Opinions? 78 3.0 that's had the Japanese Treatment

Opinions? 78 3.0 that's had the Japanese Treatment

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robm3

Original Poster:

4,927 posts

227 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
I was offered this for a decent price as its been for sale for 24 months now (Australian's hate left hand drive!).

I think it looks great and I would do the odd track day in it.

However i have no (old) Porsche experience so is there anything I should look out for?

Just good to get some perceptions on it too, for instance is 1000kg light for a 78'??

Here's the ad and video:

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Cars/Cars...

cjb1

2,000 posts

151 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
The car looks absolutely lovely. There would obviously be shipping, import tax and goodness knows what else? Would it need a VOSA inspection maybe to register it?

With a 3.0 litre SC you can't really go wrong, nice and simple (basic). Looks read to put straight on a track where the LHD wouldn't matter.

cjb1

2,000 posts

151 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
would that be the rack on the red one, white or blue one?

thegoose

8,075 posts

210 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
I raced an SC (204bhp) with a minimum finish weight of 1175kgs inc driver and it didn't need much ballast to achieve this (it had the spare wheel and about 1/4 tank of fuel - I was around 100kgs suited & booted back then) so I'd say yes, it is light.

Based on its age it's probably the 188bhp model though (different barrels & pistons for 204bhp which is hence costly but it may have been done, hard to tell on this one). The cage isn't the most substantial I've ever seen but at least it has one. I'd change the harnesses to 3" wide but that's easy & cheap. The "quick-shifter" may be a REVO item, which I've never used but is supposed to be a decent improvement to the standard 915 selector. I'm not sure the 18" wheels are necessary and it may be over-tyred for the power and weight it has. It was hard to tell but looks like it may have Continental tyres, not the thing for track use but easily changed.

ArrowSC

591 posts

227 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
The description of "original mechanical injection" is misleading as it appears to have the std SC CIS injection, which is very different to MFI as on earlier 911s, or the later and very rare 954 3.0 SCRS with Kugelfischer(sp?) MFI

I've got a mildly updated SC I use for trackdays and this looks like it could be a load of fun too, but please lose the chequer-plate smile

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Tuesday 15th April 2014
quotequote all
cjb1 said:
The car looks absolutely lovely. There would obviously be shipping, import tax and goodness knows what else? Would it need a VOSA inspection maybe to register it?
Itll need an MOT: nothing more.

robm3

Original Poster:

4,927 posts

227 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
ArrowSC said:
The description of "original mechanical injection" is misleading as it appears to have the std SC CIS injection, which is very different to MFI as on earlier 911s, or the later and very rare 954 3.0 SCRS with Kugelfischer(sp?) MFI

I've got a mildly updated SC I use for trackdays and this looks like it could be a load of fun too, but please lose the chequer-plate smile
So the SC CIS injection is an improvement over the mechanical or not?

I agree the chequer plate is 'naff' I'd probably get carpet retrimed back in because stones and grit bouncing around inside is a pain.

ArrowSC

591 posts

227 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
robm3 said:
So the SC CIS injection is an improvement over the mechanical or not?
CIS seems to have been added in response to impending emissions regs, esp in US. Perhaps an improvement if you're looking for economy, but not if you prefer throttle response, as MFI had individual throttle bodies compared to one on CIS, which also offers limited tuning potential.

lidz

4 posts

120 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Be very cautious buying from them, they don't have a good reputation. Wound back odometers are very common as is many other more serious issues. Do a lot of homework on the dealer, plenty of feedback available & ideally just walk away...

robm3

Original Poster:

4,927 posts

227 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
lidz said:
Be very cautious buying from them, they don't have a good reputation. Wound back odometers are very common as is many other more serious issues. Do a lot of homework on the dealer, plenty of feedback available & ideally just walk away...
Wow! thanks for that.

I did get that impression when I was there (funny how you should trust your instincts).

Their story on some items on the car didn't quite mar up either.

Oh well....

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
If the car was sold through auction in Japan then its odometer reading, as well as its grade and an honest description of its condition will all be a matter of record.

The mileage might not be as important in this sort of car where work is common, but a repair history grade would be a nasty surprise. Grade 3.5 is acceptable, but grade 4 is better.

lidz

4 posts

120 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
True however don't trust the auction sheet & de-registration forms provided by the dealership, some (see above) have been found to be very good with photoshop...
They are available via independent sources & well worth the small expense.

OP the majority of the paramatta rd dealers of imports should be avoided, again, google is your friend.

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
From BIMTA in this country, or at least, they certainly used to be.

bigunit00

890 posts

147 months

Saturday 19th April 2014
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I would just get it independently inspected here and see what he says . If you get a good price it could be worth it.

You are buying the car not the dealer

http://www.cavacomotors.com.au/