I am not sure how helpful this will be, but I thought I would post up some info. I started a previous thread where I showed some disturbing cooling system crud that lead to me heating up a motor and blowing the head gasket on my Euro '85 GTS. The cost of rebuilding my engine is literally about half the cost of getting a reasonably sorted QV. So, looking into alternatives, I decided to insert a used engine and rebuild my engine later. Looking around I found 308 and 328 motors in various states of repair ranging in price from about $5K - 15K. I settled on a partially rebuild 328 with about 50K miles prior to partial rebuild. Cost me about $5.5K with shipping for those looking. All work done at Apex Vintage, because I am not near handy enough to tackle this project. The only partial issue with this conversion is "minor" modification to the 308 oil cooler. Otherwise, all my peripherals/accessories just bolt right on. I decided to "detail" the engine bay and motor while everything was out. I do not actually have the car, but hope to get it in a couple weeks. I will post up the pictures below in sequence.
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308 motor in car, out of car. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
dirty as expected Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
"Detailing" Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
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Not quite finished, but almost there. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
So I have converted a 308 to a 328 motor without much fuss, and I cleaned up the motor to look "purty." My only question is what do I have? Is it a 328 light, 308 enhanced, a 318..... Whatever the answer, I think it is the best of both worlds, 328 motor with beauty of the 308. For those curious, yes, I am keeping the original motor, and I will be rebuilding it, just not right now.
Very cool. I was going to say 318 but I think it deserves to keep the 308 name with a little something extra -- how about 308xl
Did you use the 328 gearbox also? I am intersted in the conversion, and would like to know if the gear ratios in the 328 are more "U.S. roadable" in the 328, especially as pertains to the big jump from 4th to 5th gear. TN
Wondering if a carb conversion would be doable, I guess more specifically whether the manifolds for a 3.0L QV conversion would work? If so to me this would be the 'ultimate' 308. Recently we had a thread on that Carobu 3.5 liter powered 308, with a 360 crank, and still retaining the Bosch CIS. Several folks touted it as the 'ultimate' 308. I guess if you were in an emissions state that would indeed be the case, but buying a 3.2L 328 motor for $5500, a 4 sets of DCNF carbs for maybe around $1000, manifold (if it works) $1500, all in you are looking at maybe around $8000. That 3.5L motor would probably cost upwards of $25,000. The 3.5L motor dynoed at 302hp,..... a carbed 3.2L would probably come pretty darned close to that figure. So many people come on here wanting a 300hp 308. I bet you this could be the most affordable means to that end with a naturally aspirated motor.
You still have a 308 interior, exterior, etc. I'd say you've got a QV, "bored out" for an extra 200cc. There weren't all that many differences between a QV and a 328 mill. It's the rest of the car where major changes happened. (Coachwork, interior, wiring, heater controls, etc.) You might want to look at the differences in radiators between your Euro and a 328, to make sure you can cool the larger lump.
The only noticeable difference between the 308 and 328 in this aspect I'd say would be the radiator. Is the original rad up to the task?
Thanks for the heads up. I will keep a close eye on the temp gauge. I had them open up and clean out the 308 radiator, so it is as close to new as possible.
I would just throw on a Forza supercharger, and not mess around too much. The other option is the 928 kit. Apex Vintage seemed to think Forza was the better choice when I was considering adding it to my 328 install. Yes, that would have meant a 308 with a 328SC! I didn't have the stones to go for it.
I agree! Bravo! Excellent idea to keep original motor. If I had a 308 I would seriously consider to do the same! Looking forward to read your impressions about the performance increase! Was there some pictures posted here on Fchat about a 308 or 328 with a F355 engine?
Yes, a 308 with a 355 eng/trans/subframe. Another f-chatter is working on mating a 360 engine to a 308 trans. I think Atlantaman did a 328 to 308 trans as well...I think. It seems everybody is swapping engines in their 308 these days This you look very nicely done!
