Need some input from anyone

[jrcamaro96]

I've been doing research for the rebuild of my 3.8L and I had a few questions and if anyone can put in some info I would appreciate it. When i do my rebuild I want to build the bottom up strong so is there any parts such as a new crank, conecting rods, and pistons to look into buying. I've looked around but could not find anything for the 3.8 engine, but in the March-April Summit magazine(p.144) there are pt#'s for all this stuff but its for a '87 Regal build up would any of this be helpful. Now my next question is about heads, I'm pretty much a do-it-yourself person and I have access to some people that can P&P and do a 3-angle valve job. So what would be suggested for springs and rocker arms. Or do you out there that have this stuff suggest just buying the heads from SSM. Sorry this was so long I didnt want to make multiple posts.

JR

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

Pistons you can probably get from a company like Wiseco or Ross. Rods I would just have hardened. Same for crank. You'll need to find the exact specs of these parts and then just call up the company and have them make one. I'm curious as to how much does it cost to have rods and crank hardened and how much will it handle. I'm planning on doing this in the future also. If you ever get it done post back with prices and stuff.

[bluecmaro96]

Dom is having the rods shot pinned (sp.)? the same as hardened? Well anyway the machine shop guy is charging me 20.00 a rod

[wolf]

for my nova's engine I had the crank chamfered & micropolished, I don't remeber how much that costed....
I had the rods shot pinned,magnafluxed,and polised and arp rod bolts(and some work done to my pistons) that costed around $300

[jrcamaro96]

Thanks for the information on the bottom end. I'm looking into the hardening at a local place that does work for my dads company I'll get back to you w/ a price ASAP.
Now does anyone have any information on the questions I had for the heads?

JR

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I'm not sure what kind of springs and rockers SSM is using now. The heads themselves are probably pretty good. You could just buy the heads and some aftermarket rockers with springs. Last I saw they used stock rockers with aftermarket springs and that caused some hitting. Just make sure you have the proper rockers for the springs. Stock rockers are made for springs that are of less diameter up top then on the bottom. All aftermarket springs are of equal diameter.

I'm going to ask locally about rods and crank also. Get all the details on the process they're using. Ask how much stronger will that make the crank and rods. I'm wondering how much power can they handle stock and hardened.

And someone get someone dimensions on pistons. I need to call Wiseco or Ross and have them make me some.

[jrcamaro96]

I'll get all the info when i talk to someone. And i'll get sizes on the pistons when I take them out. Are you going to change you Compression ratio +/- any? I was thinking of doing it for forced induction or Nitros.

JR

[Silent Majority]

Dom,

Do you and the rest of the Chicagoland 3.8l owners mostly do the internal engine, tranny and rear end work yourselves or is there a good shop or side mechanic that everyone uses?

Deal is, I know of some 5.0 and 350 mechanics who do side jobs, but they are not knowledged on the 3.8l....

Just trying to get my ducks in order...

thanks

dave

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by jrcamaro96:
I'll get all the info when i talk to someone. And i'll get sizes on the pistons when I take them out. Are you going to change you Compression ratio +/- any? I was thinking of doing it for forced induction or Nitros.

JR<hr></blockquote>

I'll raise it probably. I have no plans for a turbo or a supercharger. I'm wondering about clearances with flat top pistons though. I "think" ours are concave. I refuse to use the search function. [img]smile.gif[/img] I also "think" that you can just send out one of your pistons to Wiseco or Ross and they'll make you some to your desired function.

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Silent Majority:
Dom,

Do you and the rest of the Chicagoland 3.8l owners mostly do the internal engine, tranny and rear end work yourselves or is there a good shop or side mechanic that everyone uses?

Deal is, I know of some 5.0 and 350 mechanics who do side jobs, but they are not knowledged on the 3.8l....

Just trying to get my ducks in order...

thanks

dave<hr></blockquote>

www.ls1speed.com can do it. They probably don't have enough experience with 3.8, but are very good and if they ever mess up, they always correct their mistake. They are a MFBA sponsor also.

edit: Tranny and rear end is all the same so they have tons of experience in that area.

Why don't you check out www.mfba.org.

[ May 15, 2002: Message edited by: Dom ]</p>

[Silent Majority]

Thanks Dom

I will check out the site. Maybe I can find someone who does side work for extra money, which may run a little less expensive then a regular performance shop.


dave

[jrcamaro96]

DOM: I was talking to a guy about the whole piston thing and he said when you change from the stock pistons to custom forged you have to leave a little more space(.003") on the side from the stock recomendations due to that forged ones have a tendency to expand so along w/ the extra space between the piston and bore you will have the pistons banging around inside. And w/ forged ones they retain more heat and in turn will cause some power loss.
Thats just some input from this guy and he knows pretty much about cars but he mainly works on V8's

JR

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

Thanks JR, I'll ask around about this.