Transplant 3.1 for a 3.8 GN motor?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 97
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From: Kokomo IN
Car: 85 Corvette, 91 Trans Am
Engine: V8
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: round ones!
Re: Transplant 3.1 for a 3.8 GN motor?
Should be a pretty easy swap just use 89 TTA parts. I think the only thing you might have a issue is with the hood clearance. The GN and the Turbo TA had 2 different heads on them. The TTA heads allowed for the intake to sit lower on the engine and I am pretty sure the reason for this was hood clearance on the F-body. Keep in mind you will have to use the 200R4 trans instead of the 700R4 other than that sould be a pretty easy install. You will also want to change the front springs, i am pretty sure they were different for the V6 cars . I could be wrong you might want to research this.
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From: Williamstown, NJ
Car: '98 Mustang GT
Engine: '03 4.6L
Transmission: T45
Axle/Gears: DK
Re: Transplant 3.1 for a 3.8 GN motor?
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,777
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From: Casselberry, FLA
Car: 88 V6 'bird/89TBI bird/85 T/A
Engine: 2.8/TBI/TPI
Transmission: V8 T-5/700R4 x2
Axle/Gears: 3.42 open/2.73 open/ 3.27 9 bolt
Re: Transplant 3.1 for a 3.8 GN motor?
The reason for using fwd lesabre heads instead of GN heads was for heater box clearance, not heighth, as far as I know. I have seen more than a few turbo Buick engines under the hood that required heater box mods but nothing for hood clearance.
You can use the 700r4 from a V8 with an engine adapter. There is at least one guy on this forum who does that so that he can use the factory torque arm setup. The problem is that the trans needs to be beefed up to take the extra power from the Buick engine. The TTA uses a special "one off" crossmember with the torque arm mount bolting to that rather than the transmission, since the TTA uses the GN spec 2004r trans.
Hope this helps a little.
You can use the 700r4 from a V8 with an engine adapter. There is at least one guy on this forum who does that so that he can use the factory torque arm setup. The problem is that the trans needs to be beefed up to take the extra power from the Buick engine. The TTA uses a special "one off" crossmember with the torque arm mount bolting to that rather than the transmission, since the TTA uses the GN spec 2004r trans.
Hope this helps a little.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: The Madd Heights MI
Car: 91 RS
Engine: Soon to be 3.8 GN motor
Transmission: 700r4
Re: Transplant 3.1 for a 3.8 GN motor?
Thanks for the help. I do want to use my 700r4 becuse of the overdrive, how much do i have to "beef it up" cuz im runnin out of cash and im not going to beat it like i did when i was 18 (learned my lesson). Simple as a shift kit?
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Car: 86 Turbo Camaro
Engine: 427LSX
Transmission: 4L80E
Axle/Gears: 9" 3:25
Re: Transplant 3.1 for a 3.8 GN motor?
This isn't a simple quick engine swap. Alot of fabrication is needed and extra
money for parts your not expecting. If your trying to do it on a budget and
can't do all the work yourself.. wiring.. downpipe/ICpipes ect... it'll be a longer project for sure.
I'm sure we'll all be able to answer your questions but can't help with budget or fab skills.
~Scott
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