Hi, I have been thinking of pulling out my 4 cylinder and putting in a 3.8 turbo. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what kind of gas mileage they get? thanks!!!

 

well if you have a boost controller you can get very good milage. Comperable to the 3.1 I would think. If you can control the boost level you can control the amount of fuel that you use. Thats the benifit of turbos with proper controls. You can have a monster 400 horse motor but if you keep the boost level down you get very good milage. Then go to the track and power it up and fly!

 

DO IT!!!! When you're running that combo, who cares about gas mileage? I'm sure it'll hit 20MPG+ easily.

 

3.8 turbos are pigs for mileage...don't expect great things....

As for the engine, remember you will need 3.3 heads, as regular 3.8 turbo heads will not fit between the strut towers in third gens...

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Jason E

'89 Camaro RS
Medium Grey Metallic
2.8, A4, T-tops, 91k miles

'97 Z28 w/30th Anniversary package
LT1, M6, t-tops
White with orange stripes, killer system, 42k miles

Speed Kills...Wanna live forever? Drive a Ford.
Long Live #3...

 

Don't listen to Jason, he is talking about something he doesn't know about. no real flames intended Jason. Anyways, I am putting a 87' 3.8L turbo buick engine into my 92 RS and this is what you will need... the engine and tranny (obv!), TTA engine mounts, 200r4 tranny mounts, V8 radiator (IROC one will do fine), a good rear end (ford 9" if you want to make it fast, I'm just going to put a GN rear end into mine because the ford ones are so damn expensive), wiring harness, and the buick computer system. And thats it. It will prolly cost you about $5,000+ when you are done. It is pretty much a straight forward swap in. Not much trouble. Oh and if you do want to keep the A/C then you will need TTA heads, if the A/C is no big deal then just go with the GN heads. If you have any other questions just email me Stopsign00@hotmail.com or just IM me on AIM Stopsign696

Later,
Kev

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1997 Camaro Z28 5.7L

1992 Camaro RS 3.1L Check my cars out! http://hometown.aol.com/stopsign696/...age/index.html

Loud pipes big rims Wodie thats our life When we pull up at the club Sorry thats our night

 

OH! and they get very good gas mileage, about 20 city and 24 highway

 

BEst thing to do is just find a doner car like a Turbo Regal, doesn't even have to be a Grand National, and Strip the entire drive train. As far as rear ends go there are many TTA's in the 11's still running the stock gear and have had lots of miles put on it. THe TTA has the Australian 9 bolt with a 3.27 gear. You can find this on a lot of other Trans Ams though. You can bolt a 700r4 up to the Turbo 3.8, but you will find that the gear ratios dont mesh with the Turbos performance needs. Though I am sure it will still be fast.
As far as the heads problem. I dont get whay they say the buicks wont fit. There is plenty of room on each side of the heads on mine. MAybe its a problem for droping it in Who knows, but I am sure you will need the TTA heads, which were actuall the casting of the Lesabre's 3.8.
You will have to make a considerable fuel system upgrade and cooling sytem upgrade. The computer has specifinc desires from theses systems and you need a cooling system that will keep the car at 205*F at all times.
Also there are some front end modifications that need to be done to an F-body before you can just drop the Tubor set up in.
If you have any Questions you can email me to. I actually haveone I can look at infront of me so that might be a little help to you.


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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!

 

I was getting fairly good gas mileage with mine. Usually 23 mpg combined. Just be careful with the gas pedal.

Pete

 

Well, stock GN 3.8 heads won't fit between the strut towers- they're too wide. GM had to put a narrower head on the motor, just like Jason E said.

[edit] This is even written up in the "Third Gen FAQ"! From the main thirdgen.org page, go to tech articles, FAQ, and then Engine/induction/exhaust. There's some info on the 3.8 swap.

[edit] This wasn't aimed at you, Kyle.

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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!

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited June 06, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited June 08, 2001).]

 

I am not saying there is a problem wity room I know trhey had to change them, but There apears to be plenty of room once they are in. It must be because how you have to drop them in.

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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!

 

Where could I get a boost controler?

 

mine gets 18-25 mpg. but I don't drive like a maniac. but then again If you drive like you stole the car your'e not going to get good mpg in anything.

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

 

Don't know what I'm talking about Monkie, eh?? Intersting, seeing as how I know and have talked to 3 owners of these cars, all who say the gas mileage is nothing to write home about...

But hey, I don't know what I'm talking about....

 

hey monkie, i thought you sold the 92 RS???

 

Dude then they drove like maniacs
YOu know the nice thing about a turbo 6. It drives like a normal v6 until you floor it and cause boost to occur, other wise its just another 3.8 with a little extra air pumped into it at low speeds.
The gasmilage in them is good compared to a V8 f-body of anykind, but worse than a 4cyl Civic ya know.
I am happy with 15/25 out of a sports car.


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1989 Camaro RS

305 .030 over Hydro Pistons
Vortech heads milled to 58cc...Performer RPM intake....LT4 cam..Crane Gold rockers...FastChip custom chip...ALum. Driveshaft...3.73 gears with Posi...underdrive pullys...Rebuilt 700R4 with Vette Servo and B&M shift Kit...MSD ignition...A/C Delete No SMOG junk....1997 SS leather interior...B&M Shifter... Ultimate TBI mods...14X3 K&N open Element Non-Drop...Hooker headers....3" exhaust with Flowmaster Cross flow 16X8 Wheels from 97 RS Spohn LCA's Spohn Panhard Bar..LETS PLAY FORD!!

 

I bought it back to put the 3.8L in. It ate at me knowing I was gonna do this and chickened out and all. So I'm gonna do it

 

True that!

 

Thanks for all your help! But I have just been offered a 3.1 with just about everything I would need to change it over for $450. What should I do? If you where me what engine would you put in? Thanks!!!

 

Your four cylinder is a great foundation to put in either engine.
IF ya wanna get going quicker (on the road), use the 3.1, as is. IF CORRECT, you are set up for the fuel pump in the gas tank, right?

What about using motor mounts from the 4th Gen 3.8 set up?
I AM ASSUMING IT WILL NOT WORK, but, just a thought. Just as the motor mount from the 1995 3.4 would not work in my swap job.

Monkie, 9" rears are expensive in your area? What about stock car racers?

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA