transverse 3.8L

[Drac0nic]

hey, anyone ever play around with a Transverse 3.8L block? I messed up at the salvage yard today and picked up a transverse block on accident is part of the reason I ask. The block it's self is a non balance shaft engine.

Tearing into it anyways (finding a piston even unsuitable for an ashtray) I found that it had 763 rods, and yet more interesting then that I think it's got a roller camshaft setup.
I've heard that a lot of the parts for the engine up to 87 or so interchange with the RWD, such as reworked FWD heads being used on the TTA for clearance reasons. (BTW, how do these heads compare to standard GN heads flow wise)
Since I'm doing an engine swap anyways, it's not that much of an issue to redo motor mounts, I've checked and they're different, and my thought is why upgrade to roller lifters when I can get em from the factory.
Far as parts compatibility I've already tried out my 84-85 timing cover on it. There are a few holes in my book, the most notable being an adapter from the 60 degree pattern to the BOP pattern for the transmission.

Just some prelim stuff, any thoughs apprecaited.

 

[WIKEDV6]

Well around 30 people looked at this and no responses so I will take a stab at it. As far as the 3.8 FWD block is concerned, if it is a 1987 with Vin code #3 on it will have the roller cam setup. The rods are the same as the GN, the crank is very similar, it does have both the rods and the mains journals have rolled fillets. Only the flywheel bolt pattern is different. You can also use the steel caps they make for GNs, at least the middle two. I don't know how strong the block it self is but I assume it is as good as the 4.1s or the 84/85 blocks. You can use the heads came on it but you will have a hard time finding headers for it. You can swap over the top half of the motor with the GN motors. (The heads and intake) this way it is much easier to get the headers. You would need the tranny adaptor. Of course you need dished pistons and other related forced induction application products.

If I were you, I will pickup an 86-87 NA motor and you might get lucky and will have a 109 block and maybe a good crank. In the long run it will be cheaper.

Hey I send you an email about those headers did you get it?

Thanks
Prasad

 

[Drac0nic]

yeah, I dropped ya another email stuff is off. BTW, new email addy triodes@mcshi.com. I didn't think it would pan to anything, but the line between potential briallance, stupidity and craziness is fine indeed. The block's very very close to a 109 block honestly, it's even got the holes in the lifter valley like a RWD 86-87 block which is why I was thinking about it. Block's goin to the scrap yard, figure I'd ask before I got rid of it though.

 

[turbojustin]

What year and model car did you get this engine from? Is it the 3.8 or the 3800 model?