Varioram- need more power!

[petevb]

So my jealousy of Craig911 and Jack, etc has gotten the better of me. I’m “having a little work done” on the car, and “while I’m at it” I’ve decided the 3.2 needs to go in favor of a 3.6 varioram. However my sickness is already quite far progressed, so unfortunately a stock Vram won’t quite cut it. A chip and headers are an obvious fix, but the 300 or so hp this will provide still leaves me wanting. It really is a curse, isn’t it?

So what’s the next step? I don’t want to do a 3.8, and I don’t want to replace the induction to fit a really hot cam. Is there a middle ground? I’m thinking port work or a somewhat hotter cam (solid lifters?) might buy 10-20 hp without breaking the bank. Is there conventional wisdom here, or does everyone skip the middle ground and go straight to crazy?

The car is AX/ track, 91 octane is a requirement but smog isn’t...

Craig, having followed your conversion I think I can guess what you’re going to say...

[Bill Verburg]

The 3.8(or larger) is a worthwile upgrade because of the increased torque everywhere in the rev range. It is expensive but done w/ slip fits not all that outrageous.

If you stay w/ hyd. lifters use of an RS cam, RS valves(not cheap either) clean up the ports, headers and custom chip makes for a nice package.

Going to mechanical lfters allows a happier cam but you are still constrained in this regard by the Motronic MAF. So unless swapping to individual t/bs or the Cup type Mtotronic why bother. The one reason to do this would be extended high rpm operation(enduros).

When I did mine I went right down to the crank to be sure that rod bolts were upgraded to support any increased rpm that might be desired.

Good luck it is worth it

[charlesbahn]

Welcome to the Dark Side. Turbo the 3.2.

Just my .02