Hi all :D

I've been having issues with my 3.0L stock motor (auto) and thinking of upgrading for something more powerful.
I've only been brainstorming and haven't looked into anything in detail yet..

I'm interested in ethier getting

-3.5L VRX motor
-3.8L 380 motor

or would it be possable to get a 2.0L Twin Turbo motor from a VR4 Galant?

I'm just after some suggestions/input into what I should do..

thanks in advance!

3.5L vrx motor - will be cheap and easily available, the ones with the number 6 cams are a bit faster, but i would just look for any TJ2 3.5L personally (manual of course)

3.8L engine will require a fair bit more work (and possibly need to be engineered, check your states laws) to get it up and going, they are pretty over priced as well :(

The galant engine, well you could get it working i guess, but it would be painfully slow off boost, needing to keep it on boost all the time = alot of fuel

Personally id go a 3.5L conversion and get an SKR tune and still be a few grand in front

Easiest way would be go to for the 3.5, if you wanted to go for the 3.8 you would need an aftermarket computer of some kind with support for a coil-on-plug ignition system and the other sensors and such required to run it, alternatively you could do what Snow recently (see Jasons VRX's post below) - This would benefit from a SKR tune though as it would be running a stock 3.5 map.

OR you could do a 74 and 75 clone and put that in, use a TJ ecu and have Steve Knight flash it for you while you are at it..........

OR you could do a 74 and 75 clone and put that in, use a TJ ecu and have Steve Knight flash it for you while you are at it..........

74/75 clone being 75 block, 74 heads/cams/dizzy I assume?

Easiest way would be go to for the 3.5, if you wanted to go for the 3.8 you would need an aftermarket computer of some kind with support for a coil-on-plug ignition system and the other sensors and such required to run it, alternatively you could do what Snow recently did and use a 3.8 block with 3.5 heads, cams and dizzy (coil-on-plug replaces the dizzy) - This would need a tune of some kind though for fueling and such and most likely a new set of cams to unlock the power of the 75.

You're wrong about the 3.8 requiring an after market ecu or coil on plug set-up.
There's all you need to know if you try doing a search.

You're wrong about the 3.8 requiring an after market ecu or coil on plug set-up.
There's all you need to know if you try doing a search.

I did - Here: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=974298&postcount=23

It requires an aftermarket ECU *FOR* a coil-on-plug setup, otherwise it needs a 3.5 head/dizzy swap as described above.

I did - Here: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=974298&postcount=23

It requires an aftermarket ECU *FOR* a coil-on-plug setup, otherwise it needs a 3.5 head/dizzy swap as described above.

You still use the 3.8L heads!

The 3.5 dizzy fits straight into the back head of a 3.8L, the cam angle sensor on the front head is removed and the "blanking plug" that is fitted to the 3.0/3.5 is fitted in its place. You then use the 3.5L rocker covers and fit the spark plug leads etc just like a 3.5L

Basically all your doing is using the 3.8 Long motor and fitting all the external parts from the 3.5L (dizzy, lower manifold and fuel rail, 3.5L sump etc)

Also IF you read my post that you quoted properly, you would see that i said the stock ECU will run a 3.8L ok as long as you get rid of the "Coil pack" ignition and fit the dizzy and leads like a 3.5L

You still use the 3.8L heads!

Ahh ok, I see now :)

Corrected my post to point to yours :P

You still use the 3.8L heads!

The 3.5 dizzy fits straight into the back head of a 3.8L, the cam angle sensor on the front head is removed and the "blanking plug" that is fitted to the 3.0/3.5 is fitted in its place. You then use the 3.5L rocker covers and fit the spark plug leads etc just like a 3.5L

Basically all your doing is using the 3.8 Long motor and fitting all the external parts from the 3.5L (dizzy, lower manifold and fuel rail, 3.5L sump etc)

Also IF you read my post that you quoted properly, you would see that i said the stock ECU will run a 3.8L ok as long as you get rid of the "Coil pack" ignition and fit the dizzy and leads like a 3.5L

Hahahaha. Should have done this on mine instead, would have saved a bit of money on the 3.5! :O

Surely Caine could have hooked me up with a 3.8 instead :P

Talk to this member i believe he has had a 3.8 fitted and is running a factory skr retuned ecu.
http://www.aussiemagna.net/forums/showthread.php?t=71494

Personally id go a 3.5L conversion and get an SKR tune and still be a few grand in front

do you know ball park figure on how much that would cost?

Hahahaha. Should have done this on mine instead, would have saved a bit of money on the 3.5! :O

Surely Caine could have hooked me up with a 3.8 instead :P

That he could have probably done, when i got mine there was only 6 "complete" 3.8L left in the MMAL P&A warehouse, apparently 4 of which MMAL were keeping until approx 2012 (warrenty purposes)

Price was pretty good for them as well

You still use the 3.8L heads!

The 3.5 dizzy fits straight into the back head of a 3.8L, the cam angle sensor on the front head is removed and the "blanking plug" that is fitted to the 3.0/3.5 is fitted in its place. You then use the 3.5L rocker covers and fit the spark plug leads etc just like a 3.5L

Basically all your doing is using the 3.8 Long motor and fitting all the external parts from the 3.5L (dizzy, lower manifold and fuel rail, 3.5L sump etc)

Also IF you read my post that you quoted properly, you would see that i said the stock ECU will run a 3.8L ok as long as you get rid of the "Coil pack" ignition and fit the dizzy and leads like a 3.5L

this here is correct.

bump

i've thought it thru and I'm going to replace the motor with a TJ2 VRX 3.5L as early as next month, just a few quick questions...

how much does the conversion cost, incl ECU?
do i need to replace the brakes?
how much does a SKR tune cost and where in NSW can I get it done?

thanks in advance! :happy:

how much does the conversion cost, incl ECU? depends if you can install the engine yourself, if i was to do it id charge $700 plus parts. 3.5 will run on a 3.0 ECU but to get the most out of the engine a 3.5 ECU would be preferable.
do i need to replace the brakes? 3.0 and 3.5 brakes are the same so no.
how much does a SKR tune cost and where in NSW can I get it done? $400-$500 but you cant get it done in NSW you will need to send an ECU to Steve in SA.