Motor mounts: FWD vs RWD provisions...

[King_V]

All,

I wasn't quite sure if this was the appropriate place to post this question. Further, what very few answers I've got from searching seems to be contradictory.

Anyway, I'm guessing I'm not the first person to wonder about this, but do the various FWD versions of the 3.8 engine (as well as the 3.0 and 3.3 while I'm on the topic) have provisions to be mounted in a RWD configuration, such as say in a Regal or something?

I'd always wondered, since the FI version of the 3.8 was available since 1984, why GM didn't offer it in the Regal, Cutlass, etc. I've also wondered if yanking a B, 3, C, or later VIN code 3.8 from a FWD car (along with computer, etc) and dropping it in place of a carbureted V6 was a relatively easy, pain-free swap.

Does anyone have hard information? Some tell me that the engines used in the FWD cars can take the RWD mounts, some say no. Some say you must use a RWD 2.8's tranny, some say the standard B-O-P RWD transmissions bolt up.

Lots of contradictions, no answers! Thanks in advance everyone.

[turbofish38]

I'm kind of guessing here since I've never really looked hard at the older 3.8 blocks but....On the motor mounts no. The earlier FWD's didn't use a mount on the right side of the block so it probally doesn't have a mounting boss cast into it. FWD blocks use a smaller flywheel flange. They have the small composite bolt pattern bell housing so you can use the trans from a 2.8/3.1/3.4 V-6. No manual trans flywheels available from GM. I've often thought of making a FI RWD car by using a NA 3.8/4.1 with the intake/throttle body from a IC TR with the electronics from a 86 3.8B/3 code Park Ave/Century(same 1227148 ECM).

The later series 2 3800 have the mount cast on both sides of the block. The more logical choice would be to use the 3800 from a 1995-2002 Camaro/Firebird. Thousands in salvage yards everywhere. 200HP and your choice of auto or T-5 stick.

[King_V]

Er, I'm terminologically deprived...

What's "IC TR"?

Also, I've seen this page which details swapping a Buick V6 into a Toyota truck.

It seems to imply that the 86-88 3.8 (I assume the 3-code engine) has provisions for RWD mounting. It also seems to imply that the old style RWD BOP transmission will bolt up to it, which frankly just sounds wrong to me.

Too bad I don't have a friend who happens to have a bunch of Buick V6 blocks lying around for me to take pictures of, measure, etc... ;P

Of course, the C-code motor (the first one known as the 3800?) came out in 1988, which just muddles his explanation a bit!


As for the series 2 3800 . . do the motor mount positions in the 95-02 Firebird/Camaro correspond to the G-body cars at all, or is it completely different?

Thanks for your input!