3.4 to 3.8??

[vjf915]

I was wondering how compatable the 3.8 is in an original 3.4 car? Contemplating swapping out the 3.4 given that it has so many miles on it and will need a rebuild soon anyway. Tried searching already and couldnt come up with anything. In case it matters, its a 94 with a manual tranny....would I also need to swap in a T56?

[Mike]

3.8 stick cars were 5 speeds

[vjf915]

So I would be able to keep my tranny? Thanks. Anybody have any input on the engine?

[Mike]

probably need at least a different bellhousing

[GrandmasterCow]

trans is different from a 3.4L and 3.8L, bellhousing is diff but also the 3.8L uses a hydrolic slave that bolts to the pump cover inside the bellhousing, whille the 3.4L uses an external slave outside the bellhousing with a fork.

[vjf915]

So I would actually need the 5 speed transmission that came with the 3.8? I would also need the wiring harness and computer, exhaust manifolds arent an issue as I would put on headers and exhaust at the same time. Anything else?

[Savage_Messiah]

k-member, motor mounts are different

[rbaksi]

if you're changing all that you might as well drop an LT1 in it. It wouldnt cost much more I think.

[vjf915]

I didnt plan on definately dropping a 3.8 in, I was wondering how much work it would be because I was considering it as a possibility.

[Savage_Messiah]

If you do I have a pretty much complete 3.8 sitting in my garage awaiting a rebuild I may be willing to part with for the right price

[vjf915]

Just the engine or do you have the tranny too?

[usp55]

To swap a 3.8 you will need a complete 3.8, wiring harness, pcm, and K-member, trans.
I looked into the swap a ways back and the general consensus was that if you were gona go through everything that was involved to swap the 3.8 in u might as well go for the lt1/ls1 swap. The 3.8 will only net u 35 or 40 more horsepower over the stock 160hp 3.4. The positives are that there are much more options as far as bolt-on's, tuneability, etc with the 3.8. But again if you were going to go through all that u might as well just do the v8 swap and still have more power stock than a complete bolt-on 3.8.

Here is a start on some good thread on the topic.
http://forum.camarov6.com/search.php?searchid=358151

There is a complete LS1/trany/front suspension in the classifieds for $3500
http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=37226
That's a hell of a price for that complete setup and I've seen it go for much more



To be honest i would just sell your 3.4 go out and buy a lt1/ls1 car. Prices are going down on them in recent. Ive been looking


HTH - But I still love my 3.4, just have to get her to the track and have some fun

[vjf915]

Thanks for the input guys. What I originally wanted to do was get this car back in running shape as its pretty beat up. It will probably need an engine rebuild soon, definatly needs a tranny rebuild. But I figured that if swapping in a 3.8 was relatively easy, I would do that instead of an engine rebuild. Looks like Im going to put this on hold and probably save up for an LT1 car as an LS1 car is way out of my price range right now. Thanks for all the help.

[Savage_Messiah]

Originally Posted by vjf915

Just the engine or do you have the tranny too?

yeah but it needs an overhaul/rebuild