V6 power increase

[Matey]

Realistically, for180kw you would be looking at boost.

I'm only looking at 180kw at the flywheel. That's plenty for me.

 

[Matey]

Agreed, I did a cam, head work, roller rockers etc in a V6 years ago and only hit around 165 at the wheels with a pretty agressive tune.

Not worth the thousands worth of time and parts.

What's that at the flywheel. I'm only after around 180kw at the flywheel.

 

[losh1971]

I'd start by fitting the basics, Pacies are a must as is Mace CAI plus a Mace tune or Delcowizzid tune. If wanting to fit a cam you need a re-tune so don't get a memcal at this stage. If going a cam you can do a lot more head work than you can without. I have 1.9 Mace rockers which act a bit like a cam, just not the same duration, so not as much HP. If not going boost try and increase the compression a little. Bigger valves would be nice but I think there is not enough room on a Buick unfortunately. However a decent engine builder can reshape the valves and seats to help. If fitting a cam best to have the cam bearings replaced, they can spin sometimes. Depending on who does the build it can mean removing the engine as it takes specialist equipment to fit the cam bearings and your average garage won't have the gear.

 

[losh1971]

Later this year or early next I am getting a pair of heads upgraded with some valve reshaping and porting. I am saving for new $40k shed or it would actually happen this year.

 

[keith reed]

What's that at the flywheel. I'm only after around 180kw at the flywheel.

You loose or gain about 1/3 so in your case look at about 120 rwkw. New cars such as the newer corvette lose about 15 percent. As an example a VE SS quoted at 270 KW produced 207 at the wheels.

 

[losh1971]

@Matey what is your budget for the engine and trans build? That will determine how far you can go. If it's endless then the sky's the limit.

 

[losh1971]

My mods so far supposedly are meant to be over 35kw at the flywheel. I don't really know what that is meant to feel like under foot. It goes good but it certainly doesn't feel like a powerhouse.

 

[Matey]

@Matey what is your budget for the engine and trans build? That will determine how far you can go. If it's endless then the sky's the limit.

$3-4000

 

[losh1971]

$3-4000

You can do it for $4k if you do all the assembly yourself. I'm at about $4000, which included labour. I am looking at another $2000 roughly if i fit the heads myself, which includes a shift kit an additional $400-500 if i pay someone. If i need a tune i could be looking at another $1000, if it needs dyno tuning.

 

[losh1971]

Just to add $4k so far does not include $280 for SH pacies including blasting, paint and gaskets, $150, memcal, and $250 for the CAI. The former is parts only cost. I fitted these all myself.