GM 3.8 v6 - add supercharger.

[Steve Lamb]

>Do any of the GM gurus out there know if the supercharger on the current
>3.8 v6 will bolt directly onto a non-supercharged version of the same
>and if only the memcal needs to be changed?

I doubt it, Craig, as with most turbo/supercharging there are usually other
mods to the engine - for example to lower compression, strengthen bottom
end (not always - depends on original NA design), different camshafts, etc,
etc.  As it happens my brother-in-law is an engineer at Holden's Lang Lang
proving grounds so I can probably find out.  I'll be seeing him on the
weekend so I'll ask about this.

You may be interested to know that the supercharged V6 from Holden (GM -
Oz)) will only be offered as an auto.  The reason being that Holden found
in testing that the engine blew pistons regular as clockwork if it was
'lugged' (ie low revs/high load situations).  The ECU could be programmed
to overcome this with an auto, but manuals were beyond their control (so to
speak).  The potential warranty problems gave them nightmares, I suspect.

>Considering this swap for my 1995 Holden commodore. I think despite it
>being RWD it is otherwise identical to the FWD 3.8 v6 sold in the USA.

I think you would need to swap in the entire engine/ECU package, but, as I
said, I'll find out.
There is also at least one aftermarket supercharger add-on being offered
for these engines (I think).  I've seen one of these on a VS (?) V8 ute -
underbonnet installation was very impressive in terms of qaulity.
Performance was also pretty impressive - at a Calder sprint meet the guy
was only beaten in terms of times by a very quick TR8 and an RB26DETT
powered 240Z.   Check out some of the local performance mags, I'm sure
you'll find an ad for these somewhere.

Cheers


Steve Lamb
Department of Defence, DSTO
Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory
506 Lorimer Street
Fishermans Bend  VIC 3207 Australia

Tel: +61 3 9626 7525
Fax: +61 3 9626 7089

IZCC #180