3.0 litre engine swap with 3.3 litre

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by jll, Mar 2, 2004.

  1. jll

    jll Guest

    I have a 3.0 l engine in a 1988 mini van. It is burning oil, has deep knocking which likely tells me the bottom end is loose. Low oil pressure at idle and blowing blue smoke. The engine has had it. I would like to replace it with a 3.3 l engine, or should I just go ahead and rebuild the 3 l? What would I have to change if I swapped the 3l with the 3.3 l? I know I would likely have to change the computer too, but what about the exhaust, transmission etc.? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hear that the 3 l is a very poor engine, and that is why I am considering doing this. I would do all the work myself.
     
    jll, Mar 2, 2004
    #1
  2. Transmission and a whole bunch of other stuff. Not recommended.
    It isn't. The early ones have their known issues, but given proper
    maintenance, they last a long time. The 3.3 is better, to be sure, but the
    amount of work and expense involved...!

    DS
     
    Daniel J. Stern, Mar 2, 2004
    #2
  3. jll

    patrick Guest

    I've had a few of these vans. Used them as taxicabs. Don't bother changing
    to the 3.3 (it's a good motor), too much hassle for the small benefit. Look
    at the junkyard for the 3.0 out of a wreck. It's really a mitsubishi motor
    and there are gobs of them out there. Should cost you $300 - $500 for a
    decent motor. I've rebuilt these motors as well, but, it's always worked out
    better with a used motor. If you are good with tools, it's a one day job.
    For the record, I still have one of the 88's running around with over
    500,000 miles on the odometer. All in all, a pretty good car.


    knocking which likely tells me the bottom end is loose. Low oil pressure at
    idle and blowing blue smoke. The engine has had it. I would like to
    replace it with a 3.3 l engine, or should I just go ahead and rebuild the 3
    l? What would I have to change if I swapped the 3l with the 3.3 l? I know
    I would likely have to change the computer too, but what about the exhaust,
    transmission etc.? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hear that the
    3 l is a very poor engine, and that is why I am considering doing this. I
    would do all the work myself.
     
    patrick, Mar 2, 2004
    #3
  4. jll

    jdoe Guest

    It is a poor motor imo but not bad enough to go through all that trouble.
    Why not just unload or scrap it and get one with a 3.3?
    Larry
    knocking which likely tells me the bottom end is loose. Low oil pressure at
    idle and blowing blue smoke. The engine has had it. I would like to
    replace it with a 3.3 l engine, or should I just go ahead and rebuild the 3
    l? What would I have to change if I swapped the 3l with the 3.3 l? I know
    I would likely have to change the computer too, but what about the exhaust,
    transmission etc.? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I hear that the
    3 l is a very poor engine, and that is why I am considering doing this. I
    would do all the work myself.
     
    jdoe, Mar 2, 2004
    #4
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