3.8 V6 231 Engine modifications?

[83reeeegal]

Wadup guys, so here's the deal
I want to add a bit more hp to my stock engine on my regal. Don't know what exactly to start with, i've read that a 4 barrel intake along with a 4 barrel carb from a 4.1 v6 might work? Also what other modifications could make this possible for me?

.... and no, i don't want to do an engine swap just yet either ..

 

[joesregalproject]

I was in the same spot as you several years ago. The 231 V6 is a very reliable engine, but it is a dog. There isn't much of a point in modding it. Your money would be better spent on chassis upgrades like good tires, sway bars, bracing, lowering springs/spindles, rear gear upgrade. Most V6 cars came with a 2.41:1 open rear which is an airplane gear, a swap to even a 3.08 or 3.55 would make the car feel much more responsive.

If you are dead set on modding the V6, you can do the 4.1 intake with a 4 barrel, and there are a few off-brand long tube headers floating around out there. I had a set and sold them years back. Neither of these are really cost effective though. You can flip the air cleaner lid for free.

Good luck.

 

[motorheadmike]

The parts are out there. Ported heads, cams, intakes, headers, exhaust... Nitrous.

So either you are going to tear it apart to make more power or you are going to uncork the stock engine.

I just put 4.56 gears behind mine and the torque multiplication and acceleration is hillarious. A 200-4R with a 3000rpm converter would make it more fun and liveable.

 

[DRIVEN]

Leave the engine alone. Buick 231 is what it is. Even if you spend $1000 on upgrades to take your 231 from 110hp all the way up to 125hp, you still only have 125hp. Plus you probably gave up reliability and economy in the pricess.
Focus on gearing, brakes and handling. Better return on your time and dollars.

 

[88ss408]

Rear gears and suspension is the best starting point.4bbl and intake along with a cam swap.dual exhaust headers would be better but if you have to keep the manifolds at lease do the duals.

 

[lilbowtie]

I'm with Driven. I'm going to suggest just enjoying the car the way it is. It's a 110 hp engine that will run 19 seconds in the 1/4 mi. If you managed to push another 30 HP out of it you would still have a 17 second car (slow). The 4 barrel is an option but with out a gear change might even hurt you. With the money you would spend, I would start working on another power plant on the side. A gear change will set you up for a new engine, feel better, but it's still 110 HP.


You can still have fun with it !!

 

[84slow]

I agree they are very reliable motors I had one in mine before i yanked it out for a v8... But I did put headers on it which gave a lot smoother acceleration off take of.. I think rear end gears would be best bang for buck to start with

 

[MrSony]

Any normal hotrod stuff will work, headers, headwork, intake, carb, etc but jumping on the bandwagon, just keep it running GOOD in tip top shape and focus on literally every thing else about the car. The 231 is just there to make the car move.

 

[MrSony]

To be weird you could always make a T Type clone with the carbed turbo setup... it'd basically bolt right on. There's a few of those setups floating around on ebay last time I checked. But you'd still be under 200hp. If you want cheap power, find a BUICK 350 that runs/ran when pulled, give er a regasket, hone job (if bores look good leave em), rings (only if hone is necessary) comp 268 cam kit, quadrajet, and off ya go. It's literally 100% drop in. V6 out, V8 in. Grab a short tail TH350 as well. Any TH200c would explode even behind a 150hp stock 2 barrel motor. Guaranteed 275hp right there but 350+ftlbs. Ask me how I know

 

[DRIVEN]

The 231 is just there to make the car move.

Perfectly stated. Embrace what it was meant to be. Trying to change it will likely be disappointing.

When I first joined many years ago I did a ton of reading and every time I'd run across a thread like this all the old timers said the same thing...focus on everything but the engine aside from simply keeping it well tuned. I had big plans to wake up my 305 or even replaced it but followed their advice. So, here we are about 10 years later and I have a super reliable, relatively economical, decent handling car that runs really good -- and still has a bone stock 305.