Author Topic: 1975 bobcat 3.8L conversion (Read 7383 times)

75bobcatv6 · « **on:** January 08, 2008, 11:56:23 AM »

Ok, since it has been so difficult to find genuine 2.8 parts/accessories im going to drop in a 3.8 out of an 83 mustang, I have many questions since this is my first real american car project.
Most of what I have done is Swap motors and what not on imports. I need some Advice and help here. I have the Motor and trans on hold for me at the moment but what i need to know is where to get or what motor mounts will fit a 75 bobcat. its the villager with a port hole panel conversion. I want to go from the base 112hp at the wheels to something a little more substantial, but not too much to over power the frame or the rearend. the parts list so far is pretty good, but i still am looking to find a cam that will work with that year motor, and a shift kit for the trans. I would like to get atleast 200bhp from it maybe 245 if i can find a proper supercharger/turbo kit for it. Ive had a hell of a time finding rebuild kits and have asked for help before but I haven't gotten much in replies. Is there anyone that might be able to help with this? Just need help finding parts, exhaust is taken care of i just need engine/trans parts performance would be preferred, I really don't want to drop a V8 into the car, i like having a v6. Would appreciate the help from any of you. thanks

douglasskemp · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2008, 03:37:20 PM »

Personally, I am quite interested in seeing your project and the plans you have. You may run into a couple problems. the 3.8 'Essex' V6 and the 2.8 'Cologne' V6 share little if any (I would bet on none) parts interchange. The 2.8 is a 60 degree motor and the 3.8 is a 90 degree. While you will not have the issue of length like a v8 conversion, you will most likely run into problems where the exhaust manifolds visit the general locale of the steering shaft on the driver side and the battery tray/frame rail on the passenger side.

For motor mounts, your best bet may be to find a set out of a 'fox' Mustang (including the frame 'ears' or 'towers') and modify them to fit the Bobcat frame. This is when a MIG comes in handy! The distance between the framerails of a Bobcat and a fox Mustang are considerably different due to the change in front suspension layout (MacPherson strut vs. unequal length A-arms.) Another thing to keep an eye on is the oil pan. Pintos/Bobcats have large crossmembers directly below the engine. Although notching can and has been done before, significant strengthening will need to be performed to retain the structural rigidity of the front half of the car.

As far as performance out of the 3.8, see if you can scrounge parts from a later model with EFI. There are aftermarket kits available for S/C'ing these motors. I am NOT an expert when it comes to these engines, so differences may be there that negate the possibility of just a bolt on swap to acquire the EFI setup.

I wish you luck with your project, and keep us updated!

--Doug

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2008, 01:06:28 AM »

I appriciate the advice, im no expert either i just know what i would like to do, i know its possible to swap a 289 or 302 into a bobcat/pinto with not too much issue, but the frame strength is where i would have a problem, as well as mpg.. its hard enough to fill an 18 gallon gas tank lol.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2008, 12:56:51 PM »

ok for the time being I have to put doing anything on hold with the bobcat, my g/f and I just had a baby friday, so he comes first. then i will take some time to get more done on the car

Cookieboystoys · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2008, 01:06:56 PM »

Quote from: 75bobcatv6 on January 15, 2008, 12:56:51 PM

my g/f and I just had a baby friday, so he comes first

Congrats!

FCANON · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2008, 01:21:55 PM »

:happy_bday: thats great,,, I hope its a little Bobcat/Pinto Fan...

FrankBoss

69GT · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2008, 05:13:42 PM »

There are so many after market things available for the 3.8 too. And they come with aluminum heads! OK crappy flowing aluminum heads but some porting and they will be better than average. I really would love to put an N.A. carbed 3.8 in my 72. With a roller cam porting higher compression and exhaust I don't see why 200+ HP would not possible.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2008, 11:45:40 AM »

ive seen the after market for a 3.8, thats one of the reasons i wanted to do it, and after alot of number crunching and possibilities of a naturally aspirated motor you can get about 250+ with the right parts. im not lokin to go Overboard with it, but if i have to cut into my car to fit that motor i wont do it. i will find an 80's 2.9 and go that way.
thanks for the Grats on the little one, and we will see if he becomes a fan of the pinto and bobcats like i did as a kid =D

71HANTO · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2008, 12:48:58 PM »

