The 3800 swap is almost all but decided. I have looked into the GN 3.8 turbo swap and price wise I could build a 3800 w/ Turbo and be able to use the better computer for about the same price. Here are the facts and questions I have surrounding this swap. Any insight on these would be greatly appreciated.

Looking for L67 block, but found a L36 for $200 and could probably get him down more.
Looking at running a turbo setup, still deciding what size I want to run, will have FMIC, etc.
4th gen V6 intake (although thinking about a single plane intake with elbow and LS1 TB for something a little different)
V6 computer 16236757
4th gen motor mounts connected to factory k-member
Integrate wiring to factory harness.

Here are the questions I have
Is there any way to mount my current WC T5 to the L67 or L36 block? I know one is a 60* and one a 90*, but could I pull a bellhousing from a V6 Camaro, change the input shaft and run it that way? I would then be able to keep all crossmembers, etc.
Do you have to use both the block side and k-member side mounts from a Camaro or can you get by with something else on the block side?
Recommendations for Turbo?
Will the L36 be able to hold up to boost?

That's all I have for now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Your best bet would be to find a complete drivetrain out of a 4th-Gen V6 F-body with the L36 and T5. You'll need to make custom motor-mounts. The 4th-Gen 3800 or the Buick 3.8L V6 mounts won't work with the 3rd-Gen F-body K-member. The L36 will hold up to a decent amount of boost with a good tune, but there are plenty of ways to beef up the engine to take a lot more. As for turbocharger size, how much power are you looking to make?

A member who goes by the screen-name Project: 85 2.8 bird on this forum actually completed a 3800 swap into his 3rd-Gen. He would be your best source of information.

 

Right now I am looking for anything more than my 305, which doesn't have much (185 rwhp). I would love to see 300 and build from there. My major concern with the L36 is the compression and ring landings. I will have HPTuners to make the right changes to the tune, but pre-detonation still scares me quite a bit. Also if I push the boost too high then the pistons will give.

I have looked at Project: 85's cardomain site, but the pictures do not show for me. I would love to see one of these between the frame rails of a 3rd gen. It would help me envision everything a little easier. I will shoot him a PM to get some more answers. Thanks.

 

You could swap in some forged pistons and have the cylinder-heads P&P'ed a bit to help ward off detonation somewhat. Also, when you're tuning, just watch KR like a hawk. Making 300WHP with a turbocharged 3800 is extremely easy.

 

I figured 300 would be easy, but coming from 180ish it will be a night and day difference no matter what I hit. Ideally, I want good power with a completely flat torque and power curve. The plan is to have a great weekend cruiser and track car when needed.

The budget is the part that I am going to have to watch like a hawk. The "boss" is not going to like this one bit, but the kids will.

 

LOL! I get the budget problem.

You could go twin-turbo for pretty cheap. Just grab a couple K04 turbos, used. The K04 has an internal wastegate, and each K04 could flow about 300WHP pretty easy. You can ****** them off of places like CobaltSS.net for about $150-$300 each. Would be pretty easy to make an adapter-pipe from the stock exhaust-manifold to the K04 turbine-inlet. Really short spool-up time with a nice, flat torque-curve twin-turbo set-up for pretty cheap.

 

for such a low hp goal why not turbo a 3.4 , alls u have to do is sneeze on it with a turbo and it will make 300rwhp

 

got the PM, let's see what I remember:

Motor mounts: some pics in the fabrication forum, I didn't post much there so a search isn't that bad. I kept the 2.8 frame mounts (replaced due to age) then lowered the engine down, mocked up some brackets w/card board, too them to a welder and $80 later they were done.

Block: fwd & rwd are same, just use a rwd oil filter housing so it will fit/clear the x-mbr.

Tranny: the 95 4L60E fit no problem, didn't have to move a thing.

Manifolds; Intake: I had to use the early design so it would fit the slope of the bird, Camaros shouldn't have that issue so the later straight design should be fine.
Exhaust: use the early 1st design ones (pics in fab forum too iirc) so you will have no space issues, the later header looking ones stick out from the block a bit further.

Oil pan: no clearance issues.

was N/A.

I highly recommend getting the pcm programmed to deal things like the vats, rear o2 sensors, speed limiter, gearing, impending boost.....

wiring was a bitch, but since you're starting out w/a vss speedo it'll be a lot better than mine, just get the pin outs for each and label everything for ease. exhaust piping, especially the y-pipe will be custom, but cat-back should be after market off the shelf.

hope this helps, and weird about the cardomain pics not working....

 

That is to start. Ultimately I want over 500 and after doing some more reading I should probably start by saying I want 500 and then build from there. The 3800 is what I am going to go with for several reasons.

Thank you very much for the reply. So if I am reading this correct, I can take an L36/L67 drop out (FWD), use a RWD oil filter housing, fab mounts and run it that way? Do you know if I run the RWD L36 intake am I going to have an issue with it hitting the accessories?

I will have access to HPTuners to take care of the program. I also have several wiring guys that will be helping me along the way, so I am not as concerned with that.

Again thank you very much for the help on this. I am really hoping to get started within the next couple of weeks on this. Then over the winter I will be building the turbo setup.

 

I have done more reading and have come to realize it is not a simple grab any L36/L67 and bolt in. The oil pan, pickup, and gasket need to be changed. Also the oil filter elbow needs to changed to the RWD version. Lastly the power steering pump and bracket needs to be used from a RWD car. All other accessories (sorry I am leaving out A/C since I will not be using it) will work in their factory locations regardless of FWD or RWD.

I have a '96 T5 transmission, harness, ECU, and MAF now, so now I need to get a flywheel and clutch kit, unless someone knows if I can use my brand new 10.5" clutch and PP from my current T5, engine, starter, mounts, and parts listed above and I can start my swap.

 

I don't think any 10.5" clutch will fit the 3800 flywheel, but I could be wrong. It probably has the correct splines though if it's 26-spline.

 

The spline count is the same. Since I have a used clutch and PP sitting in my garage, I am going to pick up a new flywheel and see if it will work. My guess is you are right, it won't, but it is worth a shot.