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[markrnorton]

General question here as i am newish to Vauxhalls V6's

What the most power a 3.2 has produced in normally aspirated form ?

Has anybody on here tuned one ? are they tune-able ?

[TheBoy]

Always hard to say. Rolling roads are notoriously set for "Bragging Rights" rather than accuracy, so needs a before/after on the same equipment.

Not masses of options to tune, not many remappers around. Other than remap, not much gain to be had anywhere else. Using the GM airfilter over the equivilent pattern part helps a little, due to large surface area.

[markrnorton]

I am talking about a full re-build, not just a remap/filter etc

[albitz]

Not much tuning potential really.Bottom end is quite weak,exhaust manifolds restrictive and not a lot of room for replacement free flowing tubular manifolds,Standard intake system designed for a balance of smooth power & torque. Attempts to improve in the standard intake setup invariably result in more noise & less power.

[markrnorton]

So reading into that, scope for better exhaust manifolds, and scope to re-engineer top end intake as well

I thought the bottom end of the 3.2 had a steel crank ? or is that myth ?

[TheBoy]

3.2 manifolds aren't too bad (unlike 3.0). Intake, not sure you'll be finding many gains, as its not restrictive.

Getting the CR back up to that of a 3.0 may bring benefits.


Though, if you are going to that sort of effort, why piss about. Shove a V8 in.

[markrnorton]

V8 is to long for what i need. V6 is compact.
I was just trying to find out if anybody on here had actually done anything.

[markrnorton]

My final aim is circa 300hp, i just wanted to know if it could be done through N/A tuning or whether i would have to use FI.

[Kevin Wood]

It also depends what type of power delivery you need, because there will be a world of difference between NA and FI engines delivering that power.

I don't doubt that it can be achieved, but we're not aware of anyone who has tuned this engine to that extent, so wouldn't be able to answer the all important questions: what needs to be done, how much it will cost and how durable the engine will be at that state of tune.

There is folklore of Courtenay having made a few turbocharged V6s that suffered bottom end failure but not much else to go on. In your position I would probably choose an engine with a more proven track record of having being tuned to that level. It's an expensive business being a trailblazer.

[markrnorton]

I understand what you mean, but development is what i do !!, and the Vaux hall v6 is perfect for the application i need. right size, weight etc.

I looked for ages to find a compact v6 with a manual gearbox, and this was by far the best solution.

Looks like i might be the pioneer on this one then !

Power delivery needs to remain linear, so when i mentioned FI i was referring to a supercharger.
I would prefer to go N/A though to keep the weight down and cooling issues that may/will arise.

[albitz]

Have a chat with Serek.He has done some tuning to the V6,including (iirc) having some nice tubular manifolds made up in Poland.
There may be some trial & error involved,but at least theres a plentiful supply of cheap engines around should things go wrong .

[Kevin Wood]

Ahh. Cooling. Something has been mentioned in the past about replacing the oil cooler cover plate with a blank plate with an additional coolant outlet to the rear to increase flow around the rear cylinders, which can otherwise run too hot on tuned engines. Then use an external oil cooler.

I would say ditch the exhaust manifolds to start with, replace them with tuned tubular manifolds.

If going NA, the compression ratio is a little low on the 3.2. Not sure if you can safely skim the heads enough to bring that up, or find some pistons without the dished combustion chamber. Forged pistons, maybe?

A mappable engine management system.

Bike throttle bodies for induction, perhaps?

Beyond that, suck it and see.

What vehicle is it destined for?

[markrnorton]

I had the same thoughts

Bike TB's
Re-worked heads
Cams
increase CR
remove A/C and PS pumps
Exhausts have to be re-made to fit car
Race cats
Lightweight flywheel
Underdrive ally front pulley
Omex engine management

Its going in a Ginetta hybrid (G33)

[TheBoy]

There is folklore of Courtenay having made a few turbocharged V6s that suffered bottom end failure but not much else to go on. In your position I would probably choose an engine with a more proven track record of having being tuned to that level. It's an expensive business being a trailblazer.

They were 3.0l, not 3.2

I have seen 2, both with that bottom end, horrid noise.

[TheBoy]

Ah, its not for an Omega. That leaves some scope, as you can sacrifice bottom end torque for top end power, without making it undrivable.

Maybe messing with cams, although unsure what is available off the shelf.

A more tunable ECU - Kevin Wood is your man here - might open some options.

Get the CR back up (lowered on 3.2 for emissions) to 3.0l level, or higher (only if NA, not forced). Thinking aloud, with the 3.2 CR being lower, does that open it for Forced air?