Hey all I'm finally getting back on my project car. It is a FWD transverse engine car. Original post here.
Turbo Buick 3.0 FWD
Had it running, everything was doing fine after fixing the bearing but wiped 4 lobes off the cam. Now have a roller cam now, a 258HR.
I'm still in the process of gathering parts. I have the Turbo 3.8 crank and rods but crank has the RWD flange for the driveplate. While I would love to use this, with its stronger bolt pattern and all, the offset on the crank flange is too much. It would require a spacer between the bellhousing and the starter would be questionable at best. Lets just say I don't want to go there.
I can get a reman FWD crank kit reasonably and have it overnight. This would be an easy solution because it would work with a factory 3.8 FWD driveplate.
How much would this "weaken" the engine by not having a turbo-spec crankshaft? Bear in mind it is a draw-through system and will be lucky to see 250 HP. My goal is to build something from mostly used parts, not build a race car. I don't think it will create a bomb to use a non-turbo crank but I want your opinions.
I turbo'd a 2.8, using a crankshaft from a junkyard engine. It was non-turbo. It has been running 13 to 14 PSI with intercooler, and has been turbo for 10 years and nearly 100,000 miles. So I am not expecting any problems with the 3.8.
If you're curious:
YouTube - Modified 2.8l V6
Other than the crank issue, I need a lifter valley tray (holds the lifter antirotation bars) and a set of custom-length pushrods will have to be made. Pretty much have everything else ready to go.
One other note; our fair city now has an E85 store and I plan to retune the ECM for use of E85 fuel. The new cam and larger displacement will require a new calibration anyway so why not? It has a good octane rating and a higher mixture for better charge cooling. It will be an expiriment for sure and I will post how that goes.
Thanks in advance,
David