they will fit the fender hole intended for the factory power unit. Again, after you find the right car, leave the antenna alone - get used to it. Enjoy...
Pete

itsme-itsme

What Peter said!!!

Pablohsu

Thanks everyone for the information. I am from Southern CA by the way.

I haven't got a clue as to what I should pay for a 1981 ~ 1983 911SC coupe?

Also, If I find a car that is not my favorite color, do I need to go to the DMV before I have the car painted in Black?

Jay H

Nice 911SC's seem to be in the $11,000 to $15,000 range. Your area of the country also has an effect on pricing.

If you really want a black car, buy a black car. Repainting a 911 for no reason other than wanting a black car (making a red car black for instance) really reduces resale value. That's a big waste of money in my opinion since Porsche paint is quite robust paint right from the factory. And, you either have to be really good at doing the work yourself to come out ahead in value on the car or you should have a lot of disposeable income that you don't care to recoup when you sell the car.

There is enough to worry about on keeping an older 911 running well and looking good to worry about a color change. Also, black is a common color, so black 911's are not hard to find as compared to other, more rare colors.

Peter Zimmermann

Prices vary widely across the country. Sports Car Market (SCM) Magazine is an authoritative source regarding price guides. Their latest guide (Dec. '04 issue) pegs '78-83 coupes in the $15-19K range. That range covers cars that are "significantly above a 'daily driver' and one step below regional concours." Pick up a copy for complete info. I'm intimately familiar with the '80s 911 market in SoCal, and black coupes in good condition are becoming very hard to find. They will bring close to top dollar regardless of mileage. If they are a strong #2 car, or perhaps a #1 (best condition) they will sell quickly, with or without service records. Get out the yellow pages and start visiting independent Porsche shops, there are a number of them in SoCal, and start becoming a familiar face. Hint: 8:00 am or 5:00 pm are not good times to drop in, stress levels are much lower late morning or mid-afternoon. Jay is right about color changes, I personally would not buy a car that's had it done. If you must proceed in that direction the job will probably be in the $5-6K range, plus a premium (at least $1K) over and above for the color change prep work. Fogging the trunk compartment with the new color, doing the door jambs, and stripping away the A/C parts from the engine lid to prep the lid are all time consuming. The wheel arches and belly pan of SCs are body color, so all of that must be blacked out, in addition to the engine compartment. Huge job to do right... Good luck on your hunt, but don't despair, you'll find the right car. Also, as you visit shops talk a little to them about pre-purchase inspections (consider one mandatory), ask about head stud breakage, etc., and try to figure out which shop you'll want to use.
Pete

Pablohsu

I guess is a lot cheaper to find a black car. The only hard part is to actually find one. Most cars I've seen are either not black or are Targa and I prefer the coupes. But thanks for the information, it is very helpful.

gregg911

Pablohsu, I live in Upland, Ive got an 80SC and I put a K&N filter, a catalytic bypass and Bursch exhaust on mine and the throttle response has greatly improved. I have no idea what the HP increase was if anything but it is quicker for sure!

I got my stuff from Performance in Van Nuys. Shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions.

gregg911@verizon.net

p.s. Black cars are a pain in the butt, are you stuck on black?

Pablohsu

Gregg911:

Thanks for the information. Black is my favorite color but I am also considering Silver, Guards Red, Navy Blue or White. Where do you suggest I should look for Porsche's? Autotrader or Sports Car Trader.

Brett San Diego

Some more comments. You are supposed to notify the DMV of a color change to your car within something like 5-10 days. I'd try real hard to find an originally black one. When I was shopping, I don't recall seeing many black SC's. You're right about Targas. I think more Targas than coupes were produced (but, I'm not 100% on that).

Check www.collectorcartraderonline.com (Autotrader.com's site for pre 83 cars). Also check the classifieds here and on the PCA national web site, www.pca.org. You may have to be a PCA member to have access the PCA classifieds. It's worth surfing ebay, too.

Good luck hunting.

Brett

jbaeng

The 911SC is truly a gem. I got my first one (1981 Targa) a little over a year ago. I found it in the SF Bay area for $6500 and it had 160,000 miles on it (body is in good shape). It had a massive oil leak that caused it to smoke like a bug fogger I remember from the east coast, and a totally trashed and faded interior. I just dropped the engine (with a lot of guidance from articles on this site and Pelican), fixed the oil leaks, and then replace the whole interior including the dash, seats, carpeting, and windshield. I still only invested less than $10,000 total and now it runs and looks great. I drive it daily and bought it primarily to get back into autocross. Events precluded that from happening last year but I intend to do it this year. I've done tons of small upgrades as well, and it just leads to greater driving pleasure. My only advice is find one depending on your mechanical abilities and available time. A specimen with a good body/paint as well as a good/strong engine (but don't let oil leaks scare you though) will go a long way. Sure you can wait for a perfect example, but what the heck. Enough of that; I dreamed of this car in '81 (as a senior in college), and 22 years later get it! It's just so enjoyable and fun. I'll keep my eye open and see if you get one, good luck!

epbrown01

If you're looking for a black SC, search on Autotrader for charcoal and grey as well as black. The metallic black of that period is often mistaken for those shades by folks not among the cognoscenti. I'd recommend searching Pelican's for sale board.

As for your power requirements, upgrading the exhaust system and cams will come closest to putting you in the ballpark for your power requirements. However, the simplest way would be to get an '84-86 Carrera. The 3.2L engine is more powerful than you request, the cars are darn near identical cosmetically, and the 3.2 is proving to be as durable as the 3.0 with a less-troublesome fuel system. The cars can also be found in your price range - there are currently 20 cars under $15k there.

Emanuel

gregg911

Pablo, I found mine in the Autotrader, be very careful!!!

I passed on a lot of cars before I bought mine. People are very good at hiding problems. You need to find a local shop that will put the car on a rack for an inspection and spend 15 mins on a quickie inspection. I had a guy that charged me $20.00 cash for every car that I brought in.

Good luck.