Forged pistons (internals) cause problems??? The only reason I think that would be is if one doesn't re-balance the crank, no? I know it states this when switching to H-beams or such...

 

Correct, but most don't know all the specs to properly rebuild the 3800 bottom end and they always have issues and never last. If you find someone that knows the 3800 inside and out and has built them successfully then it is a big upgrade but most people that try the engine fails.

Also I don't see a need for forged internals unless you are spraying a pile of nitrous. Just my .02

 

True, I would think ZZP or Intense would have it cover, but reading back on a few thread, I guess that is not the case...

I was thinking about a wet kit once upon a time, but time and money, you know...

 

So the swap would cost you $2300 and a built 3800 would cost double that? $4600 for a 3800... that sure is a ton of money!

I don't know what happened to your other engine, but seriously- just go buy a reasonable mileage L67 bottom end (or complete engine if you somehow toasted everything)- and you should be able to get that under $1000. Drop it in and go. I haven't priced them out in awhile, but they can't be that expensive. Heck- back in '04/05 I bought a complete 98 GTP for $1500 (totaled car)

Forget the forged internals, and built engine- the stock bottom end will handle all you can throw at it assuming no mechanical issues, and its tuned right. The other bad thing is, you're going to spend all kinds of money to do a fully built bottom end and it won't make any more power anyways. Certainly a real waste on these cars IMO.

I wouldn't say they 'always' have issues, or 'never' last. I built my bottom end years ago- and it still runs fine (well technically it doesn't run at all right this minute, but that's not at all due to bottom end issues).

 

Yea I just found a full L67 with trans for 2600. So will most likely get that and then build the top end with all the parts I have now. And since I need a trans as well that would work out nice.

 

IMO, that's still insanely high for how old most L67s are. Just flipping through the local craigslist ads, there were 5+ complete, running GTPs in that price range (granted all at 100k miles or higher).

I did find a part out car for $1500 w/ 63k on it locally too.


Can you give a brief recap of what all you destroyed? If it's just the usual chipped piston- maybe it would be cheaper to just look for a used bottom end and some heads?

 

Dropped a valve and it punched a hole in the piston and chewed up the cylinder wall.

 

Ouch- so I would think at worst, you'd only need a bottom end and 1 head right? I'm just thinking it might save you a bit of money not having to pay for a whole bunch of parts you don't really need (SC, LIM, sensors, engine accessories, etc etc). Either that, or you could do what I did, and just buy a complete car to part out what you don't need to make up the money.

Anyways, I was just browsing what was available real quick for price comparison purposes, and found a few things that are either for sale, or sold recently:

Clubgp
530 whp built L67 with tons of mods, forged pistons, etc for $2k
L67 short block for $300 picked up in NY
Complete L67 drop out from a Regal w 60k miles for $1500 in WI
81k complete running GTP w extra set of slicks, GA brakes, stock parts, etc for $3k obo (actually was just posted yesterday)

On my local craigslist (PHX area) I found a couple things too:
Complete 97 gtp w/ 75k miles for $2000
Complete 00 gtp w/ 91k miles for $3200

If you went the route of just buying a bottom end- you could even switch over to an L36- which would give you 100x more options, then you'd just have to track down one head unless you can fix yours.

 

damn so many options. And yea the head is deff not able to be used. I have a lot more research and decisions to make. It never ends. haha