3.8 turbo in a chevy vega? will it fit?

[thessman]

Guys,
I bought a 34000 mile Cosworth vega for my daughter for her first car. ( i got it cheap)
The DOHC 2.0 in it sucks. The 1975 computer in it is REALLY primative. I want to make it reliable and drivable for her. I was going to pull a 4.3 V6 engine and trans out of a late model S10 and install that for her but as a grand national owner I was thinking....
Could I install an 86 -87 motor and get rid of the intercooler and run low boost? Theres no room for an intercooler. could I use the wiring from the GN? I have a new 350 four bolt balanced ,ported heads ,70 Z/28 intake, 750 holley ect.... that would really scream but I want to install A/C too... Has anybidy seen a vega with a 86-87 3.8 in it?
thanks ! Steve
Muscle Cars by S/S Motorsports of Sarasota, FL

 

[hurricanepb]

3.8

I bought a turbo from a guy up here a couple of months ago and he had a Gn motor in his vega his name up here is 10secvega.
He might be ableto help you.

 

[2QUIK6]

You might want to post this in the "Hybrid" section, I've seen all kinds of conversion to the LC2 in there.
I've seen an Opel GT with an LC2 so I'm sure it will fit in a Vega, especially since 350's fit in them all day long maybe even get the stock loc IC in there since its remove 2 cylinders and the manual fan.
Always thought a Pontiac Astre would be cool with an LC2..the Vega's Pontiac sister.

 

[SIXBANGR]

don't cut it up

you might want to do some research. The Cosworth Vega has a good following and it may be worth more than you think.

 

[GNVenom]

I've done three engine wiring harnesses for Vega's over the years, one of which was a tubbed race car.

 

[GNeric]

The early Vega's had a small trans tunnel so you may have to modify to make the bellhousing fit like I am having to do in my 73. I don't remember if the Cosworth has the "Monza" tunnel which you won't have to modify anything. Ask 10secVega in the hybrid section. He will be able to tell you for sure.

 

[Yankee John]

you might want to do some research. The Cosworth Vega has a good following and it may be worth more than you think.

+1

I have thought about this very same conversion. There is a V-8 Vega in town that is quite a terror- Just imaging what a turbo Buick V-6 would do in it!

I would suggest not using a potentially very valueable Cosworth Vega though, Especially a low mileage example such as yours with only 34K. Sell it to a Cosworth freak and pick up a regular one to modify would be my recommendation.


JMO,
John

 

[SS_Sean]

+1

I have thought about this very same conversion. There is a V-8 Vega in town that is quite a terror- Just imaging what a turbo Buick V-6 would do in it!

I would suggest not using a potentially very valueable Cosworth Vega though, Especially a low mileage example such as yours with only 34K. Sell it to a Cosworth freak and pick up a regular one to modify would be my recommendation.


JMO,
John

+2

 

[charlief1]

Nonononono!!!!!!

+1

I have thought about this very same conversion. There is a V-8 Vega in town that is quite a terror- Just imaging what a turbo Buick V-6 would do in it!

I would suggest not using a potentially very valueable Cosworth Vega though, Especially a low mileage example such as yours with only 34K. Sell it to a Cosworth freak and pick up a regular one to modify would be my recommendation.


JMO,
John

+3
Don't modify it. Resale it and get something else. They are extreemly rare and were the first thing Costine and Duckworth made before the cosworth ford v8 used at indy. If you want to do anything change the short block for a 2.3. The head interchanges and the extra cubes will help. Go to N.A.D.A. Home Page and look up the antique value of the car. Your eyes will suprise you but whatever you do DON'T CUT IT UP!!

