Hot rodding the 3.6 Pentastar

[GreenFish]

So sitting around drinking beer thinking of ideas I came across the Edelbrock Estreet supercharger for the 3.6L Pentastar motor. That got my thinking hmmm???  that would be pretty cool in a first generation 64-66 Barracuda or Valiant. I always appreciate when someone does something out of the box or different. While it certainly wouldnt be a power monster.  The 3.6 from a Challenger is 300hp, with the SC you could be looking at close to 400ph which is at least what you would get from a stock unmodified 3G hemi. Only it would be a lot lighter. Put into a car with turning or road racing in mind it might be pretty cool.

Some obstacles I could see would be controlling the engine but I think that could be solved with a Megasquirt or even a FAST standalone ECU. Same with the transmission. Of course some floor mods would have to be done to get it to fit but that's not big deal.

Anyone care to have a whiskey talk conversation about it?

[1 Wild R/T]

51 views... And this is the first response... Apparently not...

[turbo224]

I like the idea, should be fairly easy to tune it with a megasquirt setup. My next project is going to be something similar. It will be an early A body with a 2.4 SRT4 motor with RWD. 400 hp would be a piece of cake with a Holset turbo and methanol injection. The idea is to build a pretty unique car that is livable as a daily driver and still get 30+ mpg.

[roadman5312]

I like the idea, should be fairly easy to tune it with a megasquirt setup. My next project is going to be something similar. It will be an early A body with a 2.4 SRT4 motor with RWD. 400 hp would be a piece of cake with a Holset turbo and methanol injection. The idea is to build a pretty unique car that is livable as a daily driver and still get 30+ mpg.

                   That sounds interesting, as does the op idea. Not big on the electronics yet, but I'm getting there. Huge horsepower, smaller engines and great gas mileage.  I'm a watchin   

[GreenFish]

one of the biggest questions (for me) is can any other transmission be mated to the 3.6? I think the stock trans would be fine but I dont want an automatic. I suppose you could run some sort of paddle shifter set up to make it interesting. I'd prefer a tremec for a few reasons. It would also simplify things making it a manual

[GreenFish]

I like the idea, should be fairly easy to tune it with a megasquirt setup. My next project is going to be something similar. It will be an early A body with a 2.4 SRT4 motor with RWD. 400 hp would be a piece of cake with a Holset turbo and methanol injection. The idea is to build a pretty unique car that is livable as a daily driver and still get 30+ mpg.

My other consideration would be an A4 engine.
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/la4.html

You can hook up any transmission that you can hook to a small block. Throw a turbo on it and you could make some serious power. My questions for this one is accessories.  Alternators, power steering, also ignition. It doesnt seem to have a distributor

[brandonkuhn]

They do run the NAG 5 speed behind the that engine.  Also using the new 8 speed but no standalone controller for that. Not sure if the FAST or mega squirt would run it or not as it has DOHC and variable valve timing? They are a lot more complicated and probably more expensive than a HEMI.

[GreenFish]

They do run the NAG 5 speed behind the that engine.  Also using the new 8 speed but no standalone controller for that. Not sure if the FAST or mega squirt would run it or not as it has DOHC and variable valve timing? They are a lot more complicated and probably more expensive than a HEMI.

You just wouldnt be able to take advantage of the VVT. however i know megasquirt is developing capabilities for VVT now. As far as price goes they are in everything chrysler makes so they can be had on ebay for about $800. They weigh 90lbs lighter than the previous 3.7 and 3.5 v6 engines.  Have to find out if Megashift will control the NAG transmissions

[tommyg29]

I would bet a big reason they get over 30 mpg out of the 3.6 is that new 8 speed.
My wifes 2012 charger gets 31, which is impressive for a 300 hp v-6 thats about as quick as my cuda

[73restomod]

I think the mega squirt setup would be the cat's meow for engine management. I think the 8 speed automatic transmission would be the nicest option. In an early barracuda, some formula s badges... I like it!

[ntstlgl1970]

You just wouldnt be able to take advantage of the VVT. however i know megasquirt is developing capabilities for VVT now. As far as price goes they are in everything chrysler makes so they can be had on ebay for about $800. They weigh 90lbs lighter than the previous 3.7 and 3.5 v6 engines.  Have to find out if Megashift will control the NAG transmissions

The megashift will run the NAG and probably the 8 speed too, but only if you do the development for it, there is not much (if any) out there in the way of chrysler standalone trans support. If you really plan to go down this road, the man trans would save some headaches. I looked pretty seriously at building a 3.6L for a project I have.

