Just bought a 3.4L. What should I do with it?

[Fulltilt]

Hello all. I just purchased a 3.4L engine with ECU. I started my career as a mechanical engineer with an automotive specialty and have studied engine design in college. Over the years I have collected unique engines with unique sounds like V12s and motorcycles with unique engines, like the V4 in the Honda VFR750. I am super excited about this one, though I have no projects slated for it yet. I own a full machine shop, so the sky is the limit, though it looks like with this engine, the cams are the limit. Otherwise I would love to improve the balance and make a F1 sounding 10K RPM screamer. I have a rail buggy that could use a cooler engine, at which point the WRX transmission would make sense. But if I used it transversely, are there good manual transaxles available that bolt up? I am not opposed to fabbing adapters to a different flywheel and bell housing. If I do open it up, are there good options for rods and pistons? Has anyone found an optimal compression ratio to make more power? Sorry for all the questions. I am super excited about this engine!

 

[luigisho]

Sounds very cool. As you should already know with harder to find engines and weird operational environments you should probably look at how available replacements are. I've been out of the v8 SHO cars for a while now so I don't keep up with replacement parts and units much anymore. Just an idea.

You should contact offroadsho and ask him about transverse mounting and adapter options. Although he uses (or used to?) the original v6 SHO motor in his sand rail, he should have plenty of good info to share. There are ways to send private messages through the forum that end up in email accounts members have registered here-- so you get notified someone is trying to reach you. I think it's 'start a conversation' function now.

 

[Fulltilt]

Thanks luigisho. That's a good start!