So happy to see the mid-year getting some much deserved love. Yours is really one of the best examples IMO--perfect color combination, great engine upgrade, and I like your review of the 915 trans with Rennshift
Before "fixing" the suspension by replacing T-bars and shocks, it's often good to make sure that it's set-up correctly and in good condition to start with. Are the tire pressure right? Is the alignment right? The car looks like it's already been lowered, has a bump-steer kit been installed. That can make a big difference. From there make sure that the bushings and tie-rods are in good condition. Only then would I start going after the T-bars and shocks. People often try to "fix" 911 suspension by going to stiffer T-bars and shocks, and wind up with a harsh ride, which is not what 911's are about. It should be firm, but compliant. Before swapping the T-bars for stiffer models, ,I'd suggest swapping the shocks first and judge the results before going all-in on a stiff suspension.
Good vid - I have a mid-year (model not sold in the US although some were privately imported) - '77 Carrera 3.0 and I love it - after 18 months of ownership it is just about where I want it, although there will always be little things to fiddle with and improve - part of the enjoyment that comes from ownership of these cars. Like your thoughts on the Rennshift - mine has one and having just finished a gearbox rebuild, looking forward to getting the most out of it - definitely a mechanical feel to it. The cars are light, they're nimble and whilst I get that they were strangled by smog regs in the US, one that has that sorted or an engine swap like this one would be a really good thing. Worth spending some time on the suspension - mine is razor sharp and it is a matter of spending time on getting the right gear under the car - including tyres. Strut brace helps significantly for the front end too. Enjoy Will - it's a lovely little car!
I almost went with JWest Rennshift but decided to go with the Numeric Racing shifter. If you haven’t tried it, you should, you may like it also. I believe both are very good.
Very nice vid - I have a '96 Turbo and I would love to get something older, lighter and preferably with a soft top to change things up a bit. These seems nicely sorted and a lot of fun. I can see why you didn't want to pass it up.
Front spoiler fitted on later Gbodies makes a Huge difference in term of front axle swoopy feeling. Specially at mid/highspeed on straight lines, I installed one on my Euro 81 SC and it has been night and day !
I don't remember seeing sport seats in the mid year 911S as original equipment. So they were probably added by an owner along the way. Also, your car has roll up windows? I'll have to look in the books, I thought that the USA ,76, 77, 911S came standard with power windows. Nice Car, glad to see you are getting some use out of those Pop Out rear windows!
Looking forward to what you envision for this car, it’s a beautiful color. I used to have a 60s cal look vw bug that I customized in high school and I had those headlight rims on your 911 color coded and swapped them with the original old vw ones on my bug… forgotten memories!
bigger torsion bars and hd shocks will make that 911 drive on rails... yes, the 15" wheels contribute to a softer ride but that is a good thing with the mentioned upgrades... dont forget good tires as well.
Cool car for sure. I'd just add for the casual buyer that the love and investment required to bring this car up to this level is not insignificant so either pay upfront on a sorted example like this one or the $50k+ on the backend for a barn find.
Subed from the beginning. Glad to see you find your stride w air cooled Porsche. From selling and buying that turbo and modding your 993. Great content. Maybe add sm content on timepieces ..
Hadn’t thought about it but great question. Maybe understated, cool, hip but also maybe too calm? I still struggle to describe it. Definitely a special, pretty car but driving experience-wise not very exciting/engaging or at least not nearly S much as the others I have driven.
Great video as usual Will. Please do not swap out those seats! 😅 Do you think the more floaty feel is characteristic of the mid years or could there be something else at play? Front wheel bearings maybe? Maybe a good question for Mr. Merz.
I hear you on the seats, but at the end of the day my favorite thing to do is spend many hours in the cars up in the mountains. Can’t have back pain. The seats will ALWAYS remain with the car and I totally appreciate how special they are but I need to mesh with the car without pain. By the way I saw some footage of you ripping on the 73T on the recent rally. Well done.
Hi Will. I was just back home in Thomasville. Really wanted to connect with you. I'll probably be back in a few months. Dad in the hospital in Winston. Hey I really need some help and hopefully you can help. I have a 993 project I am trying to get done. I don't know how to connect the vacuum hoses on the engine. I have looked at diagrams but can't see to get it. Do you have a 993 with the vacuum hoses visible so I can see how they are connected? Just asking cause I am desperate. Thanks.
The momo you have is probably the smaller one, they have just come out with a larger diameter one, because the momo blocks the guages. I hate that, I went back to the stock wheel on my 85. So much better, my momo is in the closet--I'll never use it.
Like many guys I know, I am always checking out listings out of curiosity but not necessarily buying intent. Also, this car was shared on IG which isn’t a usual channel to find cars for sale. So, I wasn’t actively looking but instead saw it passively and kind of talked myself into buying.
Love your channel 😎😎😎Air cool life, I own a 1987 911 carrera convertable im looking for a mechanic i live in Greensboro NC your mechanic seems to be the best 👌 I would appreciate your help 😎
given the stage of development of the 911 over four decades ago, its nature as a preeminent (if odd) production sports car in the late '70s is understandable. your initial view about its handling is best explained by the fact it was/is an evolved (356 owner here) lightweight, small displacement/ high-revving, rear-engined sports car optimized for performance when operating at its limits - & the limits were very high. the trades are what you have described (I happen to think the car is not yet dialed-in... from the P6000s to the roll bar) those limits (accel, top speed, cornering Gs, braking... you name it) being best exemplified in the fabled 2,7 RS. it took years to exceed those measures, while maintaining the "special feel". one could argue that has never been equaled - even when quantifiable specs were exceeded. thus the timeless appeal. any long-nose or middie can be "tuned" (or even "back-tuned" from '89 ... $$$) to achieve a very close approximation of one of the greatest driver's cars in history. now, I've talked myself into a drive, thx!
Don’t even miss it at all tbh. Zero regrets. I saw it for sale on FB for $150K. I think it was being sold by someone different than the folks who bought it, so guessing dude bought it from them and is trying to flip it but I could be wrong.
@@Rennthusiast thanks for the reply, don’t get me wrong. You have amazing cars I have few Porsches including a 964 and I get what you’re saying the prices are crazy however I still drive the pants off mine. I’m thinking about getting something older like a late 70. Anyway, no matter what. Love your passion for air cooled, personally I don’t think I can ever sell my 964 👊🏼
@@TobyParker thanks! I think we all have our favorite generations. I’m finding I like the older cars more. They’re more visceral, analog and require more work to drive right. That said, I’m getting ready to take a quick mountain driving trip for a couple of days and I’m taking the 993. The later air cooled generations (964/993) give you tons of fun but also some good comfort. Thanks for weighing in and for watching 🙏🏽
