Street Performance 3.2 Rebuild

[drmanberrys]

I have tried wearing gloves before and they are also cheap here in OZ but personally I prefer the full feeling you get without them. And because I no longer do this as a day to day job I don't mind getting down and dirty once in a while.

Thanks Flieger, I think I will earn a few more badges of honour before this project is done and dusted.

[joetiii]

Originally Posted by drmanberrys

After reading many threads on the subject of twin plug systems I am very overwhelmed by the array of possible combinations but would really like to pursue this option in the future.

If I was to go down the twin plug rout, would it be advisable to have the machining done on the heads and lower valve covers and screw the plugs in until I am ready to change the distributor and other components?

Primarily I want to focus on the engine rebuild but would like to have this machining done now to save having to pull the engine out again if this is a possible option.

Having the plug holes machined now while you have the heads off is a good idea. 98 Octane will keep things in check until they start watering petrol down like they do in california and US. However, If you are are planning to go the 3.5 route with 100mm P&Cs like the article you linked too, then you may want to set up for sending spark to those other 6 plugs now. You will not have to run as much advance to get flame across the entire cylinder which is why Porsche went twin plug on the 3.6.

I would also suggest sending an email to John Dougherty aka camgrinder. He will definitely steer you down the right path for cam selection.

You can get much improved engine performance sticking with motronic. While you can't use really radical camshafts, what you have listed along with an exhaust backdate will certianly make you smile when you step on the go pedal.

BTW, do you happen to know Chris Walker? He's from Brisbane & does fairly well in local PCA events with his Boxster.

[drmanberrys]

Hi joetiii thanks for all the good advice, I will be keeping the car off the road for longer and sort out the twin plug system while the engine is out of the car.

I would like to go the bigger displacement pistons and I am thinking JE 98mm pistons 10.5:1 and a set of Nickies. I don't want to get the extra machining done on the case as I would rather leave the meat of the case alone, I tend to get paranoid about things like that.

I will certainly send John Dougherty aka camgrinder an email when the time comes to do the cams. I don't want anything too radical because I drive this car to work regularly.

No I don't know Chris Walker but will keep an ear out for the name in future.

[drmanberrys]

Ok I think I have narrowed it down, please feel free to give me advice on any of the following:

JE Pistons 98mm 10.5:1 CR
Nickies Cylinders 98mm
Crankshaft - magnaflux, micro polish, cross drilled & balanced
RACEWARE Connecting Rod Bolt Set
Supertec Performance Cylinder Head Stud Kit

Heads
Port matched and polished
High Performance Valve Spring Set with Titanium Retainers ??? (Not sure if necessary)
Phosphorus bronze Valve Guides
And general cylinder head refurb

Dougherty Cams ???

Standard Motronic injection system
Twin Plug System ???
Steve Wong chip

SSI Heat Exchanger
M&K Exhaust Stainless Steel Muffler

[drmanberrys]

I haven't posted in my engine rebuild thread for a long time so here are some update pics (not engine related sorry).
I have been waiting for a crankshaft to arrive from the US for 4 months now and still waiting.
So I have found other things to do so I feel like the project is still moving forward.



Welded a few tiny spots of rust I found in the floor.



Sealed the floor with Killrust.



Custom made speaker shrouds shaped and ready for fibreglass.



Superlite Dynamat fitted. And yes I know you don't need full coverage but I had purchased a 12 sheet box before I learned that.
Still it looks cool.



Parcel shelf made and test fit ready for covering. Yes I am a nerd I like transformers so a mate and I made custom rear seat backs.
(Haters gunna hate).



Fitting Rennline pedals and boards.

I have just bought another 3.2 to put in while I wait for parts. I really want to drive my car again. (I couldn't wait any longer).
Should be back on the road soon.

[Sboxin]

Your interior work looks great! Thanks for the update...

But, what is the rest of the engine story -- and why is the crank in the US??
Or, did you have to buy a new/used crank to replace your original one?


