3.8 engine out time for mods

[RFxCamaro]

So im not new to the 3.8 Ive had my camaro for 4 years know and pretty much know my engine in and out now. So I have engine out right and sent the heads to my machine shop for a valve job and p&p. What i have questions on right now is the cam and clutch. My clutch is bad and wanted some opnions. Ive used Sachs on other cars and have always liked them. Any opinions on a clutch set round $200. Also for the cam I am completely lost. I have never cammed a car and dont really know what to look for. I'm leaning towards the gt1 or gt2. Any ideas on any mods now that I have the engine out? I already have cai, headers, borla catback, and plan for a tune from pcmforless.com

[SixShooter'00Camaro]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

Id go with the GT2 (actually I was untill I decided to go FI) Its the most common cam people run when staying NA and you'll see some nice gains with P&P heads. As for a clutch, an OEM replacement would be fine as you wont have crazy amounts of power, or you can go with a spec stage 1.

[whitdog54]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

If you got the motor out, just go turbo. You'll be kickin yourself in the @ss when after a month you think your new heads/cam combo is slow (which it is). turbo low 13s can be done on stock internals.

[RFxCamaro]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

Im in california and prefer to stay smog legal so will the cam affect emmisions? What will i need to run a gt2 cam? For turbo which i have considered is there a kit? How much would be looking at for a turbo build?

[Need4Camaro]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

Im in california and prefer to stay smog legal so will the cam affect emmisions? What will i need to run a gt2 cam? For turbo which i have considered is there a kit? How much would be looking at for a turbo build?

If you're in California you can forget about having a Turbo as you will NEVER be able to pass a visual emissions inspection with one. (modification of exhaust path pre cats is illegal and Cali does visual inspections).

You MIGHT be able to get away with a rear mount setup, they're not the most efficient but still will pack a good punch. I don't know though cuzz I think modification to the intake is also illegal in California.

To answer your question though, the average kit price for our cars is roughly $5,000 - Cartuning kit will allow you to get away with maybe $3,000 if you don't get an intercooler but you gatta run less boost too and its harder on your motor.
It's cheaper to do a custom setup but you also need to know what you're doing and have someone who can help you with labor.

TBH for the amount of work involved in fabricating a reliable turbo setup, its more economical to LS1 swap.

You might beable to get away with Supercharging down the road though. I would highly recommend that instead as you can quickly unbolt it to pass your emissions and rebolt it for your power adder after the test. Also you can continue setting your car up as N/A and just bolt it on later so your GT2 cam would be fine.

[RFxCamaro]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

If you're in California you can forget about having a Turbo as you will NEVER be able to pass a visual emissions inspection with one. (modification of exhaust path pre cats is illegal and Cali does visual inspections).

You MIGHT be able to get away with a rear mount setup, they're not the most efficient but still will pack a good punch. I don't know though cuzz I think modification to the intake is also illegal in California.

To answer your question though, the average kit price for our cars is roughly $5,000 - Cartuning kit will allow you to get away with maybe $3,000 if you don't get an intercooler but you gatta run less boost too and its harder on your motor.
It's cheaper to do a custom setup but you also need to know what you're doing and have someone who can help you with labor.

TBH for the amount of work involved in fabricating a reliable turbo setup, its more economical to LS1 swap.

You might beable to get away with Supercharging down the road though. I would highly recommend that instead as you can quickly unbolt it to pass your emissions and rebolt it for your power adder after the test. Also you can continue setting your car up as N/A and just bolt it on later so your GT2 cam would be fine.

You have confirmed my fears. I dont need a fast car I just want to get the most out of my buick lol. Like I said I have never cammed a car so what will i need for a gt2 cam and will it pass emissions in cali with a gt2 cam?

[Need4Camaro]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

You have confirmed my fears. I dont need a fast car I just want to get the most out of my buick lol. Like I said I have never cammed a car so what will i need for a gt2 cam and will it pass emissions in cali with a gt2 cam?

honestly I don't know. You have to see if it says 50 state legal as every mod that effects a car's performance has to be researched and approved by the state and carries a special patent for California. You would have to see if the GT2 cam falls in that category. If it doesn't then you can't legally use it there.

I dont know how much it will effect the sound of the car though. If you have a cat back you might beable to get away with it... You can't modify the catalytic converters to pass though, they will be able to detect that.

[RFxCamaro]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

Altire thanks. What about e85 conversion? Has anybody done one to a 3.8?

[Need4Camaro]

Re: 3.8 engine out time for mods

Altire thanks. What about e85 conversion? Has anybody done one to a 3.8?

Dunno if anyone's done it but I think its more work than its worth... e85 is rare, pricey, doesnt burn as efficiently either.

The fuel lines would have to be changed, fuel injectors too. I dunno if anything like the piston rings have to be changed.