911Smonster wrote:
Having owned both a '77 Carrera 3.0 and a '73 2.4S I can easily tell the differences between those!
Of course you can tell the differences between an MFI and k-jet; An MFI equipped car is more raw, has that addictive induction noise and really flies once you take her above 5000 rpm.
Back in 2005 I was well aware of the arguments for an MFI car but I was also aware that a k-jet is relatively easy to maintain (proverbially anyone can set it up whereas the MFI really requires a specialist). By 2005 most carrera 2.7 cars were also probably out of my price range.
A k-jet equipped car averages 27 mpg whereas I struggled to manage 22mpg with a well set up MFI car. Also, an MFI car is -in my experience- not happy standing in commuter traffic driving from traffic light into another queue. Real world conditions made me prefer the k-jet car.
Now, a carrera 3.o, as opposed to the SC, still weighs less and is a lot more cammy due to the aforementioned RS crank. Pleasant for when the roads are free. Moreover, it is also equipped with the RS wheel arches at the back: the curvature of the rear wheel arches are slightly bigger than the later SC and the Carrera 3.2. Admittedly this is anorak territory but hey.
When I blew my engine in may 2005 I became imminently aware of the differences and indeed the difficulties of obtaining correct parts for the C3.o engine as opposed to for example those of the SC or 3.2.
Flat 6, the French independent Porsche magazine, compared the Carrera 3.o with the later models and once again it showed that a sorted c3 can indeed be in a class of its own:
It underlined the real-world usability of these cars: in gear acceleration between 50 mph (80 km/h) to 75 mph (120 km/h), 50 mph (80 km/h) to 90 mph (150 km/h) and from 62 mph (100 km/h) to 125 mph (200 km/h), the carrera 3.o is playing in carrera 3.2 territory -a car equipped with DME- whilst often bettering the SC.
When speaking to porsche mechanics who maintained these C3 when new, they were overall not very well regarded. They did come with teething problems such as pulling head studs. Moreover, the C3 pistons have short skirts, and they tend to slap (want to get cocked) when the rod is at its widest angle. Problems galore and this track record still makes that you will encounter real dogs. A properly rebuild and blue printed engine is a gem though.
Now, when I go back to the period comparison between the c2.7 and the c3.o, it is noted that the c3 can easily get by its immediate predecessor, despite the fact that it was apparently more plush, a wee bit heavier and had 10 bhp less:
A comparison of power delivery diagrams gives the reason:
up until 5000 rpm, the three litre machine delivers considerably more power then the carrera 2.7 litre.
At 2000 rpm, 73 PS are available as opposed to the 2.7 litres’ 55 PS,
at 3000 rpm the ratio is 115 : 85 PS
at 4000 rpm the ratio is 156 : 138 PS.
and at 5000 rpm the ratio is 187 PS : 180 PS.
Only over that marker can the "old Carrera" finally get by and overtake.
That is what you, as an aficionado, can experience with the 2.4 S and carrera 2.7: the absolute power delivery of the porsche fist.
Admittedly, yes I want to experience that fist. But I like to appreciate it in its context. Not in day to day conditions.
NigelC210 wrote:Over the Alps, blue skies,snow capped mountains.....heaven.
Indeed Nigel, that's living the dream. No contest.
It is a happy coincidence for me that they are undervalued. By nature I am not attracted to mass produced items. The low production numbers are attracting a whole new generation of people who suddenly are buzzing with excitement to uncover more facts amongst the mass of ignorance, whilst still running a fairly rare car on a budget. As I have mentioned earlier: the days are still here where you can find a carrera 3.0 for £6500 as opposed to a carrera 2.7 that suddenly shot off in a specialist car territory. A monetary but nonetheless attractive argument for this boiled- down porsche.
By the way, in Germany the C3 is called a "schwiegermutter model" -a mother-in-law model-. It indicates that the model is generally not well known and not unlike the woman you fell in love with- a totally different matter altogether-
Last year I did 14000 miles and this year... well I'm counting and counting. I consider myself rather lucky that I can experience this and I hope that it may last until the next restoration or when I get too old for it as a daily car.
911Smonster wrote:But finding a "good" Carrera 3.0 is not that easy. Most are dogs due to their budget prices, often poorly maintained. I would hope that Autofarm 2.7 is immaculate for the price. Remember that restoring a rusty old dog of a Carrera 3.0 could easily cost you £20K+
Thinking about it, you may as well find a good SC or 3.2 Carrera rather than a 3.0 Carrera. They drive pretty much the same and there are a lot more to choose from.
I absolutely agree. With hindsight, it was cheaper to go for a c3.2. Any newbie running a 911 on a budget or wanting to dip their toe in the water, the C3 is still a bit of a risk. But I am a stubborn loyal so and so.
When the time has come to really blow some money on a weekend car, you will find me in a SWB with a MFI Short stroke engine. But until that time, I am happy to start up my carrera 3 for whatever reason: going to work or to hunt for roadkill during a DDK tour. *
Bert
*for legal reasons I wish to indicate that this sentence was poetic licence.
