Hi, I'm new to this board but not to Buicks. I own an 87 T-Type Lesabre.( non turbo FWD). I spun a rod bearing after doin some autocrossing a few years ago and now its time for a rebuild. I have a few questions. I'm going to do some head work and add a bigger cam with the intent of making around 260hp. I was told that SBC rockers are a direct fit on the 3.8. True or false?? I called the local speed shop to inquire about ARP rod bolts and was told that they aren't available. Anyone know where to get some good bottomend hardware? Also, with the intended hp goal, in ayear or so I want to add a 60-80shot of NOS.(Thats why I want ARP hardware). Will new stock replacement injectors from a supercharged 3800 fit and work well? If not, what do I need for injectors? Thanks to anyone who can help as I've spent many months researching and come up empty handed.
engine rebuild
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REDS HOT AIR
Buick Tweaker
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not sure about any of that except for the hardware ...arp has all the bolts you will need. sounds like you need to call a different vendor.
im pretty sure that your motor has the normal shaft mounted rockers and there is no way that sb chevy rockers will fit.
im pretty sure that your motor has the normal shaft mounted rockers and there is no way that sb chevy rockers will fit.
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- May 29, 2001
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If you can get SBC rockers to fit on a 3.8's rocker shaft, you're a better man than me!
I believe the valve springs are a direct fit, but you gotta watch the pressure rates, the 3.8 cams don't seem to like a lot of spring pressure!
(someone correct me if I'm up in the night here!)
I'm pretty sure the 87 FWD cars use the pedestal mounted rockers like the TTA. But I have no idea if the chevy rockers will work. Also, I have ARP rod bolts and ARP main studs so I'm sure they make them unless they have discontinued them since I ordered them 3 years ago. I seriously doubt it. Not sure about the SC3800 injectors (try the 3800 section of this board) but a set of stock GN injectors will easily support your hp.
The only person I know of with a lot of experience in NA Buick V6 motors is Kenne Bell.
The only person I know of with a lot of experience in NA Buick V6 motors is Kenne Bell.
Thanks for the help. I wasnt sure what to expect seein as it's a lowly FWD
anyway, the rockers are visually identical to the SBCnot shaft mounted, just not sure about the exact dimensions(thanks for the spring tip, what is a good seat pressure for these cams?) I'm gonna find a rep for ARP for the hardware. Are you sure the GN injectors will fit and what do they flow and what year vehicle should they be ordered for? Wouldn't it be great if Kenne Bell frequented this site?? 
anyway, the rockers are visually identical to the SBCnot shaft mounted, just not sure about the exact dimensions(thanks for the spring tip, what is a good seat pressure for these cams?) I'm gonna find a rep for ARP for the hardware. Are you sure the GN injectors will fit and what do they flow and what year vehicle should they be ordered for? Wouldn't it be great if Kenne Bell frequented this site?? I'm completely sure the GN injectors will bolt up. They are 28lb injectors. Not sure what yours are but if there's much difference you might have to get a chip burned for them.
The one advantage you have over the GN is your car has a roller cam from the factory. I wish I could recommend things like which cam and heads but I really have no idea for a NA car and it depends on the money you want to spend. If you can afford them, the Champion CNC ported iron heads would work nice. I know they have them for the TTA so they should be a bolt on for your car. Not sure if it would work but you could try the bigger throttle bodies for the GNs. I think the FWD intakes are backwards so you wouldn't be able to use the GN intake. I would be willing to bet that Champion could do a FWD intake for you although they're pretty easy to do yourself. The GNs also used bigger MAF sensors so you could give that a try. Again, you might need a chip calibrated for it.
You also really need to bump up the stock 8.0:1 compression. 9.5 should work fine on 92 octane pump gas and you could probably get away with going higher.
About the spring pressure, most GNs run ~90-100lb aftermarket springs. But since you have a roller cam your are probably already the same or higher so again I have no idea what to run.
