Need honest opinions

[gsmith660]

I wanted to build a 3.2 SS motor but apparently 3 liter core parts are scarce and those that are out there are way overpriced. So the opinions I need if I rebuild my 2.7 with all the recommended mods to strengthen the case and I limit my boost can it be a reliable build?

[RSR Racer]

Well, starting with a new 2.7L case, we built a high compression NA engine for my brothers race car and did "all the right stuff" to the case. We used a new case because the crank was binding in the original 2.7 case (also shuffle pinned).

It only made 270 hp at the crank 4 seasons later, granted with two drivers at several events and we both push the car very hard, the crank is now binding in the case and it is not long for this world. I would not use that case for a turbo build (or any other build for that matter). Just IMO. Others may have different experiences and advice but that is what happened with both or our 2.7L engines.

[gsmith660]

Thank you very much for the reply I think I have no choice but to go this route once I find out what broke in my motor

Originally Posted by RSR Racer

Well, starting with a new 2.7L case, we built a high compression NA engine for my brothers race car and did "all the right stuff" to the case. We used a new case because the crank was binding in the original 2.7 case (also shuffle pinned).

It only made 270 hp at the crank 4 seasons later, granted with two drivers at several events and we both push the car very hard, the crank is now binding in the case and it is not long for this world. I would not use that case for a turbo build (or any other build for that matter). Just IMO. Others may have different experiences and advice but that is what happened with both or our 2.7L engines.

[gsmith660]

My plans I guess are to do all the right things to the case modify it for a larger capacity oil pump use ARP hardware 8.5 to 1 compression Nikia’s twin plug the heads already have a new Garrett G-30 turbo and limit boost to 7 psi. Also get rid of all that going super fast junk I have and replace with Clewett stuff.

[Tippy]

For RSR Racer to make 270 HP must have taken some serious RPM.

I’d bet there is less stress on the engine with boost than RPM.

A naturally aspirated reciprocating engine has a lot of pressure on the compression stroke and then not much on the exhaust stroke while the boosted motor has pressure on the piston on both strokes.

I could be wrong and have zero data other thank Corky Bell referencing this way back in the 80’s or 90’s.

[mepstein]

I would think it would cost more to “do all the right mods” than to just buy an aluminum case. Porsche returned to alum for the bigger engines/ turbo engines, for a reason. Even the early aluminum 2.0 cases are desirable high performance builds. The engine in the single turbo 962 that used to reside at our shop was based on a 3.0 engine case and made over 700hp.

I think the aluminum engine cases will only continue to go up in price. I’m trying to buy any that I can afford to secure.

[RSR Racer]

Originally Posted by Tippy

For RSR Racer to make 270 HP must have taken some serious RPM.

I’d bet there is less stress on the engine with boost than RPM.

A naturally aspirated reciprocating engine has a lot of pressure on the compression stroke and then not much on the exhaust stroke while the boosted motor has pressure on the piston on both strokes.

I could be wrong and have zero data other thank Corky Bell referencing this way back in the 80’s or 90’s.

Guilty as charged. We ran that engine to 7000+ routinely and it could go to 8K in "emergencies". Also, the 13.2:1 CR, custom cams, large primaries on the exhaust, helped on the output a bit. Was a great little motor for a short while. I guess we pushed it way too far. LOL

I've played with three 2.7L's (two race engines and one street engine) and had bad luck with the cases on all three. Have had no issues with my aluminum case engines.

[gsmith660]

You are correct but Aluminum cases are not out there. The ones I do see I have no idea who these people are and if they are legit no way to confirm honesty.

Originally Posted by mepstein

I would think it would cost more to “do all the right mods” than to just buy an aluminum case. Porsche returned to alum for the bigger engines/ turbo engines, for a reason. Even the early aluminum 2.0 cases are desirable high performance builds. The engine in the single turbo 962 that used to reside at our shop was based on a 3.0 engine case and made over 700hp.

I think the aluminum engine cases will only continue to go up in price. I’m trying to buy any that I can afford to secure.

[gsmith660]

So to be honest I am not going to push this engine much I have my limiter in megasquirt set to 6500 rpm limiting boost to 7 psi CR will 8.5 to 1 will be running S cams and using ARP case hardware twin plug and do what I can to beef up the heads. If in fact the issue I had was a broken valve I may invest money in better valves.

[gsmith660]

By the way Tippy I worked with a gentleman that lives in St Louis that got my megasquirt sorted out the main thing we figured out was that megasquirt wasn’t controlling my ignition so I dug into the megamanual and realized that it was set up for MS1Extra and for MS3 to control spark I had to rewrite the board. After I did this spark was controlled and the car started running way better and all it took was minor changes after that.

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by RSR Racer

Guilty as charged. We ran that engine to 7000+ routinely and it could go to 8K in "emergencies". Also, the 13.2:1 CR, custom cams, large primaries on the exhaust, helped on the output a bit. Was a great little motor for a short while. I guess we pushed it way too far. LOL

I've played with three 2.7L's (two race engines and one street engine) and had bad luck with the cases on all three. Have had no issues with my aluminum case engines.

I figured it would take 8k to get those numbers! That’s stout!

[Tippy]

Originally Posted by gsmith660

By the way Tippy I worked with a gentleman that lives in St Louis that got my megasquirt sorted out the main thing we figured out was that megasquirt wasn’t controlling my ignition so I dug into the megamanual and realized that it was set up for MS1Extra and for MS3 to control spark I had to rewrite the board. After I did this spark was controlled and the car started running way better and all it took was minor changes after that.

I’m still learning things to this day, and it’s been nearly a decade! Funny how you figure these things out one by one and it runs better every time. Good to hear!

[gsmith660]

It took so long to figure this out because the car sat for almost 5 years because I got fed up with it and had been bouncing around until I got a house that had shop space.

Originally Posted by Tippy

I’m still learning things to this day, and it’s been nearly a decade! Funny how you figure these things out one by one and it runs better every time. Good to hear!

[Tippy]

Understood! I rebuilt/refreshed mine twice, so it too a lot

[gsmith660]

Well it looks like 6000 dollars of machine work to get the 2.7 ready to go back together and a 9 week backlog on work. This is without knowing what has been done I know the case already has timeserts I need to see if it has piston squirters and if it has had the oil bypass done then that leaves shuffle pin and linebore and machine to take a bigger oil pump. Anything I have missed?

[mepstein]

Buy Henry Schmidt’s 3.0 euro Carrera case listed in the classifieds. A bit more money but a great base for any street or race engine.

No affiliation with me but Henry is a well known shop and member on this site.

[gsmith660]

Alittle out of my price range for just a case if it was a short block I might be interested

Originally Posted by mepstein

Buy Henry Schmidt’s 3.0 euro Carrera case listed in the classifieds. A bit more money but a great base for any street or race engine.

No affiliation with me but Henry is a well known shop and member on this site.

[RarlyL8]

There was a fellow a few years back that did a twin turbo mod to his 2.7L engine. His posts showed the car being drag raced and all sorts of other abusive behavior. The engine was going strong at that time, no idea how it endured long term but probably worth a look.

[gsxrken]

Pat Williams out of Memphis has built a ton of small displacement turbo motors. Haven’t seen his name in more than a minute but you might try him if he’s still at it.

[gsmith660]

Thank you Brian I am willing to spend the money on the 2.7 mods if the motor will hold together all my other options seem to be closing

Originally Posted by RarlyL8

There was a fellow a few years back that did a twin turbo mod to his 2.7L engine. His posts showed the car being drag raced and all sorts of other abusive behavior. The engine was going strong at that time, no idea how it endured long term but probably worth a look.