hey all

need some help on the following engine conversions.before anyone says "do a search" i have.there are still some items i am unclear on.

i'il start with the 3.8 conversion on the VR-X

ideally from research,i've learnt it will bolt straight in.i will need to reuse my magna manifold.i will also need to have the ecu tuned to run the new engine.i also read that i might also need to run a 3.5 sump if my header's dont clear it(stock headers)

can anyone confirm if i am on the right path.also with the ecu is it a reflash i need???
and to any nsw members who have done the conversion, where was your's done.ideally i think my regular mechanic should be able to do the physical swap and i can have the tuning done seperately.

B]secondly, 3.5 conversion[/B]

if i do the above 3.8 conversion i am going to have a spare 3.5 lying around.the plan was to maybe convert the tf(3.0) to the 3.5 engine.

from research i would need to get some items off a spare 3.5(e.g alternator).the ecu can stay the same

is anyone able to clear this up??


any advice is appreciated,
thanks

From somewhere in the dark corners of my mind, I recall that the RTA in NSW has a thing about increasing engine size. They limited it to 10% increase. If this is so, you could not legally install a 3.5 or a 3.8 into a 3.0L car. Hope that I am wrong with this one, but maybe somewone from NSW has already done and had passed a 3.5 conversion.

From somewhere in the dark corners of my mind, I recall that the RTA in NSW has a thing about increasing engine size. They limited it to 10% increase. If this is so, you could not legally install a 3.5 or a 3.8 into a 3.0L car. Hope that I am wrong with this one, but maybe somewone from NSW has already done and had passed a 3.5 conversion.

That's a bit odd. SA go by the fact that is that engine is an option for that chassis then you can do it. For example they were installed in the KF verada so regency have had no issues when I converted mine. All nice and legal!

There are a list of differences for the 3.0 to 3.5 conversion here.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64826&p=1143879&viewfull=1#post1143879

John, Remember you will need the sump from the 3.5 on the 3.8 as well as most of the timing belt gear, dist, coolant cross over pipes etc etc. There will not be much left of the 3.5 when you are done

From somewhere in the dark corners of my mind, I recall that the RTA in NSW has a thing about increasing engine size. They limited it to 10% increase. If this is so, you could not legally install a 3.5 or a 3.8 into a 3.0L car. Hope that I am wrong with this one, but maybe somewone from NSW has already done and had passed a 3.5 conversion.
It is actually an ADR requirement, but the limit applies on top of the largest engine factory complianced for the vehicle type in Australia and is from memory either 15% or 20%. So a 6G75 can be fitted to a 3l 3rd gen Magna without drama.

To give you an idea, a 3.5 can be fitted (needs to be engineered of course) to a Mirage which was originally 3.5l so fitting a 3.8 to a Magna is no issue at all. In theory if you could get it properly engineered and done you could even fit a smaller V8 to a Magna

There are formulas involved which I am not aware of how they work however in our case the difference in size is not that great, if you take the power figures of the most powerful Manga ie the Ralliart Manga Manual and compare to the 380 Manual on paper the difference is stuff all (given how choked the 380 was) thus why no issues are found. We have done conversions to Magna's fitted with 3.0 out to 3.8 and these have been registered no worries at all.

It is actually an ADR requirement, but the limit applies on top of the largest engine factory complianced for the vehicle type in Australia and is from memory either 15% or 20%. So a 6G75 can be fitted to a 3l 3rd gen Magna without drama.

That's a bit odd. SA go by the fact that is that engine is an option for that chassis then you can do it. For example they were installed in the KF verada so regency have had no issues when I converted mine. All nice and legal!

There are a list of differences for the 3.0 to 3.5 conversion here.

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64826&p=1143879&viewfull=1#post1143879

From somewhere in the dark corners of my mind, I recall that the RTA in NSW has a thing about increasing engine size. They limited it to 10% increase. If this is so, you could not legally install a 3.5 or a 3.8 into a 3.0L car. Hope that I am wrong with this one, but maybe somewone from NSW has already done and had passed a 3.5 conversion.

its 15% capacity increase.its legal as people have done the conversion and havent needed enginerring.

John, Remember you will need the sump from the 3.5 on the 3.8 as well as most of the timing belt gear, dist, coolant cross over pipes etc etc. There will not be much left of the 3.5 when you are done

so the 3.5 sump bolts straight on??
and so i am just swapping the block and heads themselves, and all my gear on the 3.5 will be swapped over???

No, sump needs modification to fit

Hey Mal, have you heard of anyone having any troubles fitting and registering the old 2nd gens from sohc 3.0 v6 to dohc 3.0 v6. This engine swap is still on my sons mind for the old puck wagon.
He'd seriously consider the dohc 3.0 v6 twin turbo from the 3000gt/gto if that was possible, but I think it's lots more difficult and may need engineering etc?

Is the 6G75 conversion a straight swap, in terms of no custom fabrication needed?
Besides I see the 3.5 sump needs modification, but other than that it is all a direct fit?

My car is approaching 200,000km and wondering whether its cost feasible to avoid the $1,000+ 200,000km service and just throw in a 3.8?

Is the 6G75 conversion a straight swap, in terms of no custom fabrication needed?
Besides I see the 3.5 sump needs modification, but other than that it is all a direct fit?

My car is approaching 200,000km and wondering whether its cost feasible to avoid the $1,000+ 200,000km service and just throw in a 3.8?

lol at "just throw in a 3.8" - if only it was this easy! If you want to "avoid the $1,000+ 200,000km service " best price up a 3.8 and labour cost to put it in, first. And would you put in another engine without freshening up under the timing covers?

Putting a 3.8 in a Magna is more in the category of "I want a 3.8 in my Magna and don't care how much it costs" rather than "I want to avoid doing the 200,000 km service and so save money."

As Mal stated, most of the 3.5 gear goes onto the 3.8, the block is a straight fit, no mods, except for us AWD's who require some of the block casting to be removed to clear the Transfer case.
When I eventually get the funds and get mine done, I'll be getting the engine all ready to plug and play, and the 3.5 from mine will go into the mother in laws TH which is only a 3.0. And that will likely become an over sized paperweight.

Thanks guys,
I realize the 3.8 will cost more than a 200,000km service.
But if it costs $1,200 for my service, and $1,700 for a 3.8L conversation which has had it's 100,000km service doen somewhat recently then it'd be worth considering.
My engine is also using a bit of oil somewhere and if it's valve stem seals then maybe going the 3.8 is a good option?
Not sure if the valve stem seals are a weakness on either motor

Because the 3.5 was available on all 3rd generations .The 3.8 can legally be fitted in NSW.