 

[bmackinnon]

Guys,
I bought a 34000 mile Cosworth vega for my daughter for her first car. ( i got it cheap)
The DOHC 2.0 in it sucks. The 1975 computer in it is REALLY primative. I want to make it reliable and drivable for her. I was going to pull a 4.3 V6 engine and trans out of a late model S10 and install that for her but as a grand national owner I was thinking....
Could I install an 86 -87 motor and get rid of the intercooler and run low boost? Theres no room for an intercooler. could I use the wiring from the GN? I have a new 350 four bolt balanced ,ported heads ,70 Z/28 intake, 750 holley ect.... that would really scream but I want to install A/C too... Has anybidy seen a vega with a 86-87 3.8 in it?
thanks ! Steve
Muscle Cars by S/S Motorsports of Sarasota, FL

I had a '76 Cosworth Vega (#2230)... (and a V8 Vega, too.... my first car! :biggrin, and yes, the computerized fuel injection sucked... I removed the FI, and swapped it over to twin Weber 48mm DCOE (I think) carbs.... and it came ALIVE!! and was DEAD RELIABLE.... it ALWAYS ran.... Screaming 7500 rpm tire-barking powershifts and all... I drove it 60+ miles/day for years.... :biggrin: It would smoke any of the V8 products GM had to offer in the early/mid 80's... Hutton Motor Engineering makes a complete bolt up Weber carb conversion kit... check it out.... you would be much better off to save the car than cut it up.... my humble opinion....

 

[dr_frankenstein]

I will buy the cosworth motor from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want it!

tell me how much!

A.j.

 

[Grumpy]

wow !!!! Cosworth Vega's !! Havent heard about them for a while .. Buddy bought one new and it was the biggest ****box you would ever see. GM couldn't fix it.. He parked it with 12k on it !! Brand new car Few years ago I gave him the Buick "bug".. He started to do a 85 HA conversion.. I lost interest fast (I really love HA stuff ).. Wasn't worth wasting my time to me .
I believe the car is still just sitting .. He also bought a few more over the years . I have NO idea why :biggrin:

 

[blown okie]

a guy that posts on turbobuicks.com did a hot air swap on a vega that turned out pretty nice... i think he posts here to...
anyways heres a link Building the SFI/Turbo V-6 Vega

& i think i agree about not cutting up such a rare car & finding another vega to do it to but its your car your call

 

[T-CHRGD]

you might want to do some research. The Cosworth Vega has a good following and it may be worth more than you think.

X2

I thought Cosworths were really becoming a top collectable

 

[SIXBANGR]

Cosworth Vega Owners Association's - Official Web Site of the Chevrolet Cosworth Vega

 

[TurboDave]

I had a '76 Cosworth Vega (#2230)... (and a V8 Vega, too.... my first car! :biggrin, and yes, the computerized fuel injection sucked... I removed the FI, and swapped it over to twin Weber 48mm DCOE (I think) carbs.... and it came ALIVE!! and was DEAD RELIABLE.... it ALWAYS ran.... Screaming 7500 rpm tire-barking powershifts and all... I drove it 60+ miles/day for years.... :biggrin: It would smoke any of the V8 products GM had to offer in the early/mid 80's... Hutton Motor Engineering makes a complete bolt up Weber carb conversion kit... check it out.... you would be much better off to save the car than cut it up.... my humble opinion....

Good point!! I've had a few Cosworths over the years. My recommendation to the OP would be to dump the FI and go with dual Webers!
Then she'll have a reliable nice rare car.


DONT HYBRID IT, SELL IT BEFORE YOU DO THAT.

 

[turbonatr]

+1

I have thought about this very same conversion. There is a V-8 Vega in town that is quite a terror- Just imaging what a turbo Buick V-6 would do in it!

Be careful of which V8 Vegas you try to pick on.

I also would think twice about cutting up an original Cosworth!!

 

[machinegun]

Your kidding me right?

Welder, Plasma cutter, some tubing and sheet metal and of course the hot rodders friend duct tape

By golly we can make a 454 fit in a lawn tractor if your a real rodder.

HEHEHEHEHE!!!!!

 

[LBNJWE4]

It's funny I was just going to ask this question in the hybrid section. On both the Vega and Opel GT. I have a hot-air set up and either want to convert it to an intercooled for a 79 Regal I have or leave it hot-air and put it in a Vega or Opel GT. Then put a sbc in the Regal because it is already set up for it. Thessman, do have the intercooled setup? If so want do a swap with my hot air parts? PM me if interested.

 

[LBNJWE4]

It's funny, no one cares about cutting up GN's on here, but don't cut up a Cosworth vega? Personally I wouldn't either, but I wouldn't to a GN either. That's what Regals are for.