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 Post subject: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 2:54 pm 
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Location: Boise, ID
I am basically brand new at almost any major projectcar but I do have a 1980 LUV and I've grown to absolutely love this thing for no real reason. Anyway, I am looking at a 3.8 L V6 out of a 1983 Monte Carlo. Would this be an"easy" swap?

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 4:47 pm 
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MOUTH wrote:
I am basically brand new at almost any major projectcar but I do have a 1980 LUV and I've grown to absolutely love this thing for no real reason. Anyway, I am looking at a 3.8 L V6 out of a 1983 Monte Carlo. Would this be an"easy" swap?


ask dr_frankenstein56 lol

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 6:33 pm 
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MOUTH wrote:
I am basically brand new at almost any major projectcar

From this statement, I would say it would NOT be "Easy" for you. I put one in my truck when I was about 20, back in the 80's way BEFORE the internet could help and had to figure out my own questions, it was fairly easy but I am moderately mechanicly inclined. So without personally knowing you or your skill level, it is a pretty hard question to answer.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 8:03 pm 
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well I want to stear as clear a I can from any real fabrication. Would I need to move or cut into the firewall at all? I can manage motor mount modification. Is the rear end tough enough to handle the power difference or should I find a different one like the one from the Monte Carlo? Are the front shocks going to buckle with the larger engine? I can turn a wrench and get it running once it is in but I just need to know it will fit.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 8:41 pm 
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It will fit without modding the firewall, the shocks will be fine,and you most likely won't break the rear at that power level...

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 8:53 pm 
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So what you are saying is that I need a new drive line, radiator, and all the little odds and ends and she'll basically slip right in. oh and the engine comes with a 3 speed auto trans. Is the bell housing going to be too large?

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 10:14 pm 
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MOUTH wrote:
So what you are saying is that I need a new drive line, radiator, and all the little odds and ends and she'll basically slip right in. oh and the engine comes with a 3 speed auto trans. Is the bell housing going to be too large?

Too large for what? You need to look through the owners pics, there are several with v6 engines. It will take some fab work, if you think you cant do it you might not.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Wed May 11, 2011 11:45 pm 
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LUVTruck.com Lifer

Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2003 11:34 pm
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Location: Caldwell ID
this is a chevy 4.3l V6 in my luv. it was ez to do . my other truck i sold i put a v8 in it ..

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 12:24 am 
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I can't tell if you had to dig into the firewall our not. Did you?

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 1:16 am 
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No firewall mods are necessary...

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 6:22 am 
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Beautiful! I think I am going to go for it. Thank you guys. I'm sure I'll be back in no time asking more questions. Thanks again and wish me luck.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 9:39 am 
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id say before you commit to the BUICK V6 you should consider your performance goals and Budget first. I love these Engines- but they aint cheap.

From what your saying though, I would bet you have an ODDFIRE Chevrolet V6. 305 with 2 cylinders knocked off.

a GM 4.3 or any of the 60* V6s would be what I would reccomend. As Ol'Rob carrys the Mounts for the Chevy based stuff. This reduces the fab quite a bit.

I carry the Buick Mounts and hardware needed, but like I said, think long and hard before commiting to the BOP world.

first things first. before you pick up a single wrench.

Be Realistic about what you want from the truck. What is it Performance, and how fast?
Then Decide how much you want to spend.

A.j.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 1:38 pm 
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Well I have a very limited budget. That's why I'm considering this motor and tranny. I can have them both tomorrow for $100. 150 K miles on them. I can have the rear end (if needed) for $75. All I want is a fun cruiser. Not really a major power house. Coarse I'd be lying if I said that I don't want one. I just know that I probably can't afford one right now. The LUV I have now is a 4 speed that can't do highway speed without almost red lining. Basically, I would like to make a fun car out of this learning experience.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 3:22 pm 
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if you have the whole driveline to part out, well hell by all means go with the odd fire.

I cant quite remember, but im almost positive that the oddfire 3.8 chevy used the same or simular mounts as the V8, which would allow you to upgrade at some point in the future to a larger and more powerful V8.

the key element here is the trans and rear that you have.

i could almost bet you got a chevy T350C, or lock up 350 - which is a good thing. but the lack of 4th gear does present some problems.... sooooo

THE REAR! this is gonna be the important area. the Monte rear is tooo wide so it has nuthing to offer. Your best bet is to look for a S10 rear with either 3.73s or pray to somebody the rare 3.42s.

3.42s or lower is what you need as that oddfire chevy wont spin worth a shit in the upper ranges.

thats should be all you need, pull your motor - get your mounts from rob - drop it in, wire it up, (shit use the stock radiator with a 55 chevy 235 fan) drop your S10 rear and a mega shifter. its on like donkey kong! total budget, less than 800.

A.j.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 3:39 pm 
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Awesome! Would any S10 rear really work? I know where I can get one. I just don't know how to tell what kind it is.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2011 8:45 pm 
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get a 2 wheel drive s10 rear, the 4x4 is wider...

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2011 6:41 am 
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Another alternative is a 200R4 trans then you can stay with the stock rear end.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2011 10:00 am 
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K. I can get a rear end out of an S10 with a 3.73 ratio for 350 bucks that has 150 K miles or a 3.42 for 200 bucks but it's got 206 K miles. I know the 3.42 is recommended but that's a ton of miles. Should I just get the 3.73.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2011 11:49 am 
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or go with the 2004r like SC reccomended.

hard part is finding a decent overdrive trans for cheap.

but if you can do that- the rear can stay stock.

A.j.

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 Post subject: Re: 3.8 V6 Good idea?
PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2011 7:55 pm 
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So much for that entire project. On my way to the guy's house to pick up the motor at the time that was scheduled between us yesterday, I call to confirm the adress and he informs me that he sold it a half hour ago. So that ends the project unless I can find another wicked deal like that again. Thank you guys so much for your input and help. I'll be back once I get more money or another deal. I will not give up. My LUV love is here to stay.

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