I was once told that the sse 3.8 supercharged could not be swaped into another vehicle. I was thinking about doing this swap into my 59 GMC fleet option pickup. Y you ask? Well the 3.8 is close to the original size motor and GMC in those years used Pontiac motors and I like to be different.
I had thought that the 3.8 is a 90 degree motor and would bolt up to any year (proper bolt pattern) GM tranny? I was told by the repair shop (AAMCO) that did the tranny in my 84 s15 that it was not possible. Is this true? You see, Id like to do the swap, but with a 5 speed or an aod tranny. If it can be done, what motor would you guys suggest? Thanks

I would say 97+ supercharged would do nicely.

Many here have talked about getting a transmission from a camaro 6 cylinder etc and using that. I believe the pattern is the same.

Custom fab is fun and exciting. You would need the engine, wiring harness, and pcm at a minimum for the project. Randman1 did a swap into a 90 B'ville with a 97 drivetrain and determined it'* fairly straight forward with those items.

I do know that the harness would have to be replaced, but was going to get an aftermarket harness from chevy duty ($400) an do know that it will have to be addded to, to make this work. I also know that puter is needed. Probably donor car would be the best idea.

That'* what Randman did... got a CoPart auction totalled car as a donor. Worked great. Everything we needed was there.

If you search on "Frankenbonne" you will find tons of pics etc.

Let me rephrase my install, I am going to install in a REAR DRIVE, and from looking at pics on that thread I will have to do something with intake routing. May very well be worth it to be different.

Exactly how I took your post. That is why a camaro/firebird transmission would work where the normal Bonne FWD wouldn't.

exactly.....and where are you in NC...Im In Fayetteville

bring the intake up to a custom intake in the cowling somehow ?

Are the motor mounts in the same location on a fwd block vs rwd block.

I had not had time to think on routing yet. My new computer (desktop) parts came in and I am playing with that right now. But I think perhaps around side of charger and under the hood. There is plenty of clearence in this old truck