Stage 1 3.8 turbo block

[007gn]

Hello everyone my question is what's the difference between the stage1 3.8 & the stage2 3.8 both blocks being off- center blocks . I did notice that the stage1 just has 2 center steel main caps . & also would the 3.8 stage1 block be a better/ stronger platform to build on than a production 4.1 block.

 

[fastblackracing]

Normally the difference between stage 1 and stage 2 is the stage 1 has
the oil pickup mounting boss and passage in the same location as regular
production blocks.

The stage 2 has the oil pickup hole and mount relocated
to the front corner of the block and you then have to make a custom oil pickup
to work in the stage 2.

Depending on when the block was made the main caps changed,
later in the production run they were made with more Steel caps....

the early ones only the center 2 caps were steel...the outer caps were cast...
and later the front and rear were upgraded to the outer cap made out of steel
also IIRC.

012 blocks were 3.8 liter
016 blocks were 4.1 liter
then you have 153 blocks that were the best heavy duty ones,
as the outer main caps were also cross bolted and have to have
external oil lines.
There are other differences as well

 

[Mike Licht]

the stage block is stronger than a production blaock and can be drilled for the extra head bolts if this has no already been done. stage 2 is as described above

 

[forcefed3.8's]

Stage 1 has stronger main webbing, thicker decks, but recieved 8 bolt heads, can be drilled for 14, and production 2 bolt mains, but can be machined for 4 bolts, or you can use 2 bolt billet mains. It is stronger than a production engine. As with a production engine, I would recommend getting the cylinders sonic tested, any off center block should be imo.