Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I have a 1987 Gen 1 Paj wagon with a 2.6 litre petrol and 4 speed auto. I want to upgrade to a 3.0 litre V6. Will this engine bolt up to my auto trans ok ?. And will my computer recognize the V6 ?.
Cheers
Tony

being a gen 1 2.6 u won't have a computer, but the new engine will have a wiring loom and fuel injection computer, i'm not sure if it will bolt up but there will be alot of electrical work involved.

If you're gonna swap the 4 for a V6, the Paj 3.0 isn't worth the hassles. Spend the money upgrading the 2.6 and you can have as good (or better) performance, better fuel economy and none of the registration or insurance hassles.

Rebuild the 2.6 with more compression, a little head work, add Magna fuel injection, mild cam, decent exhaust and you're in front - power, economy and $$$. You can even keep the same engine block, to help ease the minds of the bureaucrats.

If you insist on a V6 swap, go a Commodore EcoTec V6 - more power than the 24V 3.0 (from the Challenger/Magna) and much better bottom end torque - after all, we are talking about 4wds.

id say no to all the above.

id suggest getting a front cut with the 3.0v6 so u have the mounts, loom, box, ecu.

*rubs hands together, fight fight fight!!!*

when i said no to the above, i meant to the original poster, not the other people.

when i posted nobody elses responses popped up.

sorry if people read it as if i was conflicting their opinion

-Scott- wrote:If you're gonna swap the 4 for a V6, the Paj 3.0 isn't worth the hassles. Spend the money upgrading the 2.6 and you can have as good (or better) performance, better fuel economy and none of the registration or insurance hassles.

I drink to this
The 2.6L responses to every known performance upgrading trick. A point to consider is the condition of the 3.0V6. If it is from Gen 1 you better forget it. Sooner or later a rebuild will be needed. Scott's suggestion is better: a rebuilded engine with a good performance and less $$$. What do you say?

Thanks for the responses it is very interesting reading. I like the idea of rebuilding the 2.6 for more power because it has been very reliable. Can any one give me a detailed list on specs for the rebuild and I have read the threads on here regarding magna fuel injection and it seems fairly straight forward.
Thanks again
Tony

As Scott said you need to do some work with engine's head. Find a qualified shop to do it and go for lower compression (let's say 9.5:1). An improovement on the head itself can be done but the result is highly depends on the technician's skills. I believe in Australia is easy to do it. There are so many companies for engine tuning...
Also a mild cam is needed. I checked this before you, a year ago, and i found this as the best solution (keeping the low end is essential)

http://www.crowcams.com.au/templates/Ca ... -OHC.shtml
the part No 107704 is what you need. Check with Crow Cams that is ok for your engine model.
A 2" exhaust would be fine. IF you can afford the money i would suggest to go for an after market ECU. It will help you get all the performance gain from your new goodies. A new engine managment map will give you some hp and better response because the Astron engines are VERY conservatively tuned, so the improovent is great here. The best in this option is that you can keep the ECU for future plans (supercharger, turbo, etc.) All you need then is the charger and hoses and the 2.6L becomes a wild beast that kills every 3.0L V6 ( i have done that ) We are talking for about 200 hp, he,he,he....

constapa wrote:

-Scott- wrote:If you're gonna swap the 4 for a V6, the Paj 3.0 isn't worth the hassles. Spend the money upgrading the 2.6 and you can have as good (or better) performance, better fuel economy and none of the registration or insurance hassles.

I drink to this

OK! Any excuse will do!

constapa wrote:As Scott said you need to do some work with engine's head. Find a qualified shop to do it and go for lower compression (let's say 9.5:1). An improovement on the head itself can be done but the result is highly depends on the technician's skills. I believe in Australia is easy to do it. There are so many companies for engine tuning...
Also a mild cam is needed. I checked this before you, a year ago, and i found this as the best solution (keeping the low end is essential)

http://www.crowcams.com.au/templates/Ca ... -OHC.shtml
the part No 107704 is what you need. Check with Crow Cams that is ok for your engine model.
A 2" exhaust would be fine. IF you can afford the money i would suggest to go for an after market ECU. It will help you get all the performance gain from your new goodies. A new engine managment map will give you some hp and better response because the Astron engines are VERY conservatively tuned, so the improovent is great here. The best in this option is that you can keep the ECU for future plans (supercharger, turbo, etc.) All you need then is the charger and hoses and the 2.6L becomes a wild beast that kills every 3.0L V6 ( i have done that ) We are talking for about 200 hp, he,he,he....

Now your talkin boys bring on the grunt ye ha
Cheers
Tony

If you proceed with the rebuild don't forget to remove the balance shafts. You will have some slight vibrations that can be removed if you "balance" the crancshaft itshelf... Much better throttle response with this. It's a must
Go on mate! You're in the path of the light

constapa wrote:As Scott said you need to do some work with engine's head. Find a qualified shop to do it and go for lower compression (let's say 9.5:1). An improovement on the head itself can be done but the result is highly depends on the technician's skills. I believe in Australia is easy to do it. There are so many companies for engine tuning...
Also a mild cam is needed. I checked this before you, a year ago, and i found this as the best solution (keeping the low end is essential)

http://www.crowcams.com.au/templates/Ca ... -OHC.shtml
the part No 107704 is what you need. Check with Crow Cams that is ok for your engine model.
A 2" exhaust would be fine. IF you can afford the money i would suggest to go for an after market ECU. It will help you get all the performance gain from your new goodies. A new engine managment map will give you some hp and better response because the Astron engines are VERY conservatively tuned, so the improovent is great here. The best in this option is that you can keep the ECU for future plans (supercharger, turbo, etc.) All you need then is the charger and hoses and the 2.6L becomes a wild beast that kills every 3.0L V6 ( i have done that ) We are talking for about 200 hp, he,he,he....

What ECU would you recommend I use ? I like the sound of a supercharger will the ECU operate with a supercharger
Cheers
Tony

I used this:
http://kms.vankronenburg.nl/index2.html the model ECU MP25 at the price list tab,
but since it is a Dutch product i don't know if you can find it there...
Anyway don't get attracted from features like ''knock sensors'' etc. You need something simple and -the most important- distributor that knows the unit that he sells very well. Stay away from Ecu's like MOTEC. Too much $$$ without anything really special for the use that you have in mind. Be sure that anything you choose must interface with the parts of the Magna EFI (water temp, air temp, throttle position, distributor). If you decide it don't buy the Air flow meter from Magna. You better buy a MAP sensor. Personally, i changed everything I threw away the old distributor and i bought one from the link above - latest technology . Also MAP sensor, air & water temp sensors, idle control unit and wiring loom. I got mad at that time .
You don't have to get mad also . Find the ECU, check the prices and we can discuss the rest...
Cheers

bananabenda wrote: will the ECU operate with a supercharger
Cheers
Tony

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!! With a supercharger, a turbocharger, a naturally aspirated engine -everything. It's not a simple upgrade, it's an investment because you can keep it for future cars.

constapa wrote:

bananabenda wrote: will the ECU operate with a supercharger
Cheers
Tony

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!! With a supercharger, a turbocharger, a naturally aspirated engine -everything. It's not a simple upgrade, it's an investment because you can keep it for future cars.

Thanks for your help so far with my project. I will use this info to chase up some prices etc.