They both have their attractions
290hp 3.6 in a 1976 C3, + some other little touches makes for a great street car
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1360157530.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1360157625.jpg

315hp 3.8 + some other little touches in a 1995 993 makes for a nice track car
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1360157729.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1360157778.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1360157853.jpg

Building a non stock motor is an investment of time plus money and it often takes a lot of time to get the non stock engine properly tuned. While obtaining a 993 stock engine requires money but significantly less time since it doesn't need much if any tuning. What's the best for one person may not be for you. You need to decide what the goal is? Is it to just get more HP quickly? If so I'd use the 993 motor.

Agree w/ Bill and Sal. Problem w/ hot rodding a 3.2 (at least in CA) is that to get close to where a stock 993 3.6 is, in terms of hp and drivability, you'll have no chance at passing smog. The same can be said about a 3.6 transplant but the state gives you a shot at it, you just have to be careful to do everything "by the book"

I can speak from having a fairly built 3.2 with close to 250hp. Potential negatives, for one, it's a little radical, has a pretty nasty idle due to cam selection, and it's still not close to the 993 motor in terms of hp. I like it myself, but then my other car is a big block chevelle, so the 911 seems tame. For a daily driver, I estimate that the 993 motor will be more streetable. Also, in dealing with a built 3.2, you have to properly tune it, but that's not hard. I would disagree with the others on it being hard to pass smog, if they are properly tuned, with good cats, then passing smog with either should not be a challenge. Good luck!

KC chief, Original poster lives in CA. Just curious where are you located and, will your 3.2 pass visual inspection? CARB smog standards are a pita, my chipped 3.2l would not pass w/o swapping the computer and bolting on a cat. Even then I had to take it to the "right" guy to get it past the visual. Same problem w/ the 97 3.6 swap, past the sniffer w/ flying colors, needed the right guy to pass the visual.

I too, have been thinking about the 3.6/3.2 question for a while.

I decided to go with the 3.6.

One factor was that I can sell my 3.2 and 915 for a good sum, they are both in superb condition. This will help offset the cost of the 3.6 and G50.

If I wring more hp out of the 3.2 and then blow it up, I will end up with nothing. Same for the 915.

The main cost in the 3.2 build will be the pistons & cylinders. It makes no financial sense to upgrade in this area as the power increase is simply not worth the cost IMO. That said, rebuild your 3.2 retaining the stock pistons and be happy with 230 hp, spend 12k for the used 3.6 upgrade or refer to post #5 ;)

I live in Missouri and my car passes visual inspection, but I currently have a cat.

What's the going rate these days for a ODBI 993 3.6L engine?