New engine/old transmission - will it work?

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Geesie

Master Mechanic
Feb 15, 2008
364
2
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San Diego
Okay, so I've read a little about swapping a 3800 Series II into the G body. Not common, but it's been done. I like the idea of keeping my Buick a Buick.
I'm not going to do it yet. I don't have the money.
I do, however, have a little saved up for a new transmission. I want either a 700R4 or a 200-4R.

There is quite a bit on here about the transmission swap. IIRC, the issues with the 700R4 include a slight difference in dimension that might require cutting the driveshaft to fit (please correct me if I'm wrong) and also I'd have to find a BOP 700R4.

However, if I look ahead to a possible 3800 Series II engine swap, the 3800 Series II mated to the 700R4 (electronically controlled). While the 200-4R has the universal bolt pattern, it was discontinued around 1990. I'm also not sure how the new engine would work with a non-electronic transmission OR how my old engine would work with a 4L60E.

Basically what I'm wondering is this:
Looking ahead but driving now, what transmission should I get that would make minimum difficulty for me now with a Buick 231 AND later with a 3800 Series II?
 

dan2286

Royal Smart Person
Mar 25, 2008
2,233
4
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Cleveland, Ohio

phaZe

Greasemonkey
Aug 16, 2008
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l67cutlass.78_patr.jpg


That just looks odd, I don't know why. We got an '07 Grand Prix GT with the Supercharged Series III L32. They get a lot of power and acceleration out of those V6's along with decent gas mileage.

It would be a cool swap to do, especially with the amount of power you'd be getting out of it.
 

Geesie

Master Mechanic
Feb 15, 2008
364
2
0
San Diego
I'm pretty excited about the power/efficiency gains. I used to have a Riviera with a blown 3800 II. 240 horsepower and I got up to 34 mpg on the highway.
 

88ss408

Master Mechanic
Feb 25, 2007
281
34
28
baie st anne n.b
your best bet for a trans is a trans out of a camaro or trans am because you need a60* V6 bellhousing bolt patern for a 3800 motor.oposed to the bop bolt patern of the old school 3.8
 

Geesie

Master Mechanic
Feb 15, 2008
364
2
0
San Diego
The bolt pattern is the least of my concerns. If I get a 4L60E, I'll need to find a computer to control it with the old engine. If I get a 700R4 or 200-4R I'll have to figure out how to activate the TV cable with the new engine.
 

Blake442

Geezer
Apr 24, 2007
6,864
1,996
113
Minneapolis
Just buy a wrecked V6 (or better yet, an LS1) Camaro or Firebird, you'll have everything you need, and will probably be able to make a good chunk of the price back by selling off the extra parts.
 
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