Outlaw Engine Choices

For those who couldn't care less how their 356 left the factory!
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Craig Richter
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#46 Post by Craig Richter »

Glad we coaxed you out of the shadows Richard, because your posts are rich with good practical experience. Of course Matt's approach is still my own preference, and the most cost-effective path to more power, especially if you start with a whole car. Since most outlaws are not daily drivers, my next question may not be of much concern to all, but what do you guys do for heaters? Even here in SoCal we occasionally get winter (like today), and I'm too big a wussie to have no heater!
 

Richard Emerson
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#47 Post by Richard Emerson »

I have never put the top up on my speedster after I got it, or my convertible D in the years I had it, so you are asking the wrong guy about heaters. I am restoring the webasto heater in my 911 though...against common wisdom.

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C J Murray
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#48 Post by C J Murray »

Has anybody here weighed their car before and after the conversion to a Polo and 900 trans and suspension? How much weight does that add? How about just the trans and suspension? How about a 911 engine? Polo engine and plumbing by itself? Somebody must know.

Richard, do you have dyno reports to compare to the other fuel injected Polo?

It seems to me that more data results in better decisions for the Outlaw builders.
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion

Richard Emerson
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#49 Post by Richard Emerson »

Cliff, I don't have the other dyno reports. I never really considered going EFI as I did want to stay as traditional as possible.

I would ask rod Emory. Same with weight. When I did ask the basic weight change was in the transmission which we wanted for the strength. Also I am running an early 911 rear suspension, and recast annular disk brakes so stock wheels bolt to it. Those brakes were remade from the period but rare Porsche racing brakes.

I modified an earlier post to give more credit to other alternatives like yours; I was a bit hasty in promoting polo over all else.. Sorry! And I explained the actual reasons why I went this way.

I just thought it was a wonderful and unique choice that Rod really liked as well.

I also started this project maybe 7 years ago when there were only a few out there (not that there are that many today).

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Craig Richter
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#50 Post by Craig Richter »

I never put the top up on Speedy either, unless caught up in a real rain storm, but I do have a full tonneau cover that covers the passenger area. When I'm coming home on a chilly evening, it's amazing how toasty it gets when that wimpy heater is on full.

Cliff keeps beating on this weight drum because it's really important. The easiest way to make your Speedster handle a little better is throw a sack of cement in the spare tire well! These 356's are very sensitive to weight balance, and hanging any more weight out the back is a bad thing.
 

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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#51 Post by Richard Emerson »

I understand re the weight.

But remember I have an early 911 rear suspension and 2 cylinders less weight than an early 911.

I can assure you it is very well balanced. It is more confidence inspiring than my stock speedster.

But if you didn't have the upgraded suspension - all bolt in btw - on the margin it matters.

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Michael Moss
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#52 Post by Michael Moss »

Guys remember this is the Outlaw Corner, remember they all can't be "Show Queens". I look at the suspension and 5 speed conversions like a natural evolution of the car. As if Porsche had keep the 356 body and made the improvements themselves. Kind of a 1965 1/2. I helped a fellow member build a car with the 5 speed conversion and used a type IV engine. 2.7ltrs. Crank fire ignition, sequential fuel injection, dry sump, with 911 cooling. weighs about 15lbs more than the 356 engine. No the car doesn't drive like an original 356. It's very quick and stable at freeway speeds. We upgraded the brakes to match the added power with Wilwood 4 piston calipers at all 4 corners. The car is an absolute kick to drive.
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Craig Richter
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#53 Post by Craig Richter »

Wow! That's beautiful. What color is he going to paint her? Or him...since that's a pretty muscular stance you've got going there.
 

Richard Emerson
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#54 Post by Richard Emerson »

I like it in primer as is!

My personal aesthetics take me away from modern 911 wheels like twists or Fuchs amd to the period look, but that's just me. (Part of the reason I went with Porsche annular disc brakes to match the early lug pattern)

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Michael Moss
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#55 Post by Michael Moss »

He's going to paint the car black w/ light gray interior. By the way the car has power windows and A/C. My personal preference would be a set of Coddington alloy wheels that look like the original "C" wheels without caps, just wider like the twist wheels. To each his own that's what makes the Outlaws appeal to me.

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C J Murray
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#56 Post by C J Murray »

First, I truly don't care what others do and I do appreciate the art and craftsmanship shown in many of the outlaws. It is similar to building a race car or race bike which I love to do because of the freedom to create and engineer. Technically, the car that I drove 7000 miles cross country is an outlaw but I don't like the term so I just consider it to be in club racing trim, just like the cars that owners drove on the street and raced on weekends back in the day. I will say that the street rod billet bling crap looks very bad on a 356. That stuff doesn't look very good on street rods either when compared to classic hot rods. The bling reminds me of Hot Wheels plastic cars. I am more impressed with cars that are modified in ways that appear to have been done in the day. The modifications should be aimed at reducing weight and improving handling just as Porsche would have done. Horsepower is good but not at the expense of handling. As for engines, if I had a Ford hot rod it would have a Ford engine, not a Chevy. Nobody should really care about what others think about all this BUT you should know if there is a penalty, such as weight, before you make the modification. Do you want to make your car different or better? I have driven a 911 powered 356 that was built by an expert and it was nowhere near as good as a 356 or an early 911. I imagine the 900 suspension and gearbox with a 4 cylinder is better. I think I will have to beg a drive in the one that a friend just built if the snow ever melts.
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#57 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

Hi Cliff
this is the project of the day
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C J Murray
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#58 Post by C J Murray »

:wink: Is that the third version of the 4 cylinder 911?
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion

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Jacques Lefriant
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#59 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

Hi Cliff
guess again and it's not a Subaru only 3 mains
j
 

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C J Murray
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Re: Outlaw Engine Choices

#60 Post by C J Murray »

Is it really complicated, breaks a lot, and makes modest power? Is it a 4-cam?
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion

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