Hey guys i have a 96 camaro 3.8 that im rebuilding. Now i know the standared answer from most people when a question like this comes up, ya know the sell the v6 and buy the v8 and i would agree but this is my first project car so im starting out small.

I already have made the choice to change the rear,trans,drivetrain,and suspension along with rebuliding a used 3.8 that a friend of mine might be willing to give to me. I was wondering what else i should look into replacing and if there is a order in which i should start replacing them. The engine will take some time for me to put together but the rest souldnt be that bad. I dont have a big budget but i have alot of time so it dont have to be a fast build. Im doing the work myself and have a good understanding of the car and its parts but like i said its my first project and would like any advice you guys can give to help me get started.

 

Are you building the 3.8 to factory specs or changing things up?

 

I plan on changing things up, I want to get the most I can out of it so I'm going to rebuild it with that in mind. I still have some homework to do on it but if you have any ideas I'm open for suggestions

 

First decide what you want out of the build. What is important to you? Then decide on a realistic budget for money and time.

Many failed projects get drug out too long and are not planed. Let say you tear into the motor and blow your budget and you build a 325 HP V6. Now you need a tranny and rear that can hold up to that. A year later you realize that because of the cam you got it only makes power at high RPMs. It sucks below 4000 RPMS and all your driving is around town. Or you build a car that will do 0-60 in 5.8 seconds but you spend most of the time on the free way with your 60-100 times at 8.5 seconds.

In your budget plan for replacing non-performance parts also. I am just installing a low mileage 3.8 in my 96 and I have about $1500 just in bolt-ons and normal wear items. You can tie up $400 just in Plugs wires and O2 sensors. Add in $500 for a decent clutch and a $150 for a decent shifter and you can see real quick how you can hit $1500 with very few performance upgrades.

 

I agree with you on that, thats why im not rushing into just ripping things apart and im doing my homework on this project. I know i want to beef up the engine as much as i can and i know that i want to keep the car a automatic trans. So i have a base plan to how i want the rest of the build to go.As for the engine, HP and tq im looking to max out what i can with the 3.8. Does anyone know of a place that i could get some ideas of where to start with a build like this?

 

Max out? You mean like a 20K 500 HP V6? Or does Max out mean 12K 375 HP V6. Or does it Max out mean a 6K 300 HP V6? Or does max out mean Cam and boltons in a stock motor kicking out 275 HP? Are you sure you have a plan?

Do you want to run 9 seconds in the 1/4 mile? Do you want to run 11 seconds? Those are two different builds. Will the car need to be on the street? If so is 13 seconds ok? how about 18 MPG? Maybe you don't care about quarter mile at all. Maybe you want to go 175 MPH?
What I am trying to get at is the question of how do I get the most power is an unanswerable question. A drag motor is useless in a circle track car and a circle track motor is useless in a car designed for road racing.

Design a car not a motor. Make the motor fit what you want out of the car.

 

Thanks gorn I didn't look at it from that angle. I'm not building a track car, I want something with some ***** like 300hp at least and it has to stay street legal. I know I'm changing the rear end and gears. I want to remove the drums and add disc brakes. I know I want to keep with a auto trans and I have to change the suspension and do some work on the front end. So I guess I don't really have a plan just a idea on what I want to do. Like I said this is my first build and while I went to school for automotives and know my fair share of the car I'm still looking for help and ideas.

 

Good points! I have a 3.8 with rods knocking that I plan on rebuilding but my plan is simple. I'm putting it back stock and my goal is for it to start and run , since I have never rebuilt an engine. I have spent alot of time researching just that little project, such as local machine shops, tools needed, parts avaiilablity considering there is not a rebuild kit I can find, and I'm not finished with the planning process yet. I still have to get motor apart and see what all needs replaced. I am using a donor engiine in the mean time and hopefully, it will be put in by the end of the weekend.

 

Heed Master Gorn's advice young ones.