The one advantage you have over the GN is your car has a roller cam from the factory. I wish I could recommend things like which cam and heads but I really have no idea for a NA car and it depends on the money you want to spend. If you can afford them, the Champion CNC ported iron heads would work nice. I know they have them for the TTA so they should be a bolt on for your car. Not sure if it would work but you could try the bigger throttle bodies for the GNs. I think the FWD intakes are backwards so you wouldn't be able to use the GN intake. I would be willing to bet that Champion could do a FWD intake for you although they're pretty easy to do yourself. The GNs also used bigger MAF sensors so you could give that a try. Again, you might need a chip calibrated for it.
You also really need to bump up the stock 8.0:1 compression. 9.5 should work fine on 92 octane pump gas and you could probably get away with going higher.
About the spring pressure, most GNs run ~90-100lb aftermarket springs. But since you have a roller cam your are probably already the same or higher so again I have no idea what to run.
This is great!! I've searched many boards and frequent the T-Type Lesabre board but i've never been able to get so much info that I need. Thanks ALOT! I do intend to increase compresson by milling the heads and bump it up to around 9-9.5 like you said but I'm gonna stay with the factory heads and work them over. I don't think I have the roller cam though, in all the conversations I've had roller cams never came up. Wouldn't the throttle body be different for the turbo application? Nobody on the Lesabre board knows of any other(than factory) throttle body that would fit so I'd have to look at the 2 TB's side by side. Unless of course you'd want to send my your TB to see. 
JK. Thanks again for the help.
I do intend to increase compresson by milling the heads and bump it up to around 9-9.5 like you said but I'm gonna stay with the factory heads and work them over. I don't think I have the roller cam though, in all the conversations I've had roller cams never came up. Wouldn't the throttle body be different for the turbo application? Nobody on the Lesabre board knows of any other(than factory) throttle body that would fit so I'd have to look at the 2 TB's side by side. Unless of course you'd want to send my your TB to see. JK. Thanks again for the help.REDS HOT AIR
Buick Tweaker
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all the fwd t/b's ive looked at rotated in the opposite direction.
if you just want it bigger get in touch with Jay Jackson on here he does killer work on t/b's and im sure he could cut yours open and get a bigger throttle plate in it .
i had my t/b opened up by him and it is very nice work.. many people on here have sent theirs to him with no problems being reported.
he cuts the turbo t/b's from 57 mm to 62 mm but im not sure what size yours is to start with or what he could get it open too.
if you just want it bigger get in touch with Jay Jackson on here he does killer work on t/b's and im sure he could cut yours open and get a bigger throttle plate in it .
i had my t/b opened up by him and it is very nice work.. many people on here have sent theirs to him with no problems being reported.
he cuts the turbo t/b's from 57 mm to 62 mm but im not sure what size yours is to start with or what he could get it open too.
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Sorry for the mis-info on the heads! Just goes to show we can all learn new stuff!
Before I posted the above, I checked the gnttype.org site for head info, and based my answer on what I found! See the attached pic! (They should add a note somewhere about the stud-mounted rockers!)
Before I posted the above, I checked the gnttype.org site for head info, and based my answer on what I found! See the attached pic! (They should add a note somewhere about the stud-mounted rockers!)
Attachments
Thanks for the TB mod info, I've heard of some owners doing this but havent actually seen it. Buick form hell; your right, my heads do not look like those at all, they do have the centerbolt valvecovers too. Anyway, thanks for all the info, I'm off to the trans board to search for a higher stall converter and any other mods besides the stage 1 kit currently in my trans. 
Ive got an 86 GS and the intake is backwards but the water outlet still comes off the inlet side. you can swap heads from one side to the other so why couldnt you flip an intake around? you should be able to.(I am looking to mount a reversed fwd intake on my car if I ever get a frontmount.)measure it out.
The new 3800 inj are low impedance injectors so you would need a driver upgrade to your ecm. stick with the older style high imp. injectors.(GN style)
Why nos? that empty space above the tranny is aching for a hotair turbo set up. BOOSTED air dosent need as big a t.b. as N.A. The ecm in my 86 is the same as a 86-87 GN if yours is the same only minor mods are needeed(260 hp......... 360hp)
