Has anyone done this? I have access to a Buick Grand National 3.8L Turbo engine, with 18K miles. Has anyone stuck something this large, with EFI and turbo, into their Trooper? If so, what challenges would I face? Are there any special considerations other than say, the wiring harness and computer? I'm a noob at this kind of engine swap.

Thanks

Bryce Canyon <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

CPOM is doing a swap now with a 3800 , and there is lots of fabrication involved and matching up parts.Read his post on project pup and see how much he has done so far.Also another 3800SC was used , but that swap was done in an amigo , not sure if its identical to a trooper swap or not.

Yes my biggest challenges are the clutch issues but that is because I decided to use another trans.

Dan H. (Houlster) finished his and also used a different trans. He designed his fuel delivery and spark timing through a custom controller you build yourself called megasquirt. I elected to try the same as it is completely custom to your desire, patience and particular setup. www.Megasquirt.info

You of course could resuse the stock ECM, wiring harness and ZU trans. Going this route, at minimum you are looking at:

-custom motor mounts
-modification to your clutch mechanism (probably just lengthening or -shortening the slave cylinder shaft particular to the buick pressure plate.)
-modifying the charging circuit

then it's just a matter of making the connections between zu and buick:
-power steering
-starting circuit
-HVAC

Probaby left some things out but that is the bulk of it.

buick 3.8 wont bolt up like the gm 3.8 will it?

Isn't GM and Buick same company? I believe I saw buick on the list of engines before that bolt to the 60 degree.

There is a distinction between later model "3800" motors and earlier 3.8's.

The Grand National 3.8 is derived from the older Buick 231 C.I. (3.8L) V6 and has a 90-degree block with the old B-O-P (Buick-Olds-Pontiac) bellhousing pattern. Which is not the same as a GM 4.3 or SBC V8 either, BTW.

The only "3.8" AKA "3800" that would bolt up would be one that has a 60 degree bolt pattern at the bellhousing.

The Camaro 3800, '95 and up qualifies as one.

So to use a Grand National V6 you'd have to make an adapter or use a completely different and custom tranny/transfer case setup.

HTH.........ed

I want to thank you all who replied to my original post. I found all your info to be very helpful. Me thinks that with my current skill level and tool set, this is far to huge of a project right now. Perhaps I will just go with the tried and true swap with a 3.1 (correct?) 60 degree V6. That seems to me to be the most cost effect and fastest swap that I could do right now.

Thanks Again

Bryce Canyon

you mean the 3.4L <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />, thats what everyones swaping in these.

Yup , go with the 3.4 , thats what I am doing if you read my post.I am being difefrent though , and doing a complete setup without taking anything off my trooper to do it.This includes mostly new parts , and am also adding headers , difefrent starter , etc. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The 3.4 is the most Bang for the Buck$ that you'll find for power improvement. The difference in HP and torque is simply amazing and makes the rig very enjoyable to drive.

I've got all the info you'll need to do a 2.8-to-3.4 swap, just send me a Private Mssg with your e-mail address and I'll forward the files to you.

Cheers..............ed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />