Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

[MadPSI]

Anyone have any experience/ideas regarding such a swap? I'm seriously considering doing this after much debating with both myself and my Turbo Buick friends. A few main points of why I think it might be worth trying...

- The Buick 3.8 is capable of handling more HP more reliably when built.
- It's been done many times more than built SyTy 4.3s...
- TONS more knowledge, support, and available parts...
- Cheaper...
- It won't be as big of a PITA to drop in as a 6 litre motor...
- Since the prototype Sy had one, it won't technically be "blasphemous".

Before people jump on board and blast me for this idea, let me say that in my travels I've grenaded 4 built SyTy motors. Two ate their bearings, one shattered its rings, and one cracked a cylinder wall.

I'm not making this decision in haste either. I already have a 6.0 L V8 (bought for the swap) sitting in the garage that I'm contemplating getting rid of now. I also have a donor Sy that I am using to mock everything up on before I transition it to my blue truck.

Does anyone have any experience with motor mount compatibility, oil pan fit, etc? My buddies have spare blocks that they'll loan me to work with, but if there's already a kit available, I'd rather go that route.

Just airing out my ideas... I'll create a "diary" of sorts once I begin this project.

 

[SYO237]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

http://sportmachines.com/magrack/truck_sport_utility_2-93_1.html

 

[Norm]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

Interesting post. Just wonder how much more work would be required with the transfer case/front diff in the way.

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

Interesting post. Just wonder how much more work would be required with the transfer case/front diff in the way.

Probably is barely a factor, from what I have read in the past, they had to also re-work the firewall, I could be wrong but I could have sworn I read that somewhere.

 

[blk00z28]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

Ill bet if someone fabed up an oilpan and put the turbo in the syty spot rather then where the 3.8's have it the engine would fit better.

What ever happened to this truck? Does anyone know..

 

[autoaddictions]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

Anyone have any experience/ideas regarding such a swap? I'm seriously considering doing this after much debating with both myself and my Turbo Buick friends. A few main points of why I think it might be worth trying...

- The Buick 3.8 is capable of handling more HP more reliably when built.
- It's been done many times more than built SyTy 4.3s...
- TONS more knowledge, support, and available parts...
- Cheaper...
- It won't be as big of a PITA to drop in as a 6 litre motor...
- Since the prototype Sy had one, it won't technically be "blasphemous".

Before people jump on board and blast me for this idea, let me say that in my travels I've grenaded 4 built SyTy motors. Two ate their bearings, one shattered its rings, and one cracked a cylinder wall.

I'm not making this decision in haste either. I already have a 6.0 L V8 (bought for the swap) sitting in the garage that I'm contemplating getting rid of now. I also have a donor Sy that I am using to mock everything up on before I transition it to my blue truck.

Does anyone have any experience with motor mount compatibility, oil pan fit, etc? My buddies have spare blocks that they'll loan me to work with, but if there's already a kit available, I'd rather go that route.

Just airing out my ideas... I'll create a "diary" of sorts once I begin this project.

Sounds like you need a good tuner or you might be adding a 3.8 to the list of blown up motors!!! How ever the GN motors sound sweet when done up right. Id do it just for that reason.

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

I think I remember hearing something about having to move the firewall back an inch or more but I've been telling may syty peeps to do this mod for years now.. Wish I had the money/knowledge etc for this swap it would have happened already

 

[Raist103]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

i looked into it besides the bellhouseing issue you will have the rad support or firewall has to be moved 4"s or custom headers, down pipe, rad with electric fans. will cost a lot to do but can be done. the proto sy was 2wd makes it much easier to fit.

I think I remember hearing something about having to move the firewall back an inch or more but I've been telling may syty peeps to do this mod for years now.. Wish I had the money/knowledge etc for this swap it would have happened already

 

[MadPSI]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

Tuning hasn't been the problem. I've run FAST on all the motors with very mild tunes running very mild boost (under 20 PSI). Neither motor made a 1320 pass. Two of the motors failed due to poor machine shop work IMO. I later found out that the tolerances they used were basically NA smallblock tolerances, where the V6 motors are assembled with a lot less "slop". Both motors lasted less than 1000 miles. I've since ditched them and will use a more reputable shop from now on...

I already have a custom radiator with electric fans, and the DP will also be fabbed up once the motor is mocked up, so I'm not terribly concerned with that aspect. The firewall moving bit is unsettling, though...

I might as well dive into it and see what happens. The truck can't get any slower.

 

[UR50SLO]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

GO FOR IT!!!!!!

Your on the right track for sure.

A adaptor plate needs to go between your 700R and the buick engine since it's a different pattern.

With no dist. in the back of a buick I can't see why you'd need to beat the fire wall up.? Makes no sense. You can put that coil pack anwhere you want! Down pipe and so-on will need to be made but RJCracing makes bare flanges that you can make your own from there down. No biggie.
I'd suggest getting (engine side) mounts from HR parts and use stock buick (frame)pads
Other than that I think you'll have the best of both worlds!
~Scott

 

[MadPSI]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

A adaptor plate needs to go between your 700R and the buick engine since it's a different pattern.

I'd never consider putting a 700R4 behind a stout motor . I have a 4L80E sitting in the garage ready to go...

Thanks for the sources. I'll be ordering the flanges and mounting stuff soon.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

Here's a 2wd 96 S10 with a turbo 3.8

 

[Sy-1177]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

My dad keeps telling me to look into doin a swap like this. Having 2 GN's himself, he keeps telling me how much easier they are to tune, how much cheaper the parts are and so on..... I'm gonna be following this thread very closely!

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: Turbo Buick 3.8 motor in a Sy...

A guy here in Stillwater, OK has done one (this is in a 2wd S-10).... here are a few pics from our car show last year.... sorry, I don't have a name, but could probably round him up if needed.

I remember him saying it fell in pretty easily - I can't remember what tranny.