I've been toying with the idea of 3 different engine swaps for my 1990 Camaro RS. They are:

• GNX 3.8L turbo
• 4th Gen 3.8L (+twin turbo)
• LT1+4L60E (+supercharger)

I've already posted in the LT1 swap forum and I've already read a couple of topics about the GNX/TTA swap...now its time for the other swap set of questions.

1. Will the 4th gen 3.8L V6 fit a 3rd gen using the stock V8 engine mounts?
2. Would I have to use the 4th gen V6's automatic tranny (don't know what they use) or could I use my 700R4 or a 4L60E?
3. If the answer to the first question is yes OR no, has anyone done this swap or know someone who's done it?

I'm looking for something truely unique. I'm sick and tired of seeing the same old 350/stroker/etc swaps. I want something truely unique and only a handful of people have done.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I believe if you search on "3800" you'll find at least one person who put a 4th gen 3.8 into a 3rd gen.

 

I only found some of the information I needed. I still need some more specifics before I make my decision. I haven't found anyone when I searched that not only attempted the swap but made it run and pass emissions. That seems to be the problem with this swap is the emissions--and since I live in an emissions state it may not be practical to do the swap.

I really really really don't want to do a boring TPI or other V8 swap that everyone and their grandmother has done.

 

Project 85 did this swap into a third gen. He almost had the emissions done and I believe a vehicle fire ended the day.

I'll put up the link if I can find it...

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...3A+85+2.8+bird

 

I take it by his signature/profile that he doesn't have that engine in his bird anymore. I guess I should just PM him and ask some questions then.

Thanks for the info.

 

the fire happended when I was finished hanging the exhaust on the 3.4 swap.

What killed the 3800 III swap was that I didn't have a matching bcm wired in, and the cheapo adaptors to keep the injectors firing stopped working. That just rubbed my rhubarb the wrong way.

When swapping in a 95.5~97 engine harness, procure a 97 PCM. It has the same pin outs as the earlier yrs, but IS programable.



edit: my cardomain page has some good pics of the swap. I also have some floating around dayton f-body.org, camarov6.com, and l67swap.com.

 

I just KNEW there was some weird caviat in there somewhere...

Maybe you'll try it again when you transfer to sunny Florida!!

 

Florida??? I'm going to MD when I get back. GOnna get me a house w/a huge azz garage, so after i get debt free from the minor bills I'll see about doing a full 3400 swap in the camaro & that way it'll be easier to do in the third gens, instead of jsut the head/intake swaps

 

Sounds great!

I am house hunting as well. I am refusing any house we look at unless there is a minimum 2 car garage, and that's for me! The wife will be parking OUTSIDE!

The reason I said Florida is because there is hot rodding 'year round down here! Global warming has got Maryland in a "no driving zone" type of atmoshphere I think!

Or maybe it's global cooling, I can't remember...

Anyway, MacDill has some pretty good stuff here and there's still lots of non-rusted third gens laying around. But whatever; that's what America is all about! You do what you want, brother!

Keep us posted on your 3400 swap. I have already seen the next size up 3500 60* chevy v-6 engines in wrecking yards up north. They are probably in Maryland as well. They were just like the 3400 but bigger so it must be okay!

 

reply #6 edited. it's the 97 pcm (programable) that has the same in outs as teh earlier yrs.