Newbie here, need some help with tranny selection on a RWD conversion. I have a 3800 II SC L67 form a 2000 Grand Prix and I need to get it lashed up to an auto or stick for a hot rod project. I've been told some of the other GM V6's can be used, but have no idea from which years. Will the trannys from the last runs of Camaros or Firebirds work? I know my motor is a 60 degree engine, but not all V-6 stuff will work, eh? Can anyone point me to an old thread here on this forum or a link to a DEFINITIVE chart or list of suitable donor cars? Just about any small sized autos or manuals will work for me, including anything super new.
Also looking for any aftermarket wiring kits that will make this a stand alone project. I have all the OEM looms from my donor car, but prefer to reduce the mass of wires if I can.
Thanx in advance as they say. Gary
PS... project car is a "Phantom" 27 Ford pickup cab that I just got. It will have a bed in a few weeks and the whole deal is planned to weigh only 2000 lbs. The L67 will be stock, that will be more than enough, eh? Here is a mock-up photo or two.
John,
90 degrees? Jeez, everyone has been telling me 60. Sure is small for a 90. Anyway... other than the same year Camaro / Firebird, any other "metric" trannys work? Thanx, Gary
The camaro/firebird is really the only one that'll fit. They switched bolt patterns for the seriesII 3800's and the only car that got a manual trans for them are the camaro/firebirds. The problem is those t5 trans's are weak as crap. A stock l67 would give them a run for their money. If you really want to shell out the cash a company on here sells a converted t56(6spd) trans from a z28 good for 700hp that you can bolt up. It runs around $2100 though...about the same price as a built t5.
The camaro/firebird is really the only one that'll fit. They switched bolt patterns for the seriesII 3800's and the only car that got a manual trans for them are the camaro/firebirds. The problem is those t5 trans's are weak as crap. A stock l67 would give them a run for their money. If you really want to shell out the cash a company on here sells a converted t56(6spd) trans from a z28 good for 700hp that you can bolt up. It runs around $2100 though...about the same price as a built t5.
I forgot to add last time that I don't plan to hot rod the motor any. Just getting it lashed up and fit will be work enough. What about automatics? Same donor cars? Are any of the new GM motors, say from RWD caddys or blazer types workable? Do they have the small pattern.
New question... Holden or similar (any of the newer Pontiacs) intakes. I need to get my throttle body turned around 135-150 degrees and pointed forward. Idears? Thanx, Gary
PS gotta sign off for the eve... yak at you all tomorrow. Gary
The vacuum modulated 700r4 from a 82-92 FBody 2.8/3.1L will work if the ECM is tuned for a manual trans. Otherwise for ease, use an Fbody auto from the same year of the donor car ('00)
All 3800's are 90* motors with the small pattern. Only the older 3.8's had the small block pattern.
The T5's are a bit weak, but can be built to hold pretty good. When the auto's out of the firebird/camaro are built up, they can be pretty strong. These are probably our best 2 options.
I dont know of any newer pontiac that have a forward facing intake, but for your setup the holden supercharger would be fine. Good luck on getting one though
Justin
GMC Sierra 2008
Yamaha V-Star 1100 2003
For more information about the L67 swap into an F-body, please click here
I forgot to add last time that I don't plan to hot rod the motor any. Just getting it lashed up and fit will be work enough. What about automatics? Same donor cars? Are any of the new GM motors, say from RWD caddys or blazer types workable? Do they have the small pattern.
New question... Holden or similar (any of the newer Pontiacs) intakes. I need to get my throttle body turned around 135-150 degrees and pointed forward. Idears? Thanx, Gary
PS gotta sign off for the eve... yak at you all tomorrow. Gary
A GM engineer recently told me the T8 RWD trans was built originally for a free flowing 5 liter Northstar that never happened, and is therefore overbuilt. I looked at this once and I believe the Northstar pattern is not quite like a 3800SII/III but might be workable. I'd have to look again - maybe we made a thread about that once. I could swear I researched that some.
That is likely to run much more than 2100, and with no guarantee on fitment.
DSC07532aW.jpgGang,
Sorry for the delay getting back. In the good news department, a 4L60(?) from a late model Camaro V6 dropped out of the sky as a freebie yesterday, so it would seem my transmission choice is a done deal. The only thing we haven't checked is the bolt pattern on the torque converters / flex plates but it looks good. Thanx for all your inputs. I'm sure there will be more, from headers to who knows what. I'm going to try to insert a couple of photos again... so you can see where the L67 is going. Later, Gary
I worked on a guy's house a while back that was making metal struts fo an older truck, similar to yours. The struts and body braces were to replace wooden ones, is that a wood-framed body (so to speak)?
Thanx...
The body is all glass, it is a new "phantom" body - sort of a 27 Ford but the cab is extended and chopped. The frame is a modified Model A Ford frame. The only other parts I have are headlights, a 34 Ford truck grille and the 3800 / tranny. I will get the bed in a few weeks, a steel repro Model A. Next up is to get the front end fit icw the motor / trans mounts. The rear of the frame will be completed after we get the bed and figure out what can go where. Gary
Sounds like you are going to have a nice looking performer for not a whole lot of cash dumped in. That coupled with low weight/ride height, maybe a little elbow grease will make a show stopper.
Sometimes wish I had time for a project like that. A 3500-powered mid-engine Volkswagen Beetle glassy would scream
Thanx...
The body is all glass, it is a new "phantom" body - sort of a 27 Ford but the cab is extended and chopped. The frame is a modified Model A Ford frame. The only other parts I have are headlights, a 34 Ford truck grille and the 3800 / tranny. I will get the bed in a few weeks, a steel repro Model A. Next up is to get the front end fit icw the motor / trans mounts. The rear of the frame will be completed after we get the bed and figure out what can go where. Gary
That is so cool. I wish i had the money for a project like that. What exactly are your goals? For a car...thing that weighs in at probably under 3000lbs, an l67 should be a crapload of fun. Are you going to use an american m90, or try and find an aussie one?
Originally Posted by Forced_Firebird
A 3500-powered mid-engine Volkswagen Beetle glassy would scream
Dude! I want to build up an old school beetle air cooled engine like you wouldn't believe. My boss used to play with them when he worked in his dad's machine shop way back when(like late 60's).
Gents,
The plan is to keep this project below 2000 lbs, so that is why no hot rodding is planned. In the mean time, I'm taking all inputs for stuff like, headers / header kits, a shallower / wider oil pan, elbows to turn the SC input around say 180 degrees so I can remount the throttle body over the driver's side valve cover and the intake straight forward of that; etc, etc... one more pix... and signing off for the evening. Later, Gary
-John
Originally Posted by Grimm
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