FWD 3800 V6 in a 4WD

[jonx4x4]

Im getting tired of driving around with an engine that the parts store doesnt even recognize. Every part I need, I have to modify and make fit from another vehichle! My spark plug wires were bad, so I had to get some from a boat repair shop(dont ask!). My distributor went out, so I swapped in a 79 Datsun 280ZX distributor. My carburetor went out, so I swapped in a Rochester 1bbl from a 53 GMC 235 I-6. I tried getting spark plugs, and had to sort through my old ones to find one with a legible part number. My clutch slave cylinder went out. I luckily found out that an 87 Nissan pickup had the same one. The list just goes on and on!!

It has plenty of low-end torque, but my transmission's 1st gear ratio is only like 3:1, and I have no overdrive. To make it even better, it only synchro in 2nd and 3rd. The T-case has a 2.26:1 LO ratio, and has a twin stick. Its truely the only thing I would miss.

The stock engine is a massively huge 241cid Nissan I-6.

My buddy gave me a 3800 V6 out of a 90 Bonneville, complete with wiring harness and computer! What luck!

I also had a leftover T-5/NP207 combo left from my parts S-10.

It got me thinking... Even though the intake on the 3.8L is backwards from what a normal RWD engine would be, the shifter on the S-10 T-5 would be a fair distance from the surfaces where the bellhousing meets the back of the block. Also, the I-6 is pretty long, and I would have plenty of room to put the engine further forward. That would leave plenty of room between the firewall and the intake on the engine.

Im thinking I could use an S-10 clutch and a V6 camaro flywheel and pressure plate. The pilot bearing wouldnt be too bad. Just get the ID and OD measurements, and look it up. Or if nothing else, I work for a company that has its own machine shop...

Any thoughts? other possible problems Im not thinking about?

Anybody ever done anything similar?

[Grimm]

I guess that would make sense..I'm not sure if the s-10 trans would mate up with the 3.8 or not..I dunno what sort of trans they use or from what size engine it is or anything. I guess the only way to know is to try it.

[halflife52]

He said he has a T-5 trans. All he would need is the correct bellhousing to bolt up the trans.

[jonx4x4]

I have a bellhousing from a 2.8L. It has the 60* bellhousing bolt pattern, which according to several sites that Ive researched on, the 3800 has as well.

Something I need to know is what diameter flywheel the 3.8L Camaros had... Anybody?

[Grimm]

I didn't think the 3.4 and 3.8 bellhousings are interchangable..infact I'm almost certain they aren't. The 3.4 has a different bellhousing and bolt pattern than a 3.8 I'm pretty sure.

[Dogsballs]

why don't you get a 3.8 and t5 from a rwd f-body?? should drop in

[skalor]

If the T-5/NP-207 is from a 2.8 S-10 then is has the same bolt pattern as the 3.8. However, I think you might run into a problem with the starter pocket being on the wrong side of the bellhousing compared to the engine.

[skalor]

why don't you get a 3.8 and t5 from a rwd f-body?? should drop in
The problem with this is that I'm pretty sure that F-bodies have their trans clocked ~15*. If he used the F-body bellhousing with the S-series trans then the transfer case would be twisted up in the body most likely.

[halflife52]

The problem with this is that I'm pretty sure that F-bodies have their trans clocked ~15*. If he used the F-body bellhousing with the S-series trans then the transfer case would be twisted up in the body most likely.

i think he implied he'd be getting rid of the transfer case and converting the car to strictly RWD.

[TurboV6Camaro]

I guess that would make sense..I'm not sure if the s-10 trans would mate up with the 3.8 or not..I dunno what sort of trans they use or from what size engine it is or anything. I guess the only way to know is to try it.
4.3L trans is the same as a small block chevy so no they don't

[Grimm]

i think he implied he'd be getting rid of the transfer case and converting the car to strictly RWD.
I don't see where he said that. :shrug:


4.3L trans is the same as a small block chevy so no they don't

That's kinda what I figured. I found that out when I was researching v8 swaps in our old 4.3 s-10. The trans mounts right up because the 4.3 is bascially a smallblock chevy minus 2 cylnders. The 3.8 is completely different.

