My Reatta Series II 3800 s/c + 6 speed manual swap

[F14CRAZY]

All is correct. My dad owns two convertibles, including a Select 60 Edition (one of 65, not 60)

The G6 six speed, the F40, uses the "normal" FWD bolt pattern. So, pushrod 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, I'm pretty positive on the DOHC 3.6 (can't think on it right now), 3.8, 3.9, N*, 4.9L, and I'm inclined to saw 5.3L AFM

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by bouda

This is pretty cool, opens up some possibilities.

I've attacted a lot of attention on Bonneville Club (though for some reason not much on Club GP). But yeah, pretty much name any FWD 3800 vehicle, and it can be made to work.

The Series II S/C 3800 works pretty well with the 4 speed auto. It has a really wide power range so it isn't picky about ratios, and your RPMs actually don't vary THAT much when you nail the gas. But, they're performance cars, why not shift em?

My stock 3800 LN3 cuts out at 5500 RPM (and is pretty dead up there) but a cammed Series II S/C can pull up to 7k I was quoted on Bonneville Club for saying "I can adjust my shift points and firmness with this device I got called a manual transmission"...

And this is pretty much uncharted territory. There hasn't been a well publicized report of the 3800/6 speed

[paul8488]

Holy crap man! That is just aweome! Good for you for giving the Reatta a second (and even more exciting) life! Can't wait to see how this turns out.

At least my Reatta won't leave me (I can go on, but this is a car board)

Buddy, we have guys talking about men's underwear, money problems, and their bathroom issues... you can talk about whatever you want! Hahaha!

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

I've attacted a lot of attention on Bonneville Club (though for some reason not much on Club GP). But yeah, pretty much name any FWD 3800 vehicle, and it can be made to work.

The Series II S/C 3800 works pretty well with the 4 speed auto. It has a really wide power range so it isn't picky about ratios, and your RPMs actually don't vary THAT much when you nail the gas. But, they're performance cars, why not shift em?

My stock 3800 LN3 cuts out at 5500 RPM (and is pretty dead up there) but a cammed Series II S/C can pull up to 7k I was quoted on Bonneville Club for saying "I can adjust my shift points and firmness with this device I got called a manual transmission"...

And this is pretty much uncharted territory. There hasn't been a well publicized report of the 3800/6 speed

How much longer do you think it will take to finish the project to your satisfaction? Are you going for a stock look both underhood and with the gearshift, etc. (other than the extra pedal, of course!)?

Also, how did you learn how to do all this stuff? Do you have techical training, etc.? I wouldn't even know where to start. I might be able to figure out how to take everything apart, but no way I'd be able to put it back together, much less fabricate parts, integrate controls, etc.!

[MelvinJ]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Also, how did you learn how to do all this stuff? Do you have techical training, etc.? I wouldn't even know where to start. I might be able to figure out how to take everything apart, but no way I'd be able to put it back together, much less fabricate parts, integrate controls, etc.!

Amen to this. I'm in awe of your talents, patience, and time, F14!

[F14CRAZY]

This is an un-shaven me, with the Reatta

Well, I don't have any formal training or "real world" experience on cars. I picked up on things helping my dad work on antique tractors and I've been doing all the maintenance on our small backhoe tractor since we got it in 2001 (when I was 13). I'm also the only operator for it in the family.

The rest of my knowledge, really, is from message boards, first with my '92 and '93 Explorers. A message board, a Haynes manual, and a shop full of hand me down tools can get you pretty far.

We've touched 6 Reattas and own 3 right now including mine. They're old and need repairs. I've come quite a way since then, and have the factory service manual, special tools, etc. Having the right stuff makes a heck of a lot of difference in your outlook on a project like this, like I've had to invest in my own angle grinder and I've spent a lot of Dremel stuff, like a right angle attachment, quick change cut off wheels, a "ripper" bit (like a drill bit that you can pull sideways and cut metal with), a 2'x2' sheet of 11 gauge steel (for making mounts and whatever). It's a difficult job, but I've got a new everyday driver so I don't have to be distracted working on that, plenty of shop space, and I'm diverting most of my income to it, so it's working out. Lowes is loving me whenever I come in for my cut off wheels or 6mm nuts, bolts, and washers

I hope to have it on the road this winter. I don't drive it during the snow season but I will this time, mostly to get the work done on it that I can't do myself like the exhaust, front and rear alignments, etc, and to figure out if there are any issues before I take my spring break trip in it

[firebird1324]

hmm...we have the front and rear suspension from a reatta torn out and sitting in the car yard at my school. transverse leafs for the win! =)

[F14CRAZY]

Is it from a Reatta donated from GM?

