Right now the Camaro has a 2.8 auto in it. I thougt about swapping in a 3.8 next summer from a 4th gen. I sure someone has done it before and its as involved as a V8 swap. I'd like to swap one in since they can make some pretty decent power and get pretty good gas mileage. They have a much better aftermarket than the 2.8 also. Anyone have any thought on the swap? On the list would be the motor, tranny, wiring/pcm, maybe radiator. I am pretty sure that the stock DS and tranny crossmember would work. Modification of the oilpan and motor mount location?

 

You asked for thoughts, so here are mine.

It is a complete waste of time, money and effort.

For the same amount of money you could swap in a TPI motor, with a bit of a tune you can achieve the same MPG as the 3.8

As for the aftermarket the SBC is second to none. Everything is cheaper. Not just performance.

Gaskets, water pumps, alternators etc.

I know alot of people try to complete this kind of feat to be different, but the only thing people do is become disappointed.

If you are dead set on this, I am sure we could all give you a hand on doing this. I just wanted you to think about it.

 

Right now its just a thought, haven't really planned anything. I know that there would be alot of little stuff that I can't predict and will run into. Its all constructive criticism so keep it comming.

 

You don't have to change the transmission to use a 3800II It uses your current small corporate pattern (aka metric pattern). The Buick 3.8 and the SBC will require a tranny change.

 

I know they interchange. Aren't the 3.8 trannys electronically shifted? Maybe not. That's what I was thinking about.

 

What does that have to do with anything? You can use your ECM (tuned) and tranny just like you are now

 

Lower miles on that tranny possibly, less tuning needed.

 

been there, done that. you'd be better off w/a newer tranny also, considering the power jump. Biggest "problems" I ran into were new motor mounts ( pics somewhere in the fab forum), finding a reliable way to send signal to bcm for security (best to get ~97 pcm & have it programmed), exhasut y-pipe.

 

Just a thought but the old regal / grand nationals used a turbo'd 3.8 and had better performance than the vette's when it came out and I know they made some grand prix & 3rd gens in the late 80's too. I wonder how the series II with better flowing heads would react to that.... Just a thought.

 

Don't forget the TTA! But I'm guessing that's what you ment by "third gens" What do you mean by you wonder how the series II would react to that? Do you mean a turbo? On a side note your list of "mods" contains nothing more than a list of some basic maintance items.. no offense or nothing, it just seems kinda silly to me..
To the OP: What would your ultimate goal be with this swap? I'm a little confused because you're talking about gas mileage but then you are talking about aftermarket parts which I'm assuming you mean performance oriented parts..

 

Just saying that the 3.8s have a larger aftermarket than the V6 I got. They can make pretty good power for what they are and get decent gas mileage. This was just a thought really, I won't do the swap in my car. Maybe another car one day.

 

I think the swap would be fairly simple and streight forward. There's alot more room in our cars than the 4th gen.

I am on my second Forward Facing Header setup on a 4th Gen SeriesII. (Turbo)
The first one I did is still doing fantastic.
The car ran 16.4's (actuall track time before) same car. (Stock)

After the FFHeaders a TA 49, 3" downpipe Front mount IC. and me programming the factory ECU with HPTuners
It ran 13.30@104mph.
That's with the factory 3:08 Rear gear and no posi.

He now installed a Z28 Rearend with 3:42's and a Posi.

Hope to dip into the 12's on a slippery radial. Be nice if he actually put on a good drag radial and boost launched.

Anyway... my point... don't count out a SeriesII engine with a turbo.

Here's the engine bay in my 3'd gen with a Buick GN Turbo setup I made.
Last friday went 10.70@131mph on pump gas through the mufflers on a Drag Radial Tire.
~Scott

 

Yea I meant the T T/A like the pacecars. The GN's and regal T-Types used a series I 3.8 the series II is still basically the same engine but has better flowing heads so it would probably react good to a mild turbo. Yea I know I have a 79 formula that has some mods but its striped to the shell for the moment so I took it off.
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Yep thats exactly what I was talking about buick knew what it was doing when it made that engine.

 

I'm interested in this thread as well... I have a 1997 series II 3800 with the wiring harness and PCM sitting around that might look nice under the hood of the 'Bird.

Is there a list yet of what bolts directly up to the 3800 from the 2.8 yet?

 

not sure about your question, but your sig confuses me, it says some sort of "special edition" ta but you say you have a 2.8... so is this "special edition" a base model v6 firebird someone put ta ground fx etc on?

 

The SE model came stock with the 2.8, T5, upgraded instrument cluster, upgraded tail lamps, upgraded WS1 suspension, 3.42 posi rearend, color matched alloy wheels, leather wheel & shift ****, locking plastic gas door, more sound insulation, 6-speaker "performance" sound and a few other things I can't remember at the moment. Only 2,259 produced in '86, as that was the last year it was offered. (82-86) It was the touring package of the day I guess...

The VIN# pulls up at the DMV as a "Firebird Trans Am", though none of the T/A models got the V6 (as far as I know).

 

here's what I had going in mine at the time. I did have the coils mounted upsidedown underneath the lip at the back of the firewall & cut wire to the plugs. It ran for a bit, but due to complications, besides the car, the engien & tranny were sold, a 305+tranny, and engine & dash harness & gauges were swapped & car sold. I really wish I was able to keep it w/the 3800 in it. oh well.......



I also should've kept the a/c housing, as the pcm would've fit right in there.
Also, keep the early logs on it, the later header looking manifolds come waaaaaay too close to the subframes. custom y-pipe was almost made for it.

another view

 

ah ok so it's an error with the dmv that makes sense.. still doesn't make sense why'd you call it a ta when it obviously isn't but to each his own i suppose..

 

Edit: Fixed the WS1 designator and the 3.42 ratio. (Found my build card...)

I have no problem not calling it a T/A, but it does have factory T/A parts on it... I could see an error with the DMV being the problem. (Fixed profile)