I am interested if anyone has swapped the newer 3.2L engine for the older 3.0L? If you have or know of anyone who has, can you guide me?
swaping the 3.0L w/the 3.2L
- Thread starter cbrickey
- Start date
I believe this has been done on several occasions. The most straightforward way is to re-use the 3.0's intake manifold, sensors and electronics. In essence, your car still thinks it is a 3.0 but you get the performance benefits of a 3.2. Presumably, the 3.0's engine management electronics have sufficient flexibility to get a/f's right, etc. Mark Basch would be a great person to call and/or do the job.
kpond said:
still wont be as fast as a real 3.2 97+nsx... due to gearing..
for the $, it might be just better to rebuild the motor..
The DON said:
Although, not exactly what you're looking for, there was some good info in this recent thread.
I've been delaying just such a swap for months due to lack of time and more importantly a place to do it comfortably. I have a 3.2 + 6spd in the garage and intend to put it in an earlier chassis, so I too would be interested in hearing from people who have done it. My assumption (hope) is that at worst the intake and ignition coils from the 3.0 would need to be used. There may be some other wiring harness differences but hopefully only where sensors exist for the 3.2 but not the 3.0 (possibly for OBDII stuff) and those connectors can just be ignored.
SJS - please stay in touch if you go through w/this project. I would like to go to school on your experience. Will you do anything to the 3.2 as far as performance enhancements or will the 30hp and the six speed be sufficient?
Charlie
Charlie
I hope to document the process but of course that's more easily said than done. I intend to move my TT kit with AEM to the new engine. In fact, a true engine management solution was my top requirement before doing the swap because I didn't want to risk using the Rebic IV or other piggyback on an engine with just 2400 miles on it. The tired old 3.0 has been a good test-bed for tuning and abuse.
sjs said:
Thanks for the reply. This web site has been an eye opener as well as an education. The technology side of updating gets a little intimidating. I have been working w/John Vasos on this subject as well trying to decide whether to upgrade the 3.0 (which only has 20K and still pulls like new) and stay w/the 5 speed, or tweak the 3.2 add the 6spd. If I understand, and I am not sure I do, it looks like it may be better to stay w/the 3.0, MB or comptech it, short set the trans and go w/headers, exhaust, and air box, and dump the 3.2! I will also try to kepp you and anyone surfing abreast, and maybe we will be lucky and Ken will help enlighten us!
Charlie
Why do all this work when you could pick up a Zandari?
cbrickey said:
I know about many areas of the NSX, but sjs is far more knowledgeable than I am about many technical topics and wrenching. Between sjs and John Vasos, you're already in contact with folks with lots more expertise on an engine/tranny swap than I could provide.
cbrickey said:
If your 3.0 is strong, just stick with it. I only bought the 3.2 because I planned a complete overhaul anyway until I found the low mileage engine + trans at a price that made them the logical choice. I certainly wouldn't go to all the effort and expense just for the extra 0.2 L. As for the transmission, I would opt for the 6-spd over the 5-spd (with any gear combination), if you can get one at a reasonable price. But honestly, neither makes all that big of a difference in hard performance numbers.
SJS
Appreciate both the suggestions and advice. Perhaps later we can share actual outcomes.
Ken
I was just funnin ya as I have read the speculation about breaking the 10,000 post level. Your help (and this site) have already got me further than I had hoped to get!
Now if I only could figure out all the faces
Charlie
Appreciate both the suggestions and advice. Perhaps later we can share actual outcomes.
Ken
I was just funnin ya as I have read the speculation about breaking the 10,000 post level. Your help (and this site) have already got me further than I had hoped to get!
Now if I only could figure out all the faces
Charlie
cbrickey said:
You could...
...join the NSX Club and come to one of our monthly brunch meetings in Chicago, perhaps on your way back from Acura of Brookfield;
...go (either as a participant or spectator) to one of the CGI Motorsports track events at GingerMan, particularly the Memorial Day "bring out the NSX" event;
...go (again, either as a participant or spectator) to the September BMW CCA track event at Grattan, which several of us usually attend;
...go to NSXPO 2003 in California this October.
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