The big decision is whether to run it stock and have to keep ALL of the stock harness, modules etc. (the "simplest"). Keep in mind, you can't just cut out parts you don't want, everything is networked together, you will need to keep everything that is wired to the ECM in any way. Fuse box, any gateways, there is a ton of stuff on the CANBUS network that would have to stay. Ideally you would want everything from a totalled vehicle. If there is a donor vehicle (Wrangler man trans 2wd?) with the 3.6L you would like a wiring diagram for, I might be able to get one for you.

Or doing a stand alone would require you to research most of the control logic (Dual VVT, trigger wheel etc.) yourself. Megasquirt has great support, but more than likely you may be one of very few trying to run one of these engines and Chrysler is the worst when it comes to being open with tuning and component specs.

Some guys will comment that you can make anything work, but it's not an LS swap.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing this, just the opposite, I think an early A body with this engine making good power would be really cool and light!. I'm just trying to illustrate some of the issues you would more than likely have to solve on your own.

Ask questions and read up on MS if you decide to explore that route
msgpio.com (megashift site)
ms3efi.com

[73restomod]

Here's my advise for this project, if you are hardcore on doing this or something similar, look up Shawn Church from fastuun.com (I think that's right). Hey is an EFI guru and runs an online class for tuning cars. There is a series of 5 free startup classes that are free. Followed by a $79 dollar 7 class session that is really informative for the money. After which you can sign up for a $397 dollar series for hardcore tuning and program knowledge. Than there are specific program classes for 150-60 bucks each. I would go thru at least the 7 class session and than decide if this project is to much for you.

No I'm not advertising for him, but the classes are very good, and should help most people who want to tackle a project like this.

[GreenFish]

The megashift will run the NAG and probably the 8 speed too, but only if you do the development for it, there is not much (if any) out there in the way of chrysler standalone trans support. If you really plan to go down this road, the man trans would save some headaches. I looked pretty seriously at building a 3.6L for a project I have.

The big decision is whether to run it stock and have to keep ALL of the stock harness, modules etc. (the "simplest"). Keep in mind, you can't just cut out parts you don't want, everything is networked together, you will need to keep everything that is wired to the ECM in any way. Fuse box, any gateways, there is a ton of stuff on the CANBUS network that would have to stay. Ideally you would want everything from a totalled vehicle. If there is a donor vehicle (Wrangler man trans 2wd?) with the 3.6L you would like a wiring diagram for, I might be able to get one for you.

Or doing a stand alone would require you to research most of the control logic (Dual VVT, trigger wheel etc.) yourself. Megasquirt has great support, but more than likely you may be one of very few trying to run one of these engines and Chrysler is the worst when it comes to being open with tuning and component specs.

Some guys will comment that you can make anything work, but it's not an LS swap.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing this, just the opposite, I think an early A body with this engine making good power would be really cool and light!. I'm just trying to illustrate some of the issues you would more than likely have to solve on your own.

Ask questions and read up on MS if you decide to explore that route
msgpio.com (megashift site)
ms3efi.com

You make a lot of valid points. It would probably be easier to machine an adapter for a Tremec to go on a 3.6 than try and develop the program for the 8 speed megashift, or try and convert all the stock stuff from a donor car. Controlling the engine would likely be easier since there is more development. Its just an engine and as long as you can control the fuel, and spark it should be doable

[GoodysGotaCuda]

There are always people that have a drive to just do something different, but more times than not it ends up more expensive, lower performing, takes longer and the investment hardly as any sort of return on the other end when compared to the mainstream standard.  If you are okay with all of that, go for it. But do consider it'll likely end up costing more, being slower, taking longer, less reliable and the resale of a V6-swapped Muscle Car is not going to be even close to what you value it as.

Just my 2cents. 

[1 Wild R/T]

There are always people that have a drive to just do something different, but more times than not it ends up more expensive, lower performing, takes longer and the investment hardly as any sort of return on the other end when compared to the mainstream standard.  If you are okay with all of that, go for it. But do consider it'll likely end up costing more, being slower, taking longer, ess reliable and the resale of a V6-swapped Muscle Car is not going to be even close to what you value it as.

Just my 2cents.

This man gets it....   Pretty smart for a young whipper snapper...