BUILD YOUR TTA 3.8 TURBO
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Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,092
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Car: 87 Vette
Engine: 355/195AFR/SR/219CAM/1.6
Transmission: TH700R4/Vigilante
Axle/Gears: D44/3.45
BUILD YOUR TTA 3.8 TURBO
well im very interested into swap my old 2.8 carb from my 82 firebird s/e and i was thinkin of a V8 but ive been hearing so good comments about the turbo 3.8v6 ..what will happen if i put on a turbo 3.8 from a Regal or a Grand national???will it perform like the 89TTA closely...will it be better than a V8 ? it will work with my TH 200C tranny???
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 1
From: ****SoCal, USA****
Seek out Kyle F
He has a TTA
I did a 3.4 swap. So much easier to make happen.
BUT do NOT let me discourage you!
Just MHO.
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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA
He has a TTA
I did a 3.4 swap. So much easier to make happen.
BUT do NOT let me discourage you!
Just MHO.
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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA
Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Car: 89 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Make sure you get the intercooled turbo 3.8 motor. T-Types and Grand Nationals without the intercooler are much slower. They are a bit slower than IROC's. But if I'm not mistaken the 300+ hp 3.8L turbo's are quite expensive.
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87 Camaro Sport Coupe
2.8L Auto, MSD Coil, Crane Cams 8.0mm wires, AC Rapidfires, K&N Filters, Brakes 100%
Z28 Hood and Rims
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87 Camaro Sport Coupe
2.8L Auto, MSD Coil, Crane Cams 8.0mm wires, AC Rapidfires, K&N Filters, Brakes 100%
Z28 Hood and Rims
Banned
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,157
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From: Columbus,OH
It all deoends on which 3.8 you start with. Bit before I get started let me say this first. A V8 is going to be cheaper by far!.
Ok still considering it? Good lets talk about it.
First off you need a strong Turbo block. They have the pistons that are made for it. If not you will have to build one and that is going to be EXPENSIVE. Rare parts = Expensive(another reason for the 350). Ok now the heads off any turbo 6 Won't work in a F-body. You have to get the TTA heads which have a different casting number and you can find this out pretty easy I just dont have the number on me. Then you have to adapt the Computer/ induction and exhaust systems to the car. This is not a direct bolt in either. Also the 3.8 used different motor mounts. There are some many little things to say about it.
You want to know the kicker of it all? It won't be as fast as a Turbo Trans Am. Why? because the TTA had more boost than the Regals and had the GNX intercooler. So if you want a TTA performer you need to either strip a Grand National and do a head swap and Mod the engine a little, or Find a wrecked TTA and strip it all.
It can be done, but it is a lot of work.
I am sure there is other things that I have left out, but my point is its a lot of work, its going to take a little fabricating of stuff and a lot of part hunting.
If you have more questions just let me know I will do mu best to answer them!
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89 Trans Am Turbo 3.8L All stock 43,000 miles #1053 of 1555
Past Thirdgen:
86 Trans Am w/ built 355TPI with SLP goodies and too much other stuff to List. One sweet *** car, wish I would have had a good enough Job to pay insurance on three cars so I could keep it, but for a 89 Turbo Trans Am w/ Low miles, I think I made the right choice!
Ok still considering it? Good lets talk about it.
First off you need a strong Turbo block. They have the pistons that are made for it. If not you will have to build one and that is going to be EXPENSIVE. Rare parts = Expensive(another reason for the 350). Ok now the heads off any turbo 6 Won't work in a F-body. You have to get the TTA heads which have a different casting number and you can find this out pretty easy I just dont have the number on me. Then you have to adapt the Computer/ induction and exhaust systems to the car. This is not a direct bolt in either. Also the 3.8 used different motor mounts. There are some many little things to say about it.
You want to know the kicker of it all? It won't be as fast as a Turbo Trans Am. Why? because the TTA had more boost than the Regals and had the GNX intercooler. So if you want a TTA performer you need to either strip a Grand National and do a head swap and Mod the engine a little, or Find a wrecked TTA and strip it all.
It can be done, but it is a lot of work.
I am sure there is other things that I have left out, but my point is its a lot of work, its going to take a little fabricating of stuff and a lot of part hunting.
If you have more questions just let me know I will do mu best to answer them!
------------------
89 Trans Am Turbo 3.8L All stock 43,000 miles #1053 of 1555
Past Thirdgen:
86 Trans Am w/ built 355TPI with SLP goodies and too much other stuff to List. One sweet *** car, wish I would have had a good enough Job to pay insurance on three cars so I could keep it, but for a 89 Turbo Trans Am w/ Low miles, I think I made the right choice!
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,231
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From: Wilmington NC
Car: C1500
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Camaro_hunter_d:
ok some answers. Yes it wil work with the 200R4. Yes it will perform like the TTA. It is a time investing swap but your car will perform like no other.</font>
ok some answers. Yes it wil work with the 200R4. Yes it will perform like the TTA. It is a time investing swap but your car will perform like no other.</font>
It won't bolt to your 200C. It's got the 60 degree bolt pattern and the 3.8 has the 90 degree pattern.
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1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula LO3 Auto
-180 degree stat
-Hooker Cat-Back
-velcro t-top bag
-Wonder Bar from my IROC
*****Possible future mods*****
4th gen seats, fiberglass spoiler, new paint
1985 IROC-Z, TPI Auto
-Accel Super Coil
engine and tranny overhauls coming this summer
http://www.geocities.com/krt80/
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