Okay, so here's what I'm dealing with. I have a 1998 V6 with 140,000 on the engine and a blown transmission. I was looking into putting in a t56 transmission but I can't take the time right away to put in a V8, much as I'd love to. Will the T56 bolt onto the 3.8L? If not then is there another transmission that will work on both the V6 and V8? I've got about $2000 right now to spend and I figured that would mostly go for the transmission. Mainly I would like to be able to put in a transmission right now so I can at least get it on the road. In the meantime I would find a 4.6L that needs some rebuilding and use it as a project engine that would eventually end up in the car. I'm relatively new to pretty much all aspects and can use any advice I can get.
Depending on which year V8 you get, you're going to need to do some mods to the engine bay. I think you'll also need to get a new driveshaft, because the transmissions are different lengths.
Thanks for the thread pointer. I looked all over prior to posting but sometimes the exact wording just doesn't seem to work. Anyway, thanks again and it looks like i'm going to be going with a t56. Now I just have to hope the weather starts to mellow out a bit. If it's not bone chilling cold it's wet and miserable... Oh for a heated garage...
Okay, so here's what I'm dealing with. I have a 1998 V6 with 140,000 on the engine and a blown transmission. I was looking into putting in a t56 transmission but I can't take the time right away to put in a V8, much as I'd love to. Will the T56 bolt onto the 3.8L? If not then is there another transmission that will work on both the V6 and V8? I've got about $2000 right now to spend and I figured that would mostly go for the transmission. Mainly I would like to be able to put in a transmission right now so I can at least get it on the road. In the meantime I would find a 4.6L that needs some rebuilding and use it as a project engine that would eventually end up in the car. I'm relatively new to pretty much all aspects and can use any advice I can get.
The bolt pattern is the same.
Figure at least $2000 just for the electronics once you get the 4.6L done -then you're also gonna haveta swap out the entire rear end.
you'd be better off modding the 6, unless you're planning on super super high hp numbers.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
if you put in a 5.0 later, then you can get the T56 for that application now and it will bolt up. bellhousing will work with the 5.0, 3.8, 4.2 or 351
you'll have to pick up a 94-95 k-member to run the 5.0L, on top of everything else . ..
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Yeah, I was originally looking at modding out my 6 but I also want to be able to use it as a daily driver for a while (until college is done at least). I was thinking about using the 6 as a daily driver and getting a used DOHC cobra engine (though they seem a bit pricey) and using it as a project engine. I want to get some experience doing a complete engine rebuild and while I'm at it I can do some modding to the engine. then, when all is in place I can drop it in and go. I would, of course do the rear end before dropping in the new engine. I know it seems a bit ambitious but it sure would be nice to be able to have that sort of power available. Heck it will be nice just to have my V6 back. Right now I'm relegated to driving the wife's Neon SXT. Nothing special but it's better than some cars i've had to drive. My biggest regret is it's an auto... *sniff*... in any case those are my lofty goals and who knows, I might throw some minimal powermodding on the 6. Afterall, I'll have to do the exhaust, rear end, and probably work on the frame before I can put the engine in anyway. If anyone has better ideas or at least other ideas let me know. Oh by the way, if I do go with the upgraded engine would it be best to go with a mid 90's or an 00+?
i bet you could get one for like 50 bucks. classified ads are great.
A newbie isn't going to have the plumb bob equipment to make sure the frame is square, etc. to do the job.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Yeah, I was originally looking at modding out my 6 but I also want to be able to use it as a daily driver for a while (until college is done at least). I was thinking about using the 6 as a daily driver and getting a used DOHC cobra engine (though they seem a bit pricey) and using it as a project engine. I want to get some experience doing a complete engine rebuild and while I'm at it I can do some modding to the engine. then, when all is in place I can drop it in and go. I would, of course do the rear end before dropping in the new engine. I know it seems a bit ambitious but it sure would be nice to be able to have that sort of power available. Heck it will be nice just to have my V6 back. Right now I'm relegated to driving the wife's Neon SXT. Nothing special but it's better than some cars i've had to drive. My biggest regret is it's an auto... *sniff*... in any case those are my lofty goals and who knows, I might throw some minimal powermodding on the 6. Afterall, I'll have to do the exhaust, rear end, and probably work on the frame before I can put the engine in anyway. If anyone has better ideas or at least other ideas let me know. Oh by the way, if I do go with the upgraded engine would it be best to go with a mid 90's or an 00+?
Question still is, what's your budget?
If your goal is 390 hp, you can do that with the six with a lot less weight and at a lot less cost.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Budget for now is around 2K (for now) including the cost of the tranny (which I found for around 1.5K). I'll be putting more in it as I get the money but I think I'd like to go no higher overall in performance modding than 5K, but I've been known to change my mind too. I do have the advantage of having a father in law with just about every tool I could possibly need and if he doesn't have it he'll go out and buy it just to say he has it. He also used to mod his El Camino when he was younger so he has a little brain knowledge just not a lot of stamina left for crawling under cars, etc... In any case the main reason for going with a larger engine down the road would just to be so I could work on the engine while still having a car to drive. I could always go with finding a beat up 6 to work on as well.
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1998 3.8 Completely stock. Soon to come: T56 Tranny!
Budget for now is around 2K (for now) including the cost of the tranny (which I found for around 1.5K). I'll be putting more in it as I get the money but I think I'd like to go no higher overall in performance modding than 5K, but I've been known to change my mind too. I do have the advantage of having a father in law with just about every tool I could possibly need and if he doesn't have it he'll go out and buy it just to say he has it. He also used to mod his El Camino when he was younger so he has a little brain knowledge just not a lot of stamina left for crawling under cars, etc... In any case the main reason for going with a larger engine down the road would just to be so I could work on the engine while still having a car to drive. I could always go with finding a beat up 6 to work on as well.
Ok, while you've got the tranny off the thing -swap out your flywheel for a SPEC aluminum flywheel (It will completely change the personality of the car, give you better mpg, and reduce the strain on the crank) and an aluminum driveshaft.
That will help you tremendously and won't be much more trouble since the tranny's being replaced anyway.
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What do you want out of the car?
Handling? 1/4 mile street/strip machine? street machine? road race/street?
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Budget for now is around 2K (for now) including the cost of the tranny (which I found for around 1.5K). I'll be putting more in it as I get the money but I think I'd like to go no higher overall in performance modding than 5K, but I've been known to change my mind too. I do have the advantage of having a father in law with just about every tool I could possibly need and if he doesn't have it he'll go out and buy it just to say he has it. He also used to mod his El Camino when he was younger so he has a little brain knowledge just not a lot of stamina left for crawling under cars, etc... In any case the main reason for going with a larger engine down the road would just to be so I could work on the engine while still having a car to drive. I could always go with finding a beat up 6 to work on as well.
If you are looking for a motor to work on why not get a 4.2 stroker v6? Then you wont have to worry about matching the computer or tranny.
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2002 v6 manual, SSM P&P Heads, Comp Cam from SSM, and some other stuff full list in profile.
214 RWHP, 215 RWTQ
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so" -Ronald Reagan
New to this world and need advice 
