Milano Mod's 2.5 2.8 & 3.0

[RonHorowitz <RonHorowitz@domain.elided>]

>3.0 engines are so cheap and so available that I'd just buy one before
>going the "machine the block" route to build a 2.8.

If you need to talk about bang-for-the-buck and what things cost, IMO, this
advice is dead on the money.

>If you really want a
>2.8 (and they're supposed to be really nice super-free-revving engines),

Kind of like a 2.5, only more.

>you can make one by putting your 2.5 crank in a used 3.0 engine.  You can
>use solid all-factory parts to do this, build the whole thing in your
>garage, and don't have to fork out for the machine work to adapt the
>3.0 liners and to the 2.5 block.

I've never tried it, but if you say so. I suspect the connecting rod length
might be "wrong," though. Anyway, it might be a cheaper alternative.
Anybody done this? What were the CR and compression height? Curious....

> > Are there any other piston choices available off the shelf

The stock piston design isn't really all that great. If you're thinking of
building a fancy-pants motor, you can do better with custom-made pistons
and rods, but it's not an "off the shelf" sort of deal.

> > The thought of shaving the heads for the sole purpose of increasing
> > compression does not really appeal to me that much.

IMO, you can do a better job of raising compression with piston design, or
if you've got the bucks, you could really do a number by lowering the
combustion chambers.

> > Emission requirements here are not too much of a concern, although the
> > catalytic converter needs to be retained for a 'visual' inspection.

If you get the engine to run better, the emissions should be lower. (Not
really talking about stupid cam timing or "fattening" the hell out of the
thing.)

Also, if you don't have to worry about smog-nazis (or your wallet,) have
you thought of supercharging the 2.5? No "off-the-shelf kit" is available,
and it would be expensive.... Just a thought.
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