Doug&Julie

Ultimately I'm going to update my '72 T with a more powerful engine. Originally, I was going to rebuild (or have rebuilt) a 2.4 engine to a 2.7 RS spec engine as I hear they're great motors. While researching, I was told to avoid updating to a 3.0 or 3.2 because the engines are much heavier. Now having driven an '88 as a daily driver, I love the 3.2 and would prefer that engine in the lighter chassis of the '72. But I'm wondering about the weight "gain" of the bigger engine vs. the power advantage and drivablitly advantage? Are the newer engines that much heavier? Will I even notice? I'll be using the car as a frequent (but not quite daily) driver and hopefully and autocrosser and/or hillclimber. (...if I could ever find a hillclimb event here in the midwest!)

Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated.

<img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />

Bill Verburg

I can't help w/the weight of a 2.4 or 2.7 but a dry 3.2 is listed(in the spec book) as 483lbs. I believe that includes AC components

The worst that would happen is that you would want to tweek the suspension w/ bigger t bars and s-bars, which most performance oriented folks want to do anyhoo.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by DougC:
<strong>Ultimately I'm going to update my '72 T with a more powerful engine. Originally, I was going to rebuild (or have rebuilt) a 2.4 engine to a 2.7 RS spec engine as I hear they're great motors. While researching, I was told to avoid updating to a 3.0 or 3.2 because the engines are much heavier. Now having driven an '88 as a daily driver, I love the 3.2 and would prefer that engine in the lighter chassis of the '72. But I'm wondering about the weight "gain" of the bigger engine vs. the power advantage and drivablitly advantage? Are the newer engines that much heavier? Will I even notice? I'll be using the car as a frequent (but not quite daily) driver and hopefully and autocrosser and/or hillclimber. (...if I could ever find a hillclimb event here in the midwest!)

Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated.

<img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Hi Doug:

Not to worry; the weight difference between the mag-cased 2.7's and the 3.0-3.2 engines is in the 25 lb range, all things being equal.

We have installed a good number of 3.2's into those early light cars, and with a proper suspension, they work very well,....

If you do use a 3.2, I would suggest using a late-model aluminum cased 915 tranny as they are FAR stronger and more durable than the one you have.

Doug&Julie

Thanks guys.

Steve, I was looking to buy a "wreck" or "rolled" 3.2 car and use as many parts/pieces as possible in the transplant...engine, trans, gauges, possibly supsension bits depending on damage of donor car... If not, I'll be sure to update the trans.

Thanks again.