V6 /V8 Sunbird swap?

[84GranPrix]

I know V6`s were factory options on Sunbirds around `85, and I`m aware front driven V6`s have a different starter location than rear drive ones. I`m wondering if a rear drive V6 can somehow be made to work in a front drive application. The reason I`m asking, is because I`m thinking of a Buick/Olds 215 swap into an `85 Sunbird. Why? because there are ways to take the little aluminum engine out to 305ci, and a few aftermaket parts available, and would make for a screamina$$ ride! Can anyone help?

 

[irg7620]

unfortunately, no. when a vehicle is designed for a front wheel drive application, it has the motor sitting sideways in the compartment. the transmission is also different than one that is on a rear wheel drive. these type are called transaxles. they have a much more complicated system than a longitudinal transmission (which is one that sits front to rear with a driveshaft running from the yoke to a differential. there's no way to change the mounting system for either the engine or transmissions. a longitudinal transmission has the firewall cut away from it so that it can fit under the car. a transaxle and engine actually fit in the compartment. more or less. if a vehicle has a V6 with a longitudinal transmission, then you could change it over to a V8 since the motor mounts are almost the same. a different transmission would have to be used too since the powerbands and such would be different. the crossmembers would be almost the same as well.