Buick 3.8 supercharged engine for street rod

Kctom · November 02, 2004, 10:14:58 PM

Been giving some thought to putting a 3.8 Buick supercharged V-6 in the pontiac. Anyone have any info on what it takes to do it? Don't want a computer so will run a carb, so what will I use to make the plugs fire. What trans will work so it will be rear wheel drive? How much H.P. will it make?
Thanks, tom

enjenjo · November 02, 2004, 11:14:07 PM

The 3.8 engine use a Computer controlled ignition, and I don't know that there is any provision for a distributor. I do know that the ignition computer module is self contained with the coil pack. You may have to come up with a stand alone crank triggered ignition. I think you still need a signal from the ECM to make the CCCI operate. In the long run, I would go ahead and use a computer, it will be easier in the long run, and not as difficult as you might think.

For the trans, you can use a 700R4 from an S10, the small V6 has the same bolt pattern as a 3.8. There may be one bolt that is different. You might also look for one from a TA with a turbo 3.8.

Pope Downunder · November 03, 2004, 08:19:13 PM

Quote from: "Kctom1"Been giving some thought to putting a 3.8 Buick supercharged V-6 in the pontiac. Anyone have any info on what it takes to do it? Don't want a computer so will run a carb, so what will I use to make the plugs fire. What trans will work so it will be rear wheel drive? How much H.P. will it make?
Thanks, tom

Good choice; I'd run the EFI.
They are essentially the same as our Commodores; I think they make around 240 bhp at the flywheel.
Contact Con at
http://www.castleauto.com.au/

I'm sure he'll be able to sort it out, including modifying the harness.

WZ JUNK · November 03, 2004, 09:07:33 PM

Quote from: "Kctom1"Been giving some thought to putting a 3.8 Buick supercharged V-6 in the pontiac. Anyone have any info on what it takes to do it? Don't want a computer so will run a carb, so what will I use to make the plugs fire. What trans will work so it will be rear wheel drive? How much H.P. will it make?
Thanks, tom

Three guys I know locally all run V 6 471 blower motors of this style. I know at least one of them has a throttle body fuel injection. I have run two of the cars on the strip and they are quick but not as fast as my truck. I have worked on one of them and drove it some. From my experience, I would go with a V 8 unless you have some other reason for doing the swap besides just having something different.

Crosley.In.AZ · November 03, 2004, 09:58:52 PM

doesn't the bell hosuing pattern on the buick motor have a hole in a different location?

Also... engine mounts are not on the sides of the block to go from sideways to front/back directions in the vehicle?

rooster · November 04, 2004, 08:28:04 AM

I have a 87 3.8 in a FWD park ave. It has the DFI ign! I looked in my book for it and it looks like in 85 there was a 3.8 with a place to mount a DIZZY at the front of the engine.

Kctom · November 04, 2004, 08:33:10 AM

Quote from: "rooster"I have a 87 3.8 in a FWD park ave. It has the DFI ign! I looked in my book for it and it looks like in 85 there was a 3.8 with a place to mount a DIZZY at the front of the engine.

is there a place to mount motor mounts on the side of the engine?

rooster · November 04, 2004, 09:45:24 AM

Quote from: "Kctom1"
Quote from: "rooster"I have a 87 3.8 in a FWD park ave. It has the DFI ign! I looked in my book for it and it looks like in 85 there was a 3.8 with a place to mount a DIZZY at the front of the engine.
is there a place to mount motor mounts on the side of the engine?

I tryed to see but its raining here! I think so, but your going to have to look at a rear drive model 85-87 regle maybe. The turbo models were no Dizzy installed though! Also think some ponco's came w/3.8. In 87 there were 3.8's with carb in regle's, cutless, and Grand prix!

enjenjo · November 04, 2004, 09:46:38 AM

Quote from: "Kctom1"
Quote from: "rooster"I have a 87 3.8 in a FWD park ave. It has the DFI ign! I looked in my book for it and it looks like in 85 there was a 3.8 with a place to mount a DIZZY at the front of the engine.
is there a place to mount motor mounts on the side of the engine?

If you want to mix and match parts, you can build on a 78 to 85 RWD block, and crank, along with the front cover and cam, using the FWD heads and supercharger intake. The 85 FWD was the only FWD engine that had provision for a distributor. This setup would fit a 200R4 trans.

I bought an 85 Park Ave with a bad engine, only to find out that the 85 engine was the only year that would work. Never did find one.

rooster · November 04, 2004, 10:07:59 AM

This might be a good place to nose around! http://www.buickforums.com/forums/index.php?act=idx

There were some models w/hei ign's. meaning you could trash the computer and run a vac/adv dizzy for the sparks and timing for a small one I sugest , http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/ , most 3.8 came with a MAFC if computer operated.