What would be better?
 

My 3.0 in my SC is getting pretty tired, and I need to start planning on what I'm going to do when (gasp) the time comes to do something about it.

If I was going to replace it with another used 3.0, would it be better to go for a 78-79, since it has the same smog equipment and the larger heads. Or would a 80-83 be just as easy?

And if I was going to go with a 3.2, how hard is that swap? Is it pretty much a plug & play?

I wish I had the extra $ to just 3.6 it, but I don't.

Why not just install the factory turbosupercharged 930 motor? I would!

Tired?
Why not rebuild it, Matt?
These motors are legendary for their rebuild-ability. If you go for a used motor, how do you know it won't be needing a rebuild sooner than you expected.

That could be an option, if the price was right. I imagine I will end up just rebuilding mine, with the help of wayne's book & the BBS. I'm just gathering info right now.

Doug, did you end up re-using you're old P&C's?

Nope.
I could have though. They had minimal wear. I still have them, and am now planning to have them Nikasil'd, and keep 'em for spares or?

I got a very good deal on a brand new Mahle Nikasil P&C set, so that's what I used for the rebuild.

if you buy a used engine, you likely don't know what you're getting. I'd vote rebuild with Webcam or 964 cams, new head studs, and SSIs.

You guys are right, I just needed to here some morale support and the voice of reason before I break open my piggy bank.

The cool thing is I talked about it with my wife today, and told here the options, and she was cool as $hit about us dropping the cash for a re-build. She must be planning something I don't know about;)

She hasn't been hanging out with Ryan's wife, has she? I sense cooking tools in your future...

I'm more worried about the pitter patter of feet!::eek:

Because my kitchen doesn't see much cooking duty on her cook nights:p :

That's exactly what I thought when I read that. :rolleyes: Right now I’ll take the cookware over the pitter patter.

She just bought everything else to go w/ the set. I pointed out that she would have saved us $800 if she had just bought everything the first time. I think every night should be her turn to cook from now on, yeah right.

Matt, go for the rebuild w/ reasonable mods if the budget is an issue. Are you running your smog pump or just hooking it up for inspections?

The 3.2 would be a pretty easy conversion but finding one that you know has low miles and hasn’t been abused might be tough.

Ryan, I just put the smog pump on for inspections. The SOB weighs me down otherwise.:cool:

Budget is an issue to a certain extent, that's why a 3.6 isn't in my future within the next two years.

I do wish I would have purchased Paul (PBS's) motor though when it was for sale. That way I would have had a motor to run, while I re-build mine over time.

Paul's was a good one, and a great deal. I don't know what the history was w/ it but it was strong. If I remember right it had a 3.2, or maybe it was just a late 3.0 case, and didn't have an oil sump plate. I think some of the late '83 3.0 cases were actually 3.2 cases but I'm not sure.

Are you really thinking about a 3.6 after the next two years? Your looking at spending a lot of money now that you wont get back if you do a conversion later. What are the issues w/ the engine that are leading you to a rebuild?