348 Engine Build Hypothetical

So if one was to rebuild a F348 engine with end goal of increasing power output to 350-400hp range how difficult would this be and what would be necessary? Just was wondering what would take to bring up power level, if even capable of reaching those levels starting with a 348 motor. Would it be easier to do a motor swap for say a 360 engine?

 

Yes.

 

think turbo would be the only way you get there without massive modifications

 

Without messing with bore/stroke you could increase compression ratio, fabricate a freer flowing intake system, same for the exhaust, increase the redline and tune via aftermarket stand alone engine management.

No garuntees but you could get darn close.

 

I'm just guessing that an engine swap would be easier. A 355 power plant should suit your goals and I believe it's been done before

 

Ernie should weigh in because we have already thought down these lines. You need to spin the engine higher because that is where the HP really resides. All the other stuff we are doing is chipping away at the edges, so to speak.

A light turbo (5+ lbs) is the single easiest way to get that output. It will take some plumbing, a single turbo (you really don't need 2 for this) and some added fuel. You can do that either by adding an injector in the mix - we were thinking at the TB on a plate - or upgrade your injectors to higher output. Next will be intake management since our Motronics would probably be out of the range. Or not. Goth and I keep bantering this about. You can run rich or add an aftermarket knock sensor to defend against detonation.

The only problem with spinning the engine is all the other stuff to make sure it doesn't grenade. Cams, valve train, e.g. The lower end is pretty solid.

All possible depending on your budget. No one has really come up with a rebuild kit for the 3.4 engine like the 3.0 and 3.2 motors - yet. It would be cool to come up with a 4.0 liter version with larger valves that spins to 8500 and see the result.

As for a 355 swap, well the cost of the work is easily more than selling your 348 and buying a 355.

 

I think I'm gonna pass on this one.

 

Chicken.

 

Not chicken.

But I don't feel like talking about modifications in a hypothetical thread that won't get done.

 

550BHP for £40k or £35k depending on wich advert you choose??!! LOL

Ferrari 348 TS Koenig Twin Turbo Supercar F40 355 328 308 512 Testrossa | eBay

FERRARI 348 TS F48 KOENIG TWIN TURBO For Sale (1990) on Car And Classic UK [C341863]

Someone should buy it and put the bodywork back to stock

 

What kind of budget are you working with?
In what shape is the engine? Does it need new bores and pistons? Valves? Springs?
Are you in good company with an excellent fabricator?
Are you friends with someone who owns a machine shop?
Can you afford to throw Titanium con rods at the problem and rebalance the crank?

I don't think a 360 engine will fit under the bonnet without some fiddling.

 

I can let you know in a month or so. Ive taken mine to a specialist here in CZ. How they work is they take the engine out and measure and test everything, then they come back with a full quote on what they believe needs to be done to reach what goal I would like. Im aiming for around 400-420hp without a turbo. So just of last week my 348 is sitting in my garage without the engine in it. Im doing a full modification on the car. First the motor, then suspension, brakes are already done, then interior and new paint. I want the full standard look(which I love) and a beast inside.

As for the 360 engine swap. I looked into this at first, thought it would be the easiest and cheapest way, truth is the engines are not so cheap(must include the gearbox too) and from the advice that I got from people that it just does not fit. Huge modifications to the chassis need to be done as its just to long and adding new bracket mounts. I did not want to be the first to do something. So....... modding the engine sounded more easy.

Either way its going to cost a mint......

 

Hi Zakeen,I'm also from the Czech republic and I wan't to upgrade my Engine too.I have 348 from 1989 with old Motronic 2.5.Could you help me?Where are you located???I can send you my Phone Number.Thank you

 

Assuming you leave the displacement alone, 420hp is 120hp per liter. Other than nitrous or turbos I don't see you getting anywhere near that with a 348 motor. Even just getting 100hp/L will take some doing. To get there in the 355 required some significant re-engineering.

Would probably be more cost effective to buy a 355 and swap the body panels to make it back into a 348. Pro tip: Don't do that.

 

Cheapest and easiest way to get 400bhp plus

1. New camshafts
2. Jenvey throttle bodies
3. Motec or similar

It's been done and it will let your 348 keep up with 360 Challenge Stradales.

 

I agree, the first step should be Motec or similar with good wide band O2 sensors. I think that we can get more power out of the 348 and better fuel economy. I understand that our engines are two 1.7L four cylinders strapped together being controlled by two separate ECUs that do not talk together. Without sharing engine sensor information and without coordination, the engine, does not operate at its optimum performance….

 

Update to my comments previous: For a US car we really need a few tweeks to get near 400 HP. Free up the exhaust and intake as much as you can - free flow exhaust and cats, and bore the throttle bodies and runners. Larger valves - not too much because there isn't that much room in the heads. Then new programming of the ECU to optimize the enhancements and get higher revs (about 500).

I have just outlined my enhancement program. Saving money for the head work. Eric is well underway on the chips.

340 HP should be easily attainable. I am at 330 now plus or minus. My target is about 360. To get 400+ HP I think you need all this and Angelis' mods. 120 HP per liter normally aspirated is "on the edge" technology. Tough to do with a 30-year old engine design.

 

Sell it and buy a 360. Done.

 

I think you need to choose if you want a big number or want to be faster?? There is a big difference... if you want to be faster, put a 355 6 sp in it, i believe the gearing is a lot better and it will be faster... if you want a big number... you can always do like everyone else on the internet and lie ... it saves alot of money bin the pocket book..haha

 

Chris, don't listen to the most here.....nothing wrong with old-school-tuning!
I hate turbo-tuning. That's the easy way.....listen to Angelis, go find out British tuning (Lotus-like), or BMW-tuning (M-models).

 

Ferrari did the work for you on the 355, get a motor from one of them, no need to reinvent the wheel. It'll be cheaper and guaranteed to give you 380hp. 360 motor would be a lot more difficult due to the switch from transverse to longitudinal gearbox.

 

Don't waste your money. The 348 is a wonderful car as it is. Drive and enjoy it. Spend the 40k it would cost you to hot rod the Ferrari on a Z06 vette and go have fun with that. You can blow it up and fix it every year for what it would cost to repair a broken hot rodded Ferrari once.

There is no replacement for displacement.

 

Sure there is: long rectangular dollars

 

I'm finding this thread to be one of the most entertaining I've seen in a long while. Heh. Open mic night on FChat!

 

That statement is not really true any more though is it? - Smaller capacity turbo engines with combined hybrid electric systems can easily match, and better, large displacement engines today!

The Era of big displacement engines is fast drawing to a close! - They are automotive dinosaurs and automotive Evolution (pushed on by emissions legislation!), is starting to make them extinct!