How to push the highest numbers on an NA 3.8L Ecotec

[Lachlan211]

I've got a plan for in a few years time when I've got the money saved up to push my engine to its absolute limits. Please don't say "jusT PuT a V8 inTo iT" or "tuRbO SWAp BRooOo" because I love the ecotec and am just curious to see how much I could push before breaking it. I'd be willing to basically change anything short of the block; it obviously just means I'd have to wait even longer. Has anyone got any ideas of the brands I should go for and what is worth replacing to make as much power as ecotec-ly possible; thanks

 

[losh1971]

NA you "might" be able to get 170kw but it a very big might, and would be a very expensive exercise, requiring a full rebuild (budget $7k+).. I know you don't want to hear it but the only way to get these above 200kw is boost.

 

[ephect]

4.2 stroker for a start, and then go from there. Lighter pistons and rods, head work, different manifold or custom. Wallet's the limit.

But please ask yourself why before you start: are you doing it because you want to or are you chasing numbers? Also do you care about street manners because something grumpy af won't have good manners.

 

[Pollushon]

A few years time, when you've got the money saved up? LOL. You'll totally reconsider assuming you worked hard for every cent. You'll pay a million bucks a kilowatt N/A then break it, end up back at square one. The only economical way to make decent numbers on an Eco is to boost it, blow it up, then spend 500 bucks and a weekend swapping it out

The Eco is the medium not the project

 

[MrBags]

I don’t reckon you will have the same mindset in a few years.

 

[Immortality]

Fairly sure 200kw has been done n/a on a ecotec.

 

[losh1971]

Fairly sure 200kw has been done n/a on a ecotec.

How did they achieve that? I thought even stroking won't achieve 200kw NA.. A Raptor side mount with a few bolt-ons only gets about 210kw.
As you know a stock 304 only gets about 140kw.

 

[Immortality]

Cam, compression and lots of revs.

It's only money.

 

[Lex]

Fairly sure 200kw has been done n/a on a ecotec.

I know a guy, who used to be a race engine builder. A couple of years ago, he thought he could build a 3.8 eco with a 300 maybe 350 hp or kw?
Whether he could, dont know.

 

[Lex]

Cam, compression and lots of revs.

It's only money.

And knowhow. Its called experience.

Me l haven't got a clue?