I have all the time I need to get the job done. I know dropping the engine/trans is not 100% necessary for what I need to do, but part of my motivation for doing this job is to learn. If this job takes me 3 weeks to do, that will be just fine since the Camaro is not my daily driver. Oh yea, I will have help for this job.

I really appreciate everybody's input and answering my questions. I feel the key to any successful task is research and planning.

 

i would be looking around for a series 3 3.8 with very low miles just to see how cheap i could get one for. that extra 20hp would be tempting.

 

yes its an idea an there are a ton of them out there up to like 2008 buicks ,I think craby has a list of how many cars way past 95-02 that have the series 2 or 3 engine in them an there are tons of them out there with low miles ,if it was me the remaned engine from gm would be my choice ,seen one from 2008 grand prix 3.8L 225hp 56k $350.00 $250.00 shipping ebay ? but if you live anywhere near a big junk yard they may have low miles engine too to save on shipping an check out the engine too ,one with a super charger would make it about 255hp

 

Did you find a step by step for this? There are a few things that appear to need removing but they do not. Also disconnecting the computer and Brakes in the "right" places is not easy to figure out just by looking.

 

I did find a step by step guide which was very helpful. I everything is out and I am taking my time with replacing parts. I would like to put a series III in, but that's out of the budget. Maybe in the future. Now that I know pulled the engine/trans is not terribly difficult

 

Now for your next test put Lt1 together that someone else took a part

 

I'll add that to my list of projects! Hey, at least once I'm done with this project, all other projects (at least for the Camaro) are related to appearance (paint, dashboard, etc) except for leaky t-tops, but I think I may have that solved. With all the rain that hurricane dumped on us it barely leaked a drop.

 

So today I separated the engine and transmission. I spotted a small hole in the back of the block to the right of the rear housing just above the oil pan. PmI have pictures, but can't post now. Anyone know anything about this?

 

You can create a photo bucket account, Upload pictures there and copy the image text they post next to the picture and post that here.

 

I'm aware I can put photos on Photobucket to post, I just won't be able to do so until later on.

I did find on the internet a picture of another 3800 which appears to have that same hole. You can view the picture I found here:

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ssembly_40.jpg

The hole I am referring to is just below the bottom most rear main housing bolt hole on the right. If I get a chance later tonight, I'll post a picture of my engine.

Thank you!