Okay, I am planning on doing a 3.5 swap with boost and would like some advices on which setup to go with:

1. 3.5 swap with stock internals running on 3.0 stock timing and J&S. How much boost would I be able to run before timing comes into play?

2. Built 3.5, pistons, rods. this should handle more power but at the same time cost more money. Would this be a better/more reliable route than the stock setup to acheive 450whp goals?

3. Tilley's 3.2 setup. this would have to be built by tilley and i don't know how much difference in power will this be compared to the other two. I also think this would be more $ than option #1

any help would be apprieciated

 

I'm interested to know too since I'll be doing most of the install which eventually will also be my setup. I think our goal is to keep it a reliable 400whp-450whp in some form of 3.5 setup, which i read is not as hard to get to as compared to a 3.0 setup. We're not looking to break any records but something over 400whp would be something we're shooting for.

Ideally the 3.5/3.0 timing with stock internally is the cheapest route but how will it handle the boost. I've heard the 3.0 timing is rather conservative compare to 3.5 timing, any truth?

With the build form of a 3.5, it will cost more while handling more power but then other things such as trans and clutch comes into play. So would it be worth it?

I dont know much about tilley's 3.2 setup other than what internals he used so any info in terms of what its capible of would be helpful.

I'm just curious to know what everyone thinks would be their ideal choice of swaps for boost.

 

I would not worry about building the 3.5 if you don't plan over 450whp. You should be able to achieve that on less than 12psi. Your gonna have to have some quality engine management and have it tuned well. No cutting corners there for this project.

You really need to be more concerned about building a tranny that can handle that power, not the VQ. The tranny will give before the motor.

 

ain't that the truth?

Why 450whp? I would think anything over 350whp because too much to handle in a FWD car. At a certain point doesn't matter how much power you give it your going to be traction limited.

 

That depends on what gear you're in, though. You won't be able to get 350 hp to the wheels in first or second, but you can in third.

 

My advice would be keep the VQ35 stock internally and invest that money into a standalone such as the Megasquirt I'm working on so you can safely tune your new motor to 450hp.

My setup will allow full fuel and timing control and I've already got all the details worked out on the ignition system for the VQ. By the time you're ready I should have a usable base map hammered out too.

my 2 cents,
allen

 

Your right but then how long will your 3rd gear last. Just something to think about. I think hight HP #'s are awesome but sometimes the hassel isn't worth it.

 

Oh, it will be worth it, i mean, 450 is a goal even if i achieve that on the dyno only i will have a big smile on my face, 400 daily would be good enough Thank you for your replies, I was also leaning towards stock internals. I will hope to start this project here in the next 2 weeks or so, we are doing mine first then my buddy justins (jcy98maxse) after.

He already has a turbo'd vg30 with traction problems and now transmission too, although i think part of his transmission going out is because of his engine "slop" when he shifts and it torques everything around... I hope to limit that more with better motor mounts. Traction wise i have a LSD, traction bars, and will get some drag radials.

 

VQ kasey VQ.

 

Yea i dont see my third gear handling 3rd much more than 12psi on my current setup. I think is more my syncros and not the gear itself since it makes the noise going in when I'm on it (not WOT shifts, just quick shifts). The trans will definitely need to be worked on when I do put in the motor, maybe at the same time if not I do have a spare trans that i can take to a shop and have minimal downtime.

Allen- how much on the standalone? how difficult is it to tune and use?

 

yeah yeah, i know i know, thats what i meant

 

Strikes me as pointless to build or swap a motor when the power level you are looking to attain can be had with the stock vq30 in it already.

 

it seems pointless but the potential is there to achieve higher numbers or performance if there was ever a need to (which I wouldnt be suprise that it will happen) plus you dont relize that kasey's motor is on its last leg and over 150K so just turboing it would evntually create a need for a motor swap anyways. Mine is lower miles so I dont have to do one.

 

on the street with over 350whp traction does suck. 2nd just won't hold. It is kinda frustrating sometimes. 2nd is the most fun gear IMO around town and I just spin from 5K-redline. 3rd gear is fine, but to go WOT through 3rd will put me way over the speed limit. I could drive around all day with my ET streets on but that is not a good solution.

I assume anyone wanting over 400whp will be using it for the track. That is the only reason I can think of wanting that much power in our cars.