i just bought a 82 regal with a v6 in it, i want to swap in a 350 but wanted to know what my best option would be. i honestly dont need alot of power, i just want the car running. i dont want to do alot of mods to fit the motor so whichever is best bang for my buck will do! thanks
best swap
- Thread starter longthao
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i think sbc 350 is your best option. it has decent power stock, and part are available everywhere. Only mods you have to do is replace your front springs to accommodate the heavier engine. The engine it self should fit with out modifications.longthao said:
Here's another idea if you want to keep it simple, cheap and interesting. Find a Buick 350. They make more torque and you can find them in any rusted out hulk from the 70's for next to nothing. They share the same mounts as your current V6. As a matter of fact, the front cover/accessory set-up is damn near identical IIRC. The battery and fuel lines are already on the correct side too.
Performance parts for Chevys are cheaper, no doubt. However, there are specialty vendors that cater to Buick (TA Performance for example). How often to you see a Buick powered g-body though? Something cool about that in my book.
Performance parts for Chevys are cheaper, no doubt. However, there are specialty vendors that cater to Buick (TA Performance for example). How often to you see a Buick powered g-body though? Something cool about that in my book.
Have you thought about fitting a later 231 ('87 and up), you will need associated wiring, fuel pump etc, but you will have a great running engine that will almost match V8 power and get great gas mileage as well, particularly if you install a 200r4.
A turbo 6 swap is a great idea. Lots of little bits and pieces would be needed though. Check out "hybrids" on other more Buick specific web boards for a better idea.
There's also a few people dropping in LS engines and 6 speed transmissions...
There's also a few people dropping in LS engines and 6 speed transmissions...
longthao said:
Buick 350, hands down.
Literally drops in. Everything bolts right up.
I'm about to start the same swap in my Buick wagon.
A Chevy would need different mounts, a whole new accessory drive for the front of the motor, and lots of other stuff...
Buick 350's are complete turds :!: My '83 Regal had this engine in it when I purchased it. It ran great but had no take-off power whatsoever. If you ever even want to put headers on it, there is one company that makes headers for a Buick V8 in a GBody. $700 just for headers, uncoated. The only thing you will gain from putting a Buick 350 in place of the 3.8L will be worse gas mileage. Unless of coarse you buy some '68 Buick 350 for top dollar, that had decent power :idea:
RITTER said:
Buick 350's are complete turds :!: My '83 Regal had this engine in it when I purchased it. It ran great but had no take-off power whatsoever.
We dropped one from a '76 LeSabre in an '83 Cutlass and it would fry the tires at will. As a matter of fact we had trouble loading it onto a car dolly because it wanted to spin the tires. This was completely stock w/ a 4bbl. The LeSabre we pulled it from was a barge and it moved that car easily.
Go with a Chevy 350. You will be glad you did in the long run. If you ever get the urge to mod it later on then the sky is the limit with a Chevy. You should be able to find a running 350 with accessories for around $500-$1000. Your looking at changing the mounts, a few feet of fuel line, maybe a touch of wiring. Your gonna have to run a different exhaust either way you go. So if you decided you wanted headers you can buy a set for that same chevy engine for around $100 bucks. Not so for a Buick. You could however just use stock manifolds on either engine as well. Everything is cheaper for a chevy, especially replacement parts. I am not 100% on the trans but I believe you will be changing that either way. All this adds up to more than you would really think. As far as power. You would be better off with a sbc than a buick engine unless your gonna go back to pre emission days.
We could debate this all day. Yes, SBC's are cheap and the aftermarket is huge. If I had a Chevy I'd drop a Chevy mill back in it. Otherwise don't be afraid to explore the rest of GM. I needed some "excitement" and went with Pontiac myself :lol: Olds are great engines too. I wouldn't hesitate to go 403 or 455 if I had another Cutlass. A Buick 455 would be even better for the Regal. I had the Chevy blinders on in my early 20's and I'm glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone to experience other makes.
No doubt the BOP stuff costs more but the parts do exist.
I'm not anti-Chevy, but everyone and their brother automatically puts an SBC in anything. There's just nothing interesting about them anymore to me, therefore I encourage people to try something else.
In the end it's your budget, your car and your taste. Good luck on what you go with!
No doubt the BOP stuff costs more but the parts do exist.
I'm not anti-Chevy, but everyone and their brother automatically puts an SBC in anything. There's just nothing interesting about them anymore to me, therefore I encourage people to try something else.
In the end it's your budget, your car and your taste. Good luck on what you go with!
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