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Caddy/Olds 3.5L Shortstar Engine Swap ?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Nooner, Mar 8, 2005.

  1. Mar 8, 2005
    Nooner

    Nooner New Member

    Austin, TX
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    Feb 26, 2005
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    10
    Does anyone know if this has been or can be swapped in place of a Dauntless V-6? I believe it has the same BOP bellhousing. I am just thinking about possibilities and am attracted to this motor as a potential candidate.
     
    Nooner, Mar 8, 2005
    #1
  2. Mar 8, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Interesting swap.

    It's a 60* Chevy V6 bolt pattern though I think. Just trying to think back to my Fiero owner days, that engine would bolt up to the transaxle I thought.

    We've discussed some methods here for swapping transmissions/bellhousings to use this bolt pattern.

    Most notably the Camaro/Firebird 3800 V6s.
     
    sparky, Mar 8, 2005
    #2
  3. Mar 8, 2005
    Nooner

    Nooner New Member

    Austin, TX
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    Feb 26, 2005
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    thanks! I'll search some more.
     
    Nooner, Mar 8, 2005
    #3
  4. Mar 8, 2005
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    sparky your right about the bolt pattern. i know a guy who put a northstar in to replace the 4cyl in his YJ, only thing he did was change the clutch.
     
    mb82, Mar 8, 2005
    #4
  5. Mar 8, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    There ya go!

    Hmm, now, I've got a 4 banger in my TJ. :twisted:
     
    sparky, Mar 8, 2005
    #5
  6. Mar 8, 2005
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    yeh i forgot to mention i dont remember his tranny lasting a real long time after that swap.
     
    mb82, Mar 8, 2005
    #6
  7. Mar 8, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Don't doubt it. The AX5 isn't exactly a heavy duty trans.
     
    sparky, Mar 8, 2005
    #7
  8. Mar 8, 2005
    Nooner

    Nooner New Member

    Austin, TX
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    I'm starting to think maybe a SM420 might be the right way to go if I went with that engine with the s10 bellhousing... that should keep me nice and short right?
     
    Nooner, Mar 8, 2005
    #8
  9. Mar 8, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Yup.
     
    sparky, Mar 8, 2005
    #9
  10. Mar 8, 2005
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    if a 420 then why not a 4.3L chevy V-6. i have one and it is short as heck, throw on the short water pump and you save a little over an inch more.
     
    mb82, Mar 8, 2005
    #10
  11. Mar 8, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    V8? V6? Why not a V8?
     
    sparky, Mar 8, 2005
    #11
  12. Mar 8, 2005
    Nooner

    Nooner New Member

    Austin, TX
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    it may be a good way to have an aluminum motor that would give more than enough power for my needs - but I am not committed to anything yet. - oh.. and my other toy is going to have a V-8 :) - this is going to be my mild rig :)
     
    Nooner, Mar 8, 2005
    #12
  13. Mar 8, 2005
    michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    Clarkston MI...
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    Aug 20, 2003
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    I think you are on the right track with S-10 bell and even a trans. The only problem with the 3.5 is so-called "4-valve disease". The twin cam develops its power mainly in higher RPM ranges.

    It still should have plenty of power under 2k I would think.
     
    michigan_pinstripes, Mar 8, 2005
    #13
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