what to buy

[platas]

I need some advise from the board, i am looking to buy in the next three months another 911, but i want an original S, but i also want a 911 like the one up for sale on ebay, French, gulf blue, asking, $ 60,000, but at the same time could buy Bobbys, what would you guys do, wich route to take, also what year is the best S pre 70 or after 70. Thanks!

[roblav]

I prefer the 1970/1971 911S. It still maintains the traditional high revving engine, the shift pattern, and was fairly light. I've had quite a few of these early cars... My 1972 was built to RS spec engine with Webers, but it always seemed heavier then the earlier cars. I also like the earlier SWB 1966-1967 straight 911's with the 901/05 engine.

[platas]

so how big is the diffrence between a twin plug (Hevier,more reliable,the same) or a stock or better than stock S ? say a 69 or 71 S

[scargo70]

I too like the 2.2 engine; revs nicely and has a particular "angry" sound when revved out.
The 2.4 has a heavier sound.
I cant comment on two plug vs one plug.
Good luck.

[roblav]

Well platas, you are asking for opinions, so I will give mine:

A twin plug engine for the street is not a necessity. The only 911 engines, used solely as a street engines, that that might benefit from twin plugs are the early 2.0 liter ones. Because of the high piston dome, flame propogation at spark was not so hot, requiring premium fuel with only a 9.0 compression ratio. The 2.0S engines had a 9.8 compression and also ran on premium fuel, but there is more overlap in those S cams. The 2.2 liter engine was a significant improvement. The 2.2, 2.4, and 2.7 liter engines can get away with up to about 9.8 compression ratio using premium gasoline without use of twin plugs. Twin plugs are a band-aid to a two valve engine with the spark plug offset to one side. The better, modern engines (like the sportbikes) have at least four valves (Yamaha R1 has five) with one spark plug in the middle. They run up to 13:1 compression on premium fuel.

If you want to autocross your car, then Bobby's is a good one.

In all reailty, all the early 911's are very similar in feel, like nothing else. Don't worry so much about buying what anyone else thinks. Get a good car with minimal rust and service / rebuild / maintenance records.

[pu911rsr]

The twin plug is a bit of a bling factor, used in high compression applications. There is an enormous difference in the way the different displacement motors make power. The S motors have very little torque when they are off cam below 4500 rpm, the smaller the motor the more noticable this becomes. The big motors pull hard from very low rpm, it is jusy a matter of what you like.
Phil

[RandyWebb]

"Hevier"

Heavier? as in wt.? To twin plug the engine itself adds no wt. - 6 more spark plugs but you drilled out some metal for them. The dual drive distributor adds about 5.4 lbs. over a single.

Twin-plugging allows you to increase compression for a given octane. The engine runs smoother and you can calc. the hp gains from the CR increase...

roblav's pt. re stock CR's is true but a bit misleading -- the bigger the combustion chamber (i.e. cyl. bore and hence displacement) the greater the need for 2 plugs as the flame front propagation time goes up.

Or you could use elec. ignition but read Steve Weiner's web site re wider plug gaps.

[platas]

I really do thank every ones opinions, most of you good guys do have a lot of no how, i will make my desicion soon and will let everyone now what i buy, thanks again.

[RandyWebb]

"no how" is about right...

BTW - you can leave a stock engine alone
-- not sure where your question was headed...

[dhopkins]

I think I disagree with the rankings at the early911s site. They have the '72 and '73 ranked equally. But I believe the '72 has the 901 tranny and the '73 has the 915 tranny. I like the 901 better than the 915 b/c the latter is notchy and sometimes slow (especially going into second). The 901 has a non-traditional shift pattern but is a lot more fun. So to me the '72 would be better than the '73. Just my 2 cents.......

don