Originally posted by bnoon:
If you want a mild boosted 3 liter, you can still do it by using the pre'01 heads by swapping an electric water pump. Buying an older block and the electric water pump will be cheaper in most instances than buying a '01 complete assembly. Not only will it be cheaper, but you'd get the added performance of removing the water pump AND the added reliability of such a unit over the factory troublesome piece.
Although I think the electric waterpump idea is fine, I question the added performance value. I'm no 3L swap expert (not yet), but I know it still takes work to generate the power to run an electric water pump. Only difference is it loads the alternator more. I run my stereo at high volume, and when I'm decelerating I can feel the drag increase from the alternator load when the bass hits.
I assume the work would just be "channeled" through the already overtaxed alternator.
I'd prefer to use the waterpump's current configuration, but then I want to build a N/A vehicle anyway (with NOS) so the 2.5L heads are what I am looking at. I am just worried about those sealing issues. I will probably have it welded, or weld it myself and have it decked if needed.
Any more good information on why it needs decked? Why not just weld some plugs into the block and not worry about it? Just make sure not to raise the temp of the block too much and keep the welds inside or down lower into the recessed passages. Then if you filled with jb weld it wouldn't matter at all.
warmonger
