Building a 3.8 Vs Buying One

TTypeRegal87

New Member
Joined
May 20, 2018
Hey Turbo experts, the days until my car is on the road are starting to whine down, it’s going to become a primer bomb, and then transform into a beauitful GN, but when I bought the car, it had no motor or trans, and after digging through the stuff my fathers acquired over the years, I found 2 GN blocks, a low mile 85’ and a 86/87 block, and a set of heads for both (bare), I started wondering, and did a lil but of research, would it be cheaper to build up using my block and heads, or to find a Stock long block (live in metro Detroit, so there’s plenty of GNs, and parts) and build from there, feel free to leave your advice and info, it’s all much appreciated!

*Brandon
 
Buy this one an be done with it.be driving by the weekend.
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Build you own, only way you'll truly know whats done and if its done right. Bruce at Aggressive Auto in Chesterfield is an excellent resource if you need one.
 
If you can find one that isn’t damaged and has good oil pressure it will be much cheaper to buy one than build one. Your local Chevy building machine shop can’t build one of these and by the time you pay for the machine work and parts you will need it will be at least double what was listed in post #2 to have a Buick specialist Build your long block with a updated roller cam. Before you start I would consider your long term goals and do it once. While it will be cheaper to go with a stock engine, if you plan to go faster than 12.0 in the quarter mile you might consider building one with forged pistons, higher compression and a forged crank.


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Not enough information to say one way or the other. You mentioned you have block and heads and stuff, but no measurements. A block that's ready to build is not the same as a block that needs boring, line boring, and decking. Same with the crank if it needs turning.

The heads need some machining period. Even if they're 'perfect' bolting up a set of heads without bowl porting is just a waste of time and engery when there's free power on the table.
 
Hey Turbo experts, the days until my car is on the road are starting to whine down, it’s going to become a primer bomb, and then transform into a beauitful GN, but when I bought the car, it had no motor or trans, and after digging through the stuff my fathers acquired over the years, I found 2 GN blocks, a low mile 85’ and a 86/87 block, and a set of heads for both (bare), I started wondering, and did a lil but of research, would it be cheaper to build up using my block and heads, or to find a Stock long block (live in metro Detroit, so there’s plenty of GNs, and parts) and build from there, feel free to leave your advice and info, it’s all much appreciated!

*Brandon
need to highly consider getting the right builder for these motors.that in itself should be a big part on which way you go.
 
X2 !!!! why get someone elses nightmare :oops:

I just bought an RPE girdled stroker shortblock from a member here that is going Stage II. There are deals out there , just have to be patient. I didnt need it but ...I now have a spare for less than I could have bought the parts.

.020 over Diamond pistons, 2 billet center caps, girdle, cam , lifters, front cover, HR motor mounts, head studs, 3.625 stroker crank , K1 rods.

Bryan
 
I recommend Lou Czarnota in Lake Forest California. He built me a super Reliable and Fast motor. Lou doesn't cut corners and does things right, standing behind his expert craftsmanship! Costs more, But well worth it. He believes in "Do it nice or Do it Twice." Feel free to contract me for details.
 
You might consider Richard Clark for a rebuild or give Anderson Performance a call. Unless you build boosted engines for a living I would recommend having a pro do it or you may just wind up chasing your tail for years trying to sort it out.

Mike
 
I just bought an RPE girdled stroker shortblock from a member here that is going Stage II. There are deals out there , just have to be patient. I didnt need it but ...I now have a spare for less than I could have bought the parts.

.020 over Diamond pistons, 2 billet center caps, girdle, cam , lifters, front cover, HR motor mounts, head studs, 3.625 stroker crank , K1 rods.

Bryan
deals are out there!
 
X3 on build it yourself. You only need a competent machinist, mine builds more dirt track sbc's than anything else. He had done Buicks before and knew the clearances. If it's gonna just be a driver stock crank and pistons should be fine.
 
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