swap in a 3.8 turbo
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Joined: May 2001
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swap in a 3.8 turbo
Hi, I have an 84 camaro berlinetta it came with a 2.8 but at some point someone put a 2.5 in it (yes the 4 cylinder). I have modified the engine, but it seem to have piston problems all the time. I have found out that the engine is running lean and the timing is retared 25 degree. Also I am having electrical problems to the point that almost nothing is working.
Because that I have tried several times to make this engine run and it almost instantly brakes, I have been thinking of putting a engine in from a buick grand national. (I got the ideal from the faq plus I saw one once, and it was really cool) One thing that I have noticed is that the number in the faq does not work. Is there anywhere else that I can get parts to do this swap (like the crossmember and the motor mounts)?
Also, from what I have been able to read in the faq I will need to change the heads if I want to keep the A/C. If I change the heads will the push rods work?
Plus the car is a berlinetta, will this make it harder to make the swap?
Thanks in advace!
Because that I have tried several times to make this engine run and it almost instantly brakes, I have been thinking of putting a engine in from a buick grand national. (I got the ideal from the faq plus I saw one once, and it was really cool) One thing that I have noticed is that the number in the faq does not work. Is there anywhere else that I can get parts to do this swap (like the crossmember and the motor mounts)?
Also, from what I have been able to read in the faq I will need to change the heads if I want to keep the A/C. If I change the heads will the push rods work?
Plus the car is a berlinetta, will this make it harder to make the swap?
Thanks in advace!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
I've never done the swap, but I have read a lot about it, as I have a Grand National. You will need a turbo shortblock, which differ's from the N/A version with rolled fillet's on the mains of the crankshaft, different rods, and different pistons, or aftermarket pistons (TRW's will pretty much just slide in, JE's will perform better but will have to be balanced). You will need the 3.0L FWD heads, I believe they were used on the 86 3.0 in FWD ap's. I'm not sure about the pushrods 
. You will also need TTA headers, they are pretty hard to come by, good luck finding a set. You will need engine mounts, I would go with the HR Parts poly mounts and get it over with. You will need a wiring harness, I would start by talking to John Spina at www.casperselectronics.com. You will need a 200R4. If you can't get one with the engine, talk to Bruce at performance transmissions, you can find links to all the places I mentioned, and a lot more info at www.turbobuick.com, good luck man 
------------------
87 GN
89 RS
85 Toyota 4x4
. You will also need TTA headers, they are pretty hard to come by, good luck finding a set. You will need engine mounts, I would go with the HR Parts poly mounts and get it over with. You will need a wiring harness, I would start by talking to John Spina at www.casperselectronics.com. You will need a 200R4. If you can't get one with the engine, talk to Bruce at performance transmissions, you can find links to all the places I mentioned, and a lot more info at www.turbobuick.com, good luck man ------------------
87 GN
89 RS
85 Toyota 4x4
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