Let me start by saying I have researched this somewhat, and tried using the search feature, but I'm just asking for a comparison. (Plus I didn't find much in the search...)

I'm contemplating either a 3.4L swap or a 3.8L swap into my 86 bird (currently with the stock 2.8)...I just had a few questions to help me decide which to do. The first would be are there currently any supercharger setups for the 3.4 like there is for the 3.8? The second would be what's the highest power I can expect from a 3.4 build w/ supercharger?

I currently own a 98 Bonneville with the 3800 series II (non supercharged) and I really love the acceleration it has, just not too crazed that it slows down after 80...but what else can I expect from a big family car...and I love the gas mileage I get with it. Also, I just learned from my fiancee earlier this week that I'm a father to be, so I'm gonna be on a limited budget soon, so I won't have much to fund my car build in a few months....

thanks in advance,
Tony

 

if i recall from past topics, 3.8L is difficult swap probably easyer to swap a V8 than the 3.8L. There is no kit you can buy a supercharger for a 3.4L or any other 60* v6 but can either build a turbo kit or build your supercharger kit. hope that helps a little good luck

 

the 3800 seriesII bolts to the tranny, but is the same work otherwise, like KB said. You are better off with 3.4

 

Thanks to both of you for your quick answers...I've been following daves12secv6 and Street Lethal's builds, but I wanted to do supercharger....I plan to try a Megasquirt system and am open to other suggestions as well...I also follow both of y'alls posts as well, and I am learning alot from this forum....i had originally planned a V8 swap but want to keep it a V6 after seeing the progress y'all are making.

thanks for the luck KBcobra...i'll need it...lol

 

You want a supercharger? I just picked up an Eaton M90 ported/rebuilt, and no it's not a bolt on, but I could make it that way if you want .

 

thanks for the correction i forgot about tranny. if ur goin to go through all that work for a 3.8L y not do an LSx they are good on gas. lots of power. 3.4L is good engine to swap but a LSx is the ultimate swap

 

When I'm finished with the new setup, I should be able to keep up with an LSx. I'm planning on getting around 220hp N/A, and adding my turbo back to it.

 

There was a kit that came with a Vortech SC for the 3.4 from a company called RSM Racing. Last I heard they still sell it, but now their website is down or they have gone under. I found a company that sells them...LINK...That is if you want to pay $3400.

 

I could build one for about $500.

 

Hmmm.....I might take ya up on that.....let me look into some other paths first.....There's no way to adapt one of the superchargers off of a 3.8 to a 3.4 is there?
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I had thought of doing the LSx swap...I saw in a mag something about them being strong enough to build to 2000hp? I forgot what mag it was...it was recent though..any truth to it? (not that I want 2000hp, but I thought it'd be reassuring its a strong built block) What's the estimated miles per gallon w/ a LSx and T56 combo?

 

What 3.4 S/C? You can use a centrifical easily, but I have an Eaton M90 that bolts on the top of a Ford Super Coupe.

BTW that $500 would be in parts, including the S/C.

 

Hmmmmm.....I'll definitely keep my eye on your build then....would gas mileage still be decent or would it be like a V8? That's my main hold back for the V8 swap, and the risk of gettin caught by the insurance company (I'm 19....with a loooooooooooooooong driving record...a V8 wouldn't be to cheap for me)

Would there be any advantages to turbocharged as opposed to supercharged? I know superchargers create drag on the belt system of an engine (or so I've heard), but I want to stay with a manual tranny and If I remember right, boost is lost when you shift if you're turbo'ed.....

 

I just sent ya a pm.

 

Replied

 

lol i love this question. supercharger has the whine thats awesome to listen to, its creates boost very fast, the bad part about them is the pulleys u got to change them out to adjust boost. unlike a turbo which is easy to control their power. the problem about turbo is lag. w/ these 60* v6 thats a problem w/ big turbos. Get the right size and it reduces lag. In my opinion the turbo creates much more power than supercharger you just have to wait but its worth it :P. firstfirebird can tell you all about it since he has done an impressive set up. as for mileage for a LSx i hear that LS1 people get around 28ish on the highway w/ a T-56 i could be wrong, the '07 Corvette Z06 Ls7 (427ci) is suppose to be getting high 20s on the highway.

 

Thanx, but I just followed Dave's how to thread and ran with it. It's about to be GrimCS's system now, only with a few more mods .

 

yeah, I've always loved hearing the supercharged cars around here lay into it...however, I also love hearing the b.o.v.'s of the twin turbo'ed cars around here too....i heard rumor of a quad-turbo'ed 96 Z28 near me...never seen it though.

28 mpg sounds damn good with a LS1...is that with the 4cyl deactivation feature?

