Rebuild time?

T-Bone911 · 10-04-2007, 11:00 AM

My unknown mileage (150k indicated) SC has been fouling the plugs. I took it in for a leak down check and #3 was 30% and #4 was 46% the others 10-12%My wrench thinks piston rings and a top end overhaul. So if I am going to spend $6,000 to $9,000 on the repairs, would it make sense (cents!) to put in a 3.6? As I see it the options are:
Repair stock, 200ish hp for $8k
Upgrade 3.0 to 3.2, 230 hp for $11k
3.6 upgrade, 275 hp for $12- $14 k
Car is a daily driver and DE car, more track hp would be nice!
Suggestions and opinions from the experts?

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

See here first:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_Engine_Rebuild/mult_engine_rebuild-1.htm

-Wayne

T-Bone911 · 10-04-2007, 11:09 AM

I have read the tech article, I don't think I can not have the enging rebuilt. Just not sure to modify the 3.0 or push on to the 3.6?

Bill Douglas · 10-04-2007, 11:17 AM

Yes, as Wayne suggests in his techarticle.

As your engine appears knackered and you have nothing to lose you might as well try an Italian tune, that is give it a big hard run for an hour or so with revs around 5,000 under load and it might just come right.

T-Bone911 · 10-04-2007, 11:25 AM

Not too sure if a big hard run will help broken piston rings, for the long run a rebuild or replace is the plan.

Bill Douglas · 10-04-2007, 11:29 AM

Good point. A short stroke 3.2 would be nice and it looks correct for the car for insurance (keeps it non-modified) and other regulations.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

One of the factors that you did not include is the unknown of buying a used engine.

Even from coming from a known source, a used engine is a used engine -

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone911

Repair stock, 200ish hp for $8k

And now you have a known entity that is probably good for another 100k miles

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone911

Upgrade 3.0 to 3.2, 230 hp for $11k

Again, another known entity - and now with a little more fun...

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bone911

3.6 upgrade, 275 hp for $12- $14 k

a great option, but an unknown quantity -

all really depends on what you are looking for - another option would be to sell your 3.0 as a "core" engine.

Buy a 3.2 "core" engine. Rebuild the 3.2 to a 3.4 ...

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

Amen to what Jeremy says. I was tempted to drop a larger/newer motor in mine, but didn't want a big question mark hanging over it. So, hiho, hiho, it's off to rebuild I go..