Could someone give me some info on the 3.8L engine? Is it the V6 after the 3.4L Fbody? And how hard would it be to put that in rather than a 3.4L??? Thanks abunch!

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1992 Camaro RS 3.1L
T5 Manual 5 speed
Cold/RAM air intake
Z-28 Exhaust
8.5mm MSD Ignition wires
TB Coolant bypass

Kills:

95 (****) Probe GT
94 Mustang GT
91 CRX (dont ask me why he raced me)
2nd Gen Z28 (350) haha to you V8 guys!
1992 RS 305 TBI (good race)
More to come

 

3.8s kick *** . they were based on the small block buick v8s the same way the 4.3 is based on the 350 chevy. they are one of the oldest engines still in production. Of course its eveolved since then but its only gotten better with age. the hey day of the 3.8 was with the Buick Grand Nationls/T-types and peaked with the '89 Turbo Trans Am.

It started goin in F-bodies in '95 supposedly because of OBD-2 concerns. I dunno how you would put that one in a 3rdgen. the older version, Gen-I, would be easier. it all depends on how much of the emissions stuff you want to carry over and what year 3.8L you wanted to use... there is even a early 80's version that measured 4.1

the easiest swap would be a 3.4
If you're still v6 happy you could do a 4.3 swap but with the trouble in that you might as well put in a v8.

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-Tas
'89 Formula WS-6
[soon to be Performace Red =) ]

305, TBI, auto, 14x3 chrome flat based open element with K&N, functional Formula hood, cross-flow Flowmaster, '99z28 rear pipes and tips....

Super GRK_Taz World
EFI & Intake Options
AOL IM: superGRtaz
ICQ 82881207

 

Let's put it this way: if you were to bore a stroke a 3.8L then you would have a 4.3L (well almost). It is almost the same engine, it is a 90* block. I think that the V8 trannies can hook up to them. I can tell you what those 3.8L can freakin move. Personally, if I were you I would save the money and get a car w/ a bad *** engine; like a Z28 or a Trans Am. I've finally come to the conclusion that all the trouble and crap of switching to a different engine is worthless unless it is going to be a V8.
The 3.8L is the V6 after the 3.4L and I think it would require more work to put it in b/c it is a completely differet degreed block. That's what I think

- Mike Harvey -


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The '86 Firebird http://www.geocities.com/flash_point2002

 

I am not gonna sell my car. No way, its my first car and it took me way to long to find it. So I would love some information on 3.8L swap into my car. Thanks guys!

 

the 3.8L and 4.3L are 90 degree V6's. the 2.8, 3.1, 3.4Ls are all 60 degree V6's. Personally, with all the trouble of updating to a 3.8, might as well get a V8. the only good GM V6 being made wont come out till spring 2001, the new Inline 6- 4.2L...it puts out stock 270hp, 280lbs. It will be optioned on the S-series SUV platform(Trailblazer, Envoy, Bravada)

 

I agree with Sheet. Hehe, well, except that the best V6 will be an inline-6


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

****....I dont really want a V8 now. I cant handle 5-17 mpg!

 

I get 22.5 mpg with my current set up, and I used to get 26-28 mpg with my "little" 350.

BTW that was calcualted via mi/gal. used -not just a guess.
Also, regardless of the fact that the 3.8 is a 90' V-6, is still has the same bellhousing flange as the 2.8. Add to that the fact that the V-8 is also a 90', I think the 3.8 would bolt in rather easily. Get one from a bone yard out of a late model Buick Park Ave Ultra; 250 hp with a supercharger already on it, plus 30+ mpg. Easy.
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'83 Trans Am. 400 CID, 224/234 crane cam, Summit aluminum roller rockers, hand ported intake, home bored 2.09" (53mm) throttle bodies, MSD 454 injectors(75 lb/hr), Holley 255LPH fuel pump, custum modded FPR w/Vacuum port added, Edelbrock TES headers, empty cat, SLP 3" stainless steel cat back, stock ECM & chip. Borg/Warner T-5 World Class, 12" Corvette rotors and clipers, GTA 16" wheels, South Side Machine subframe connectors, 1LE sway bars, 3.45 ring and pinion, Alpine sound.
Best E.T. 13.532
Best MPH 102.24

[This message has been edited by Tom 400 CFI (edited December 14, 2000).]

