3.8 engine rebuild,what parts needed

[ssms5411]

I started buying the parts I need for the rebuild and this is what I have so far, Intense 9.5:1 forged pistons,comp cam 206/216 115ls, and a set of stock 2000 heads, which will remain stock with new internals. I'm planning on getting the L32 forged rods and main bearings this month and wanted to know what other parts will I need to buy? I know gaskets and timing chain but what other parts should be replaced, I have 120,000 miles on it. Thanks for any help

[obsessedv6]

you could start off buying the complete gasket kit from GM motors. Tom from SSM has informed me that he sees the best results with those gaskets. you will need to go ahead and buy new spark plugs and a new fuel filter ($10 maybe) to ensure good spark and fuel supply. if you wanted to spend some more money you should either pay someone to clean you injectors or buy some injector cleaner. maybe a new air filter if it is old and dirty. i just got done rebuilding my engine from the short block up and that combination has worked excellent. good luck

[slacker69]

Best way to go are to buy the dimanod pistons 9.5:1 compression made by intense-racing they are forged and then get the new rods from the 2004 gtp's they are forged and only cost 31 dolalrs a piece have to machine alittle bit to make them work but nothing big. Have the stock crank hardened and knife edged for wieght removal. Get a set of Total seal piston rings they have no gap and are for boost cause no blowby can occur. Replace all bearings with clevite 77 berings and then use a ARP main stud kit and ARP Connecting rod bolts and ARP Head studs. Drill out a third hole in the intake vally for extra oil.Remove the balancer shaft and block oil hole in back of motor and have all of your internals balenced at a shop. Also get a set of MLS head gaskets they are top quality. Redo all valvetrain with new stuff like compcam 130 lbs springs and low clearence retainers with oil restricted pushrods.
That setup is good for around 28-30 PSI

But you would then need like 72+ lbs injectors and a stand alone fuel system or a low impedence converter box to run the injectors on stock pcm you would need alot of custom programming tio set timing and the injectors. As well as you need a stage 3 tranny with a 4000 stall and gearing around a 3.23

[Tyler]

lol..slacker just virtually built a 9 second v6 motor... :D

[GTPprix]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by slacker69:
Redo all valvetrain with new stuff like compcam 130 lbs springs and low clearence retainers with oil restricted pushrods.
<hr></blockquote>

hrmm sounds exactly like my motor lol, dont use the oil restricted pushrods anymore, theres a far better way to keep lifter preload now and still get all that oil to the valvetrain where its needed. Comp Cams 875-12 pro magnum roller lifters have a much higher preload for less bleed down at high RPM. These things rock!

[Guardsman]

You might want to look at getting the heads worked on, not hogging them out, but just get them cleaned up (remove casting flash, etc.).
I saw a write-up a guy did about putting a 3.8 in a Fiero, and he had the heads done, and he said that really woke the motor up.

[MrCoffee]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Guardsman:
You might want to look at getting the heads worked on, not hogging them out, but just get them cleaned up (remove casting flash, etc.).
I saw a write-up a guy did about putting a 3.8 in a Fiero, and he had the heads done, and he said that really woke the motor up.<hr></blockquote>

you can so that yourself with a dremel. I mean if the motor's out already, it'd be easy to take the heads off. Then just take a dremel to the rough spots.

[ssms5411]

I took the heads to a machine shop and they tested and milled them. Other then that I bought rod and main bearings from Intense. I'm looking at the Intense lightweight pushrods right now and should be ordering the L32 rods next week. Has anyone used Intense hydraulic roller lifters before?

[ssms5411]

I took the heads to a machine shop and they tested and milled them. Other then that I bought rod and main bearings from Intense. I'm looking at the Intense lightweight pushrods right now and should be ordering the L32 rods next week. Has anyone used Intense hydraulic roller lifters before?