3.1L Turbo Engine/Tranny Swap

[mister_playboy]

I'm new here, and I'm going to start off with a (really) dumb question.

I own a '87 Buick Skyhawk that had a 2.0L Turbo inline-4 (also in the Pontiac Sunbird and Grand Am) in it.  The engine is now fragged, and it can't be replaced for anything like a reasonable amount of money.  This design has troubles with excessive cam wear, and I'm looking at other replacement possibilites.  I have been looking into putting a 2.8L/3.1L V-6 in the car, and I know that is possible, since many J-bodies used this engine family from '86-'94.  I am curious, however, about a turbo 3.1L similar to that of the '89-90 Grand Prix...

I have a working Garrett T25 on my toasted engine, and I'd like to reuse the turbo somehow.  I am guessing the A/R and/or housing for the turbo is different, but I"m not sure about that.  I have read the specs on the turbo 3.1L, and I understand how it differs from normal 3.1Ls.  Ignoring the bevy of problems I would have replicating the engine setup (exhaust manifold, engine management, etc) and the fact I might not have enough underhood space for both the V-6 and the turbo in my car, as it is considerably smaller than a W-body...  My question is about the transmission.  My car has the standard issue J-body 3 speed auto.

Anyone have info about the 4 speed used in the GPT?  Is it similar to other, easily obtainable GM 4 speeds?  It's highly likely it couldn't be made to fit in my car, but I figured I'd ask for specifics to see if I can rig something up.

J-body.org is my usual hangout, but this question seems better posted with you guys and gals.  Thanks for listening.

[Jeorge]

The Tranny in a tgp is a specific Tranny and built for the power.

you can get a 5 speed and put it in they are the same Trannies J body or w Body the 282

otherwise you will put in a Regular GP or J body tranny and be Replacing it every 10,000 miles or less......


You might want to talk to some of the people who did the 5 spd swap in there TGP and see if they would part with there olf TGP Tranny but then I would  sugest getting it Rebuilt by Jeff M I think that Runs another 1500-2000
how ever once you do that the Tranny can handle 350HP



hope this helps

[TGPilot]

I have a 4T60 tranny out of my TGP....CHEAP!!! It was the tranny that I pulled when I did my 5-speed swap. It will definitely need rebuilding before you install it though! $100 and you pay shipping from 80817. Be aware that it weighs 200lbs... 8)

[mister_playboy]

Hmmm... let me do some asking around the mechanic shop about the difference in size between the trannies.  A manual would be great, but I figured a auto would be less work to put in and (hopefully) cheaper.  Ultimately, I would need a engine first before I get any big plans, but thank you for the information.

[90tgpblk]

100 and you pay shipping from 80817. Be aware that it weighs 200lbs...

Tg  I might want it, if you really want to get rid of it.. I want to get hold of a stock tgp tranny.. since the one i have in my tgp is not the right rebuild.. I think they put standard gearing in it... I am serious about this.. let check into shipping is you could give me your zip i will check..  KCP

[TGPilot]

80817 is my zip... 8)

[1trucavalier]

tgp motor will fit, turbo will not because of the shock tower location! there have been quite a few tgp motor swaps into j-bodies but they are as of now n/a.  The crossover pipe has to be fabricated to sit where the j-body battery is.   You are also better off putting in a 5-speed.   there litterally thousands of 5-speed j's with 2.8 or 3.1L clutch parts in the junkyards.  I also suggest if possible get the whole car cuz buying parts 1 by 1 from the junkyard is still expensive.

[mister_playboy]

I would very much like a manual anyway... didn't have enough money to make the swap last time I needed a tranny.  I had planned on taking what I need from the local junkyard, they have a ton of cars out there.

Turbo won't fit, eh... yeah, I figured that was very possible when I was trying to picture a V-6 sitting there with all the extra piping involved for the turbo.  Sigh...

I can always put the turbo on my BMW 318i if nothing else... that car has plenty of room under the hood...  boost junkie!

Thanks for the help!

[mister_playboy]

The reason I am bothering to keep this car anyway is I think the exterior is cool looking and it has the same interior as a Buick Grand National.  The Buick J-bodies are very rare anymore, too, so I like to say no one else has one.

[1trucavalier]

for a bolt-on affair your best bet is a 2.3, 2.4, 2.3 HO, or w41.   or just grab a reg 3.1L.  I never seen you on j-bod whats your screen name mine is 1trucavalier.

[mister_playboy]

on j-body.org, my screen name is Turbocharged.  I haven't been on there at all recently.  Too few people on that site have cars like mine for me to get much information from posts.  Last I knew there was only one guy from Tennesee who also had a Skyhawk Turbo and then he sold it.  Mainly 3rd gen people on there now that the membership is so huge and there are so many posts on the boards.  I heard about the site from Sport Compact Car originally and there were <1,500 members back then.  I'm glad to see its grown but I am a tiny minority of that site.  I also am on the Buick Grand National/T-type site sometimes.

Now that you mention it, I'd rather have a Quad 4 engine.  I've still got the Hot Rod issue that had the article on it, so I am familiar with the many versions.  I wasn't looking forward to trading overhead cams for pushrods, and I don't care about "engine refinement", either.  Thanks for the idea.

[1trucavalier]

this page should help also if you quad swap!

http://babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar40032.htm