Jeff and Dan Jost from Jost Boosted Performance enjoy building hot rods with a lot of power as a hobby. So when the factory turbocharged 3.8 L V6 (LC2) in their Buick Grand National suffered a catastrophic failure, there was nothing holding them back from rebuilding the car the way they wanted.
The team started by removing the factory frame. After close inspection they discovered stress cracks and opted to replace it with another factory frame. All the joints on the “new” frame were ground and re-welded. They also replaced the rusty body mounts and reinforced it with round tubing.
The restored frame received a full RideTech coilover suspension package including their StrongARM tubular control arms in front while the rear uses a set of Metcos billet control arms. Stopping was improved thanks to Corvette C6 Z06 six-piston brakes in front and four-piston brakes in back.
When it came to replacing the factory V6, the team originally chose a Buick SIII 3800 V6 built by Intense Racing. The engine featured Diamond forged and ceramic coated pistons, ZZP 4340 forged rods, and a BorgWarner EFR-9180 twin-scroll turbocharger.
They mated the 3800 V6 to a 4L80E four-speed automatic with a Circle D custom torque converter and Detriot Truetrac LSD with Moser 30 Spline axles.
Unfortunately after completing the project, the 3800 V6 suffered a broken main cap and failed main bearing. The team chose to replace it with a more modern and lighter motor. They opted for a 4.3 L LV3 V6 (Gen 5 Ecotec3) from a 2016 Chevy Silverado.
The Ecotec V6 was converted from direct injection to port injection. They also shortened a Moroso LT1 V8 oil pan and Holley LT1 V8 Hi-Ram intake to work with the V6. Eventually the EFR-9180 turbocharger from the previous engine will find its way onto the V6.
The Ecotec V6 will be controlled via a custom wiring harness and plug-and-play ECU designed and built by Jost Boosted Performance. The ECU uses a MS3-Pro processor module and offers features like coil-on-plug ignition, flex fuel, boost control, 2-step launch control, and wireless tuning.
Source: Jost Boosted Performance FB page
Hey guys can you give me any tips for some simple mods for my 2010 taurus sho?
Contact black market racing
WOW! The builders mentioned finding cracks in the frame and that seems to be a common experience. The G.M. engineers did not allow for the twist applied to the frame from the high horsepower boosted V-6. It looks like they expended much energy remedying that problem. Looks like the rest of the chassis will handle anything that engine will toss at it. What a ride!!
What motor mounts did you use?
I WANT THIS IN MY 2016 CHEVY!!!!! Ive got every bolt on performance upgrade on it already and cant wait for warranty to be out so i can modify!!!
once your ready let me know, I can fabricate that intake for you as I have the same engine. I own Heller & Son Racing Engines, feel free to text/call @ 502-331-3110
Why did they convert the DI to port injection? I’d love to know, thanks!
Has it ran and what kind of numbers did it make?
Hi Ken. I don’t believe it’s run at the track. However here is a video of it on the street.
https://www.facebook.com/JostBoosted/videos/809458966148893/
I’m attempting the same swap on a DeLorean right now do you have any idea what transmission bell housing works with the lv3 is it LS-based or old small block Chevy? I can’t seem to get a answer out of anyone
Any thing that will bolt up to an LS will work here, all except for the one bolt near the top, they had to make room for the DI pump so that bolt gets moved.
Wow, this is an awesome swap and IMHO better than doing an LS swap. Primarily because you’ve got more space under the hood. I mentioned this swap in 2014 in the turbobuick forum. I wouldn’t be surprised if this block isn’t just as strong as the TA Performance block. My rebuild in my GN only has aboot 4K miles on it, so I’m thanking of pulling my motor and trans and either storing them or selling them. Not sure. I wouldn’t be able to do a frame off restoration, but I would love to swap in the motor and transmission. I would need to find the intake and the rest of the parts needed.