Update: a number of you have been arriving to this page after searching Google for tips on “Porsche 911 CIS Modifications”. While we have done some work to our ’73 911T with CIS, we are by no means experts. However, we wanted to point you to a book that might help you in your research. How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines 1965-1989. Written by Wayne Dempsey of Pelican Parts, this book provides a very thorough overview of Porsche engines, how to rebuild them and what you can do to modify them. We hope it is helpful. Now, on with the article.
A new reader contacted us the other day looking for suggestions on how to modify his ’77 911s. In his own words he would like the Porsche:
“to look like a ’77, but have the ability to hang with a modern ‘vette or anything else that might take it for granted.”
As the pictures below show, the car is in nice cosmetic condition (we love the Minerva Blue exterior) and currently runs well. The owner is looking for suggestions that will give him the best bang for the buck while meeting his stated goal(s).
Personally, we’re not huge fans of modified Porsches (we’re purists by nature) but have no problem with what others want to do to their own cars.
Manufacturer’s Specs for a 1977 Porsche 911s
The 2.7 liter, normally aspirated, motor produced 157 hp and a top speed north of 130 mph. Curves were carved using a combination of MacPherson struts, shocks and anti-sway bars while stopping power was applied via vented disk brakes. Outside of the common problem of “pulled” cylinder head studs known to plague these magnesium blocked cars the ’77 was a great car for the time and one that still represents a good bargain today.
Before getting into possible mods, let’s start with some basic information regarding the car itself:
- Engine Displacement and Type: (all 50 States) – Type/911/85; 2687 cc (163.9 cid) SOHC, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (CIS), air pump, thermal reactors, EGR
- Maximum HP: 157 SAE net @5800 RPM
- Maximum Torque: 168 ft-lb @ 4000 RPM
- Weight: 2470 lbs + 90 with Targa
- 0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds (factory)
- Max Speed: 134 mph (factor) subtract 1.2 seconds Sportmatic
- Brakes: Vented disk brakes. Power assisted w/M590 Comfort package and Sportmatic
- Steering: ZF rack-and-pinion
- Suspension Front: MacPherson struts with telescoping shock absorbers, wishbones, torsion bars, antisway bar. Optional softer Bilstein shocks in M590 Comfort Package
- Suspension Rear: telescoping shock absorbers, two-piece trailing arms, transverse torsion bars, antisway bar, Optional softer Bilstein shocks in M590 Comfort Package
- Transmission: 915/61 4-speed
Suggested Mods
Normal suggestions for most modification generally include:
- increased hp (possible motor swap)
- improved suspension
- transmission upgrade
- new wheels and tires (handling of the normally aspirated ’77s can be greatly improved by increasing to the 16″ tires that came standard on the Turbo/930)
- improved braking (a lot of people forget that when you increase hp you need to increase your stopping power too)
- interior and exterior cosmetics including paint, seats and electronics
The owner of this car is looking for specific suggestions from other early 911 owners. Have any of you modified your cars? If so, what have you done? Are there things you’ve done that you now wish you hadn’t? Conversely, are there things you didn’t do you wish you had included? Let us know by commenting below or using the contact page to get in touch with us.
[Tech Spec Source: Randy Leffingwell’s Porsche 911 Buyer’s Guide]