Can you fit a 3.8 in the Cavalier's engine bay?

 

The ecos were a standard but my car is the base model. I have no power anything, rpm guage, tilt steering, nothin lol. Thats why i only have the 2200. And i thought about the 3.8 but i didnt think that was a 60* engine. Or is it?

According to this its not....http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.ph...=40670&t=40670

 

i would asume if a 3.4 could fit a 3.8 should too... hell i was wondering if a 3.4 would fit but i see what ur saying from the site 3.8 would take consideriable fab work

 

ya i mean i might be able to but according to the jbody forum only a 3100, 3400, and 3500 will fit.

 

Have you considered putting a newer 2.4L Ecotec in it? You'll be close to the same power as the 3400, the Ecotec is a SUPER SUPER reliable, i'd go as far as saying bullet proof engine, and will get you better fuel economy.

I had an 03 Cavalier LS Sport with the 2.2L Ecotec, and even with 140 HP, and a 5 speed, that little car moved. The new 2.4L (found in the Malibu and Cobalts) puts out 170-180 HP.

I don't think a 3800 would fit in a Cavalier.

If your looking to do a V6 swap, I would look at getting the 3500 over the 3400 if you could get one for not a ton more money. The 3500 has much more power, and is more reliable. (the 3100, and 3400) are good for blowing head gaskets, and having leaking intake gaskets.

Will a 3900 fit? The 3900 is also a 60 degree V6, and is literallly the same engine as a 3500, just a slightly longer stroke. And the 3900 puts out 240 HP, 240 FT LB. Ther 3500 puts out 211 HP, and 214 FT LBS. The 3400 puts out 180 HP, 205 FT LB.

 

Huge waste of money IMO- if you want big power out of a 60*, do a turbo- its gonna cost the same or less than all those bottom end parts plus the machine shop work.

If you want more power to start off with, and can't use a 3800- why not do a 3500 or 3900? More power out of the box (without spending all the money rebuilding the bottom end)- in basically the same engine.

Just curious where the clearance issues are? I really didn't think they were dimensionally that different from the other V6's. I imagine the 3800 is a bit wider, but shorter- with the lengths being about the same.

 

well **** now you got me changin my mind and wantin a 3900 lol

 

if the 3900 fits, 240HP in that car would be pretty deadly, even stock. Good luck.

 

what ever you do, keep us posted, I'm curiuos to see how everything turns out

 

I think what ill most likely end up doing is just goin with a 3.4 or 3.5 but if i find out for sure a 3.9 will fit and can get ahold of one then ill deff do that.