TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue May 09, 2006 12:40 pm

I can't believe I am typing this, but...

My wife is trying to convince me to buy a porsche for myself.

So I guess that puts me in line for the "luckiest man in the whole friggin world" title. (And she's a hot redhead to boot)

But I digress... Being the cheapskate I am and also having been a VW person for a while (a couple Westies and currently a 74 Super Beetle - I would be selling the Beetle to go towards paying for the Porsche.) I just can't jump into the transition headfirst. So as a regular user of the late model forum I figured I'd get some thoughts from some of the neighbors on the other side of the fence.

The model I like is the 912, looking at late sixties, something with the upright engine - not sure what year that ended. I've wanted one of these since I was 17 and drooled over a 68 912 for sale. Now some questions about the 912

1. Are they more expensive for repairs than say my 74 Super? Because it's a "Porsche" are the parts immediately more expensive?

2. Are they as easy to work on as a VW? I have moderate ability - can replace engine tranny and such, as well as tore down my 70 westy to the shell and "backyard restored" it.

3. Are they as reliable as a VW?

4. What are some specific problem areas to look at on this model?

5. Should I stay away from the 912e? My research tells me it's a one year model. I don't know if I like that as far as availability of parts and such.

6. What year did they stop putting the upright engine in them?

Thanks for letting me play on your side of the pool and I appreciate any replies you can provide.

- bill

Wed May 10, 2006 5:03 am

bugsville wrote:
1. Are they more expensive for repairs than say my 74 Super? Because it's a "Porsche" are the parts immediately more expensive?

Yes, they are. A LOT more expensive. My 75k original mile '69 912 had the engine pulled and stored because I didn 't want to have to worry about a rebuild in the future. I replaced it with a modified 914 engine because it was cheaper to maintain. The stock 356 engine is driven by the prices for parts on 356s so they can get pricey.

bugsville wrote:
2. Are they as easy to work on as a VW? I have moderate ability - can replace engine tranny and such, as well as tore down my 70 westy to the shell and "backyard restored" it.

They're not much more difficult than a VW. Some differences in construction, but nothing dramatically different.

bugsville wrote:
3. Are they as reliable as a VW?

Yes, I feel that they are.

bugsville wrote:
4. What are some specific problem areas to look at on this model?

Rust. This is easily the biggest problem with all early 911/912s. The suspension mounts to the unibody (unlike a bug) so the suspension mounting points are VERY important. Pay attention to the front pan area and the rear torsion bar tube mountings. Floors, rockers, and fenders can also be an issue.

bugsville wrote:
5. Should I stay away from the 912e? My research tells me it's a one year model. I don't know if I like that as far as availability of parts and such.

Yes, it is one year only, but most of the important parts are shared with either a 911 or a 914, so they aren't *too* difficult to get parts for. The Type 4 engine is stronger than the 356-based engines in the earlier cars, but it is also smogged out and saddled with a heavier body. They can be made fast and have fewer rust issues than the earlier cars. Some oddball parts are the transmission (most parts are from the 915 box, but there are differences), the heater boxes, the exhaust, and the engine tin. Beyond that it's mostly standard 911 or 914 stuff.

bugsville wrote:
6. What year did they stop putting the upright engine in them?

1969, the last year of the "true" 912. Also the only year of the long-wheelbase 912. Some will argue these were the "best" because of the wheelbase and still using the 356 engine. That's in the eye of the beholder though.

Grant

Wed May 10, 2006 8:27 am

+ one

check out these sites for more info
www.pelicanparts.com
ww912bbs.org

Another route that you can take is putting a VW into a 911 or 912. I know,I know it aint the same but FYI. here is a good page on that.
www.geocities.com/clarkblumberg/911-912page9.html

Wed May 10, 2006 8:28 am

thats
www.912bbs.org

Wed May 10, 2006 12:56 pm

I like the 68 and earlier short wheel based cars best, but I am a freak...

I've seen pix of Grant's 912 with a Type 4 and it is beautiful - very well done.

Almost everything on a 912 chassis interchanges with another model of one year or another - either a 911 or 914 - so parts are available.

Quite a few engine parts are 912 (or late C) specific. Earlier parts swap but they aren't necessarily the same. You just have to know what swaps work and which ones don't.

They can get spendy though. Check out tie rods for a SWB car :shock:

P.S.: Buy the car !

Thu May 11, 2006 6:46 am

thanks for all the great replies! I'm not gonna rush into anything, but this really helps!

Mon May 15, 2006 12:12 pm

Check aircooled technologies.com for good 912e info. jhuis

Wed May 17, 2006 12:13 am

I am new here but have been collecting Porsches for a long time, the 912
is getting expensive, nice examples were $5-7000 in 1998-2003 they have gone up to 8-15K they share so many parts with early 911s that many of the restorable examples have become donor cars for body parts
and have donated their engines to 356 fans (I am guilty)

I have 2 912 Soft window targas and they have been great cars, unfortunately the 912 engine including purchase cost, and rebuilding is
as expensive to do correctly as a flat 6 911 T engine can be rebuilt for about the same money.

I would urge you to look for a reasonably priced 912e (1976 only) but be careful to make sure it has its thermal reactors and remember its the same engine as a 76 2.0 914

The 914 is the undervalued porsche with a huge supply of donor cars available

Hope that helps

Check out 912bbs.org

RK
Ramstein Germany / Bend Oregon

Sat May 20, 2006 11:03 am

Yeah, what they said. Keep in mind that the 912 engine is an evolved 25 hp Volkswagen, now making what, 102 hp, or so. It has to work somewhat harder to move the heavier 912 chassis, and many suffer failures somewhat after the 100,000 km range. Having said that, I must say they do it quite well. Many Porsche nuts agree that their favorite car was their first one, a 912. I think that making a home made 912E is quite a good idea. 1976 912E's are quite good, too, but they had the clunkier bumpers and were heavier. Good durable motors and with AFC, a better injection than 914's. Exhaust is unobtanium, if you live in a smog state.One other 912E problem: NO Targa!
The Targa is what I really like, so that rules out the 912E for me. (Besdies I have a 1967 soft window 912 targa.)
Al