Rockyrider367 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 So i've done a bit of researching and have kind of been able to come up with a conclution. my question is if anyone knows if the Ax-15 or ax-5 tranny or even the autos will fit a 3.8L v6 out of a pontiac. I can get a hold of a rebuilt 3.8L supercharged farely easly and am looking to replace my very tired 2.5 in my 86. Any feed back would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 JeepcoMJ was working on this exact scenario... Except, the AX5 the only bolt up with jeep only parts. And he kept blowing them up. Now if you can find an early '90's Dakota with a 2.5L and a 5 speed, that will be an AX15 with the correct bellhousing to mate it to a 3800. Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
over2land Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Well where the 2.5 Bell from the Dakota can be used, the AX-5 to AX-15 adapter kit from Advance Adapters can be used. I can't' speak to the Pontiac 3.8 BP, but if the Dakota parts can be used then look to AA if you don't like chasing unicorns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 ...AA if you don't like chasing unicorns. And deep pockets if I remember right... Rob L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kro10000 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 I've seen three or four 2.5 5 speed dakotas at the junkyard, so they are around... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 Even the dakota bellhousing won't work. The starter is on the driver's side, so is the slave cylinder. It will limit the function of the slave. The advance adapters kit for an ax15 adapts to the 4 bolt gm bellhousing. You would need an external slave bellhousing from a '94. V6 s10. I blew 5 ax5's with mine, and just as many dana 35's. My conclusion is to combine a 3.8 world class T5 trans with the 94 4wd T5 from the s10. T5 "world class" trannies use taper bearings to set pre-loads on the shafts, making them extremely reliable, capable of holding up to built mustang 5.0's pushing 800 hp. Last issue...and the reason I will be going naturally aspirated again...the eaton m90 supercharger that is on the 3800 has the pulley on the serpentine side, and throttle body on the trans side...and that puts the supercharger directly IN the firewall. Not against it, not near it...it makes it required to cut a hole in the firewall, and to modify the wiper assembly. You COULD move the motor forward, but at the tradeoff of having the shifter cone out of the dash. So, not worth the time for a super charger unless you find. A s/c that doesn't put thr throttle body into the firewall. Btw, with the n at. Asp. 3800 in my 86, I got no less than 24mpg with it...on a bad day. And A LOT more power than a 4.0 Oh, and a 4.0 radiator is necessary so hopefully you don't have an 86. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockyrider367 Posted October 15, 2010 Author Share Posted October 15, 2010 haha I do have an 86. But I was planning on putting in a custom 3 core radiator anyway to make sure the 3800 stays cool. Hmm and I'm glad to here about the ax5 mine already needs a rebuild. How about an auto? is there and automatic that would work for this? My truck doesnt see a whole lot of street and if it does its mostly just around town. Only has 78,000 on it. It mostly gets trailerd to the trails and back more than it gets drivin there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 IF the FWD 3800 has the same BP as the RWD one, Kaiser used that block and an adapter to bolt a version of the TH400 and a few manuals, like the bulletproof T18, to it for about a decade. The 3800 is a diect decendent of the 225. If the patterns are the same, the easiest solution would seem to be a chevy tranny/t-case aready bolted together and a relatively inexpensive BOP to Chevy bellhousing adapter. http://www.summitracing.com/search/Bran ... toview=SKU $56 or http://www.coanracing.com/PDFS/InstallI ... 980073.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 It's a 60 degree v6 bellhousing pattern with a 90 degree block. I don't know about automatics. Something mechanically controlled would be easiest to deal with. Just get a camaro t5 and a junk s10 t5, swap the output shaft and output housing to the camaro trans, s10 bellhousing, bolt it in, and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 The auto used behind the 2.8 V6 in Cherokees and Comanches was the A904, basically a light duty version of the TF727, but it was used extensively through chrysler behind all its slant 6's and some of the smaller V8's. It is very buildable, and parts plentiful, and can be had with the 60 degree bellhousing pattern needed for that engine. Shift reprogrammers and shift kits are available that would take care of any weakness the OEM A904 might have (I just researched this the other day). Just for your info. :thumbsup: Edit.... the A904 used by Jeep was mechaincally controlled.... no computers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 You might want to look at a Ford 3.8 with a supercharger. The Ford v6 came in 2 displacement, 3.8 and 4.2. You could then use a Ford truck trans and "perhaps" get around some issues. Should also be lighter then the Buick V6. