3.3L vs 3.5L engine swap

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wmnewlife

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The mechanic doing my 5 speed/engine swap is recommending a 3.3L engine over a 3.5. Apparently he has access to one that is terrific, and says that there are issues with the 3.5L brain, having replace several this year at his shop. He claims that the reliability is better, and the power is identical. Any thoughts from the e9 community? Thanks

Walter
 
There are a variety of unanswered questions with this setup. Pretty much all the pre-Motronic systems are becoming pretty fragile due to their age and lack of corresponding sensors.

Depending on what you want, the later M30B35 has been shown to make ~190 rwhp with a tune. Comparatively, a M30B34 has been shown to lay out more in the 140-170 rwhp range. The earlier engines are significantly less powerful that the later engines, for reasons beyond a small displacement bump.

The way I see it, if you are going to go through this process, may as well do it "right" the first time.
 
The devil went down to Georgia

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/pts/2924958687.html


If that's a 3.3 w/ piano tops, then there's a possible deal. Bavman would be all over this. I bet he still has that rebuilt 3.0 for sale in NC which is just a hop skip and jump from you guys.


The answer to your question is the one that's fresh. Best compression, clean oil, recent head.

p.s.- smoking deal on a pair of LS seats there too- asking $200.
 
3.3 vs 3.5

The mechanic, Mike Lembcke of Bavarian tells me that a 91 735 engine makes the most power but there are small issues with the 5 speed conversion since they came with automatics. He said he would do whatever I wanted, but was looking for drivability and reliability. What are your thoughts? His comments on the 3.3 are that the engine/transmission he has in mind is known and runs well. It is a motronic.
 
wmnewlife said:
The mechanic, Mike Lembcke of Bavarian tells me that a 91 735 engine makes the most power but there are small issues with the 5 speed conversion since they came with automatics. He said he would do whatever I wanted, but was looking for drivability and reliability. What are your thoughts? His comments on the 3.3 are that the engine/transmission he has in mind is known and runs well. It is a motronic.
Click to expand...

"Issues"? I used that engine with no problems. I even used the automatic TPS.

I would probably check the front cam lobe on any engine you put in, though.
 
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