L31 into an '86 Regal Limited V8

I have a 1986 Regal Limited with an Olds 307 in it. The 307 never was enough power for me and in 2006 I broke it, bought a 97 Sierra with a 5.7L Vortec and parked my regal.
Last July I wrecked the truck, totalled it. I kept the truck and took the 5.7L Vortec, engine code L31, out along with the trans(4L60E), computer, engine wiring harness, driveshaft, radiator, and other misc. stuff.

I wanna know how hard it's gonna be to get the L31 in my Regal Limited and still have A/C, Cruise control, and keep my fuel injection and computer. I know everybody seems to feel like it's easier to do the swap by deleting the fuel injection and computer and just bolting a carb on top, but that's not what I want. I don't want this engine without the F.I., to me, that's part of the appeal of these engines.

I specifically want to know about the wiring. I have the complete engine wiring harness, all the way up to the bulkhead, from the truck. My question is how hard is it to wire into my current setup?
I have added a digital tach, digital speedo, and digital temp gauge all on the A-pillar that I want to wire up. Will I be able to use these and will they be accurate? If so, what's the best way to approach it?

The more I think about the swap, the more I realize that this engine is really a self-contained system and I shouldn't have any big problems. Although, I'm still apprehensive about the fuel plumbing and the dilemma of the fuel pump & location.


Any advice/suggestions appreciated!

TIA!

Still haven't started on this swap, but it's in the works.

First, I want to know about the mounts. Will I need some kind of kit to make the mounts fit? Where do I get the correct mounting plates or motor mounts?

I'm really excited, man. I've never done an engine swap before, hell, I've never even pulled an engine out before. I just want it to go smooth, don't wanna get in over my head.

Also, will I be able to use the radiator from my Regal? I still have the radiator from my truck, that goes to the L31, but it's huge. I don't think it'll fit.

Doober, what about the fuel lines? Mainly, the sending unit. I'm wondering if I can get a sending unit from a Grand National to go in my tank. I've read that the in-tank sending unit from 4.3L's will work as well.

UPDATE

Ok, got the engine and trans in. Just bolted the engine to the mounts like 2 days ago. I'm now in the process of modifying the trans crossmember's center plate (where the trans mount bolts to) I'ma have to cut it so it clears the trans oil pan.

Quick question: The hump or hook(the part that looks like the bottom of a hockey stick) of the trans crossmember goes on the passenger side, right?

Now that I re-read this thread I see that you said I may be able to get a 700r drive shaft, I'ma look for one. I thought I'd have to get one made. I had to have one made for the '97 GMC Sierra(donor vehicle) when a tow truck driver damaged it, I still have it, it's aluminum and I was gonna try to trade it for them to make me another one for this application.

I'm kinda intimidated by the wiring, man. I can't really find any wiring diagrams. I bought a Dakota Digital Dash and I'm thinking about having a shop install it and do the wiring for the firewall conversion(Inside firewall: Regal wiring, Outside firewall: Vortec 5.7L wiring). FYI, I don't want to do this, I'd like to do it myself.

Just in case that is confusing... I have the entire wiring harness from the engine compartment of the Vortec donor vehicle all the way to the firewall. I didn't cut anything, just unscrewed the bulkhead, but the bulkhead connector for the Vortec is different from the bulkhead on the Regal.

Doober said:

Been a while since I've been on here...

Stock G-Body small block Chevy mounts work.

If you're going with a bone stock Vortec setup, you'll need to modify the lines near the engine to connect to the Vortec lines, but otherwise you can use stock TBI lines, a pump from a '96-'97 Vortec truck is a drop-in into the tank. You can use a stock G-Body radiator but I'm not sure how the upper hose routing will go... lower hose routing will be the same as stock G-Body.

What do/did you do for accessories?

Click to expand...

As you can probably see, I left the accessories exactly as they were when they were in the truck.

Have any suggestions or tips concerning the work I have ahead of me?

I have more pics, and I could take some more if you want to see something specific.

I'm thinking about these headers, but I'm really kinda lost
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-11502flt/overview/make/gmc

I searched for:
Make / GMC
Engine Size / 5.7L/350
Engine Family / Chevy small block Gen I
Department / Exhaust
Section / Headers
Header Style / Shorty
Engine Swap / Yes

What's the best way to go about choosing headers for a swap like this? Trial and error?

ATL Regal said:

What's the best way to go about choosing headers for a swap like this? Trial and error?

Click to expand...

I'm heading down to Summit to get some stuff, I really wanted to have this question answered by now.