[paul8488]

Wow... at 20 I think I was still playing with Lego! That's just an awesome project... and you picked a super-interesting car AND drivetrain to pop in. I hope to own a Reatta someday... preferably one you've tinkered with!

[F14CRAZY]

Progress: I've been a little disgruntled with cars lately since my Forester was like totaled, but I'm back at it. I got this done last night...it came out pretty well. The shifter is mounted firmly despite the crapload of washers and from what I can tell, is in a really good spot as far as ergonomics go. I'm pretty sure the stock G6 shift cables will reach.

[mikmak]

Can't wait till you get that baby going. Are you going to hold on to your others or will the Reatta take over?

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by mikmak

Can't wait till you get that baby going. Are you going to hold on to your others or will the Reatta take over?

The Lesabre, if its not in too bad of shape, could be customized a bit too.....some dark window tint, a decent sound system and maybe some rims would make for a nice cruiser (that could hold more than two people ).

[F14CRAZY]

Well I'm basically done with the Lesabre, the Cobalt is in place my of Forester, and the Forester is my everyday driver

[F14CRAZY]

F14's at it again!



Reatta's engine cradle. I'll be replacing the suspension bushings, steering rack and inner tie rods, and painting it before it goes back in. No obvious rust damage



Driver's side transmission mount. You'll see this later...



This is where the hydraulic mount goes, near the a/c compressor



To anyone that thought the F40 wouldn't mount to a 3800...it does . I figured I'd see how this would mount to the cradle tonight for the heck of it so I put a few bolts to it and the bellhousings match just fine. I don't have a clutch set built yet...that's probably going to be next in my budget



The shift cable bracket (holds the cables to the transmission) are in the way of the exhaust crossover, so I took the bracket off. I'll make any modifications needed after i get TOGs



Now I realize that piece of steel was the flywheel cover...oooops





-insert dramatic music here-







This bolts up just fine



The trans is resting on the cradle where the driver's side trans mount is supposed to be (notice the trans side is higher than the harmonic balancer side (I'm trying not to get anyone confused, I'm known to do that)



The 4T60 does not extend out this far out; past where this mount bolts to the cradle. This is gonna take some fabrication. I dont think its extreme as it looks in this pic. I figure I can cut off the existing bracket that's welded to the cradle and come up with my own. I might actually have to get my buddy Mario (the welder) to help me with this one.









This is the G6 bracket and mount. I'm gonna ask the G6 board for some photos. Obviously the 3900 and F40 mount differently...i suppose you could say their engine is "higher" and the cradle's "lower"



Camera decided flash wasn't needed and these came out blurry, but for reference, this is the Reatta trans mount and bracket for that side. Do Bonneville's have anything similar?





Out back, behind the engine. This is the G6 "jackshaft" to the passenger side wheel. Definitely gonna have to relocate the oil filter...I'll ask my contacts about this



Gonna have to figure out mounting this jackshaft bearing too





Couple more pix of the driver's side trans situation



This G6 mount came with the parts I bought. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out how to attach it to the cradle





Back in the car...I wanted to retake the photos of the shifter and how it fit in the console. I don't think I'll have any problems putting the rest of the console together





Its mounted solidly. The washer stacks worked well. Drilled a few holes in the Reatta "console base" and some new steel plating (16 gauge, I believe. Whatever's really close to 1/8'')













The G6 grommet appears to be too big but I haven't investigated this yet.

BTW, the 1 ton folding cherry picker was $100 at Harbor Freight. I'm happy I finally have one...the backhoe isn't quick nor easy nor safe

[F14CRAZY]

Finally, I was able to get Mario out here and we got some stuff done. We rented a stick welder and got stuff tacked. He had to go work tonight but he'll be back tomorrow.

I scraped up what scrap steel we had laying around. I'm going to finish the edges, prime, and paint stuff and fasten it with fresh hardware (along with painting the cradle and new front suspension stuff). Don't have a clue what kind of projects this steel was previously used for...





This is our trans side "torque axis" mount



This is for the G6's front trans mount



This bad boy, near the steering rack, is the new rear trans mount (piece 1 of 3)





This is piece 3 of the rear trans mount. The smaller rubber mount with 1 stud is going to sit here, and another piece of angled steel, not pictured, is going to be bolted to the 1st and 3rd.