What's the 3.6 speed six engine like?

[S6 Devil]

Just considering my options after a conrod went through the block on my S spec 4.0 engine. Could someone who has a 3.6 speed six, or has driven one, share how the engine drives/feels? If someone has driven both, or even a 3.6 and standard 4.0, and could share the experience, that would be great. Would I notice a huge difference?

[WolfyJones]

4.5 SS if you can afford it, the 3.6 always felt like it needed a lot more torque but so does the 4 litre imho, if it were me I would test drive all the options.

Edited by WolfyJones on Wednesday 19th June 16:59

[clive f]

had the 3.6 in my t350, lovely smooth well balanced engine, loves to rev more than the 4lt as the 4lt has a bit more torque, see if you can blag a ride in one and notice the difference.

[S6 Devil]

clive f said:

had the 3.6 in my t350, lovely smooth well balanced engine, loves to rev more than the 4lt as the 4lt has a bit more torque, see if you can blag a ride in one and notice the difference.

How much of a difference is there between your 3.6 in the T350 and the Sagaris? Am I likely to notice a big difference?

There are a few 3.6 engines for sale at the breakers for not a lot of money. Although they won't have had a rebuild they do seem to be good value.

[Mattt]

I've only driven the 3.6, but from what I've read on here from others who have driven the range of speed six engines the 3.6 is supposed to be the most characterful of the capacities, albeit with lower torque meaning you have to use the rev range more rather than cruise on the torque (not necessarily a bad thing).

[RedSpike66]

You really have to use the revs on the 3.6 and it loves to rev to 7800rpm... Sag feels faster but I have cr box and 3.73 diff but it's not a massive difference tbh.

[clive f]

you`d just use the pedal a tad more, Joolz would be the man to ask as he has had many 3.6 and 4lt cars on his dyno.

I have a dyno graph from my sag when it was standard, if someone has a standard 3.6 graph to put up you could make a comparison?

Edited by clive f on Wednesday 19th June 22:38

[Getsis]

I prefer the 3.6 to the std 4.0 but it just needs more torque low down.

My preferance order for what I have driven:-
4.3 (only due to cost for what you get)
4.5
4.0S
3.6
4.0

[S6 Devil]

Thanks all. Sounds like this could be an option. Just waiting to hear the cause and options for repair to my engine.

[spitfire4v8]

Some 3.6s are very good ..

[WolfyJones]

spitfire4v8 said:

Some 3.6s are very good ..

Joolz admits the torque is exaggerated on the above graph,
"The rpm scale is slightly out, the rpm limiter is at 7800rpm rather than 7400 ish that shows on the graph, so the torque is exagerrated, it should be more like 308lb.ft rather than 320."

Still great figures and better than a lot of 4 litre cars.

[WolfyJones]

RedSpike66 said:

You really have to use the revs on the 3.6 and it loves to rev to 7800rpm... Sag feels faster but I have cr box and 3.73 diff but it's not a massive difference tbh.

Sag is a bit heavier than a T350 as well, 50/75kg depending on spec, always thought a T350 with Ohlins and a 4.5 SS would be a cheap ballistic missile that would be epic for track days.

[natben]

WolfyJones said:

Joolz admits the torque is exaggerated on the above graph,
"The rpm scale is slightly out, the rpm limiter is at 7800rpm rather than 7400 ish that shows on the graph, so the torque is exagerrated, it should be more like 308lb.ft rather than 320."

Still great figures and better than a lot of 4 litre cars.

Yea but this is a 3.6 that has been worked on not a standard build. There are 4.0 SP6 out there that have been worked on that have better figures than this. So not really a true comparison. But as you say great figure for this 3.6.

[DonkeyApple]

Mattt said:

I've only driven the 3.6, but from what I've read on here from others who have driven the range of speed six engines the 3.6 is supposed to be the most characterful of the capacities, albeit with lower torque meaning you have to use the rev range more rather than cruise on the torque (not necessarily a bad thing).

I certainly think the 3.6 is the best of all the S6 options. It just has more character and on English twisties is just a more visceral experience as you work it harder and get full rev range between corners.

If I was building my perfect T car I would love to use a 3.6 and add things like the FFF head and a modern ECU plus sort the gas flows. I think that would result in one of the greatest English engines ever. Massive rev range and a real buzz to sling down through twisties.

The only replacement for displacement is class and character and the 3.6 has just that.

[JonRB]

S6 Devil said:

How much of a difference is there between your 3.6 in the T350 and the Sagaris? Am I likely to notice a big difference?

I test drove a T350 with the 3.6 when I bought the Sagaris and, for me, the difference in torque and power was immense. The T350 felt no faster than the Chimaera 500 I was looking to trade up from, whilst the Sagaris felt like another level of performance.

That was just my impression though. I am sure that someone will tell me I am "wrong".

[WolfyJones]

JonRB said:

I test drove a T350 with the 3.6 when I bought the Sagaris and, for me, the difference in torque and power was immense. The T350 felt no faster than the Chimaera 500 I was looking to trade up from, whilst the Sagaris felt like another level of performance.

That was just my impression though. I am sure that someone will tell me I am "wrong" though.

I agree and a big reason many owners stayed with 500s, I wouldnt say the difference was immense but it is very noticeable.

Edited by WolfyJones on Friday 21st June 11:39

[JonRB]

WolfyJones said:

I agree and a big reason many owners stayed with 500s, I wouldnt say the difference was immense but it is very noticeable.

Ok, perhaps "immense" was a poorly chosen word. But, as you say, it was certainly very noticeable.

[DonkeyApple]

JonRB said:

I test drove a T350 with the 3.6 when I bought the Sagaris and, for me, the difference in torque and power was immense. The T350 felt no faster than the Chimaera 500 I was looking to trade up from, whilst the Sagaris felt like another level of performance.

That was just my impression though. I am sure that someone will tell me I am "wrong".

I think there is a very noticeable difference as you say. It's the character of the delivery that I think makes the 3.6 so wonderful. A 4.0 is faster but if you have a certain driving style the 3.6 is just more visceral and pleasurable. And maybe part of that is a function of less power as well as the different delivery.

[7 TVR]

Loved the screaming nature of the 3.6 but felt i also got that from the 4Lt red rose in my T350, the 4.3 str8six lump in the Sag is one of the best engines i've had in a car period and matched with the CR box and 3.73 diff it really takes some beating

[S6 Devil]

Thanks for all your input....food for thought!
I'm hoping the 4.0S in my Tuscan is salvageable, still waiting to hear from Dom. I can't afford the 4.3. The 3.6 sounds interesting and is an option, but not sure I want to go to a slower less tourqey engine even though it seems to be full of character.

The breakers have several 3.6 engines for sale. I haven't discussed with Dom yet but am wondering whether these could be a direct replacement for an S spec engine. I would have Dom inspect the engine before install.

What else would need changing apart from the ECU?

Edited by S6 Devil on Saturday 22 June 11:44