3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

[Need4Camaro]

Is this a direct swap (bolts up to our trans)?
What year did Series III begin?
Do they have forged bottom ends?
Their stock heads are similar to our P&P heads?
Can we use their intake manifolds?
Do they make a supercharger for these motors? (isn't it the M90?, but it won't fit will it?)

If I grab one of these then that will save me the cost of a P&P heads, but what about the intake, is it any better than our intake? I was going to run a turbo or S/C setup of over 10 PSI, looking for 400 RWHP. Would this be a feasable route to go?

[Meatyshells]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

all i know is that the series 3 started in 04

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

06-08 I know a NA L26 will have the bigger exhaust valve in the heads and the L32 stronger rods, I know I was looking at a 08' lucerne( I think it was) with 1200 miles on it for $400 for another build.

[FuzzKill]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

Is this a direct swap (bolts up to our trans)?

Yes, will have to swap oil pans, may want or have to swap the oil filter extension housing as well.

What year did Series III begin?

2004

Do they have forged bottom ends?

Stronger rods, pretty sure the crank is the same

Their stock heads are similar to our P&P heads?

I don't know if anyone has had them flowbenched side by side, I would like to see them if they have. But I'm sure it would be nowhere near what a decent P&P job would do

Can we use their intake manifolds?

No, TB would be up against firewall

Do they make a supercharger for these motors? (isn't it the M90?, but it won't fit will it?)

Yes, M90 works but not without extensive modification just like on the Series II motors. In an F-body you're probably better off doing a centrifugal setup or turbo.

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

Yes, will have to swap oil pans, may want or have to swap the oil filter extension housing as well.


2004


Stronger rods, pretty sure the crank is the same


I don't know if anyone has had them flowbenched side by side, I would like to see them if they have. But I'm sure it would be nowhere near what a decent P&P job would do


No, TB would be up against firewall


Yes, M90 works but not without extensive modification just like on the Series II motors. In an F-body you're probably better off doing a centrifugal setup or turbo.

Nice job explaining it, I didn't want to go through everything, becuase it has been covered before when Meatyshells used a 03' Buick engine. Although the newer L26 N/A engine has the stronger rods and the bigger exhaust on the heads, which would be perfect for a FI engine and a nice flowing cam. This might be my next project depending on how my current one goes. If the turbo can't handle the heat here then 02' LS1 will be going in. I will be like Tom.

[v6mOtOrhEAdftOp]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

I will have a full writeup soon. I have put mine off for a long time, so I guess it's time to get back to it. i work 2 jobs and go to school, so time is inexistent.

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

I will have a full writeup soon. I have put mine off for a long time, so I guess it's time to get back to it. i work 2 jobs and go to school, so time is inexistent.

Yep, it has been awhile for ya, I just started my turbo pipes, have half of it done, will go back and have them weld up the other half next, should be about $300-$400 total for the welding. Already paid $200 for what they did Sat. which was outstanding.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

06-08 I know a NA L26 will have the bigger exhaust valve in the heads and the L32 stronger rods, I know I was looking at a 08' lucerne( I think it was) with 1200 miles on it for $400 for another build.

I see, throw some forged pistons on there and P&P the heads and it will be set. Will our intake manifold work on those cars or is there an intake I can use?

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

You have to swap over the 3.8 intakes from the F body, and use the oil pan and oil filter neck. Good thing is you can use their heads which have a bigger exhaust side valve but I would P/P the intakes and heads. So some 9:5.1 forged pistons or higher , cam, Comp 130LB valve springs, modded retainers, Come pushrods, Comp lifters, double roller timing chain , clev. 77 bearings, MLS head gaskets , ARP head studs, and bigger injectors. Then you got a a stout engine to turbo or what ever you want to use it for. That will be my next build if eveything goes good with this one.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

You have to swap over the 3.8 intakes from the F body, and use the oil pan and oil filter neck. Good thing is you can use their heads which have a bigger exhaust side valve but I would P/P the intakes and heads. So some 9:5.1 forged pistons or higher , cam, Comp 130LB valve springs, modded retainers, Come pushrods, Comp lifters, double roller timing chain , clev. 77 bearings, MLS head gaskets , ARP head studs, and bigger injectors. Then you got a a stout engine to turbo or what ever you want to use it for. That will be my next build if eveything goes good with this one.

I was wondering what you thought of 8:5.1 forged pistons... I thought you wanted to decrease and not increase the CR ratio for a turbo setup. Where would you get the retainiers and double roller timing chain? I'm guessing comp would supply the timing chain right? The clev. 77 bearings, are those cam bearings? would COMP supply those as well? I was wondering if we could keep the ignition coil location of the new motor. I like how its over the belts, that means I could put valve covers over the heads.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

You have to swap over the 3.8 intakes from the F body, and use the oil pan and oil filter neck. Good thing is you can use their heads which have a bigger exhaust side valve but I would P/P the intakes and heads. So some 9:5.1 forged pistons or higher , cam, Comp 130LB valve springs, modded retainers, Come pushrods, Comp lifters, double roller timing chain , clev. 77 bearings, MLS head gaskets , ARP head studs, and bigger injectors. Then you got a a stout engine to turbo or what ever you want to use it for. That will be my next build if eveything goes good with this one.

I was wondering what you thought of 8:5.1 forged pistons... I thought you wanted to decrease and not increase the CR ratio for a turbo setup. Where would you get the retainiers and double roller timing chain? I'm guessing comp would supply the timing chain right? The clev. 77 bearings, are those cam bearings? would COMP supply those as well? I was wondering if we could keep the ignition coil location of the new motor. I like how its over the belts, that means I could put valve covers over the heads.

[FuzzKill]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

I was wondering if we could keep the ignition coil location of the new motor. I like how its over the belts, that means I could put valve covers over the heads.

I want to say you can do that but thinking about it you may have interference with your PS pump or reservoir. You will also have to extend the wiring harness to the coil pack like I did by about 6 inches or so. I don't have any power steering to worry about on my car though.

I used a block from an 08 GP for my Corolla, people should be snatching up the L26 blocks while they are still super cheap.

[Need4Camaro]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

I want to say you can do that but thinking about it you may have interference with your PS pump or reservoir. You will also have to extend the wiring harness to the coil pack like I did by about 6 inches or so. I don't have any power steering to worry about on my car though.

I used a block from an 08 GP for my Corolla, people should be snatching up the L26 blocks while they are still super cheap.

What would happen if I used to accessory routing of the new motor?

[FuzzKill]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

The power steering and A/C are reversed in position in the FWD engines versus RWD engines.

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8L L26 Gen III Swap questions

You use the mounting acess. and spots off the engine, it will have the same holes. Ask v6mOtOrhEAdftOp he is in the middle of doing one right now.