 

there is a guy on www.turbotransam.com that put a 3.8 liter into his GTA transam look at the posts and contact him about how he did it

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3.8 turbo 20th anniversary transam #497 first owed by Clifford Williams, Bass player from rock band AC/DC

 

Would it be worth it to drop in a 3.8L turboed from like a TTA or just put a TCer on a crate 3.8L rather than gettin a LT1. Im wanting to be different here, thats y i think it would be awsome to drive up to a maro and hear a blow off valve.

------------------
1992 Camaro RS 3.1L
T5 Manual 5 speed
Cold/RAM air intake
Z-28 Exhaust
8.5mm MSD Ignition wires
TB Coolant bypass

Kills:

95 (****) Probe GT
94 Mustang GT
91 CRX (dont ask me why he raced me)
2nd Gen Z28 (350) haha to you V8 guys!
1992 RS 305 TBI (good race)
More to come

 

I responded to another post so I won't get in it here but I wanna note for the people that cant see the difference the 3.8 BUICK v6 is different than the 4.3 Cheverolet v6.

Steve

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TTA's

 

Monkie you dumb a$$ you could get a 350 block a lot cheaper and parts are cheaper to. Its ok to go away from that big fast V6 of yours. I know it will be hard to do, but trust me a V8 has the ability to make more power. Now don't get too upset about this the world will not end tomorrow because your car isn't the fastest in the world with a V6. Hey I bet if you used a 3cyl you could make some real power. Let me know how much that 3.8 set up will be.

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86 Trans Am 355 TPI Rebuilt 700R4 with Corvette servo, modified valve body, and a B&M Torque Converter (2000 rpm stall w/ lock up), 87 350 block bored .30 with new crank, bearings, rings, and magnafluxed rods. Reworked 305 heads with 3-angle valve job. Added in the rebuild was an SLP TPI cam, BBK 58mm Throttle Body,SVO 24# injectors,MSD 6A, Hypertech Power Coil, 1.5 Crane roller tipped rocker arms, SLP Intake Runners and Port matching in upper intake including fully ported plenum, TPIS adjustable fuel pressure regulator @ 46psi, Hooker shorty style headers w/ Thermotech heat wrapping, Custom 3” exhaust with Flowmaster muffler and chrome quad tips, Hypertech Thermomaster Computer chip, K&N open element cone filter on modified MAF per TPIS specs, MSD Wires, removal of A/C hardware and a 1LE firewall cover installed. Also there has been a PST front suspension kit with Hotchkis strut tower brace
http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Garage/9548/kyle.html

Kills:
95 Talon TSI, 96 Probe GT, 91 T/A L98, 89 RS, 86 Mustang GT, 88 Mustang LX 5.0, 92 Thunderbird V8. couple or ricers that I think were Civics or Preludes not sure what year, 95 Celica GT-S, 94 Chevy 1/4 ton 350, one of those NASCAR F150's ..... **** on Monkie

 

Monkie, my L98 gets far better gas mileage than you think. I get around 24-25 mpg on the highway (and after I tweak my PROM, I am hoping to increase that further) and 16-18 mpg in city traffic.

The only time my engine gets "thirsty" is if I get stuck in "stop n go" traffic where you are basically travelling at 2 mph. Thank god, I do not have to worry about that anymore.

 

Kyle, please keep personal problems to e-mail. If you're not posting to help, then don't post.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Actually Kyle its not gonna cost that much. And a 350 can out run a turbo 3.8L?? I dont think so. How many 350s on this board can run high 7s in the 1/4 mile? Ummm I think none. Now Im not gonna make mine run that fast but I am shooting for high 10s. And that will cost alot cheaper than a 350 with a SCer, cam, heads, etc.. But like your input means anything to me. Hey just because you have a super fast escort doesnt mean you can put me down on my not so fast turbo V6. LMAO, you are really a dumb *** .

