I know there are going to be a million different opinions out there, but I am interested in seeing if there is a common thread amongst the gbody community as to what I should do....I have a 84 cutlass project car I am doing frame off. I have a stock 231 block that needed rebuilt due to bad rings and some minor cylinder damage. I am having the heads reworked, block bored .030 over, mild came installed (about two steps milder than stock according to my engine builder), Buick v-6 performer intake manifold, probably aftermarket headers, and haven't decided on carb yet. Probably edelbrock one recommended for this set up. Before you bust my balls for rebuilding the v6, my reasons are several. One, I wanted to keep the "original engine" in the car. It's my very first car (bought it in 1990) and I'm kind of sentimental with it. Two, I have a 16 year old son that will be driving it from time to time and I don't want him behind the wheel of too much HP. I have the original rearend that came in the car, a 7.5 inch 2.42 (41/17 teeth) drum rear. I purchased a 200-r4 transmission anticipating putting bigger rear end underneath it. I am hoping to get cloer to 200 HP out of the rebuilt engine, that might be a pipe dream...Anyway, I wanted some ideas from you folks as to the best rear end set up given the info I have provided. I like the idea of being able to spin the tires hopefully but it's obviously not going to be a hot rod car. Should I go posi or don't bother? Is 3.42 too much gear ? 3.08 or 3.23? I have a limited budget and want to keep the orgininal rear in tact. I have another donor 7.5/2.42 rear that I can rebuild for what I'm looking to accomplish. Or would I be further ahead purchasing a drum to drum unit IF I CAN FIND THE right gear ratio. I am having a hard time finding 3+ 7.5 rears. Sorry for the long post. Everytime I go to search the forum, it ignores the numbers I search for. If there are other posts that already cover this topic, please point me to those so we don't have to reinvent the wheel. Thanks in advance!
frame off resto and minor v6 upgrade - QUESTIONS
- Thread starter klaird
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Re: frame off resto and minor v6 rebuild upgrades
I'm sure you have already found out that many people say just to swap it out for a V8, I commend you for wanting to work on the 3.8. I'm a fan of these little motors, they do a great job for what they were designed for.
Anyways the biggest thing to remember is the more air you get into and out of the engine the more power you will make. A 4.1 4bbl intake that has been opened under the carb and a free flowing exhust will make a big difference. Smoothing the runners in the exhaust side of the head helps a lot also.
I wouldn't spend the money on the aftermarket intake, it doesn't flow much better than the 4.1 intake with a Qjet.
I'm sure you have already found out that many people say just to swap it out for a V8, I commend you for wanting to work on the 3.8. I'm a fan of these little motors, they do a great job for what they were designed for.
Anyways the biggest thing to remember is the more air you get into and out of the engine the more power you will make. A 4.1 4bbl intake that has been opened under the carb and a free flowing exhust will make a big difference. Smoothing the runners in the exhaust side of the head helps a lot also.
I wouldn't spend the money on the aftermarket intake, it doesn't flow much better than the 4.1 intake with a Qjet.
Re: frame off resto and minor v6 rebuild upgrades
If you use the 2004r transmission, I would go 3.42 or 3.73's. For your stock rear I would use a TH350.
If you use the 2004r transmission, I would go 3.42 or 3.73's. For your stock rear I would use a TH350.
Re: frame off resto and minor v6 rebuild upgrades
I was going to put a v-8 in my GP but rebuilt the six instead. don't regret it a bit - it's still a fun car and the 20+ mpg isn't hard to take.
The montie 7.5's have 3.73's and are pretty cheap. Don't know if you are looking but I have a new set of headers if you are interested.
I was going to put a v-8 in my GP but rebuilt the six instead. don't regret it a bit - it's still a fun car and the 20+ mpg isn't hard to take.
The montie 7.5's have 3.73's and are pretty cheap. Don't know if you are looking but I have a new set of headers if you are interested.
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The '85+ monte ss got the 3.73's, '83-'84 had 3.42's due to the lack of an OD trans (TH350). Without OD, I'd go 3.42 or 3.23's. If you have to change series of the carrier, might as well go posi. 200hp should have no problem spinning the tires.
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