[Baz]

The engine locked up in my 3rd gen awhile ago, finally settled on doing a 3800 turbo build for it. Already have the engine, trans, computer, harness, from a 2000 firebird donor. the project is going to take some time, as i am planning on swapping the gas tank(got a plastic one from the 2000), rear, redoing the brake and fuel lines, fixing any rust issues and coating the underside of the car before i start on the engine and trans. it is my understanding that the trans is either bolt in, or close to it. the engine has 2 things that are going to need to be custom made from what ive researched, motor mounts and a y pipe. If anyone happens to know someone who has done this swap and either figured out motor mounts or made their own, id be interested in talking to them.

 

[dezldave961]

I'd guess a transmission mount for the 4L60e or T5 isn't going to be too difficult. The 95-02 F-body 3800 mounts are horrid, so if you want to get custom, that should help. Upgrading to tubular race-type bracketry underneath (K-membet, crossmembers, etc.) would give you a lot more space and cleaner points to work from, too.

Not sure how many 3rd gens have been swapped, I'd guess a couple, but it sounds like a fun project.

 

[schlimthecarguy]

700r4/4l60e use the same trans mounts/crossmember.

there are K members without mounts for a weld it yerself build/use with motor plates

 

[Baz]

A few swaps have been done, making a post on forums for 3rd gens is typically a waste, pretty much immediately get swamped with LS swap or put another SBC in it posts. The 3rd gens have more room under the hood since that overhang the 4th gens have is not there, honestly there may even be enough room to swap an L67 with the supercharger still on it without much issue. Good to know what ive seen about the trans is correct, looks to be pretty much bolt in, and i have 2 driveshafts just incase i have any issues, the stock 3rd gen one, and an aluminum 4th gen one. I saw a post a few years ago about someone taking mounts from two different vehicles and making them work for this swap.

 

[Beags86]

The 95-02 F-body 3800 mounts are horrid,

What's so terrible about them?
In what context are they horrible?

 

[dezldave961]

Mainly the size and weight of those massive chunks of steel & iron taking up a ton of space. When digging around down there, they add to the headache of reaching things. I've been looking at some K-member options that avoid them, such as the ones meant for SBC/BBC swaps, for a buddy's car and possibly my own build later (3800-specific ones like Spohn seem to still use stock brackets).

 

[Beags86]

Ah I see.
Just was wondering.
I actually just got some of these mounts because I thought they were nice and beefy. Lol.
I have no idea if I'll use them for my project. But I was just wondering why someone disliked them that much.