Best of luck,

[drmanberrys]

Thanks Roy,

The story with the crank is; I could not find a good 3.2 crank in Australia at the time (but one has come up since) so I bought a magnafluxed, cross drilled and micro polished crank from a fellow Pelican (Bob Barnes) that had it preped for one of his race engines.

I have been trying to contact him for about a month now regarding the tracking details but he is yet to get back to me.

I put a post in the tech forum to find out if anyone knew what the go might be with Bob and have since got a contact phone number that I will call soon.

I am confident he will come through for me but I am getting impatient to drive my car, hence buying the other engine to get me by.

On a good note (and engine related) I saw my machinist yesterday and gave him the new valves, guides and seals to complete the twin plugging and refurb of the heads.

[drmanberrys]

Another update for my engine thread.
My crankshaft still has not arrived (long story) but a on a good note I have managed to buy a spare engine (for a great price) to use while I build my good engine.
And my interior is almost finished so I should be back on the road again soon.


Spare engine pimped out.


Parcel shelf with Porsche lettering.


Sliver knit carpet fit by yours truly (just need to cover the speaker shrouds).

[soren.911]

Nice work

Are you sure it is not a RoW 3.2 you have all ready? Your trans with oil cooler looks exactly like a RoW 84-87 trans.

Check the numbers on engine and box

[whiterabbit]

Originally Posted by soren.911

Nice work

Are you sure it is not a RoW 3.2 you have all ready? Your trans with oil cooler looks exactly like a RoW 84-87 trans.

Check the numbers on engine and box

Yes I was thinking that as well. I thought all Aus spec cars were ROW spec.

[drmanberrys]

Hi soren.911/whiterabbit,
Researching the engine number tells me it is a US engine. I haven't checked the new (spare) engine yet but will keep you posted.

Here is a pic of what I managed to get done today. Very excited the engine is back in the car.

[CruiseControl]

Mike, you have a private message from fellow Brisbane Pelicanite
Cheers, Paul

[drmanberrys]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the PM will give you call sometime this week.

Cheers

Mike

[Tigrah]

Hugely interesting thread. I was mildly disappointed you went away from the 3.2 with 10.3:1 compression. I'd love to have seen how you went with that since that is what is on my shopping list.

As a heads up, I was quoted $20k for a 3.4 build (Mahle P's and C's, extrude hone, camshafts etc) from a shop in Sydney (good shop with plenty of race car pedigree).

I'd prefer to stick with the 3.2, though, and maybe get my own fingers greasy - I have not a mechanical bone in my body. My car is pretty well sorted - upgraded hollow TBs, sport bilsteins, brakes, roll cage, wevo mounts and short shift kits, 1988 3.2 (930/25) 40,000 kms ago, rebuilt gearbox 80,000 kms ago, SSIs, but a bog-stock 2 in 1 out.

So my idea was like your original, high comp 3.2, no dual plug (98 Octane is plentiful and high quality), maybe a new cam grind - kinda a "warmed over" 3.2. LSD and 2 in 2 out as well?

It's "how fast can I afford to drive"

BTW, where were you planning on sourcing your M&K?

[drmanberrys]

Hi Tigrah,

Thanks for the comment.

I haven't abandoned the 3.4 build it's just the crank has been taking so long to arrive from the states.

I managed to find this engine at a good price so have installed it to keep me driving the car while I wait.

The heads are at my machinist being twin plugged and as soon as the crank arrives I'll be back on track to do the build as planned.

As for the M&K I was hoping to source one here but was preparing for the worst if I have to have one shipped from our host.

[Tigrah]

As an FYI, it's a lazy Sunday afternoon here so I decided to inquire as to whether M&K had a distributor in AU. They responded in 10 minutes flat! here's the skinny:

No distributor but "The dual out muffler shipped to AUS is $870. We have one in stock and can ship Monday. Transit time is 6-10 days depending on exact location."

That's probably one of the easiest ways to spend money I've seen!