rv8 3.5 -3.9???

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ROR350

Original Poster:

115 posts

266 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
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is it poss to convert my 3.5 to a 3.9 its a 87efi unit, if so how and whats needed?

wedg1e

26,889 posts

272 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
quotequote all
Rimmer Bros do a full conversion kit, though I suppose you could just order exactly the bits you need.
You have to chop out the cylinder liners and fit new ones, then bore to suit the new pistons.
The crank is the same: you can then play with different cams, duplex cam drive etc., tuned heads... in fact why not go the whole hog, change the crank as well and go for a 5.8... - how deep are your pockets?
Might it be easier to find an existing 3.9 and then sell your 3.5 to recoup some money?

Ian

ROR350

Original Poster:

115 posts

266 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
quotequote all
well on that note, i can get a stroker kit from real steels <4.6> , for 1600 QUID! I have seen various 4.6 wedges, but they never say power outputs, any one know what you should expect from a spicey injected 4.6 with no cats???

kevinday

12,263 posts

287 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
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IIRC for a stage 3 4.6 with decent inlet kit (carbon plenum etc. from ACT) and proper setting up (Mark Adams chip on rolling road) you would probably see around 260-265 bhp (real) and 260-280 ft/lbs of torque. This compares to a 3.5 with around 160-195 bhp dependent on state of tune.

350matt

3,766 posts

286 months

Wednesday 23rd July 2003
quotequote all
I went this route (3.5 to 4.0) and it was considerably cheaper to source a good 2nd hand 4.0 ltr (94.0mm bore) block also potentially more reliable as the 3.5ltr blocks have skinnier wall thicknesses and can give problems when bored out.
Best option is to get a std rangy 4.6 unit ( best RV8 mechanically, X-bolted, better oil pump etc) bolt your induction on plus a larier cam, re-map it and you'll have about 230-240ish Bhp plus a ton of torque.

Matt