Rebuild time?
 

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?

See here first:

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

-Wayne

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?

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.

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

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.

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 -

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

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

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 ... ;)

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..