Will it looks like I need to pull the Transmission out of my Silhouette to replace the torque converter. I really always wanted to make this van into a Sleeper. So the idea it to replace the whole motor and trans with a Pontiac or Olds LSS Supercharger 3800 series II motor. The only problem I can see is getting the wiring connections to match up. Plus I would have to change out ECM'*. Which means I would have to get the wiring harness from the donor car. Want to you think, is it doable? I was also thinking of mod the engine before it goes in. Mild cam, ratio rockers, drive pulleys. There is a web site full of performance parts for this motor. 3800 Performance - high performance aftermarket car parts for your Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Impala, Regal, Bonneville, and V6 F-body!!

My other thought would be to install a Northstar v8. Now that would be cool. Who said you couldn't be a cool Dad driving a van trick out. I know all you haters out there, it still just a van. But the look on the Mustang drivers face would be priceless as you are waving bye-bye to him as you pull away. The van with me in it only weighs 3200 lbs.

The series 2 sc and na has been done before. I will try and search for threads later.

From what i rdmember, the engine bay in those vans is pretty hard to get around in. How much worse will it be with dohc v8?

what year is the van? it might be as easy as a "top swap" which is more difficult than it sounds but if you do it before you put it in the van shouldnt be that hard. and if its the right year and a 3800 one already you may be able to use the stock wiring and ecm and tune it for the new stuff. the sc doesnt add alot of stuff and the exhaust would still be the same. do a search on here for top swap and look at what you have to do. if you ever saw a northstar you wouldnt even ask, there is no way its going into a minivan without way more work than its worth

Only the older ones came with the 3.8. 1995 and older.

that complicates it. if its older i think i would get a series 2 and all the electronics to support it and swap it.but if its newer its going to be some fab work, they probably put the 3.1 or 3.4 in for lack of space

Thanks all. the van is a 2000 with a 3400 v6 in it already. Thought since I have to drop the cradle to get the Trans out I should look at going an engine swap too. Thought it would be cool to have a supercharged 3800. I have seen the turbo 3800 and it runs mid 11'* in 1/4. Awesome car. Can't find any threads on someone do it in a van.

3800 and 3400 are not very similar. Different trans on the sc, mounting bolt patterns, etc. People who mod that type, put the newer 3500 in which is almost as powerful as the sc 3800 stock. And if you want you can put a turbo on that.

Or...On the other coin of this swap I thought it would be easier to just upgrade a newer 3400 and add a turbo to it. Since the original motor has over 204k miles on it. Make since to find a low mileage motor to replace the original one.
Here is a video of the same motor that is in my van.

i would be worried about the trans, it already doesnt last long in the mini van. i guess i would research what they do to make it last.