Project Blown 3.4 getting a little expensive. 3.8 Swap

[KBeezy]

Haters, keep out of this one. I've already done the searching and all I find are haters. Lets keep this one at a professional level and I dont want to hear anything about LT1/LS1 swaps. This is www.camarov6.com -- not www.camarov8.com. Thank you, and on to the subject at hand.

I am thinking about doing a 3.8 swap in my 95 3.4 powered Camaro. I have a 4L60E and 3.23 rearend. I know people are debating whether the 4L60E will bolt up or not, and that is one topic I need figured out. The other two are the K-Member and the Computer. I know I'll need a new 3.8 Computer with 3.23 gears programmed in to it and a couple O2 simulators so I dont get an SES light. But what about the K-member? Is it the same?

Thanks! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Wicked 3800 V6]

On the K-member:
Probably not. Might as well get a tubular one while you're under there, unless you're trying to keep costs low.
Ask around, maybe someone has a stock one (in the area) that they can get to you.

[95Batmobile]

I don't think they are the same.
And are you sure you can find a 3.8 computer with 3.23 gears programmed? Majority of them are either 3.08 or 3.42s aren't they?

[KBeezy]

I read in a thread that the Y87 package had 3.23 gears?? If not since its OBD2 more people can fix it than they can my POS stock 3.4 Computer.


Edit: oh yeah -- the manual cars had 3.23 gears while the autos had 3.42s -- either way it cant be that hard to fix. Although if I can find a Z28 rearend (with the disc brakes and all) I'll just do that while I am at it.

And while you guys were posting I remembered, yeah -- why not get a tubular k-member? it is more $$$ but it sure isn't what the bulletproof crankshaft was going to cost me for my high boost low compression 3.4!!!

[StudlyCamaro]

its a different K member, and the Y87 cars had 3.42's

[Coriya71]

You can find really low mile ones on ebay, and the ECM if you look long enough. Because of programming though, make sure you get a '98+.

[Timbo1969]

What year is the engine and harness? You'd be best served to get a PCM from the same year off of a Y-87 car.

[KBeezy]

...You can interchange the different 3.8 computers? I had NO idea! I have no engine picked out yet, I am waiting for it to warm up a little bit so I can play with it more when I get one [img]smile.gif[/img]

If it is possible, hell, I would get a newer computer so I could tap in to it with a Hypertech and fix the speedo for different rim/tire combos.

Dont mind me if I sound like a newb with 3.8s, they are not my bread and butter (yet) but I will learn quick ;) So correct me if I am wrong but dont the 1993-1997 and 1998+ 3.8s have a different throttle setup on the throttlebody? One is fly-by-wire and the other has more computer control?

[MustangEater8251]

A 98+ are the ones you can "easily" do computer stuff, but I assume you will have to convert to a 98+ guage cluster... etc...

different k-member... 3.23s only came on 5-speed 3.8Ls, unless the 95.5 3.8Ls all had 3.23s, like the 3.4Ls, maybe worth looking into...

Sorry might call me a hater... I have owned both, raced both and its not worth it... lt1 swap...

[KBeezy]

I'm 18. I have no use for an LT1/LS1. I'm a college kid, I'll stick with a quick V6. Who here (on the forums) has actually done the swap? While I have the motor out I decided I might as well swap to a tubular k-member instead of keeping a stocker (whether its a 3.8 or 3.4 stocker) ... The big question still remains about the computer - what all has to be done to wire in the 3.8 computer in to the already existing wiring?

[MustangEater8251]

Originally posted by KBeezy:
I'm 18. I have no use for an LT1/LS1. I'm a college kid, I'll stick with a quick V6. Who here (on the forums) has actually done the swap? While I have the motor out I decided I might as well swap to a tubular k-member instead of keeping a stocker (whether its a 3.8 or 3.4 stocker) ... The big question still remains about the computer - what all has to be done to wire in the 3.8 computer in to the already existing wiring?

extra o2s... some 3.8Ls have 4, some have 3, I forgot which is which, you probably know you currently have 2. Best bet is get a entire 3.8L form tb-y-pip out of a wrecked car, all sensors, and fuel intact. As for going to a 98+ I think there has to be more do to dash...

Is there a difference in fuel pump and fuel lines? between 3.8L and 3.4L

do you have a 93? or 94-95, with a 93 you will run into problems since it jsut has a th700r4 vs the 460le in 94- present.

in my opinion, a college kid has no use for an extremely modified, potentially unreliable car with bugs... hence a hybrid 3.8L.

[KBeezy]

Its a 1995 --- 4L60E.

Fuel pump and lines are the same, just need the larger injectors on the 3800. So the only difference between the two would be the two extra O2 sensors? I'm just going to invest in some O2 simulators so I can go with my cat converterless exhaust ;) Im going to do a 1995-1997 V6 swap. The 98+ would require more than I am looking to do.

So far all I know that I have to do is pull the motor..Swap the K-Member, get the exhaust work done, bolt up the tranny, drop the engine in, hook up all the lines, and then wire in the computer with O2 simulators and I am good to go. Then ofcourse I'll need the speedometer corrected but that wont be too difficult. The hardest part is going to be doing a cam/heads/intake swap on that 3.8.... As for a reliable car, it will be reliable, but this Fall I am getting a beater -- probably a 1998-1999 Z24 Cavalier with a 5 speed.

[Jerriko]

Just wondering what you are planning on doing with that 3.4L?

[KBeezy]

Prolly just sell it. Its got 123000 miles on it and is completely unmolested. Has new intake manifold gaskets and waterpump. It may be a lil while until I can start to do it -- I'm inbetween jobs right now which SUCKS.

[MustangEater8251]

hehe if you have a beater what is wrong with a v8? why not trade in the 95, use the money tath was going towards the z24, $6-7k and get a nice car for $8-10k.

Like a 3.8L... or even a v8?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=157530785&dealer_id=48871745&car_ye ar=1997&make=CHEV&distance=50&max_price=5000&model =CAM&end_year=2005&advcd_on=n&min_price=&address=3 2828&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1984&c olor=&cardist=8

to warn you before hand if you are going crazy heads cam, whatever swaps remember its also harder to tun the computer on pre98s, and i think on some years there is nothing.

gears are no problem jsut jet scu