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted October 15, 2010 Share Posted October 15, 2010 I can lift a buick 3.8 off the ground and put it in the bed of my 6.5" lifted mj. Doubt I could do that with any ford JUNK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockyrider367 Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share Posted October 16, 2010 Hey guys thanks! Thats perfect. I picked up my 3800 today. Planning on this for a winter project. Did a compression test on my 2.5 today at school and it read about 60psi in every cylinder. So its time for a swap. And sorry but I have been through enough of the beloved 9"s that I have lost what little faith I had in ford stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I can lift a buick 3.8 off the ground and put it in the bed of my 6.5" lifted mj. Doubt I could do that with any ford JUNK JeepcoMJ Really? I appreciate your Buick V6 experience, BUT. Think that is an emotional reaction rather than a factual statement. The man asked a question. Don't you think he is entitled to some straight answers? You gave him good answers about the Buick V6. Why can you not let me suggest reasonable alternatives with out crap comments? Your crap answers devalue your worth on this board. John Jackson San Diego, California 92131 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I was afraid that the FWD version used a different pattern. Too bad as it would make for a cheaper/easier swap. Maybe you should find a GN or GNX Turbo 3.8... :thumbsup: :D j/k. The 904 was available behind low output small blocks, and can be built to withstand some serious HP..but that adds expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I was afraid that the FWD version used a different pattern. Too bad as it would make for a cheaper/easier swap. Maybe you should find a GN or GNX Turbo 3.8... :thumbsup: :D j/k. The 904 was available behind low output small blocks, and can be built to withstand some serious HP..but that adds expense. Nothing from a small block will work...not the same bolt pattern. The FWD and RWD 3800's use the same bp. Gonna require custom exhaust manifolds to put it in. You need the complete wiring harness from the S/C car btw. And you will need a VATS bypass module from bakerelectronics.com...it replaces the chipped key and allows you to retain the jeep column. You will also need all o2 sensors etc. From it as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 I can lift a buick 3.8 off the ground and put it in the bed of my 6.5" lifted mj. Doubt I could do that with any ford JUNK JeepcoMJ Really? I appreciate your Buick V6 experience, BUT. Think that is an emotional reaction rather than a factual statement. The man asked a question. Don't you think he is entitled to some straight answers? You gave him good answers about the Buick V6. Why can you not let me suggest reasonable alternatives with out crap comments? Your crap answers devalue your worth on this board. John Jackson San Diego, California 92131 I shot down your comment because ford 3.8's are junk, and they are bigger than a buick 3800. I've spent some time researching when I was doing the swap, and ford stuff went out the door when I got the opportunity to work on an s/c tbird, and realized what a PITA it was to work on. Ford 3.8's don't get good mileage, either. And the power isn't that compareable. I got 22mpg on my lowest mpg tank, highest was low 30's. So, yes I made an emotional response based on the fact that if it's ford, it belongs in a scrap yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockyrider367 Posted October 25, 2010 Author Share Posted October 25, 2010 Thanks guys I realy appreciate it! I picked up my 3800 today! $400 with complete motor harnes computer and guage cluster off of a buddy. Lookin for a wcT5 now. ivwe found em pretty cheap just have to wait for the next paycheck :yes: One question though is how you did your motor mounts? Did you just make a crosmember for the front where the factory one was? Or did you use the damper mounts on the side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirteatr717 Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 T5s cannot withstand up to 800 hp.... Ask my camaro with around 320 hp that blew the weakest gear (3rd) It'd be good for an older guy who's not going to beat on it but the guy I bought it from mustve had a heavy foot :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now