[skalor]

That's kinda what I figured. I found that out when I was researching v8 swaps in our old 4.3 s-10. The trans mounts right up because the 4.3 is bascially a smallblock chevy minus 2 cylnders. The 3.8 is completely different.

The 4.3 does use a small block bolt pattern, but he didn't state what engine the trans and transfer case was from. They also used a 2.8 in S-10s which uses the 60* bolt pattern.

[halflife52]

I don't see where he said that. :shrug:



It has plenty of low-end torque, but my transmission's 1st gear ratio is only like 3:1, and I have no overdrive. To make it even better, it only synchro in 2nd and 3rd. The T-case has a 2.26:1 LO ratio, and has a twin stick. Its truely the only thing I would miss.

I think that means he's getting rid of the transfer case.

[Dogsballs]

over hear you see these conversions everywhere. there is a place in western australia that does the 4WD and i thought i've seen the t5 still retained (obviously not F-body engines) or the trusty T700.

I'll find the link.
http://www.4wdworld.com.au/outlets/4wdadaptors/index.htm

or the v6 conversion guru's
http://www.v6conversions.com.au/

[Hefftone]

Back to the original post....
interms of bellhousing pattern
350sbc = 4.3L
3.8 (90°) FWD = 60° V6 (2.8,3.1,3100,3400)
3.8 (90°) FWD does not = 3.8 (90°) RWD

I don't know much else about the 3.8's fwd/rwd....
I would imagine that the 3.8fwd starter motor is in the wrong location with regards to a 2.8 (60*) S10 transmission, BUT i don't know. Mounts would likely be tricky, accessories too. But 3800 s/c would be a badass combo for that truck.... i'd like to know more about it, cuz i wanna do it too.

[triple_l82]

Back to the original post....
interms of bellhousing pattern
350sbc = 4.3L
3.8 (90°) FWD = 60° V6 (2.8,3.1,3100,3400)
3.8 (90°) FWD does not = 3.8 (90°) RWD

I don't know much else about the 3.8's fwd/rwd....
I would imagine that the 3.8fwd starter motor is in the wrong location with regards to a 2.8 (60*) S10 transmission, BUT i don't know. Mounts would likely be tricky, accessories too. But 3800 s/c would be a badass combo for that truck.... i'd like to know more about it, cuz i wanna do it too.


:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: sorry but wtf, did you at least research?:thinking:

Explain this, I have a 3.8 (90*) rwd and I swapped a 3.4 (60*) tranny to it and it ALL LINED UP. It lasted longer than the original granted the original was shot.

This is the truth right here, I have found this out myself by swapping or replacing this shit. Bolt patterns for trannys,

-----4.3, sbc, bbc = small block chevy pattern (there is another name for it but that is what most people understand)

-----2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3100, 3400, 3500, 3900, all have the 60* bolt pattern also SHARED with the 2.5 4-cylinder s-10, s-15 truck engines. All 60* trannys will swap to other 60* bolt patterns.

-----3.8 series 1, 2, and 3 also share the 60* bolt pattern. This means the L32, L36, and L67 can be bolted to the 60* v6 trannys of the 80s or the 2.5 4 cylinder trannys in the 80s. this includes FWD and RWD motors.

Hell you can even get an adapter to put a sbc pattern tranny behind the 60* bolt pattern. I know because I did it to solve all this tranny bullshit i had.

If you are going to say something al least search before you post.

[Hefftone]

Ouch, owned!

I just happened back across this post, and I'm glad you called that out, cause honestly the shit did'nt make sense. I'd gotten it mixed up with the old BOP.

[3800S10]

still the best way for the swap is f-body 3800 and not tranny shifter is in the wrong location unless you want to push engine forward and lose factory steering box. this is what i ended up doing to use f body trans w/ 3800 s10 swap also moving forwar allowed space for many other things in the back, future turbo's (yes turbo's), or easy access to m90 plumbing. The rack and pinion used was from a 2002 Explorer w/ its angle baox as wel, custom mounted of course. The truck actually handles better with the weight slid forward and a rack and pinion. MY rear end is also from the sam explorer an 8.8 w/ 373's and rear discs.