I just bought a 90 iroc with 72k miles on it and it looks great. I really want to put a buick engine in this car and i know it can be done but what real pain in the *** problems will i encounter. I'm sure someone makes some of the parts that are f-body specific to swaping these motors that are discontinued from GM but who? I plan to build the motor to about 500hp and am possibly thinking about maybe even placing the 6 spd in the car but what would i need to make it mate up with the motor? flywheel and clutch considerations? I'm in my research stage of this project so all information is appreciated. I will be doing all the work and plan on driving it daily.
Thanks
BT

 

The factory had already been there and done that. It's called a 89 Turbo TA.

The GN heads won't fit if you want to retain your AC. The right exhaust is extremely difficult to come by. Of course, if you want to put a non-turbo Buick V6 in it and just go slower than every other car on the road, I guess that's OK too; but most people seem to be interested in fabbing a TTA.

They didn't come with manual trans, only autos. Turbos don't work very well with manual trans because of the drop in tubo RPM between gears. Teh subject has been beaten to death on this board and the turbo Buick boards, and teh results are there to prove it.

Good luck!!!

 

I know that they made the turbo ta but i have not desired to pay some lunatic 13k+ for and damn 15year old car that i feel i could make myself for about half the price. The drop in boost in the manual tranny cars with a turbo is true, but if the turbo isn't to big and ceramic bearings are used the drop can be minimized nd if you powershift the car boost lost is virtually non existant(done it in built supras and 300zxs). Which heads must be used so that A/C can be used? Are they specific to the turbo TA? Will some of the aftermarket heads work instead? I'm sure this won't be easy, but the motor is the only problem. The tranny and everything else will work just fine and the only thing i will have to purchase will be the motor. And no i WILL NOT do a nonturbo V6!!

 

Two guys on this board that have done it, fly89ta & TTA850, talk to them they are the experts. I wouldn't use a 6 speed, been done before (by Pontiac), doesn't work. These engines only make power to 5k anyway, so no need to rev the **** out of them like a supra,rx-7, etc. And if you absolutely have to have the AC unit, you'll need the TTA heads. And that right side (passanger) header, that is hard to come by that RB83L69 mentioned. I have one for sale.

 

Thanks. Thats the kinda information i've been lookin for. The heads you say have to be the TTA heads, right. Well then how hard are these heads to come by and how much do people gennerally get for them? And i would buy that header but right now i'm kinda strapped. How much would you want though for future referance?
Thanks
BT

 

Heads are not TTA specific, can be found in bone yard, just need correct serial #, do a search on Turbobuick.com should turn up some #'s
As far as price. Last SET I saw for sale was for $600. So there not cheap.

 

Heads that have been used in the swap successfully have come from a 89 Buick LeSabre 3.8L

 

Unless you use an adapter, your existing auto or an 6 speed won't bolt up. Plus, I doubt any off the shelf flywheel will work either. If you want OD, build a 2004R for it.