So what would be the best swap for a newb?

[STLRegal]

My experience cars has been pretty limited. So far the closest thing to a swap ive done is help pulling a motor out of a truck. Also the fact that im a pretty poor college student doesnt help much.

Id really like to have put in a 350 putting about around 300hp with true duels and a 200-4r, with 3.42s in back. This prospect is just to far out of reach at this time to pay someone else to do it, and my knowledge just isn't that great for trying to get the 200-4r put in there on my own.

So what im really asking is would putting in a th350 be a better option for a first timer, while also being cheaper to have rebuilt? That way i could use the same cross members and not have to pay more for a aftermarket one and everything will match up the same since it is also a 3 speed.
Would the 2.41s make up for it only being a 3 speed on gas? Even if it is slower.

As fars as what motor, i think im just going to go with a goodwrench 350 universal crate engine. Its nothing fancy, and not that much power, but it will be more reliable start and still think it will have enough power to have fun with.

What do you all say?

 

[Vern]

Ever heard a job worth doing is worth doing right? When it comes to cars that are more to you than just transportation if you don't do it close enough to what you want you will pay more to do it over on top of the frustration and disapointment. Don't worry I understand budget and means.

You are going to need a lil help on getting this done regardless. You can get the info you need here and other gbody related forums and from experienced vendors who sell parts you will need. All you are going to need are to make some fellow car finatic friends who will help you build your first mild hot rod and that have more wrenchen experience & tools etc.

Its a driver so with gas prices you want mileage and you care about performance/acceleration so you don't want 2.41s. Do the 200-4r but call a performance 200-4r vendor and ask them about getting the most basic performance upgrades without a rebuild. (Assuming you have a working 200-4r) ie at least a shift kit. (On one transmission I brought a good working 200-4r from a Buick T-type in to a local shop and gave them the shift kit I got from ckperformance had them instal it then picked it back up. I think labor and fluid etc was less than $150 and the kit was $99) With a good mix of highway you are probably looking at 18mpg instead of 13 plus better acceleration. Keep in mind a generic 200-4r shifts wot at only 4400. So make sure motor/cam powerband has to work with this or either the shift point or cam needs to change. FWIW a core 200-4r from an 442 would shift at 4,800 form a GN/Ttype 5,200 and from a MCSS 5,600. I am assuming you are starting with a gbody and they came with 200-4rs and chevy & olds V8s with Q-jets also the internet 200-4r shops sell universal mounting kits and will help you & your buddys get it set up. Salvage yards should provide most of the parts. Just remember you will have to adjust TV to get it right after you first drive the car. Its not hard just important.

Not a fan of the basic goodwrench engine for your goals. No compression+++. Also IMO its not enough power to be fun to drive just ordinary transportation especially with 2.41s and if that is the case why are you going through all this work. For better examples check out www.cmengines.com they sell complete warrented engines no middleman. Not sure if they finance or not. I don't know if you have an Olds, Chev, Buick or Pontiac car what motor you have now as any motor to a different manfacturer motor must also consider the conversion costs time & parts. Regardless they sell all. As an example.

Olds 350ci 325HP $3,496
Chevy 350ci 375HP $3,296
Buick 350ci 325HP $3,696
Pont 400ci 375HP $3,496

 

[midwestls]

A 350's always going to be the easiest (and cheapist) way to go, hands down. But I agree with Vern, don't get a goodwrench motor unless you plan on spending the big bucks, but I too realize the term budget so maybe do some surfing and look and see what people have for sale. Most times they'll still have motors in cars for you to hear run and you'll probably be able to get something with about double the power for a fraction of the cost, thats the way I'd go but if you have to have a new one surf some more look at other places, Vern gave you a link and I'm sure you can find many other ones. As far as the transmission, I don't personally like 200r4's, not saying there bad trannys, I just don't like them but alot of people do. I'd just rather have a 3 speed. Obviously you got a regal right??? Probably a 3.8 with a 200metric???

