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-   -   3800 Series 2 to a Supercharged 3800 series 3 swap (https://www.gmforum.com/pontiac-168/3800-series-2-supercharged-3800-series-3-swap-313024/)

MikeS98 Feb 17, 2020 08:24 PM

3800 Series 2 to a Supercharged 3800 series 3 swap
 
Hey everybody, I have a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville and I just repaired the engine after the lower intake manifold gaskets blew. I also have a job as a contractor remodeling homes and have work lined up for another year.
That being said, I love this car. First car I ever legally owned. I was wondering if anybody could tell me how much work it would take to put a turbocharged 3800 Series 3 in it. I don't know too much about engine swaps but I do know they're volumetrically similar.
If it's been done, if you've got pictures, advice, anything pertaining, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

carfixer007 Feb 17, 2020 09:51 PM

Don't start this if you are not an experienced mechanic.

MikeS98 Feb 17, 2020 10:06 PM


Originally Posted by carfixer007 (Post 1635529)
Don't start this if you are not an experienced mechanic.

Well, it's gonna take some time until I get the money together, but I've also got an 88 GMC Sierra with a 4.3 in it I need to replace the motor in. Getting one out of a 92 Jimmy from a junkyard out here next week. I know I'd need the wiring harness and the ecm from the donor car. I'm relatively mechanically inclined. Put my engine back together with no problems.
That being said, would it be the same deal with a Pontiac? This is something I'm shooting for once I've got the money to.

CathedralCub Feb 18, 2020 01:37 AM

What carfixer007 said ^^^^^^^

We see this often enough here, folks want to do a major "upgrade" one way or another. Then they get lots of money and time into a project and start running into endless little details that prevent it from working, they often disappear . . . leaving us to assume they gave up and sold the project or somesuch. "Death by a million papercuts" is how I think of it. Remember, this is a FWD car with a bunch of electronics that need to be integrated, including the dash electronics etc., and the current transaxle won't last too long under it with the extra power.

Your 92 Jimmy engine into an `88 Sierra will be a cakewalk compared to this, and even that will be a pain if the 1992 OBD1 PCM decides to get some extra attention from you.

If you really really really really want a supercharged 2002 Bonneville, it would be much much less expensive (at their prices today) to go buy one and keep your other one for parts than to convert the one you have.

If you're up to it, and have the money, and just want to do it for fun etc., we'd be interested in your experience with the project and some pictures etc. It would be neat to see and would help others that want to do the same thing. It would also be neat because it would be the first of these that actually came out successful in years.

My $0.02 .

Mike Feb 18, 2020 08:41 AM

I didn't know they made a turbo S3? Supercharged, yes, but not turbo.

MikeS98 Feb 18, 2020 02:38 PM


Originally Posted by Mike (Post 1635540)
I didn't know they made a turbo S3? Supercharged, yes, but not turbo.

Figured it'd be synonymous.

CathedralCub Feb 18, 2020 05:10 PM


Originally Posted by MikeS98 (Post 1635542)
Figured it'd be synonymous.

One is powered by a belt, the other by exhaust gases.

Mike Feb 18, 2020 05:16 PM

Only a small handful of people here have ever turbo'd a Series 2. And only a couple that turbo'd a supercharged S2. These trannies aren't designed to handle that kind of abuse.

MikeS98 Feb 19, 2020 01:20 AM


Originally Posted by Mike (Post 1635546)
Only a small handful of people here have ever turbo'd a Series 2. And only a couple that turbo'd a supercharged S2. These trannies aren't designed to handle that kind of abuse.

Ah. I see. Well, suoercharged would be the way to go then.
Found this online earlier.
https://www.milzymotorsports.com/l32...harged-engine/
Supercharged Series 3. Any idea how swapping my stock series 2 to that should be handled?

Mike Feb 19, 2020 08:42 AM

Should be a direct drop in. Just transfer the existing brackets over.

ECU and harness will also be required just to make things easier because I don't know what other sensors were added, which means a trip to the dealer to program the VIN into the new PCM.


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