OK, you 3.8 V6 guys here is my question; I have a 3.8 froma late model FWD that was supercharged and I'm woundering if I can use this engine in a older set up. A member informed me the engine no longer has a distributor drive gear on the cam and uses a different set up on the oil pump. If I use a older cam and timing cover could I use this engine? AL.
Nope, Older 3.8 parts won't fit this 3800 Series II engine. There is no provision for a traditional distributor. If you get a 4L60E transmission and motor mounts from a 3.8 1998-2002 Firebird you could make this combo work. You will need to be creative on how to control the transmission and fuel injection. BigStuff3 (fuel injection ECU) integrates transmission and fuel injection control into one ECU. Dave
Yes, the 3800 Series II blocks have provision for a balance shaft above the cam, and a corresponding difference in timing chain covers. I looked into this one before, trying to get one of the new gerotor oil pumps on an old 350... :rant:
James, I have found a 4.1 RWD engine, do you know if the the internal parts are interchangable with a FWD 3.8 V6 FWD block? AL.
There is very little that interchanges between a RWD V6 (3.8 or 4.1) and the current 3800 series FWD engine. The 3800 series engine is an on-center engine. The engineers centered the bores over the crank pin on this latest generation V6 (since 1988). Prior to that time, the bores were slightly offset and the rods were offset to compensate. Needless to say, nearly nothing interchanges. BUT there is good news....the 3800 series engine was used in the last gen Firebird and Camaro. Lots of guys rip these engines out to put in small blocks......dumb move in my book, but good for you. They can be bought cheap. Pick up the entire engine, trans, wire harness and ECM and you have a nice running package!! V6 F-bodies are cheap to buy too!! The Series II 3800 has a very strong bottom end with cross bolted main caps. Lots of potential for more HP. TurboDave
AL, Stop messing around, and install that Supercharged motor into your older chassis :laugh: :laugh: Sure it's harder to do, but what a sleeper it will make. I would imagine the crank will changeover between the 4.1, and 3.8, but the pistons won't. I might be wrong though o No:
There is a difference between the old 3.8/4.1 crankshafts and the 3800 crankshafts. I don't think you can interchange parts between them. Of course having a supercharged V-6 would be cool to see in an older car. I agree with you Larry.
Sorry I missed this earlier... work just keeps getting in the way, you know... :spank: I'm no expert, but I don't think even the cranks swap out, I seem to remember that the FWD crank has a smaller flange on the tranny side o No: I'd ask the V6 guys over on their board - what is it, "turbobuicks.com"???
yeah, www.turbobuick.com/forums or www.gnttype.org will get you all the stuff you need about the 3.8. I personally am using an 84 4.1 RWD engine. I'd suggest unless you're getting big expectations on power production you can get speed-pro Hyper pistons for a 4.1 or I got a set of good .030 cast speedpros laying around. The crank is the desirable rolled fillet turbo crank and the rods are the same too. I'd suggest getting a set of 86-89 RWD 8445 heads but the 6293 heads you have now are almost as good. If you want to go turbo go to the gnttype page and they have recipies for turbo 4.1s. As far as reusing anything off of the Series II motor on the 4.1.... I really don't think there is anything. If you want something interesting, get both an F-body 3.8 block and a 3800SC and stuff the SC's internals, heads, intake and ECM on the RWD block and make some headers for it since I think the exhauste ports are different between the 3.8RWD and the 3800FWD heads. Just some food for thought
3.8 FWD Wagon Larry, I have a supercharged 3800 deal pending, The superchager is missing but the engine is complete other then that. I would reather go the 3800 route but finding a PCM to work properly and not sure on the bolt up on a THM175 transmission. AL.
