Blew my engine. Anyone here build a 3.8 or 4.0?

[Jake Raby]

The 3.8 bore is much harder to build. You must set ring tensions (fish scale) yourself, and its not nearly as straight forward as a 99mm bore engine would be. The 101mm bore also requires a lot more port to keep from being a narrow power range pig.

The class is universally applicable, we work with 3 and 5 chain engines, and I even go over how to swap components between the engines.
Bigger isn't better. You won't believe me till you learn it first hand, though.

[rfuerst911sc]

I am in the midst of having Jake build me a 3.6 SS engine from a 5 chain block from my 02 S. While we are on hold currently ( by me direction ) we will complete the engine this year. When I originally talked to Jake about what I wanted my head nearly exploded about all the combinations Jake offered. I quickly learned that these engines are finicky/difficult to hot rod CORRECTLY ! In my application basically the only Porsche OEM parts that are staying in the engine are the head and block castings. Everything else is being replaced either with LN Engineering items, aftermarket items or Jake Raby in house built items. This is NOT a small block Chevy rebuild ( no negative intent ) . My real point is there are engine builders out there like Jake that know how to build/hot rod correctly. There are DIYers that know how to build/hot rod these engines but keep in mind one tiny mistake can cost big $$$$$$ . Good luck with your build choice.

[Jake Raby]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I am in the midst of having Jake build me a 3.6 SS engine from a 5 chain block from my 02 S. While we are on hold currently ( by me direction ) we will complete the engine this year. When I originally talked to Jake about what I wanted my head nearly exploded about all the combinations Jake offered. I quickly learned that these engines are finicky/difficult to hot rod CORRECTLY ! In my application basically the only Porsche OEM parts that are staying in the engine are the head and block castings. Everything else is being replaced either with LN Engineering items, aftermarket items or Jake Raby in house built items. This is NOT a small block Chevy rebuild ( no negative intent ) . My real point is there are engine builders out there like Jake that know how to build/hot rod correctly. There are DIYers that know how to build/hot rod these engines but keep in mind one tiny mistake can cost big $$$$$$ . Good luck with your build choice.

Its all in the combination. No matter the size.

I see DIY'ers doing a better job with these engines than most pros today. Why? Because they take the time to do research and they truly care about the project.

I see the shops that have jumped on this band wagon just building some bigger engine, and it ends up being misconfigured. They use a larger bore, but keep stock heads, don't alter cam timing, and etc. Most of the time they don't set ring tensions correctly, or even gap piston rings. They just assemble what comes in the box. The best (worst) one to dat was a 4.0 where the shop built up a 3.2 and they didn't even change the connecting rods. They just expected to hang a 101mm piston off the end of the stock rod, and figured it would work.

It did, for about 45 minutes. Thats when the guy's cheap, 9,995.00 big bore (off the shelf) engine ended up being a complete waste of money. I threw the whole core in the scrap bin.

[jaykay]

Great information and direction....

I have had my 3.2 for a good spell and am looking for some added punch that is well worth the time and effort. The last thing I want is to end up with something that barely out does the 3.2 I have.....or is worse