This winter I am going to rebuild portions of my car. Engine, transmission, rear end. Maybe interior but starting with the big stuff first.
My main question is has anyone done a head swap on a 3.8L v6 engine? I was wondering if the 4.3L v6 heads would fit on my camaro. Also recommendations for turbocharging engine. Ways of lowering compression so it can handle the extra boost? Would putting 4.3 heads on it work? Also would porting and polishing the heads be a bad idea if I was going to turbo? any info welcome, thanks.

 

No the 4.3 heads would not work and don't flow that great to start with. They are truck heads designed for low end torque. As for the turbo do a search, the topic has been beated to death. Unless you plan on spending 5K+ just start researching cams and headers. For what it will cost to turbo a 3800 you could buy a running LT1 Z28 that is faster then your turbo 3800.

 

Ok, well are there any heads that would be worth doing a head swap on? Also if I port and polish my heads what kind of gains am I looking at? Also I still would like to know what all needs to be done to turbo my car? the turbos and parts aren't all that expensive. Heck a garrett t3t4 is only $150-200.

 

Where are you finding garrett turbos for that cheap? They are like $500 starting. Look at abbott racing or intense racing for heads/cam packagaes. Its going to be expensive to build a turbo kit if you cant weld. You will also need HPtuners, new injectors, and probably a fuel pump.