------------------
1992 Camaro RS 3.1L
T5 Manual 5 speed
Cold/RAM air intake
Z-28 Exhaust
8.5mm MSD Ignition wires
TB Coolant bypass

AIM screen name - Stopsign696
Kills:

95 (****) Probe GT
94 Mustang GT
91 CRX (dont ask me why he raced me)
2nd Gen Z28 (350) haha to you V8 guys!
1992 RS 305 TBI (good race)
More to come

 

Good luck FINDING a 3.8 turbo with all the SFI and everything! That would be a real problem. Second, there isn't a non-tubular frame car, that I have ever heard of, that runs 7s!! So, you aren't comparing quite right. Anyway, go with a 350 over the 3.8 10s w/ a 3.8 isn't gonna be a hell of a lot less then a 350 running 10s.... well, it wouldn't be a 350, it would be a 383 or so. But, other other thing is those TTAs running 11s stock... good luck driving that on the street! They run race gas and so high a boost the engine could never handle it in daily traffic and everything.
Just MHO, take it for what it is worth...
Later,
RS

 

Monkie did you actually believe a 3.8 in a Grand National is running 7's? Or that you are going to see 10's in a street driveable car? Oh my god you are dreaming. Hello welcome to reality.

 

hate to tell u my friend has a tta that runs consistent high 9s and his is street, smog, etc in CA and is driven...!

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Flowmaster 80 series, Random Technologies Cat, 3" intermediate pipe, SS
Hand Made Tips, 3 1/4" out, Accel 8.8 wires, MSD Coil, MSD Ignition Module,MSD 6A Box, Air Intake Temp Guage, Brushed Aluminum Hood Pins
Currently Working On:
T5 swap
Next to buy:
Slp dual cold air intake!
-------------------------
My Site:
www.geocities.com/firebird89white

" I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT run at all ".

 

btw monkey is you want a complete 3.8 contact me...i have a builder who stocks 3.8's from tta's and gn's and he has 5-6 right now in his wherehouse...last time i checked he told me 1600 shipped and thats a ready to run GN 3.8. That price would only be good through me though, if u contact him he'll charge more since hes selling them to me for what he bought them for..lemme know
gglasgow@socal.rr.com

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Flowmaster 80 series, Random Technologies Cat, 3" intermediate pipe, SS
Hand Made Tips, 3 1/4" out, Accel 8.8 wires, MSD Coil, MSD Ignition Module,MSD 6A Box, Air Intake Temp Guage, Brushed Aluminum Hood Pins
Currently Working On:
T5 swap
Next to buy:
Slp dual cold air intake!
-------------------------
My Site:
www.geocities.com/firebird89white

" I'd rather run last in a full out race, than to NOT run at all ".

 

Those 11 second stock TTA's are 100% drivable.Hell I drove to Bristol(600+ miles)to race at Buicks at Bristol.The only difference between driving it in the street and at the track is street needs 94 oct and 18#'s of boost while race is 110 oct and 22#'s of boost.

Monkie,I didn't realize your goal was 10's.At that speed,you should consider a Stage motor or you will quickly join the DOTC(drive over the crank)club.Stage motors are going for $2500 plus for the block only,to make a realiable 10 second Turbo Buick will run abour $5-8K for the motor alone(Stage2)and will probrobly require DFI or SpeedPro and lots of custom stuff.

I belive he ment 7's in the 1/8th but yes there are quite a few 3.8's running 7's in GN's(in the quarter),Duttwilers high 6 second 200mph GN comes to mind.And my car ran 7.61@90mph in the 1/8th stock(11.99@113 in the 1/4).

Steve

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TTA#124-129,bone stock.Cloth/T-Top Festival car
TTA#850,bone stock,best 13.68@100
TTA#861(almost sold),near stock,best 11.99@112.26
TGTA#01,nowhere near stock,9's or bust
Pics and info on My Cars
TTA850@TurboBuicks.com