My 3.8 is done and it is time to replace it. I've been arguing w/ myself for weeks now on what to do. A SBC swap seems like it would be too much work and hassle....If I were to buy a turbo block could I run it non-turbo for a couple months until i save up money to buy the complete turbo set up???...This may sound like a dumb question but I'm not engine savvy at all, i apologize. I have read the posts on the SBC swap and understand that it can be done but most components would have to be changed. After shopping around i can get my 231 a good rebuild for around 700....if i were to buy a v8 i would want it reman and that runs about 1100-1400.....i have about 2500 to spend.....i just want to spend it smartly...
New engine Build...Need Help!!!
- Thread starter 81RegalSoCAL
- Start date
- Status
you can do some pretty crazy things with the 231... specially if you have plans for a turbo.
I wouldn't give up on it just yet.
Unfortunately, I'm still a noob to BOP, so I won't be too too helpful with that advice.
that being said, a SBC is the classic cheap V8 power idea... But shops may charge up to $4000 for a "proper" build. Or, you could do it yourself for 1/2 the price.
You'll find plenty of advice on this forum on all sorts of engine goodies, like cam selection, intake, pistons, heads, etc... Would be a great opportunity to learn.
I wouldn't give up on it just yet.
Unfortunately, I'm still a noob to BOP, so I won't be too too helpful with that advice.
that being said, a SBC is the classic cheap V8 power idea... But shops may charge up to $4000 for a "proper" build. Or, you could do it yourself for 1/2 the price.
You'll find plenty of advice on this forum on all sorts of engine goodies, like cam selection, intake, pistons, heads, etc... Would be a great opportunity to learn.
Buick 350's are pretty common and everything would fit. Look in the "B" body cars as those are usually 4 barrel set ups.
technically speaking you can run a turbo motor w/out the boost, but it'll be all ****ed up. forced induction motors run lower compression, and thus lower power. it'd be like driving an anemic 300,000mi 4 banger. plus you'd have to adjust the fuel metering system to compensate for the lack of air. if it's a GN motor with EFI, this means a custom burnt chip.
i'd start looking at junkyards for engines and ecm's. this way you can do a quick rebuild and install. but be warned, any time you swap to a different engine there are issues. and yes a turbo motor is different from their N/A brothers. the exhaust, intake, control systems, etc are all different to just fit the turbo in there. also, the GN's had a problem with the heat off the turbo roasting the upper control arm bushing.
but they freakin move and are more than worth the trouble.
BTW, if you're at all mechanically inclined and have basic tools plus a good torque wrench, rebuilds are easy. i do leave the cam bearings and ring gaps to pro's as i felt it wasn't worth it to me to buy the single purpose/use tools. i was also getting the block bored, align honed, and prepped so it was at the shop anyway.
i'd start looking at junkyards for engines and ecm's. this way you can do a quick rebuild and install. but be warned, any time you swap to a different engine there are issues. and yes a turbo motor is different from their N/A brothers. the exhaust, intake, control systems, etc are all different to just fit the turbo in there. also, the GN's had a problem with the heat off the turbo roasting the upper control arm bushing.
but they freakin move and are more than worth the trouble.
BTW, if you're at all mechanically inclined and have basic tools plus a good torque wrench, rebuilds are easy. i do leave the cam bearings and ring gaps to pro's as i felt it wasn't worth it to me to buy the single purpose/use tools. i was also getting the block bored, align honed, and prepped so it was at the shop anyway.
Is this a daily driver or a toy?
Being a kid in the 80's, I love the turbo regals. I would ask myself, do I want a turbo just to have it? There is a reason that the 350 is probably the most popular. GM made 10's of millions of them in every flavor under the sun. You can't walk thru a junkyard without tripping over one. There is a ton of aftermarket support.
If you have your heart set on a v6 turbo, I say go with it, but you are going to have a lot of work and money to get one up and running. And going half way to a turbo setup isn't a good idea, as the above poster said.
You can upgrade after you get the thing running or even turn it into a 383 (what I want to do with mine.)
I just picked up an 84 regal with a sbc 350 and it is strong. You could find a mid 90's camaro and yank most of what you need to put it in. Mine's a vortec out of a 95 Yukon with a th350 trans I just had rebuilt.
Unless you had your heart set on a turbo v6, then I would drop in a 350 and play.
D
Being a kid in the 80's, I love the turbo regals. I would ask myself, do I want a turbo just to have it? There is a reason that the 350 is probably the most popular. GM made 10's of millions of them in every flavor under the sun. You can't walk thru a junkyard without tripping over one. There is a ton of aftermarket support.
If you have your heart set on a v6 turbo, I say go with it, but you are going to have a lot of work and money to get one up and running. And going half way to a turbo setup isn't a good idea, as the above poster said.
You can upgrade after you get the thing running or even turn it into a 383 (what I want to do with mine.)
I just picked up an 84 regal with a sbc 350 and it is strong. You could find a mid 90's camaro and yank most of what you need to put it in. Mine's a vortec out of a 95 Yukon with a th350 trans I just had rebuilt.
Unless you had your heart set on a turbo v6, then I would drop in a 350 and play.
D
A non turbo to turbo 3.8 swap might be more involved than swapping to even a non Buick v8. You can get a down and dirty list of what you would need to do it on http://www.turbobuick.com or http://www.turbobuicks.com. I have a GN and would love to see you swap but even just maintaining & keeping a GN up requires more than most noobs bargain for. They can be a bit fickle and sorting them out has a little steeper learning curve. If you do it you need to take your advice from turbo buick savvy owners such as many on those sites and not just joe hot rodder down at the local autoparts etc. They are cool, very fast, get better mileage, fuel injection, etc but require a heads up or you can get burned and frustrated.
SBCs are cheap plentiful and so common or known that about anybody can find parts & help at anytime at anyplace. That is what makes them a viable option. Yes it requires more parts time & work to convert to it than another 3.8 or Buick 350 but it may be worth it for the above. Naturally if you don't want to be like 9 out of 10 hoods popped at any car show no matter what the make well then you can't follow the herd. If you want to look into swaping in a Buick 350/400/430/455 and want help locating a Buick engine and or talking to those who have done the swap http://www.v8buick.com
SBCs are cheap plentiful and so common or known that about anybody can find parts & help at anytime at anyplace. That is what makes them a viable option. Yes it requires more parts time & work to convert to it than another 3.8 or Buick 350 but it may be worth it for the above. Naturally if you don't want to be like 9 out of 10 hoods popped at any car show no matter what the make well then you can't follow the herd. If you want to look into swaping in a Buick 350/400/430/455 and want help locating a Buick engine and or talking to those who have done the swap http://www.v8buick.com
You want Buick engine info & advice like I said try the v8buick site. They even have a section for g-bodys. Yes I believe the small block Buick 350 is a direct drop in. As in you can use your existing motor mounts, brackets, accessories, fuel lines, battery lines, starter, carberator & transmission linkage. Again to the best of my knowledge I have not done that swap. Check with those that have. The Buick is a very light & reliable street engine but is more costly for speed parts and a lot less know to the average shop or builder as far as machine work & speed parts.
- Status
Similar threads