 

[andrewmp6]

engine id use something like a ls1 or tpi 350 any over drive transmission you like.The overdrive is worth it on the interstate.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Provided that you have a 84 or newer car with the frame mounts for the TH-2004R crossmember already there, it is no harder to install than a TH-350. It uses the same driveshaft as the TH-200 or TH-350, and only requires the right crossmember which is an easy junkyard score. I wrote out the complete V6-V8 swap list in the Engine swap forum, and suggest you have a look at the parts list therein. It is an easy swap because it all bolts together, but that is not to say that it is not without it's difficulties either for a first timer. For an engine, if you can get a good running 350 from an 87 or newer pickup truck, consider using it ( newer=better) with a mild cam swap, an intake, headers, a Quadrajet, and an HEI distributor. You can always upgrade it later, or build a new engine from a different core and swap it in. It's a one day job once you have the Chevy installed. Change the gaskets and timing chain while it is out even if you do not change the cam. Forgo the fuel injection and computers your first time out as it will be pricey enough to just leave it carburated. The Quadrajet is cheap and it will have the right bracket for the TV cable unlike aftermarket Holleys and Edelbrocks which require expensive adapters to work right. If this is your only car, think hard before gutting it's mechanicals because it could take you a month to get it working right again. School is MUCH more important ( I should know... I just went back after 13 years), so don't jeopardize it just for a car.

 

[STLRegal]

well the 2.41s will be staying in regardless for the time being. Unless something breaks on them.

The car is a regal with a 3.8 and 200 metric.

You guys are right though about the 200-4r. I guess if i am going to be putting the work into it. It might as well be something I really want.

Having lots of horsepower (if you consider 300ish alot) still isnt that important to me. Hell, i dont think ive even driven a car with more than 200hp.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I put in a complete 3.23 rear for $50. It came from a high altitude 83 Regal with the V6 drivetrain, and I found it by reading the SPID. It took me about an hour to swap it out. It does not have posi ( yet), but it made a huge difference in performance and boosted fuel economy vs the 2.41.

 

[Vern]

Its still power to weight. 200HP is good in a miata. You have a 3,600lb car its takes some power & decent gearing to make it exhilerating and fun to drive. If thats not the point cheapest & easiest is another used 3.8. 325HP and more importanly in street car the torque that comes with 350ci will definately make it fun to drive add the 200-4r, a working lock up converter, 3.08/3.23/3.42/3.73 gears and Q-jet and you will have great acceleration decent economy and a great interstate cruiser as well. I mean everybody will want to take YOUR car.

The Buick 350 is a direct drop in everything brackets pulleys belts carry over from your 3.8 and bolt right up no parts hunting fabricating or modifying, AC hooks back up battery starter transmission fuel lines all the same. Its also a great looking motor has proven one of the most reliable torquie and hits it a lil lower than the others. It also has the unique factor of its a what and the I dunno but it runs GREAT. Unfortunately it costs a lil more than the others but whats the ease of drop in without tracking down brackets to work with AC etc motor mounts and other lil issues. Anyway I am just saying consider it. Some others will say get the chevy it makes 50 more HP is cheaper and none of the issues are a big deal which has merrit. Some also think you should never consider anything other than a chevy only because its what know and are blind to anything else or suffer from follow the herd mentality. Anyway if it had a 267/305 chevy I would suggest the sbc if it had the Olds 307 I would say consider the Olds same with the Pontiac 301 consider the Pontiac 400 especially for the additional torque of 50 cubes.

PS a downside to the sbb vs the sbc would be possibly headers. You would have to request they send the old exhaust manifolds, source a set locally which could be more difficult then sbc manifold or buy sbb headers for the gbody (they make em) at a higher price then sbc headers. I bet Postons would have them. Anyway if I did this project I would sooner or later spring for headers. If you do so get good gaskets like www.remflex.com cause header leaks suck. Also coat them in several light coats of header paint before install. Usually the thin cheap crap that comes on them is just to keep them from rusting before they get to you.