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.
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
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)
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.
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
80817 is my zip... 8)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
this page should help also if you quad swap!
http://babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar40032.htm