3.8sc swap q's

[Rob]

These questions are mostly for Dan, but anyone can Chime in.

When doing your swap, where did you get your engine/tranny mounts. WCF?
Im looking at an engine with 105000km on it. but its not from a gtp, I know that there are some negatives with going with a Buick engine, any Idea what the differences are and if its better to spend a little more for a GTP engine?

More questions will ensue, once I find out whether I get my financing or not...

Thanks; Rob

[2ML67]

Both mine and Brians engines are out of Buicks, there is no difference in the engines its the tranny's and PCM's that differ. Best is to get a GTP PCM and tranny or at least a GTP PCM and rewire for the differences in the harness. 98,99 GTP PCM's are the easiest as they use the older pass key. The Buick's pass key is built into the BCM which requires a lot more work to use but can be done. If you want me to make up a harness drop it off and let me know what PCM it needs to match. Usually takes about a week to do a harness depending on where you want to locate the PCM. I can rewire the Buick harness for a GTP PCM if you get one or else wire the buick one up with a BCM its up to you.
 I make my own mounts as I do not feel the west coast ones are strong enough plus I use one of them to mount the alternator down below out of the way. Dan

[Rob]

Thanks Dan, I will defienitly get back to you about some more questions that I may have.. How much do you  want for the Harness and can you make me up a set of mounts??

PM me, thanks rob

[aaron88]

These questions are mostly for Dan, but anyone can Chime in.

Step one: Buy a Northstar motor
Step two: forget about that heavy 3.8 automatic (this will happen naturally)

How are you going to fix that weight distribution?


Aaron

.

[GoFast88]

  I bet mine can shift faster than yours can  naw, naw, naw naw, naw

[Rob]

I was origionaly kinda looking at a 3.5l Shortstar swap, but at $1700+ USD for a engine managment computer, plus the engine and the rest.... just too much!

beside.. those Northstar trannies weigh a ton!

[GoFast88]

Aaron  --  You ever get your car weighed with the Northstar installed??

[GSXRBOBBY]

The Northstar is only 40 to 60 lbs. more than a stock 2.8L, its the Caddy trans axle that is so heavy, thats why most like me used a 5 speed Getrag, its only 90 lbs. vs the 275 lbs. Cadillac tansaxle.

[Rob]

what do you use as engine managment with the northstar if you arnt using the caddy tranny, Ive heard its a nightmare to get right.

[aaron88]

what do you use as engine managment with the northstar if you arnt using the caddy tranny, Ive heard its a nightmare to get right.

Holley Commander 950.  It's a huge headache to do any other way, so much so that it's worth the 1800 (Actually I can’t really remember what I paid) Canadian dollars to go this way.