I tapped my 3.2 VALVES! WHAT NOW?

[bigrubberjeep]

WRENCH IS SAYING $3,000 MAX

What are my options?
What are my "while I am in there" things I should concider?

Motor has just over 100K miles

Should I twin plug it?

[350HP930]

Cams and clean up the ports. Since the exhaust must come off it might also be a good time to throw on a nice set of headers.

With basic mods like that you should be able to get a decent amount of extra power.

Twin plugging would normally cost some $$$ but with that new distributor running around that uses the jaguar cap its a bit cheaper than it used to be.

[john walker's workshop]

it already has big ports, cams may bump up the HC and mess with emissions. SSIs don't give as much power boost as on an SC, and they won't pass the visual. no converter won't pass visual. best to do a good valve grind and leave it stock, unless you want to swap parts back and forth every 2 years.

[350HP930]

Ah, thats right, I didn't pay attention to the fact that BRJ was located in the land of severe emissions testing.

I so love living in an unregulated car emissions state.

[bigrubberjeep]

Originally posted by 350HP930
Ah, thats right, I didn't pay attention to the fact that BRJ was located in the land of severe emissions testing.

I so love living in an unregulated car emissions state.

Not fair, you folks have tornado's that swish away all that polution!

[cgarr]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bigrubberjeep
[B]Not fair, you folks have tornado's that swish away all that polution!


But at least our ground doesn’t move

[bigrubberjeep]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cgarr
[B]

Originally posted by bigrubberjeep
Not fair, you folks have tornado's that swish away all that polution!


But at least our ground doesn’t move

True!

Just curious, who set up camp first in Michigan and said, hey! Let's stay here, it's only 20 below in the winter!

[Eagledriver]

You should really replace the rod bolts. These are a weak link in a 3.2 and since you overreved it there is a very good chance one will fail in the future. They can be replaced without splitting the case just don't drop anything inside.

-Andy

[Carrera3.5L]

George,

964 cams or 20/21 cams will pass emission tests in CA no problem. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. This would be a good time to have them installed. No need to port the heads, they flow fine for over 300 horsepower. I didn't port them for my 3.5L either.

SSI's or headers will not pass the CA visual and probably not pass the actual dyno test either. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty every two years....either is better then the stock exhaust but more bang for the buck would be simply removing the cat in favor of a euro premuffler. Will almost make as much power as SSI's will, but much cheaper to do and easier to swap over every 2 years.

Extrude Honing the intake plenums is expensive for what you gain(relatively speaking), but it might be worth doing at this time since the top end will be apart anyway.

No need to twin-plug unless you increase the piston/cylinder bore diameter or are increasing the compression. Since neither appears to be the case here, save the money.

If the mechanic is just doing the top end (i.e. heads), he probably won't remove the cylinders, but if so then do upgrade the rod bolts to ARP units. Those can be changed without splitting the case as someone else mentioned.

Is Ollie's going to be doing the machine work?

Ralph

[aigel]

964 cams are certainly worth it and will pass smog, no problem, even the tread mill stuff. John Dougherty can regrind your cams or do an exchange. His handle on PP is "camgrinder" and here is his website: http://www.drcamshafts.com/ Of course, new cams will mean regrinding or replacing your rocker arms, so you are out about an extra $500 in parts / machine work.

If it were my engine, I'd leave the bottom end alone. To get there, the pistons and cylinders need to come out. What if those turn out to be "questionable"? Things like this can easily sprial out of control.

But in your case, with a mechanic having to go in there, it may be better to tend to the rod bolts now, so you won't have to pay labor twice?

I feel that the quoted 3k is a decent deal for a top end. I have seen much higher numbers locally. Make sure you get top notch machine work with new guides, valves where needed and a valve job. Also consider the stiffer valve springs and light retainers for the next money shift...

Good Luck!

George

PS: Consider shifer upgrades / trans help, while it is all out, in case your mis-shifted due to worn out transmission or shifter!

[Jeff Alton]

I recommend John as well (camgrinder)


Jeff

[Wayne 962]

Buy my book and do it yourself for about $1500 in parts and machine work...

http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne

[aigel]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Buy my book and do it yourself for about $1500 in parts and machine work...

http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne

Yeah, aren't you rather involved with other marques? If you have worked on other engines, you will have enough skill to do a flat six, considering the book and the info you can get here.

George

[dd74]

I'm simply sorry to hear about your troubles, BRJ. I was looking forward to seeing you at Willow again. BTW, all the advice given here is very good. I'd do the same thing if I was in your position.

If you can, look at it as a good problem.

[camgrinder]

The 964 cams will pass the California dyno test. I have heard of 3 cars with them that passed.

Jeff and George, thanks for the recommending me.

[bigrubberjeep]

Thank's for all the kind words, they sure do help.

As for doing it my self, I don't think so! Not ready for that yet, I could only imagine all the chances for me to make soemthing worst.

However I will be taking some advise from here as to what upgrades to do that will still keep me smog legal.

Thank you guys!

She will be back, better then ever.

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by bigrubberjeep
As for doing it my self, I don't think so! Not ready for that yet, I could only imagine all the chances for me to make soemthing worst.

You might be surprised, once you read the book...

-Wayne

[bigrubberjeep]

Were up and over $5,000 due to the fact that 1st 2nd and 3rd gear need to be redone too.

[aigel]

Wayne - that trans book is OVERDUE!

George (whose trans is more tender than the engine)

[bigrubberjeep]

Update: Tranny - New dog teath and sincro for each gear, my current 5th gear has 38 teath and is WAY tall (once looking at the chart) so a new more stock 5th will be put in it's place, new clutch and flywheel kit inlcuded, so far my wrench is saying $2800 for the tranny work and parts. I gave him a $2,000 deposit today. (OUCH)

Engine: The valves are slightly visibly kinked, the piston tops however are evidently marked and look scuffed, other then that pistons and cylinders look ok as well as the heads, cylinder bolts and the cam shafts. This was the original $3,000 quote top end only.

Now if I want rod bolts replaced, cylinder bolts replcaced and stronger valve springs and a bit shaved off the heads (to give it a bit more compression, he said I would be looking at $5200

So now I am looking at a total of about $8,000

I am speachless (and broke). Any ideas, comments, tips or questions (dontations) ?