Identify a 3.0 vs a 3.2

[Tmade]

Ok, originally I posted about a problem I was having with the rod bearings. My mechanic, who has worked on Shos before got a replacement engine. The engine only has 80k on it.

But the one he got is a 3.2. I have a 95 mtx and told him that it was a 3.0, and he said that he had checked the numbers on the engine and it has a 3.2 in it.

Now I bought it as a second owner and the guy who had it before me, put a lot of mods on it so a 3.2 upgrade isn't something I would discount that he may have done.

Now for the question, how can I tell the difference between a 3.2 and a 3.0? Where are the serial numbers or any identifying marks that I can tell what is actually in my car, before he replaces the engine with the 3.2?

Thanks guys!

Doug

 

[yamahaSHO]

I can't remember where it say's it... But at 3.0 is a KOA and the 3.2 is a KOB.

 

[Rockledge]

I can't remember where it say's it... But at 3.0 is a KOA and the 3.2 is a KOB.

The connecting rods are marked like that, IIRC.

Don't all 3.2Ls have an EGR system? Your Ohio MTX SHO would have come without an EGR system. So there's one obvious distinction.

Even if a 3.2L EGR system has been removed, you'd still be able to tell if there was one originally, I would think.

 

[SHOkid13]

... before he replaces the engine with the 3.2?

Personally, if I were to be replacing my motor, I'd upgrade to a 3.2 motor. If you already had a 3.2, you might run into issues going back to a 3.0. Namely not being as fast. if you don't have a 3.2, it isn't that hard to make it work, IIRC. You need to file and grind a little bit, but not too bad from what I understand.

I'm not an expert with the identification of either motor, so I can't help you there.

 

[yamahaSHO]

California MTX's(3.0) have EGR.

 

[HopefulSHO]

If it orignally had a 3.0 though - it would be easy to reuse the 3.0 intake manifold with no traces of the 3.2 EGR system. Maybe check for a welded EGR hole on the rear exaust manifold?

The coilpack sits differently on the 3.0 versues the 3.2 - does it sit flat or at an angle? Also, what does the sticker on the rear valve cover say? I dont think it says 3.0 or 3.2 but might give some clue into something.

 

[DHMag]

the alternators are mounted differently between the 2. 3.2 intake has EGR provisions (all ATXs). 3.2 uses one serpentine belt, 3.0 uses 2 belts. different water pumps. coil pack mounted differently (already stated). 3.2 has purple injectors, 3.0 has pink injectors.

 

[yamahaSHO]

When you drop a 3.2 into an MTX car, you can use the block and you would never know there was a 3.2 in there with out checking the numbers or taking it apart.

 

[Tmade]

Ok, thanks guys. I think from the posts, and my lack of complete knowledge of the specifics between the two engines I should be able to tell by the serpentine belt, whether there is one or two, and also if I can find the sticker on the rear valve cover looking for either the koa or kob.

Thanks guys!!!
Doug

 

[Tmade]

Ok, well I got a chance to drive by and check the engine. The only thing I could find is that there are 2 belts on it, not one. So since I couldn't find anything else to identify it, other than the 2 belts, I'm guessing that it has a 3.0 in it now.

So I'm hoping he won't have a problem putting the 3.2 in. The guys knows cars well so I'm guessing it will go easy! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Any other info you guys have would be great!

Thanks,
Doug

 

[Dave Kegel]

So I'm hoping he won't have a problem putting the 3.2 in. The guys knows cars well so I'm guessing it will go easy! Keep your fingers crossed!!

Any other info you guys have would be great!

Thanks,
Doug

There's quite a bit of work involved in making this swap. The big question you have to decide is which heads you want to use. Read about the swap on the SHOtimes FAQ. It's at: http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...e=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=167
Dave

 

[RJ-92]

3.2 con-rods caps are cupped with no weighted nub on the bottom of them. 3.0 rod caps have this nub.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Ok, thanks guys. I think from the posts, and my lack of complete knowledge of the specifics between the two engines I should be able to tell by the serpentine belt, whether there is one or two, and also if I can find the sticker on the rear valve cover looking for either the koa or kob.

Thanks guys!!!
Doug

That won't work. You can run the 3.2 block EXACTLY like it was a 3.0. You can use all accesories, heads, valve covers, etc. From the outside, it can look exactly like a 3.0.

 

[Tmade]

Ok, here is something else about it that may be stumping me. I found the 2 belts on the engine, so I figured ok it's a 3.0 in it.
Then I remembered that when I was at Performance Plus Doug did some work and told me that the main pulley on the crank had been changed to a smaller pulley and the guy who owned it before me had done one of the first generation under drive pulley systems. Which makes me think that he may have converted it to a 2 belt system when he did the pulley system.

Well all I know is that the guy knows his cars and knows how to build fast ones, so I'm trusting in that and a friend of mine who had a 90 or so GTA that the guy worked on and it was a 10 second car.

Now I don't want a 10 second car, since it's my primary car, but it would be nice later......

 

[jelloslug]

If a "full" 3.2 conversion was done you can only tell by pulling the oil pan and looking at the rods. On mine you cannot tell at all that there is a 3.2 in there.

 

[Tmade]

Updated....

Ok guys, well the transplant is done. It turned out that mine did actually have a 3.0 in it, I thought so, but with the upgrades the previous owner did....not out of the realm of possible, so the guy located a 3.0 engine with only 39k on it. COOL ( I think he knows where the 3.2 is with only 89k if anyone is interested)....well it's in and runs good, starts great and responds a little better on accelleration in all gears. I just need to do my fine tuning to optomize the mileage.

The only glitch...he missed a donut gasket or something on the exhaust manifold. It is loud, not super loud, but he said to bring it back in a week so he can check it out and make sure all the new gaskets he put in are doing well, and he'll fix the gasket/donut issue.

I'm just happy to have my sho back!!!
I've been driving my sisters 97 caravan/land yacht for a couple of weeks. I just moved to Blanchester ohio, and have a lot of fun country roads to travel...but didn't have my sho .....but now it's back and fun to drive...just can't wait to get the muffler issue resolved asap!!! I miss the quiet sound it has until the secondaries open up and roars thru my Borla exhaust!!!

I did find the tag on the motor on the replacement motor, drivers side rear valve cover on the side that had the code indicating the 3.0. However on my valve covers it was some other kind of tag.

Thanks again for all your input guys. You guys Rock!!

Doug

 

[K-Dawg]

Lots of misinformation in this thread.

As some peole have already pointed out, you can NOT tell the displacement of the motor in a SHO by just looking at it.

The oil pan has to be dropped and you have to look at the connecting rods. (I suppose even this isn't an end all determination, as 3.0 rods could be used with custom pistons). Intakes, valve covers, heads, belt systems, etc. can all be changed very easily. Everybody does 3.2 swaps differently, but many people use only the 3.2 short block and everything else is 3.0.