3.0 litre engine swap with 3.3 litre

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.