The more I talk to firstfirebird, the more faith i have in building up a V6 (w/ a kick lol)...i can always buy a V8 car to work on, on the side and use the 6 cyl as a daily driver.....

 

i'm guessin no about the 4cyl deactivation since the LS1 been around in an F-Body since '98. Other LSx probably, i no LSx expert. Another option is go LT1. This is an easyer swap than LSx, since the thirdgen V8 engine mounts will mount up to the LT1. LT1 gas milage is little less than the LS1 but its easyer to swap. the only problem w/ any LT1 and LSx swap is that evil K-member that gets in the way when you use an F-Body LT1 or LS1 w/ A/C, damn A/C pump hits the K-member. how your driving habits?? Is your foot all the way on the floor or your gentle? If you got a lead foot it doesn't matter what engine is in your car ur still goin to get like 4mpg at WOT just my

 

I have times where I drive sensibly, but I also have times where I drop the hammer and don't look back (I got a ticket with my firebird not even two miles from the lot I bought it from, for 72 in a 45...told the cop "just seein what'd it do")....only live once, have fun while ya can, ya know? I'd kinda opt out of A/C though..that's what windows and t-tops are for...lol

 

You don't live in South Florida I'm keeping my A/C even if I have to get rid of power steering to do it.

 

I wish a 3.8L swap was as easy as a 3.4L swap. Even though I haven't had all the bugs worked out in my 3.8L swap, it feels worlds better than my 3.4L swap did.

 

Hmmm...what year/car was best for the 3.4? Or were they all equal in design w/o changes? (Just doin some homework before I shop around)
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Eh, I live in South Carolina...that count? lol It gets hot around here, but I'm used to it...its the humidity that does it...no power steering? That'd suck...

 

You can get any 3.4 out of the early 4th gen F-bodies. I think it was in those cars till '96. There are plenty being sold or in junkyards so that you can get one for pretty cheap.

In Florida I would rather have AC over power steering. It will get hot in other places sure. But here it gets humid and it gets hot fast and stays hot.

 

-what about the 3.8 supercharged regal mtr? My 2000 regal GSE with flow thru cat, is 230hp and runs hard. Also gives 23mpg w/ the a/c on going back and forth to work.

 

Even harder than a v8. Very few people have pulled off a FWD motor in an fbod.

 

Kenne Bell on LS1 enough said , get an lS1 and Kenne Bell supercharger on it, the best sounding supercharger in my opinion. and thats a cheap setup.

 

Yes, your gas mileage would be ok, 19 around town 28 on road trips.

How would you get caught by insurance? Do they come to your house and make you pop your hood for a random inspection?

 

Nope, but to put a car on the insurance, the company I have does a general inspection of the car and I've known them to ask some people to pop the hood...eh, I can always find another company.

 

Wow, I've never heard of that. What company?

 

Direct General.....V6 to V8 swaps are really big around here, so I guess they don't wanna get scammed.....

 

Also, quick question about the 4th gen five speed...I might be able to get a 3.4L w/ the five speed...would it be a better tranny than the stock 86 one I have now?

 

I think that you would be OK, but I would just use the tranny you have now on the swap to be safe.

 

Assuming everything is equal (mileage and wear), you would be OK using your stock transmission.

But you would be better off to use a lower mileage, world class T5.

 

you can reuse your tranny on that a 3.4L swap (of coarse new clutch disc, pressure plate, and pilot bearing as needed ). 2.8L T-5s and 3.4L T-5s are the same

 

Alright, thanks guys. I was just wondering. I am probably going to be getting the engine from the local LKQ (U pull it) place....Its $275 for a complete engine I believe, accessories and all...I gotta look at the price sheet again...

 

An 86 T5 is not the same as a 3.4L T5, though it will physically fit the same. The 86 is not a world class T5; the 3.4L is a world class T5.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tran...-info-all.html

The 3.4L T5 is the better choice, assuming it hasn't been abused and has lower miles, which it probably does. Of course, it probably doesn't matter that much considering the power you'll be making.

 

After I start building the motor, and put on the turbo(s) or s/c, would either of these stock transmissions take it? I know I've read in other posts the stock 86 tranny can't take much more than 300ft lbs of torque or something like that...what can the WC T5 take?

Since I've got the 5digit odometer in my 86, Idk how many miles my tranny has, but I know I've rolled the odometer since I've had it....So the 93 or newer probably has less definitely....

 

No the manuals won't take as much abuse, that's why GM never put them in the 350ci cars.

 

700r4 (auto) should handle the power if built correctly, they're better for turbo setup because you dont loss as much boost during shifts, unlike a manual. Is the 700r4 computer controlled? (sry noob question)

 

Eh, I'll have to go manual all the way...personal preference...just wonderin if I should keep the stock T5 I have or get the one out of a 93+...