3.8 Buick - 5.7 Chevy Swap (Advice Needed)

[Respected_Cutlass]

82 Regal. I'm gonna order the motor mounts (87 Monte) off RockAuto as well as the 5658 Moog springs. I will look for a radiator tomorrow. I got the TH350 transmission in the trunk. I will do the fuel lines when I get the motor in. The motor is from a 89-90 Chevy van with 120,000 on it. It is fuel injected, so I will need to find an intake & carburetor. I also want to get some headers before I put it in.

Questions:

1. Am I forgetting anything?
2. Will the water pump and fuel pump be okay? Can I use the ones off the Buick 3.8?
3. Can someone show me a cheap intake to get. (note I don't have any mods)
4. Can someone show me a cheap carburetor to get. (no mods)
5. What headers can I get that will be a breeze to put on and fit nice?

Thanks

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

1. Various items/wires may need re-routed. Depending on if you are using a/c and which pulleys you use. I'd read the V6 swap threads listed. Also, since the engine was controlled with an ECM, you'll need a non-ecm controlled distributor. Since you're swapping front coil springs, intall the engine frame mounts before the spring install. Drop in the engine and then install springs. The added weight of the engine will help when bolting the spindle back on the lower ball joint.

2. The Buick V6 water pump and fuel pump are not interchangable.

3. & 4. The cheapest route would be an iron or factory alum intake and carb (Quradrajet) from a salvage yard. You could also go with an Edelbrock Performer and either a Holley/Carter/Edelbrock but these will be higher priced.

5. Hedman shorty 68600. $153 (painted) from Summit. I used these exact headers when I did my 350 swap into my Cutlass. Dropped the engine in my car with these bolted up. Plug access is excellant!

I can't think of much else right now. If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck!

 

[Blake442]

Re-routing the fuel lines from the driver side to the passenger side is easier with the motor out of the car.

 

[MrHernandez]

I used flowtech afterburner headers ($185 painted) and love them, direct fit, will need to modify or buy aftermarket crossmember, have the bolt on purple hornies and nothing else, may run turndowns to front of rearend though, get a intake off craigslist, and if you can find a good used 600-750cfm get it unless you just want a new one, as far as fuel lines i used a piece of stainless tubing ran from the stock location to to the other side, minimal bending required, i used an elec. fan off a '92? olds, it had dual fans but i used one and it works perfectly....good luck with the swap

 

[anakputa]

Better have another donor car and a junkyard handy. 120.000 mile motor. I would at least do a cheap rebuild while its out. Gaskets, seals etc. Intakes may be different style with the vortec truck head like I had (bolts in the center of the manifold straight up and down instead of angled like older chevy heads. I went with a performer intake and a Carter AFB 600 CFM for the street. Get a cheap HEI for 74 and newer. Correct brackets for the engine (maybe same). if your going to use the same crossmember it wont fit if you have a 700R4.I used a Jegster double hump crossmember. If you have buddy and some welding equipment he could probably make you one. Also if the block has a spot for the fuel pump you will need one of those with a push rod unless you need and electric pump. Of course re-route the fuel line (get new tubing and run it along the right frame rail. You can switch line back by the rearend. Headers I went with Dynomax, complete kit, all bolt-in. Its not a one-day swap thats for sure.

 

[jrm81bu]

Intakes may be different style with the vortec truck head like I had (bolts in the center of the manifold straight up and down instead of angled like older chevy heads.

That sound more like a swirl port heads to me. Vortec have all the intake bolts vertical instead of horizontal. The swirl ports had the 4 center intake bolts at a different angle than the rest. Not to mention the vortec only uses 8 intake bolts as opposed to 12.

 

[Respected_Cutlass]

Ok, I want to get a fresh rebuilt motor.

If I were to get one from here, which 350 would I want? (The ones under $1400)

http://www.bestrebuiltengines.com/GM8.htm

Also, what other engine parts will i need to buy besides the intake and carb if I get one of these?
Can I use anything off the buick v6?

Thanks again

 

[Blake442]

http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=2020