Question, if you put 3.2 heads on a 3.0 block, and you use 3.2 head gaskets.... will this work okay or does it create issues. The gaskets overlap into the combustion chamber slightly as the bore of the 3.2 is larger. With this combination, should you use the 3.2 cams or 3.0 cams on the 3.2 heads or? Need to know as much about this combination as I can as if this is not a good combo, we will abort and go another direction. What is different about the 3.2 heads other then the cams compared to the 3.0 heads . I know you have to modify for the alternator and the coil brake but other than that? Thoughts?
3.2 heads on 3.0 block
- Thread starter shocar
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jayro
SHO Member
The 3.0 head and the 3.2 heads are, for all basic applications, the same. There are some minor exterior differances, but that is it. You would use the 3.0 head gasket for the 3.0 block and a 3.2 HG for the 3.2 block. As far as the cams go, either can work. It is just a matter of what you want. The 3.2 cams have a little more bottom end, but die out at a lower RPM. The 3.0 have more top end. The differance, however, is very minimal.
intimdatr
Got Cams?
Sam ,ShoSpazz, has(had?) a 3.2 Mtx with the 3.2 cams in it and really loved the way the car drove. Id bet for most purposes it would be faster in the city and make the car a lot better daily with the slight bump in low end grunt.
kevinspann
Don't take my advice.
Sounds like you're thinking all backwards. You want the head gaskets to match the block/bore. So 3.0 on a 3.0, and 3.2 on a 3.2.
I believe only the intake cams are different between the 3.0 and the 3.2.
I believe only the intake cams are different between the 3.0 and the 3.2.
jayro
SHO Member
Has anyone ever done a before and after dyno on these? In all the debates I have seen it has always been subjective. Many have said that the increased lift of the MTX cams is not enough to make a significant differance, while other are 100% certian the car pulled better at higher RPMs with them.
93rev2sev
SHO Member
It seems like you've thought of every issue regarding this setup. There are lot of threads dedicated to each one, but in a nutshell:
3.0 cams are desirable. My own thoughts on this subject are that you should find the lowest mileage cams you can and hope they're from a 3.0. Doesn't matter a lick if you're boosting.
The 3.2 head gaskets are the right ones to use on a 3.2 block.
I think.
We were in a situation where we had to change out a blown motor in hurry, all we had was 3.2 gaskets..3.0 block and 3.2 heads . Should we tear it back down and change the head gaskets to match the block or will the engine run okay? We have not a chance to test it yet. The motor has only been ran for 10 minutes or so.
the gaskets you used are too big for the 3.0 block. i cant think that it would be ok to run it like that.
93rev2sev
SHO Member
strike-From what I've read, you're fine. I've never run that combo but if it's wrong, I'm kinda skrewd too. -strike
EDIT!!!
Wait...Waht? No. Waht I said first is right. I mis-re-read something...ursumshit.
EDIT!!!
Wait...Waht? No. Waht I said first is right. I mis-re-read something...ursumshit.
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That is what I am thinking.... Seems like the gaskets would create an issue. We were just trying to get the car back on the track and used everything at our disposal at the time. I just don't want to run if did create an issue for more problems. It was fine for what we were trying to do at the time but now we have time to do it right if it is wrong. More opinions welcomed!
93rev2sev
SHO Member
See previous edit.
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93rev2sev
SHO Member
See previous edit.
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from what i remember the 3.2 gasket goes right up to the edge of the cylinder wall. used on a 3.0 the gasket would be larger than the cylinder leaving an open gap where the head and block meet around the cylinder. if this would cause a problem i dont know, but they make seperate gaskets for a reason.
93rev2sev
SHO Member
Here's the data I used. If it blows up, it aint my fault!
NO!!!
The head gaskets must match the bore of the block!
3.0 = 3.0 head gasket
3.2 = 3.2 head gasket.
jayro
SHO Member
To the best of my knowledge the only difference between the 3.2 and 3.0 HG is the size of the bore. This would mean if you went with a 3.0 HG on a 3.2 block you could have part of the gasket intuding into the cylinder. If you put a 3.2 HG on a 3.0 block you would not have this issue. I would think that as long as the 3.2 HG would seal the combustion chamber, the engin would run okay... As long as the piston does not travel up high enough to contact the gap that would exist due to the 3.2 HG bore being bigger than the block 3.0 bore.
Of course, this is not the recommended way to assemble things.
Of course, this is not the recommended way to assemble things.
93rev2sev
SHO Member
There's going to be a ring around the cylinder...
In some places (most places, if memory serves) the combustion chamber does not meet the cylinder wall. This means there will be a gap at the top of the cylinder. Even if it's sealed properly, gases and soot will accumulate and superheat that area, probably blowing the head gasket.
In some places (most places, if memory serves) the combustion chamber does not meet the cylinder wall. This means there will be a gap at the top of the cylinder. Even if it's sealed properly, gases and soot will accumulate and superheat that area, probably blowing the head gasket.
I have run both 3.2 and 3.0 cams in 3.2s in manual trans cars.
the 3.2 with either cam will have a noticeable increase in torque just from the displacement - i.e. 7% more torque.
the 3.2 cams will give you better low end torque (another 5% at least), and better fuel economy for daily driving. however, that torque will drop off noticeably above 5500 rpm.
the 3.0 cams will give you more high end power/torque. from 4k rpm and up it will pull like a real tiger.
which is "better" depends on what you care about.
you can run 3.2 head gaskets in the 3.0 engine, but it is not a good idea. you will have a small ring of air (approx. .060" by the thickness of the gasket) that will eventually fill up with carbon. some day, a chunk of this carbon will come out of there for some reason and end up somewhere that you do not want it - i.e. under a valve, in the spark plug, bouncing in the cylinder, etc. - you get the idea.
the 3.2 with either cam will have a noticeable increase in torque just from the displacement - i.e. 7% more torque.
the 3.2 cams will give you better low end torque (another 5% at least), and better fuel economy for daily driving. however, that torque will drop off noticeably above 5500 rpm.
the 3.0 cams will give you more high end power/torque. from 4k rpm and up it will pull like a real tiger.
which is "better" depends on what you care about.
you can run 3.2 head gaskets in the 3.0 engine, but it is not a good idea. you will have a small ring of air (approx. .060" by the thickness of the gasket) that will eventually fill up with carbon. some day, a chunk of this carbon will come out of there for some reason and end up somewhere that you do not want it - i.e. under a valve, in the spark plug, bouncing in the cylinder, etc. - you get the idea.
93rev2sev
SHO Member
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