Hi, congrats on the new little one. You should be able to start sleeping better in about 18 years or so :hypno: I am interested in your 3.8 project as I road race a 97 3.8 mustang (since my cortina is now in a land fill and my pinto isn't ready yet). The 3.8 is a low winding high torque grunt motor. The 97 is rated at only 150HP. I run 3.45 rear gears to keep the R's down and take advantage of the broad torque curve. The early non-split port engines (including mine) are out classed by the 1999 up split-port version rated at 200HP. The early engines also suffer from head gasket failure problems if pushed (the different expantion rates of aluminum on cast iron). The 97 is better and the 98 was best of the early ones. I have a complete 3.8 split-port setup out of a 2004 mustang with less than 10K miles on it. I bought it thinking I would drop it into my 97 but I'm going with the Lotus/Pinto instead. I have the soup to nuts from and including the radiator, engine (pan to intake-complete to the remote air intake from the fender), air compressor, alternator, power steering pump, complete ignition forward wiring, bell, flywheel, clutch/pressure plate, the original T-5 trans, and even the drive shaft. I have $1300 in it if you or anyone else is interested. Local pickup only in Los Angeles or motor freight arranged by the buyer.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2008, 05:38:38 PM »

well as it stands now I just Ordered a long block, the 2.8 found out Checker could snag one for me, so im going to stick with that for now, will let ya know how it all goes as it goes and post pics asap, but what i would like to do if find an automatic thas a 4 spd instead of a 3, to get a little more Economy outta the 2.8, Ive made a custom Air intake for it so she will get a little more Cold air, gunna stay with the 2bbl but up the CFM to 400 or so so she breaths better and am putting a new exaust setup underneath, from the 2" to the 2"1/2 not alot but enough for it to breath better. the mufflers im getting are flowmaster 60 series or 50 series. basically im dumping about 2300 into her all at once. =)

douglasskemp · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:17:57 PM »

Quote from: 75bobcatv6 on February 11, 2008, 05:38:38 PM

what i would like to do if find an automatic thas a 4 spd instead of a 3, to get a little more Economy outta the 2.8

Well, I'd say use a A4LD out of a 2wd Ranger or Bronco II, but IMHO to get it to stay in O/D without lugging the motor at anything slower than freeway speeds, you should go with at the least a 3.40:1 rear gearset. I remember my uncle's 84 4x4 Ranger had a 2.8 with 3.73 gears and a five spd, and it ran pretty good. My 87 Mustang has a 2.3 with 3.73s and an A4LD. It'll get better than 35mpg if I stay outta the pedal.

BE AWARE that the A4LD is electronically controlled to a point...the earlier ones had little if any real control other than the lockup converter. LOTS OF INFO at the link below:
http://www.turbotbird.com/techinfo/AutoTransFix/A4LD_Fix.htm
--Doug

Srt · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2008, 02:50:10 AM »

"... the Lotus/Pinto instead.."

Hey 71hanto I used to have '71 pinto and a 74 lotus elan sprint

2 of the greatest cars ever made

71HANTO · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2008, 10:33:05 AM »

Hi, I AGREE! The best cars for their intended purpose which is why I decided to marry them. The Elans are giant killers! I love watching race prepped Elans twist the big block Corvettes in knots on a twisty track.

There is a reason so many Pintos are still running and WE know why-it's just the rest of the world that doesn't get it...yet! How many stock Vegas have you seen on the road after 37 years?

map351 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2008, 11:49:53 AM »

Why don't you just buy a trashed SC T-Bird and use the drivetrain? There's a few 500+ HP blown 3.8 s...

http://www.sccoa.com/forums/index.php?
http://www.sccoa.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=45

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2008, 12:39:53 PM »

trashed t-birds are not easy to find out here. most of them have already been to the crusher. i actually found a Bobcat run-about at U-Pull it out here but it was sent to the crusher 2 days later, had a perfect body too.. =(

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2008, 02:51:29 AM »

update just thought id throw a pic up if the server will allow me too. just the new tires i got.

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 21, 2008, 08:02:30 PM »

Thought i would toss a few more pics of my baby, I have to hi-jack them off my own Myspace tho lol

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 21, 2008, 08:03:28 PM »

a few more

75bobcatv6 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 21, 2008, 08:05:54 PM »

some more. please comment let me know what you think. I have a long way to go with her but i love the car and am commited to getting it done and done right,

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Author Topic: 1975 bobcat 3.8L conversion (Read 7383 times)

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