Varioram- need more power!
 

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...

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

Welcome to the Dark Side. Turbo the 3.2.

Just my .02