How much fabrication will I need to convert a 83 regal to 87 complete GN drivetrain??

[SlimZR28]

Recently bought an 83 T-type Regal and am going to buy a 87 complete drivetrain. (i.e. Motor, tranny, driveshaft, and rear end)
How much fabrication am I going to have to do to convert to this setup? On top of all this I am going to have one thousand left to complete. Is this going to be possible? Any pics and guides?


-Nic

 

[olds443]

I am doing the same in my Cutlass. The hardest parts I think will be the fuel lines and wiring it all up.
I installed the rear first then the trans and driveshaft when the orig. 3 spd started to slip and I have the engine sitting on a stand ready to go in. I have some of the wiring figured out from searching on gnttype.org and hear. Not positive what to do about fuel lines yet. Oh and you will need a different gas tank, as they are different and have an electric fuel pump.
As far as actual fabrication, their really isn't as the engine and all will bolt in. Be sure to get a crossmember from a g-body with an od trans as they are different. Common part and about $20 in the junkyard.
If you have any questions e-mail me or post here.

This board really needs a Hybrid section like the other one.

 

[SlimZR28]

Will I need to make brackets for the crossmember or will it bolt right in? Do you have any pics? Why is the wiring so difficult? Let me know ifyou have pics. I want to get this done before the rack opens back up in West Texas.

-Nic

 

[olds443]

I think being yours is an 83 that it *might* not have the holes drilled in the frame for the od x-member. I think T Types from 83 had overdrive, does yours already have od? If so then you won't need another. If not and you don't see another set of holes behind the x-member that is there then you will need to drill them out. I would suggest measuring the distance between the two on the donor if you have to get one.
Wiring looks intimidating and schematics can be a pain for most people. Also there is the sheer # of wires, some of which you won't need.
Do a search for wiring. Also this won't be a weekend project unless maybe you have a ton of experience . There are others on here who have done it with Cutlass, Monte Carlo, wagons,El Caminos and Regal, all say it will take more time than a normal v8 swap and to plan for it.

 

[SlimZR28]

Couple of more question on the fuel tank..... Haven't looked but is the 83 a mechanical fuel pump on the block style? Any places to look for parts like this for these cars? And is the wiring harness for the 87 going to work with the gauges in the 83? Thanks for your help


-Nic

 

[Michael McCoy]

You'll need most everything from an IC car to make it work: gas tank, hanger/sending unit, dash harness, ECM, motor, tranny, engine harness, driveshaft, rearend, radiator, & basically more than $1000 worth of parts you have to complete the swap. Email me if you need anything & good luck. Thanks.

 

[2 QK 4 U]

Ok...first the mounting bracket on the frame is not there. You have to either weld it in or buy the kit from www.crossmembers.com I just bought mine.

Gas tank- It's special FI baffled tank.

Fuel Lines, feed and return

Instrument cluster and every bit of wiring.

Radiator- Special type with oil cooler, or just get separate coolers like I did.

I think everyone else covered what I didn't so if you have any questions on doing this feel free to email me. Good LUck, Jason

 

[turbofish38]

I'm kind of doing the oppisite of what you are doing. I am putting a 455 V-8 into a 83 Regal T-Type and I also have had a few IC cars that I have stripped to the frame. If you do have a true 83 T-Type than you have the correct frame and transmission crossmember. You may want to look at www.casperselectronics.com for some solutions to adapting your existing wire harness over, look in the wire harness section. And the list that Mike McCoy listed is pretty much complete on what else you have to buy.

Eric Fisher

 

[b4black]

Originally posted by SlimZR28
Recently bought an 83 T-type Regal and am going to buy a 87 complete drivetrain.

Why butcher an '83 TR to make an IC car? Find a nice NA Regal and use that. There's no advantage to starting with a Carb/turbo compared to a NA 3.8. You're replacing everthing anyway.

Then you'll have two Turbo Regals. Or sell the '83 TR, buy a cheaper NA, and use the profit for go-faster parts.


Seems like a waste to pull the carb/turbo motor. This car makes me sad.

 

[SlimZR28]

Gas tank- It's special FI baffled tank.

Fuel Lines, feed and return

Instrument cluster and every bit of wiring.

Radiator- Special type with oil cooler, or just get separate coolers like I did


I am going to be buying everything pretty soon, but will be missing these parts above. Anyone know where I could pick these up for cheap?

 

[SlimZR28]

IS the Radiator in the 87 GN engine have the Transmission oil cooler or the engine oil cooler. Because I know in my old f-body I had both. Which one do I need for the conversion?

-Nic

 

[SlimZR28]

This is the car this is all going in....... just to give yall some eye candy....

A gas tank like this out of an 84-87???
http://images.andale.com/f2/121/116/1735586/click2enlarge/1026493706846_GM307C.jpg

 

[49-blues]

Does your new gas tank have the plastic baffle inside? if not you could have stavation problems.

 

[smokin'6]

Originally posted by SlimZR28
IS the Radiator in the 87 GN engine have the Transmission oil cooler or the engine oil cooler. Because I know in my old f-body I had both. Which one do I need for the conversion?

-Nic

Stock rads have both.