Series 2 swaps, RWD applications
#1
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Series 2 swaps, RWD applications
Posting this up for a friend of mine.
He has a 50'* GMC truck. Its been lowered, chopped, tubbed, and is a sweet ride. Only problem is the blown BB that just took a dump. It was pretty much a race gas only truck.
He wants to put something more streetable in it, and we were just talking over the idea of a GN LC2, or a series 2 variation. The LC2 is hard to find, and expensive when you do. I know personally that parts for my LC2 are expensive as heck. So I threw in the idea of a 3800.
Right now, the truck has a built 700R4. Will a FWD 3800 fit, or does he need a RWD (Firebird/Camaro) version to keep the trans?
Also, what is involved in engine management? How would someone put a OBD2 engine in a 58 truck? What options are there to control the whole thing, especially with a different (non electronic) trans?
He wants to do something different, and is planning on fabbing up a turbo system on his own, since hes a pretty fair welder, and has prior experience with custom turbo setup.
I'm sure its been done before, but some insight would be great. Since he'* primarily a Honda and Ford certified mechanic, and I've spent most of my years with GM, I'm trying to help the guy out here the best I can.
He has a 50'* GMC truck. Its been lowered, chopped, tubbed, and is a sweet ride. Only problem is the blown BB that just took a dump. It was pretty much a race gas only truck.
He wants to put something more streetable in it, and we were just talking over the idea of a GN LC2, or a series 2 variation. The LC2 is hard to find, and expensive when you do. I know personally that parts for my LC2 are expensive as heck. So I threw in the idea of a 3800.
Right now, the truck has a built 700R4. Will a FWD 3800 fit, or does he need a RWD (Firebird/Camaro) version to keep the trans?
Also, what is involved in engine management? How would someone put a OBD2 engine in a 58 truck? What options are there to control the whole thing, especially with a different (non electronic) trans?
He wants to do something different, and is planning on fabbing up a turbo system on his own, since hes a pretty fair welder, and has prior experience with custom turbo setup.
I'm sure its been done before, but some insight would be great. Since he'* primarily a Honda and Ford certified mechanic, and I've spent most of my years with GM, I'm trying to help the guy out here the best I can.
#2
Senior Member
True Car Nut
dont know about 3800'* but the lt1 would be a good way to go. no messing with obd2 , and very streetable power. and the bolt pattern and all is the same. if he is going to put a turbo on it it will be that much faster.
#3
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
Yeah, but he wants to do something different. Not saying that SBC'* are a bad thing, but if you want to stand out, you have to do something different. Hence, why he wants to run a turbo 6. He wants the LC2, not just for the power capability, but for the unique combination. Granted, LC2 is an OBD1 motor, and he would have to deal with engine management on that somehow as well. Wants to do FI, not carbed. So it would have to have some type of management system.
Since an LC2 is hard to come by, I tossed out the idea of a turbo L36. Engines are easy to find, and he would have plenty of room to fab up a turbo and front mount setup.
Photos back from when he first got it.
Since an LC2 is hard to come by, I tossed out the idea of a turbo L36. Engines are easy to find, and he would have plenty of room to fab up a turbo and front mount setup.
Photos back from when he first got it.
#4
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Maybe look in to swapping the 3.8 from a camero or firebird, beef up the bottom end, then top swap the LIM, and supercharger housing. Some have then piped a turbo to the supercharger housing. Don't know if there is a kit for it, but there is a gran prix that was built like that. I think the belt housing is pretty similar, but the way the starter mounts is different from FWD to RWD.
#5
This website has a hell of an adapter plate for various transmissions to mate to the 3800 series II/III: http://www.transmissionadapters.com/...0%20series.htm
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