My chumpcar team is planning on swapping the current engine in our 90 Cav with a gen II 3800. From what I have read the swap will be fairly straightforward, except we have to use the wiring harness and ECU out of a 95+ Camaro/Firebird. I have also read the that fly wheel will need to be changed or milled down to fit on the 5 speed that is currently in the car. Also new engine mounts will need to be bought or made, and various hoses, etc. will also need to be replace. Am I on the right track with how I am thinking about this, or not? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Not many people have done a 3800 swap. I non supercharged engine isn't that great for racing. I know of thwo people that have done it on 1st and 2nd gens. There isn't much info. A 3400/3500 would give you a lot more power and is Avery simple swap. Almost drop in. You will double your power and you can turbo it very easilily. Other the. That I doubt anyone will be able to assist you on here.
On the inside my car looks like a fighter jet.
Rob Dotterer wrote:Not many people have done a 3800 swap. I non supercharged engine isn't that great for racing. I know of thwo people that have done it on 1st and 2nd gens. There isn't much info. A 3400/3500 would give you a lot more power and is Avery simple swap. Almost drop in. You will double your power and you can turbo it very easilily. Other the. That I doubt anyone will be able to assist you on here.
From the research I've done, a Gen II 3800 L36 rated at 205 HP/ 230 ft lbs. The 3500 LX9, the engine I'm assuming you're referring too, has 213 HP/ 221 ft lbs, which isn't that much of a difference. The biggest problem I see is that the only manual tranny that was offered in any car that used the LX9 was a 6 speed. Currently swapping the tranny isn't in the cards.
As for the 3400, I'm not sure which model of that engine you are referring too.
If I am way off base, please let me know.
2.2, 2.8, 3.1, 3100, 3400, 3500 all can use the stock jbody transmission, flywheel and clutch.
3400 swap
3500 swap
On the inside my car looks like a fighter jet.
Another things to remember is the 3400 and 3500 are a lot lighter then that 3800 so they are equal if not better power to weight. Also the are an it better technology wise. While the 3800 has a lot of following and can make a lot of power so can the 3400 and 3500. They are almost drop in compared to all the modifying to put that 3800 in. Almost everyone on v6z24.com has a 3400 powered 2nd gen or knows someone who does.
On the inside my car looks like a fighter jet.
Rob Dotterer wrote:2.2, 2.8, 3.1, 3100, 3400, 3500 all can use the stock jbody transmission, flywheel and clutch.
3400 swap
3500 swap
So, even though the engine wasn't offered with a 5 speed, the 5 speed in my car will work?
Robert Makowski wrote:Rob Dotterer wrote:Not many people have done a 3800 swap. I non supercharged engine isn't that great for racing. I know of thwo people that have done it on 1st and 2nd gens. There isn't much info. A 3400/3500 would give you a lot more power and is Avery simple swap. Almost drop in. You will double your power and you can turbo it very easilily. Other the. That I doubt anyone will be able to assist you on here.
From the research I've done, a Gen II 3800 L36 rated at 205 HP/ 230 ft lbs. The 3500 LX9, the engine I'm assuming you're referring too, has 213 HP/ 221 ft lbs, which isn't that much of a difference. The biggest problem I see is that the only manual tranny that was offered in any car that used the LX9 was a 6 speed. Currently swapping the tranny isn't in the cards.
As for the 3400, I'm not sure which model of that engine you are referring too.
If I am way off base, please let me know.
You're confusin the LX9 with the LZ4. The LX9 will bolt right to the 2nd gen manual transmission with no modifications. It's based on the same block as the 3100 and 3400, with a few minor modifications. It's also a bolt-in as far as getting the engine mounted, because you just use the 2.8/3.1 mounts for the 2nd gen, and it's lighter than the 3800 by far. If you look for a 3400, they're just about a dime a dozen. The LX9's aren't even that expensive these days. You would be much better off going that route than the 3800.
Mr. Quick wrote:Robert Makowski wrote:Rob Dotterer wrote:Not many people have done a 3800 swap. I non supercharged engine isn't that great for racing. I know of thwo people that have done it on 1st and 2nd gens. There isn't much info. A 3400/3500 would give you a lot more power and is Avery simple swap. Almost drop in. You will double your power and you can turbo it very easilily. Other the. That I doubt anyone will be able to assist you on here.
From the research I've done, a Gen II 3800 L36 rated at 205 HP/ 230 ft lbs. The 3500 LX9, the engine I'm assuming you're referring too, has 213 HP/ 221 ft lbs, which isn't that much of a difference. The biggest problem I see is that the only manual tranny that was offered in any car that used the LX9 was a 6 speed. Currently swapping the tranny isn't in the cards.
As for the 3400, I'm not sure which model of that engine you are referring too.
If I am way off base, please let me know.
You're confusin the LX9 with the LZ4. The LX9 will bolt right to the 2nd gen manual transmission with no modifications. It's based on the same block as the 3100 and 3400, with a few minor modifications. It's also a bolt-in as far as getting the engine mounted, because you just use the 2.8/3.1 mounts for the 2nd gen, and it's lighter than the 3800 by far. If you look for a 3400, they're just about a dime a dozen. The LX9's aren't even that expensive these days. You would be much better off going that route than the 3800.
Ok, so the 2.2 to LX9 swap is the way to go from what I'm hearing. According to Wikipedia, "" Power output ranges from 196 hp (146 kW) to 201 hp (150 kW), torque ranges from 213 lb·ft (289 N·m) to 221 lb·ft (300 N·m).", why the difference in power? Also, what about the electronics, ECU, wiring harness, etc. We are planning to stripping the engine of all unnecessary components, power steering, AC, etc.
Also, what is the difference with the LZ4?
