Hey guys,
I am planning on starting a project with my car this winter when i am home and summer. I would like to start compiling and looking at the benefits of some upgrades/add ons vs their catches. This summer i either want to drop a V8 in, complete a 3x000 swap, or install a turbo. depending on my job situation my budget is really maxed out around $1,000. so i think this puts the turbo out because since i do not have any way of wielding but by going to a auto shop. The concern with the V8 is the transmission. Sure i can afford the V8. i can get one for free from a friend of mine. Although the engine ran last time he had it in i would still rebuild most of it to insure it's quality and reliability. my issues with this is that i would need a new transmission and currently i have an auto and there is no way i'm getting a transmission and having it be an auto transmission. so i would have to hook all the transmission hydraulics up. my biggest concern for this is the cost of the transmission and parts. I just recently heard about the 3x000 top end swap and i am interested in this. my concern is that i have read a lot about completing the swap but there is not much out there about there cars performance or situation after the conversion or if people have succeeded successfully afterwards. So i'm a little hesitant to do this. I want to hear from you guys. from what you guys have done with your V6 what would you think is the most affordable and could be done in a small garage consisting of mainly ratchets, screws, few air tools, and an engine lift. I can also most likely get access to a car lift.
Thanks for the suggestions!

 

If you can score an entire 3x00 cheap (I got all of my parts for $50 but needed more because the idiot that stripped the engine left out a LOT of parts), you can easily do less than $1000. You would need to swap the entire rotating assembly out of the 3x00 as well (as long as it's not a 3400 which won't fit in the bores) to keep the compression down. Unless you can get your hands on a decent 3.1 short block (as installed in our 90-92 cars, not FWD), then the 3x00 top end will net you a bigger gain.
My hybrid is almost ready to go, but I need to figure out accessory routing and drill the broken exhaust manifold studs out of the #5 port ( ). And get some more fuel system fittings and EVERYTHING for the exhaust.

 

Would it be better to put in a 3.1 short block and put my 2.8 components on it? Or would i see bigger gains from 3x00 top end conversion?

 

3.1 LONG block is the EXACT SAME THING as the 2.8 with a bigger stroke and dished pistons to actually LOSE compression (8.5:1 as opposed to the 8.9:1 in the 2.8). Swapping to a 3.1 gets you 5 HP and 20 torque. Swapping to a 3.1 short block and 3100 small port top end gets you about 70 HP and 80 torque (estimated) with about 11:1 CR static, dynamic CR is about what the 2.8's static compression is.

 

Gotcha, Thanks. The only other question i have now is how do i figure out the size of the push rods i need to get for the top end swap? or does anyone have the number on hand?

 

The numbers I sent to WOT-Tech for their custom pushrods are in my build thread...

 

!!!!!!!!!


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