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Old 12-05-2018, 11:30 PM
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Default Engine rebuild, shop or self?

The engine on my SC will need a rebuild sooner rather than later and I’m debating options. My current plan is to tear it down, see what kind of shape everything is in, and try to keep it a 3.1. Since they are NLA, if the P&C are no good then I will debate on making a 3.2-3.4ss. Something torquey, not a screamer. My M3 is a torqueless screamer and it’s the only thing I wish I could change about the car.

My main question at the moment is whether to attempt this myself or have a shop do it. I have worked around engines doing basics but never tore one down. I also don’t have a lift currently, and my garage is the smallest size you could legally call a two car. 19x19 if I remember correctly, and the 964 will be in there. So I would need to outlay for a scissor lift that will allow me to drop the engine and work on it under the car. And then figure out how to drop an engine, tear it down, inspect it, rebuild it, clean up the wiring of the Megasquirt, and reinstall it. I have hand tools and a small compressor, but no welders, grinders, presses, etc.

Seems like a great learning experience, but being realistic, also a lot of fumbling around and potentential discouragement, replacing stuff I break for various reasons, plus outlays for lifts and tools. Plus the car sitting there for 2-3-4 times longer than if a pro did it, and I love driving it. So maybe I should have a shop do it. Question there is which one? Chapman works on my cars now, and I’ve discussed it with him. Are there others local-ish or within tow distance I should look into?

Thoughts on the two approaches would be appreciated, or alternate ideas.
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Old 12-06-2018, 01:26 AM
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Old 12-06-2018, 06:41 AM
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Aaron, PM me I can possibly help you out.

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Old 12-06-2018, 08:22 AM
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This board was founded on the liftless engine drop. It can be done without a lift, welder, grinder or press (maybe). Search for old threads by Charlie Stylianos, Doug E, Rick Lee, Jazzbass (I came later so those guys blazed the trail). Lots of threads on Pelican as well.



At one point, the hot ticket was to put in 964 cams. If I ever rebuild mine, I will likely do that. Don't know how that behaves with 3.1 cyls though
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Old 12-06-2018, 08:55 AM
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If you want to farm it out talk to boyt911sc on Pelican. I took an engine seminar from Tony earlier this year, solid guy with lots of experience working with these engines.
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Old 12-06-2018, 11:29 AM
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100 percent do it yourself. I took my 356 engine out when I was 18 in a 12x24 garage. Did my first 911 2 years later. You can do it with 2 floor jacks. One for the car, one for the engine. You do need some special tools once you get into the engine though. There is so much material available now, that didn't used to be so accessible. The 911 handbook by Bruce Anderson used to be the bible, but there are other resources now. If you are mechanical, you will be fine. Just don't cut any corners.
What you learn and the pride of driving "your" engine will be worth it.
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Old 12-06-2018, 11:38 AM
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I agree with Goggles...if it were me i would do it myself...but i would plan to have at least half the garage available...i have only helped rebuild one engine, but it was worth the time and energy we put into doing it and the satisfaction of it running since...
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Old 12-06-2018, 11:55 AM
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100% YES to the DIY route.



...unless you plan on selling the car any time in the next 5 or so years. These days buyers get nervous dropping $$$ on 911s that have DIY rebuilds. It will definitely hurt the resale value.
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Old 12-06-2018, 12:27 PM
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Curious about that. Say you save 10k on DIY. Do you get 10k less at sale? Or do you have a worthless POS to the its gotta be perfect crowd?
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Old 12-06-2018, 12:34 PM
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Quote:
Or do you have a worthless POS to the its gotta be perfect crowd?
It depends ... do you have a racing pedigree for a $10K value bump?



To OP:

DIY if you have the time, place and patience.
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