4.9 v8

[Jeremy Sipple]

i was wondering if the cadallic 4.6  v8 is worth putting into a beretta, as of right now i do not care the cost and fabrication that would be done.

[IsaacHayes]

The DOHC northstar will not fit, or if you can get it to fit, it won't be very easy or nice of an install.

The 4.9L 200hp pushrod will fit and bolt up to the trans, and has the same firing order as a SBC, so it should sound nice. It's aluminum block so weight won't be that much more than stock v6. It would have nice torq and make a good street motor, but it won't be insanely fast or anything.

It would give you nice v8 SBC sound and a nice bump in power over stock.

However the 4.9l is not loved by much as parts are expensive and I'm not sure how reliable they are. Perhaps looking into aftermarket computer to control it would be easier??? than using the stock computer. My uncle has one and has replaced every electrical part and it still doesn't run right...


To find more info, I made a thread about this too not too long ago.

[Jeremy Sipple]

Hmm, i think i will go the route of a 3800

[Asylum]

A 3400 would be ALOT easier, and in the end be much more rewarding.
The three 3800 swaps that have been successfully done and documented are nice.
TWO of the three owners have stated if they had it to do over, the 3400 is the much smarter swap.
FWIW

[Jeremy Sipple]

Intersting perspective Asylummotorsports,  What kind of power can you ultimelty get out of a 3400?

[zach82]

A 3400 has 180hp in stock form, which is a nice improvement over any of the engines offered aside from the Quad.

2.0 (90hp), 2.2(110hp), 2.8(130hp), 3.1 (145hp), or 3100 (160hp).

[Asylum]

The simple fact of the matter is there isn't a transaxle that will work in a Beretta that will handle anywhere near the 500 HP you keep mentioning, not that you will ever achieve it in any event.
With a highly modified 3400, and you're talking $4000+ plus the cost of the engine, and a very good 3t40 or 4t60, you might get into the 12's, more likely low 13's.
And with a 5 speed you would never keep it in one piece very long.

Maybe aim "alittle" lower and keep it reasonable.
Just my 35 years of racing .02  worth.

[Jeremy Sipple]

Thanks asylum,

I need to learn a lot about cars, i just want get my retta some respectable numbers.

[HateMyAuto]

(zach82 @ Apr. 21 2006,13:07)Q
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EA 3400 has 180hp in stock form, which is a nice improvement over any of the engines offered aside from the Quad.
It may have the same horsepower as a quad, but a 3800 has more torque. Remember that horsepower sells the cars, but torque wins the race.

[IsaacHayes]

Not always true, but torque is good to have.

160hp, 240tq vs 240hp 160 tq same weight car on a flat road... Now racing up hill is a different story..

[Asylum]

I really think the way you want to lean is the 3400.
www.3400swap.com is great start.
Also
www.60DegreeV6.com
www.domesticcrew.com

To date Jon (95-3400-modified) or something like that, lol, has the quickest 3400 Beretta with an auto, and is likely going to find 13.50's or so with his nitrous.

But he has a very strong engine, and a brand new limited slip trans (LSD) with a 3.33 Final Drive Ratio (FDR)

He also spends money like a drunken sailor!  (Sorry bud, LMAO!)

Just take your time, read alot and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Some a-holes may flame you, but let it go.
We all had to learn somewhere.

Eric

[Jeremy Sipple]

Thanks for the input guys!!

[zach82]

(asylummotorsports @ Apr. 21 2006,20:25)Q
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EHe also spends money like a drunken sailor!  (Sorry bud, LMAO!)
It doesn't take long to do that when you're modding just about anything.

[payback]

(asylummotorsports @ Apr. 21 2006,13:40)Q
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EThe simple fact of the matter is there isn't a transaxle that will work in a Beretta that will handle anywhere near the 500 HP you keep mentioning, not that you will ever achieve it in any event.
With a highly modified 3400, and you're talking $4000+ plus the cost of the engine, and a very good 3t40 or 4t60, you might get into the 12's, more likely low 13's.
And with a 5 speed you would never keep it in one piece very long.

Maybe aim "alittle" lower and keep it reasonable.
Just my 35 years of racing .02  worth.
if it is seamingly IMPOSSIBLE to make these cars fast i have two questions, number one:then how did hondas before the aftermarket boom break these barriers? they currently run more than 1000 hp on fwd transaxles.
number two:why are any of us bothering not only to own these cars but even to post questions other than diagnostic related on this site?
he could easily acheive 500hp, all he would need to do is order a full blown nitrous kit, by the laws of physics the motor would obviously dissintegrate but he would ultimatly walk away saying "there, a 500hp 3400"
a PROPERLY tuned, blown and juiced 3400 with a few custom internals can acheive 500hp.
is it going to happen anytime soon? not when everybody has the attitude that its impossible, and not until sombody ACTUALLY throws money into one of these cars and do things the RIGHT way.

i do agree however that the 3400 is, unless you just want to be a 3800 owner, the most obvious and logical choice.

[IsaacHayes]

well the hondas they dump thousands and thousands into them. And also rebuild after a couple of passes down the track. We are talking about keeping the car a relaible daily driver.

A 3400, with a proper tune (need custom aftermarket computer) on boost can put out a lot of power. Or put a 3800SC in there with a turbo. Look at nocutt. The 3400 would need stronger pistons and lower comperssion, ringed heads, etc for serious amounts of boost. Look at turboz24.com. It all pretty much applies to our L bodies as well. There have been ones out there to do it, just not many people who ask questions are ready to be able to get into a the technical details themselves of building up a monster. So for them until they can do 90% of the work themselves, we try to recommend something that they might be able to handle themselves a little better. They can aways keep learning and then take it further...

There's no real best way to go, you have postive and negatives on each swap/setup. It's up to the person to decide which route they want to go and what they want to start with.