MALIBU 231 GM Chevy Malibu 83 Engine Can you use Flat pistons from the 3.0 Buick or 181 GM engine? For more compression! ? Thanks to whoever can help me.

[J. Gregorio]

Hello friend reader! I have a 231 3.8L GM Engine in an 83 Chevy Malibu. I want to know if: Can you use Flat pistons from the 3.0 Buick or 181 GM engine? For more compression! ?...

I also want to know if I can use the same normal piston rings and connecting rod rings or if there is something different that does not allow me to make that improvement to the engine?.
Thanks to whoever can help me. Greetings from Venezuela 🌴.

🐎110/125HP approx

#Buick 231 3.8L OddFire - EvenFire- Fireball?
#GM 231 GoodWrench 3.8L
#Rochester Quadrajet 252 Intake Manifold 🔥
_______________________________________________
Hola amigo/a lector!. Tengo un Motor 231 3.8L GM en un Chevy Malibú 83. Quiero saber si : ¿Se pueden usar pistones Flat del 3.0 Buick o motor 181 GM? ¡Para más compresión! ?...

Quiero saber también si puedo usar los mismos anillos de pistón y biela normales o si hay algo diferente que no me permita hacerle esa mejora al motor?.

Gracias a quien pueda ayudarme. Un saludo desde Venezuela 🌴

🐎110/125HP Aprox.

#Buick 231 3.8L OddFire - EvenFire - ¿Bola de fuego?
#GM 231 Buena llave 3.8L
#Rochester Quadrajet 252 Colector admisión

🔥

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

I can't help you but I'm certainly interested! I love using things in new ways, especially when performance is involved. I'm guessing the O.D. is the same? What about the ring lands/ oil ring location on the piston? The wrist pin location is lower on the new pistons, right?

 

[spidereyes455]

I think you can. But I'm not sure enough to give a definitive answer. I believe that our resident Buick expert MrSony might know for sure.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Doesn't a 181 have a smaller bore than the 3.8? Buick 3.8 L ironically use 3.8 inch diameter cylinder bores.

 

[stew86MCSS396]

If you search for that engine family…from what I’ve read, they both share the same bore size but the strokes are different. There’s some reference to “low deck height” which if you’re lucky that might make up the difference between the strokes but best to get all the dimensions to make that determination. Pin height might make or break it.

 

[MrSony]

I think those pistons have a shorter compression hight, which means the pistons for the 3.0 are shorter. I've read the flat tops could get you 10:1 compression. If not, order some pistons for a Buick Grand National and they'd fit.

 

[ssn696]

Would the GN pistons all be dished due to lowered compression for the turbo?

 

[MrSony]

Would the GN pistons all be dished due to lowered compression for the turbo?

I suppose. But it's not like the GN had under 8:1.

 

[stew86MCSS396]

I found other similar threads that allude to using that piston in a Buick 350 which shares the same bore x stroke as the Buick 231…🤔

hurt my motor

hi:every one my name is walter.First time on the board.I pulled out my motor and found I hurt a piston.Must of grab the pin.when racing a friend at...

www.v8buick.com

 

[ssn696]

Don't forget the total package - cam and heads. I imagine that the Buick turbo market has some high-flowing aftermarket heads, but the choices for camshafts to take advantage of that compression plus normal aspiration may be limited for the 231.