Out with the old...




In with the new...




It's an '02 3800sc motor out of a Grand Prix GTP. Low miles and an excellent price. It's gonna take a while I think. I just lowered it in place to get an idea of the clearances.

This, I think, it gonna be one sweet motor. 240 hp stock, or with about $700 in parts for an intercooler and pulley, around 300 hp.

--Dan

A moderator who's with a non-performing Isuzu, who is constantly messing with an engine swap that's never quite done.

Now I know why I never see either you in the pictures. You're the same person!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Just out of curiosity, since you reason all this stuff out, why this engine? Why not diesel, or some other?

[edit-I thought this was self-obvious that I was jokingly comparing Randii and Dan Houlster as clones, or at least twins. You always see pictures of a rig (or the parts they're working on) but there's never a person in the picture. Since *I* have never seen them together, there is some doubt in my mind as to whether it's one person or two]

Not to jump on our mod's toes, but these are the reasons I would use this motor....

The SC'd 3.8 is a fairly light, comapct fro its displacement, adn one torquey and potent motor without a blower or turbo(think, Grand National)... They have a HUGE aftermarket following..

And dont forget the cool factor...

And, it'll be stone dead reliable.....

Dan, way to go brother... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

uh... what? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> My Isuzu performs quite well, and I started this swap less than a week ago???




I looked at other engines, and actually have a 4.9 caddy motor as well. Diesel? The only diesels that will have the output I want weigh a ton, won't bolt to my tranny (very easily anyways), are over-seas and/or cost way too much.

The 4.9 caddy (200 hp / 300 lb-ft torque) is a cheap motor, has gobs of torque, but is low on hp. I'd probably be quite happy with the torque, but there's not much potential in them without serious work. It would fill the engine bay up for sure, but is short enough to fit without serious problems I think.

LS1 would be an awesome motor, but very expensive and wouldn't bolt to my tranny without adapters. 5.3 vortec same same, except it is cheaper, but also heavier. I also think these motors, short though they are, could cause real problems with fitting their length with the accessory drive on front.

I was looking at a 3400 engine too. Very compact and lightweight, with room I think for twin turbos with it's narrow Vee angle, but I think I'd really be pushing it to get 300 hp out of it.

The 3800sc has good power and torque from the start (240 hp, 280 lb-ft torque), and it has huge potential for upgrades down the road too. Like I said, 300 hp isn't all the expensive or difficult to achieve. If you go nuts, 500 - 600 hp is attainable as well.

--Dan

looking good dan

I was counting the time since your avatar changed; once you picked it I figured you were set on course. Ah, heck, I was counting tramsission too. I just assumed it was all out; didn't realize you were still driving it.

You mention HP being more important to your designs than Torque (within reason, of course). Why is your focus on HP? Just a personal preference? Or do you figure with the gearing you have (including the Klune-V) that you have all the low-end torque you need?

I know I'm bugging you, but I'm trying to learn the the "why's" behind the "what's done."

Sorry, I don't post much , but I couldn't resist. If I may add a few things about the Buick V-6, this motor has been around for decades. They're bullitproof. Buick also had a 4.1 (along with the 3.8) that they actually put into full size cars like the LeSabre and Electras back in to the early 80's. In fact, I think Jeeps had the Buick V-6 as an option back into the 60's and 70's if I'm not mistaken. It's a fantastic motor, and has lots and lots of torque (mostly the newer fuel injected ones) WAY TO GOT THERE DAN!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I saw Dan's rig in Moab in May...maybe you're thinking of Randii? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I like those questions, DAN we want answers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> NICE MOTOR! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

You're the one person I've borrowed a saying from:

StupidLow(tm).

As in, I overheard you say this once last May:

Houlster: "When I've got it in StupidLow(tm) I can't hold the rig with my brakes."

That right there was my motivating factor to regear and TeraLow my Rodeo ASAP. To get closer to StupidLow(tm).

Looking good, Dan - send some pictures of the Volvo shifter. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />