LUVTruck.com

I'm swapping a 3.8 (chevy) V6 into my '76 and I was going to run the stock exhaust manifolds but after reading up on some of the experiences on this site it seems the better way to go is headers (at least for you V8 guys). My question for you guys who have used the hooker headers for your V8's is whether or not they can be modified for a V6. I'm pretty sure my 3.8L has the same external dimensions as a 4.3L and I'm not worried about emissions(Iowa is slack on that issue).

Also, I was wondering about what has to be done to swap in a S-10 rearend- does everything bolt up or is there modifications to be made and how do the external dimensions stack up between stock and the S-10's.

By the way, Good tech article on the V8 swap

Try autofab, I got my install kit from them and they came with these chrome headers designed just for the LUV. Saved me a lot of time!

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RIP R.J.B.

tilted what you have pictured is buick....he is wanting chevy.
I dont think the chevy V-6 is the same as Buick 3.8.
I dont know of anyone who makes headers for chevy 3.8.
you would be better off getting a header kit and fabing your own headers. That is a time consuming process I will say.

as for S10 rear end it is straight forward. you will have to change the U-joint yolk to match the S10 rear though.

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03Cobra

Oops! I was going to put that mine was a buick but forgot. But he should still try Autofab as they might have them for the chevy block also. Not sure as I bought my kit back around 1990.

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RIP R.J.B.

Actually all the 3.8s were Buick it dose't matter if it came in a Chevy Oldsmobile or Pontiac.

Wasn't there something about Chevy's being a 90 degree motor and the Buicks being a 60 degree?? Not exactly sure what that means but I remember being asked a question about something like that when I ordered my install kit.

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Click on C.M. logo to go to my webpage


RIP R.J.B.

Yes you are correct, and Buick's are 60 and the Chevy's are 90. As far as I know, the degree refers to the angle between cylinder banks. In other words, its the angle of the "V" between the driver side and passenger side banks. That's why the Buick's are narrower and have a smaller intake manifold.

The Chevy V6 is basically a V8 with two cylinders missing. I even heard that some parts are interchangeable.

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If at first you don't succeed, try it like your wife told you to do it.

The 4.3 is the only Chevy motor that is 90 degree. It is acually a 350 less 2 cilinders. All the 3.8s uese the same block but some later models use different heads thus the differece in intakes.

So there's a Chevy 3.8 and a Buick 3.8?

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If at first you don't succeed, try it like your wife told you to do it.

To answer the question in the first post about diminsions of 3.8 being the same as a 4.3 the are not. The GM 3.8 (same for all divions but called Buick because it was what the engine was origially developed for) is a 60 degree motor. The 4.3 motor is a 90 dergree motor based on the small block v8. A 4.3 swap would be very similar to a v8 swap but the engine is shorter by one cylinder (seems easy to me) and preformance parts are readily available. These motors can produce good power and most were originally fuel injected so if swapped in useing the F.I. smog tests should be no problem. As for the 3.8 preformance parts are also avail. not sure what kind of power can be made with them though. Don't know anyone that has invested the money into one of them.

Ah I see. Good explanation.

Now I see that you already explained that a little in a post above that I missed.

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If at first you don't succeed, try it like your wife told you to do it.

Chevy has two families of V6's; the 60 degree 2.8L, 3.1L, 3.4L and the 90 degree (smallblock V8 based) 200ci, 229ci, 262ci. Buick's V6 is a 90 degree engine based on their small V8 and first came out in 1960. The 231ci (3.8L) and the 252ci (4.1L) share nothing with the Chevy motor. As far as I know, and I could very well be mistaken as I hate the newer cars, the "Chevy" 3.8 is actually a revised Buick engine.

You are correct about the Chevy 3.8 being a buick but nothing changed. Also right about it being 60 degree I was not thinking correctly.

I forgot this part. For hop-up parts for the 3.8, look to the folks at KenneBell. They've been making stuff for those engines for decades. As far as power potential, the turbocharged version of the 3.8L in the Buick GNX has been known to make over 600hp and still be very streetable; enough to push a 3800lb Regal thru the 1/4 in the low 11's/high 10's.
KenneBell
10743 Bell Court
Rancho Cucamonga, Ca 91730
(909) 941-6646

Hey since you mention the Buick 6, thought I would share a tidbit of info for anyone else into the Buick 6 swap. Tad Kimbler just sent me an update on his blown Buick 6 powered 73. I will post the pics on the gallery page for his truck, but here is the email from Tad:

Derek,

Here are some photos of my ATI D-1 procharger upgrade work in progress. I am almost done, have the carb to rework, and then off to the track. Will advise on best time slip soon. Recent upgrades are: New MSD 8977 Programmable ign. Unit, 4.11 gears instead of 4.56 gears. Work in progress, yippee, talk to you soon. Tad Kimbler


Ok now my two cents on the Buick V6, I am not a V6 guy, but I have been up close to this truck and even behind it in traffic and this truck is totally bad ass! Just the sound of it alone is enough to put any 'car guy' on full alert! I think this truck is a very good example of what you can do with a V6 in a LUV truck, and I wouldn't be suprised if Tad produces some very impressive time slips with this setup.

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LUV Truck Desserter!
76 Daily driver (SOLD)
73 LUV (rusting away at the moment)
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63 Nova
74 Camaro

Alright guys, here's the deal. There are two GM 3.8's, the 231 cid buick and the lesser known 229 cid chevy. The 229ci- which I have- is a little brother to the 4.3L. The 4.3L, as everybody knows, is basically a 350ci with two cylinders lopped off. The 3.8L chevy is a 305ci missing two cylinders (305*.75=229). The 229ci has all the appearances of the 4.3L-chevy water pump, distributor in the back of the engine, etc. The 229ci was made from 1980-84 and mine was out of a '80 Impala.
I know it isn't much, but hey, it was free. And I figure i could upgrade to a 4.3 without a problem.
thanks for your input, guys.

oops. forgot to login for that last post. My bad.

After 1978, the Chevy 200, 229 and 262 (4.3L) were all 90deg. From 78-84 they were also "odd-fire," with '85 they changed to an even fire. All are basically a V8 with two cylinders taken out, more or less. Small differences in alignment holes, but the bell housing are essentially the same for the SB V8 and the 90deg V6. Mager internal difference is the oil delivery system. In '86 they went to a single piece main rear seal, cutting down ont the leak often seen prior to. Also, different fly wheels were used prior too - a HD version used a 168 tooth, while the "standard" used a 153. The 153 can have four possible flywheel cuts = 8, 9, 9 1/2 and a 10 1/2. Also, the 78-85 engines were internally balanced, while 86 and on the flywheel is externally balanced. (The V6 and V8 do not have interchangable flywheels - side note). Probably the best early model V6 is the Buick 225 Dauntless (opinion). It to is an odd fire, but does it have amazing torque (mainly due to a 95 lbs flywheel). The 231 Buick is basically the same engine, bored out to accept the V8 piston (interchangable parts there) and therefore a bit easier to maintain.
OK - history lesson done (only one person, working off memory at the moment, so some of my "facts" may be disputed).

Dude this thread is 4 years old, stop living in the past

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

Too funny!! I couldnt figure out why the link to my picture wasnt working, well it was 2 ISP's ago!! Welcome and thanks for the input, but I think it is a pretty moot point now!

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Click on C.M. logo to go to my webpage


RIP R.J.B.