3.4 to 3.8 swap

[3400Camaro]

Hey all, well my good ole 3.4 motor has seen it's better days. so i'm left with choice of rebuilding it or putting a new motor in my 95 camaro 5speed. i've heard bad things about rebuilding 3.4's so that is out. i don't really want the the trouble and the money of putting an LT1. is a 3.8 any easier? and cheaper? i'm just looking to get my car running again. while the LT1 would be nice, i don't have the money for all the extra's i'd need. so how much is involved in a 3.4 to 3.8 swap? thanks

[southern94]

swap to a 3.8 is just as hard as a lt1 from what i am told if not harder just go with the lt1 trust me it's not that bad ;)

[C.Palmer]

how could that be southern? the 3.4 tranny fits... the fuel lines and pump works... suspension works, radiator works..... what's the problem? It seems to me all you need is the 3.8 engine/cpu and a day to put it in so someone fill me in on what i'm missing!

[ItalianStallion1]

Just like I was telling you Chad, it would be way more worth while to put a LT1 in. BUT, it's not going to be anywhere near in price. Obviously to get the LT1 and everything you'll need you're going to have to spend about 4 grand, estimated. All you'll need for the 3.8 is the motor. But when you think about the power difference then it's pretty much a no brainer accept for the factor of money. My thought would be to definetaly go with the LT1. The power, sound, potential, and fun factor out the 3.8 10 fold. And think of all the chicks you'll get with that great muscle LT1 sound. ;)

[3400Camaro]

thanks guys. i'd love the LT1 but i just spend 7g on this camaro, that turned out to be a POS so money is about nill. plus my dad is helping me with the cost, and he's like the speep nazi, so yeah, i'm thinkin 3.8. i just don't have 4 grand sitting around after buying this heap. but we'll see, i guess. if anyone else has any tips please let me know!

[C.Palmer]

3400... i know your frusterations with your car. i haven't seen it in person but if it's just the engine, be nice to it! I hate my 3.4 but with a few chassis upgrades and a motor swap, it has real potential. Your car can't help it if it has a small 'unit' and is embarrased to pop the hood.

Right michael I know but let's put this in perspective...

$4K give or take for the LT1
MAYBE $1K (if that) for the 3.8 engine and then you turn around and sell the 3.4 parts.

For the money, you're picking up 40 stock-stock HP and a lot more potential. Amen to that!

[Scalpel4]

Dude, having someone replace your 3.4 will run you as well. Those engines can be hard to come by. I was quoted 5K to do mine by several sources, finally a friend and I bought a used one for $2500, paid him 500 for his time, and spent some money getting new rods and pistons for the new one. then we boosted the compression to 12.5. now that I look at it, I'd rather have spent the extra grand and got the LT1. Check police auctions, as several departments are retiring their LT1 camaro and Caprice police cars, because you'll need the transmission as well. The 3.4 is a 60 degree engine, if I remember right, and the other engines (3.8 included) aren't, if I remember that right as well.

[nikkev]

Nonononono!!!! LT1's go for $1500 or so including motor,tranny,computer,and all wiring.The LS1 has really pushed the LT1 prices down.NOTHING on the 3.4 will work with the 3.8,especially not the tranny.The bellhousing is completely different.Every single little thing that needs to be swapped for the 3.8 is exactly the same as the LT1.V8 suspension?Less than $100 for everything used.A posi rear with disc brakes and 3.42's?Around $350 + shipping.If money is a big issue then the best bet is to rebuild or replace the 3.4.A used one can be picked up for less than $500 and it is a really straighforward swap.Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.
Kevin

Edit: What bad things have you heard about rebuilding the 3.4?I've rebuilt 2 of them and it was no problem.

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: nikkev ]</p>

[Jlo]

woa dude, were can u get the lt1 pakage for 1500, and second i to want to go with the 3.8. my 3.4 5 speed is retiring. from what i heard all u need is the complete motor and ecu wiring harness and install it thats it. we need a moderator to help us out here, or some one with alot of expirience.

[southern94]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by nikkev:
Nonononono!!!! LT1's go for $1500 or so including motor,tranny,computer,and all wiring.The LS1 has really pushed the LT1 prices down.NOTHING on the 3.4 will work with the 3.8,especially not the tranny.The bellhousing is completely different.Every single little thing that needs to be swapped for the 3.8 is exactly the same as the LT1.V8 suspension?Less than $100 for everything used.A posi rear with disc brakes and 3.42's?Around $350 + shipping.If money is a big issue then the best bet is to rebuild or replace the 3.4.A used one can be picked up for less than $500 and it is a really straighforward swap.Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.
Kevin

Edit: What bad things have you heard about rebuilding the 3.4?I've rebuilt 2 of them and it was no problem.

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: nikkev ]<hr></blockquote>


agreed
:D

[nikkev]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jlo:
woa dude, were can u get the lt1 pakage for 1500, and second i to want to go with the 3.8. my 3.4 5 speed is retiring. from what i heard all u need is the complete motor and ecu wiring harness and install it thats it. we need a moderator to help us out here, or some one with alot of expirience.<hr></blockquote>

All over E-bay.Also try TA Creations and Speedautomotive for used LT1's.Before my divorce I had 2 to choose from off of E-bay for less than $1500 for the complete motors with like 55k and 60k miles.And no,the tranny 100% definately will not work.If you just WANT to swap in a 3.8 then be prepared to change out EVERYTHING that you will do on a V8 swap,except maybe the guages.Good luck.
Kevin

[Jlo]

ok im lost there is a shop that sells me the 3.8 motor for 550$ and the wiring harness with ecu for like 300 more. Is that all i would need to have a complete swap. what else EXACTLY would i need

[nikkev]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Jlo:
ok im lost there is a shop that sells me the 3.8 motor for 550$ and the wiring harness with ecu for like 300 more. Is that all i would need to have a complete swap. what else EXACTLY would i need<hr></blockquote>

Definate needs:
-Complete Engine
-Wiring harness
-Computer
-Transmission
-Radiator
-All hoses

Possible needs:
-Engine crossmember
-Guage cluster (depending on year and how the 3.8 gets it's RPM pulses)
-Fuel pump (again,I don't know the 3.8's fuel needs)
-Front springs (not sure how heavy the 3.8 is)

That's about all I can think of but I'm sure that there's all kinds of little crap that will pop up for the change.Good luck man,but I am telling you this right here.You will NOT be happy going through that *** -load of work and having a car that's just as slow as your old one.If you are worried about $$$$ and not speed then just rebuild the 3.4,you can do what some other guys on here are doing.Rebuild,get some port/polish work done,maybe a cam and then you'll have MORE rwhp than a stock 3.8 and the motor will work with everything you already have in your car.Good luck.
Kevin

[Tye]

I bought a 96 3800 with A4 tranny, computer and wiring harness for 700 bucks on ebay.

Eventhough the 3800 is a 90 degree engine like the LT1, it has a 60 degree bellhousing exaclty like the 3.4. So the 3.4 tranny will bolt to the 3800. Just not sure about other stuff like flywheel, clutch, wiring harness connections. Also, i think u would need the engine mounts from the 3800.

[Jlo]

ok our 3.4's only have 1 cam right? what is a good cam that will give me more mid-top end thats my concern top end above 4000-5500 and how much will it cost me to port and polish that means i have to run 91 octane or higher right i dont mind running supream gas what am i looking at total for a cam and port and polish