I am still toying with the idea of putting a 3800 engine into my Mercedes
230 CE and want to learn more about it.

What is the weight with the four speed auto transmission?

Which side is the starter on? (Steering box clearance)

Besides Camaro and Firebird, which cars used the 3800 in RWD?

Thanks

I'm not sure but the Pontiac Bonneville comes to mind and also Buick
Century. I don't think the tranny weight should be of any concern, it can't
weigh that much I can lift one by myself (maybe 200#). If you never did this
before you have a lot of work cut out for you. Not saying it can't be done,
you just run into one road block after another. I've seen a 440 in a K car
once, I've made a couple of change overs myself. Some are fairly easy some
are not.


"Scott Buchanan" <t120rv (AT) pacifier (DOT) com> wrote



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"Scott Buchanan" <t120rv (AT) pacifier (DOT) com> wrote

quite similar to 3800; already a RWD; plenty of overdrive 700R4 trannies
which will shift w/o need of a computer; plenty of aftermarket hop-ups
available; fuel mileage is good (but not quite up to 3800 using its
computers & computer-aided design for total pkgs., like an entire LeSbre,
ParkAve., Riviera).
I have an 86 S10 Blazer with 95 LT1 v-8 and trans--a nice install and
great performance. Also have an 03 S10 pickup w/4.3 Vortec, all stock. The
pkp will smoke the tires "off the line" and quickly made me change my mind
about doing a similar-to-Blazer v8 swap. There just isn't that much to be
gained. Pkp does about 24-26 mpg on a straight interstate run. I'm sure a
stock 4.3 w/700R4 will deliver decent fuel mileage in your Mercedes. And if
you want more power--dunno what for--there are many performance mods you can
purchase off the shelf. You could even put, say a 4.1:1 rear end in it, and
with that R-4's 70% overdrive, cut it down to 2.88:1 for the road(4.11 X
0.70=2.88, rounded.)
This eliminates need for a computer to control any fuel
injection(assuming you use an aftermarket intake and carb) or to control the
trans-shifting. A simple-to-install kit makes that 700R4 shift from vacuum
and go into lockup mode--cannot do this with the 4L60E, tho'.
Good luck to you. Let us all know how your swap goes, whatever you use.
s

Two reasons really, I am more familiar with the 3800. I am thinking, but do
not know, that the 3800 has a smaller block and weighs less than the 4.3.

Let me know if I am misinformed.


"sdlomi2" <sdlSPAMomi2 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote

"Scott Buchanan" <t120rv (AT) pacifier (DOT) com> wrote

Scott, you're right about the weight--3800 weighs 392# and the 4.3
weighs 425#. And I can understand your preferences. I agree, I'd love to
have a nice transplanted 3800 AND supercharger in like an s10 or even
mid-60's pickup. I feel like that's one of GM's finest--so powerful plus
above 30mpg on the LeSabres and even Park Ave's. I'm feel we would be
hard-pressed to even approach such economy with a transplant. But the
electronics plus virtual virgin territory with the fwd-to-rwd would be more
than I, personally, could handle. And, while the 4.3 is just a 5.7 with 2
cylinders cut off(same bore and stroke, even), I'd be right at home with
that, using an intake and carb. and HEI ignition--just run one hot wire to
the dist cap!
Again, please let us know if you get it done. Who knows, after you get
it all figured out and working, many of us want pics and info to do copycat
swaps! Later.....sdlomi2

Scott Buchanan wrote:

Not sure, but you can be pretty sure that it doesn't weigh more than a
Mercedes driveline!

80s GM rear-drive coupes like the Regal, which would have used a TH200R4
I think.

Scott Buchanan wrote:

I would say that its just an all-around better engine. Not that there's
anything dreadful about the 4.3, but the 3800 is better in the same way
a Buick 350 was better than a Chevy 350. Bottom end reliability,
cylinder geometry, rod ratio, valvetrain stability. All better.

Steve wrote:

Sorry, I'd take a chevy small block over a Buick 350 anyday for
reliability. The Buick 3.8 v-6 in it's early days wasn't that great
of a motor either! I've worked on all of these engines in their
time......buick engines weren't that great.

Now an Olds 350....that was a great engine.

Ian

"Scott Buchanan" <t120rv (AT) pacifier (DOT) com> wrote

3800) Don't listen to people who say there are some. In the 1980's, GM
rear-drive cars with the Buick V6 were very common, but that was the earlier
version; all except the "Grand National" Turbo were carbureted if I remember
correctly.

"Scott Buchanan" <t120rv (AT) pacifier (DOT) com> wrote

people who say there are some. GM does have a rear drive V6 car right now
(the CTS) and that might yield something, but they just didn't make rear
drive V6 cars in the 90's, and they don't use the 3800 in a truck.

In the 1980's, GM
rear-drive cars with the Buick V6 were very common, but that was the earlier
version; all except the "Grand National" Turbo were carbureted if I remember
correctly.