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The SC’s 3.0 engine was a bit too slow and lacked the amount of low-end torque I desired, but its biggest downfall for me was its antiquated 915 transmission. While I respect the 915 transmission for its 1972-1986 911 work-horse lifespan, my personal opinion is Porsche should have updated it many years prior to ‘87. The 915’s vague engagement and the overall feeling of uncertainty always tempered my shifting enjoyment. To me, a 915 transmission 911 looks gorgeous, yet shifts like a VW Bug and therefore killed the driving experience for me.
As for the 930, it was fast on the freeways, but aside from the boost kicking in, it wasn’t as thrilling to drive as I had hoped. Having only 4 gears meant I didn’t shift a bunch around town and for me to really open it up and enjoy its boost, I had to drive at jail residency/car impounded speeds. Again, it simply didn’t THRILL me. Maybe I’m spoiled with some of the newer cars I’ve experienced over the years, but I was expecting to be freaked out behind the wheel of the fabled “widowmaker”…yet my personal experiences didn’t live up to that hype. Sure it was fun, but it wasn’t as special as I had hoped it would be.
Enter this 1987 G50 coupe. I found it advertised locally and had zero desire to purchase, but I wanted to experience the G50 transmission improvements I had read about for years. Also the 3.2 torque was allegedly a big improvement over my SC’s 3.0, so I set up an appointment to inspect the car with low expectations it would really be much different from my SC.
Engine Rebuild (OD reading 225,144) to include:
Dismantled engine/replaced all head studs/complete overhaul
Fitted new intake, exhaust valves & valve springs
Lapped all intake/exhaust valves
Adjusted all valve spring heights w/ new shims
Replaced all main bearings
Fitted new timing chains and guides
R&R both cam oil feed spray tubes and pressure cleaned
Fitted new cam bower oil lines
Fitted new oil return lines
Fitted new braided stainless steel fuel lines
Installed new A/C compressor, replaced A/C receiver drier, vacuum tested system, recharged with A/C oil and A/C dye and rechecked system to ensure fully operational
Replaced clutch slave cylinder and bled clutch hydraulic system. New OEM clutch installed.
Replaced inner/outer axle shaft boots
Installed Dansk sport muffler for 3.2L engine (dual in, single out)
Installed Steve Wong (911Chips) performance chip and rebuilt DME
Machine work included:
Replaced all cylinder head studs after removing four broken studs
Replaced all valve guides
Cleaned engine case
Cleaned oil tank
Ground both cam shafts and machined to correct factory specs
Sandblasted alternator parts
The transmission wasn’t touched as it didn’t appear to need anything, but I had him inspect the clutch. While the existing clutch felt like it had plenty of life left in it, I was concerned that it always felt a bit too heavy. Upon inspection, Singh determined sometime in the past a 3.0 SC clutch had been installed instead of the correct 3.2 factory Carrera spec. Therefore an OEM 3.2/G50 clutch was installed and now has the same mileage as the engine, approximately 7,000 miles. A new Denso AC compressor was installed to finally make the system operational again (it never worked prior to the restoration).