3.0 --> 3.2 or 3.2 --> 3.4?

[BK911]

Say you have a fresh 3.0 and a 3.2 core engine. Which would you build up for a mostly DE / AX engine for a ’73 coupe? Both would get 98mm p/c’s, cam’d and carb’d. Taking everything into consideration, which should I build up for The Beast?

Please help me decide. I am either going to sell the 3.2 to subsidize the 3.0 upgrades, or sell the 3.0 to subsidize the 3.2 rebuild.

If it were you, what would you do?

Thanks,
BK

[boba]

It would seem that the build cost would be about the same.
The sale of the fresh 3.0 should bring more than a 3.2 core.
So, from a strictly economic view the 3.2 upgrade would be the way to go.

From a use point of view the 3.4 would seem to be a better fit also. More torque for AX=good.

Free advice is worth what you pay for it.

Regards,
Bob

[gestalt1]

the 3.2 is also going to have better porting in the heads, unless the SC engine is an early one. the motronic fuel injection is better than the CIS. the carrera engine already has carrera tensioners. the only advantage the SC engine would have is the 70.4 crank vs the 74.4 crank in the carrera engine. the shorter stroke will help high RPMs and the connecting rods are a little sturdier. i would take them both apart and find which crank and case is in better shape, mix and match parts to get the best of both. you might get more selling off the parts you don't need than selling a complete engine.

[BK911]

Thanks guys.

The 3.0 is pretty much new everything inside. I wouldn't want to split the case, but anything top end is fair game. I think I may go with the 3.2 -> 3.4 and sell the 3.0.

A local well respected shop is advising me to use the 3.0. They say it's a better platform for a nice mild track engine. Besides the smaller rod bolts on the 3.2, which can be upgraded, I couldn't find any info on why the 3.0 would be better than the 3.2.

[jmz]

The other thing to consider is the class you will run in. It's been so long since I've reviewed them but you will be running in a highly modified class if you go changing internals etc.

That said, I think you can't go wrong either way. You could also sell them both and consider going 3.6