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My 3.5L EPIC waste of time!!! Why not!

52K views 317 replies 28 participants last post by  reefstar 
#1 · (Edited)
***Edit: join our FB group for 3.5 performance Log into Facebook
My goal with this post is to build the 3.5L engine using as many "off the shelf" and OEM parts as possible while staying naturally aspirated (no boost) while mixing in some of my own elbow grease and ideas at the same time, so that other 3.5L owners can do the same. The 3.5L is a great power plant to work with, and I'd like to see more people do it! The more people that do, well, the more parts will become available. Questions are welcomed!!! ***

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So, I know many of you are gonna say why do all this to a 3.5L ... well that's a good question. But anyway,,,
I thought I drop a photo of where I am. I've ported the heads, and have the 4.0L cams ready to go in.. and other things

But before I put her back together, I'm gonna dress it up. Here's a photo getting the top end ready to paint. It's gonna be gold, a tribute to the early 300 engine colors.

I've also already gotten the timing belt housing chromed. So it's gonna say a big HELLO when you open the hood instead of the nasty hunk of weathered aluminum. If anyone is interested I'll post more pics and results as I go along.

 
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#298 ·
It just feels like either stock or especially with cam and forged pistons, you're engineering a bottleneck in that supercharger. Which was evidently super cheap. But any old procharger or torqstorm would be capable of 700+ hp and on the engine you're describing you could likely pull that off.
 
#302 ·
You may be 100% right. But 700hp isn't my goal (this time).

Like I said, I'm trying to use an easy to find, inexpensive SC (and Eaton is reliable as well).

If I push 400hp, that would be awesome. Keep in mind I have a 4 speed in the car, and going much over 400hp could create transmission issues. Don't want to go there. (But I have a plan for that as well if needed).

If I need more boost, I can look into smaller pulleys etc.

I'd love to see some of the 3800 research you've found.
 
#301 · (Edited)
LOL. The SC isn't going on this engine (the good one). It's going on the Magnum engine swap. (I bought it with a seized 2.7). And this engine will be Plum Crazy(the color).

I may actually need to install 2 Right valve covers, that way it will be cleaner to rotate the coils around to make more clearance for the SC to fit. I can run the wires from the harness into the coils from the outside in.

Oh, and yes I may need to track down shorter nose. Otherwise I will 90 off of the back of the SC into the TB.
 
#309 · (Edited)
The engine runs great and is getting stronger each time I drive it. I had a few minor leaks in the plenum that I had to find and fix, but no big deal.

Still getting the 'break in' mileage on it. But my sense is that it is running lean, so I'm not taking it out for long drives until I get the tuning done. So it's kinda of a catch 22. LOL

I will say this though, I already did a 7.1 sec 0-60 with no tune and not broken in. That's 1.3 seconds faster than stock. I think low 6 second times is no problem.

The bottom end is very strong. Punch it at 30mph and it puts your head right into the headrest.

The top end seems to not pull as hard as it should. Don't get me wrong, it pulls good, but I know there's more there that will come with tuning.

Also as I drive it, I've noticed the exhaust note gets deeper and deeper which is a bonus.

So, I'm working on a couple of performance mods which I will be offering. 1 is a port sharing kit. The OEM intake ports are too small for the 3.5L engine, so I've got a simple kit that will be a direct bolt on to fix that. 2 I'm building a direct bolt on kit to install the 74mm throttle body.

Currently I am building a 4.0L for my magnum 2.7 swap. This engine will have allot of head work done to it. My goal is to get as close to the 100hp per L as I can.

With the 3.5 I specifically wanted to build the engine with "off the shelf" parts. The 4.0 will be much more custom.

I also just started a FB group and I hope to get more performance minded 3.2, 3.5 and 4.0 people involved there. Log into Facebook | Facebook so that we can start building the parts that have been ignored for too long. If the link doesn't work just a Facebook search for "Mopar 3.5".

Here's where it is right now.
 
#311 · (Edited)
Great build.... Good like with you mods your making for the 6 banger community.
I think the key is to build the engine for what IT is.

If we didn't, there would be no kart racing, or outlaw racing etc etc.

I've never ever wanted my 3.5 to be a Hemi, and when someone says "you should have bought a 5.7" then I'll just say, well, you should have bought a 6.1, or 6.4, or Hellcat or Demon, or Viper ACR, or top fuel dragster…. Where does it end? Those comments are only intended to discourage someone.

If you have an interest in building an engine, you don't need to fit into someone else's classification, and if your a true wrench turner… it should be fun to encourage and help other people with the same mindset. Just make sure you're starting with a platform that can handle the mods you want to do. 4 bolt mains and forged internals, I think the 3.5 is a great platform to have fun with!

I've appreciated your comments and input. Come join the FB page, I'll approve you. Log in to Facebook
 
#317 ·
Yes, They are at the glass guy right now.
I haven't finished the front one yet (shown in the pic), but the front one will only fit the 300.
The passenger side should fit all LX models, and the drivers side will fit any with the square air filter box.
If you have the air box that's angled, I will be making that one soon.

 
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