Rookie question that might be too much

[Member # 77]

okay everyone who knows anything about Engine swaps.

I have 2- 3.8 L Regals.
One a 1984 the other a 1986.

I want to scrap the 3.8's and add a 327 or 350.

I know Chevy 350 parts are cheap and a dime a dozen and getting a Turbo 350 Tranny would be okay.
I have been told I wont have to swap drive shafts.

I still want all the accessories to work properly.
A/C, Curse and all.

My question is how much of a pain in the butt is this swap gonna be?

I guess my best bet would be to go to a junk yard for the 350/350T combo?





Jim

 

[motorhead]

Jim, this really belongs in O/T...

In the interest of getting you the information you need and quick... can I suggest that you join: G-body.org

I am a member, and there is enough experience there to help you through this.

Goto: yahoogroups.com and do a search on "g-body" and sign up...

HTH,

 

[motorhead]

Oh yeah! Duh... it is an email based mailing list. You may receive as many as 50-70 emails/day. But you can set it up so that it is web based.

 

[Member # 77]

thanks , sorry for the incorrrect post place

Sorry

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by Member # 77
okay everyone who knows anything about Engine swaps.

........I still want all the accessories to work properly.
A/C, Curse and all.

My question is how much of a pain in the butt is this swap gonna be?

I guess my best bet would be to go to a junk yard for the 350/350T combo? Jim

It would be lot less a pain if you were to use a Buick 350 V-8. The frame engine mount pads could remain, it will bolt to the exsisting tranny and the accessories will match up for the most part. None of these will work with the Chev.

There were a couple 350's in a local yard last time I was there. Look for them in late 70's big Buicks.

 

[blackbuick87]

A Buick 350 would be an easier swap but not an easier buildup since there is no where near the aftermarket support. Just get a 350 and a 700R4 and sell your 200R. All you will have to do is the motor mounts, tranny crossover and the driveshaft.

And then you will be banned from this board because it will no longer be a Buick but rather an evil step child

Good luck

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by blackbuick87
A Buick 350 would be an easier swap but not an easier buildup since there is no where near the aftermarket support.

Guess you are not aware that TA Performance got its start with the Buick 350 V-8?

Seems Car Craft had a big-block build up a few months ago and the Buick 455 out HP'ed them all. But I am now WAY off the subject!

There were some rather quick 350 Buicks running in Bowling Green.

Anyway, keep the Regal on the road!

 

[Topjimmy]

can you say cake?

I've put the small chevy in an 81 Regal and it really is as easy as it gets. Use Monte Carlo or Malibu motor mounts, the holes are already there in the Regal crossmember (same frame). The Regal driveshaft and tranny crossmember will fit perfectly with the TH35O chevy trans too. I used Heddman headers for a Monte. A little creative fuel line routing was needed as the SBC pump is on the pass. side. The cruise control worked fine but I eliminated the a/c. Your biggest problem may be reliability with the puny 7.5 ring gear in the NA Regal rearend.

HTH and good luck!

Jim
-

 

[blackbuick87]

Nick I appreciate TA performance's contributions to our cars as much as the next guy, but to say the aftermarket for the Buick 350 is even the same galaxy as the Chevy 350 is rediculous. There are 1000's of companys making parts for the millions of blocks out there compared to tens of companies making parts for 1000's of blocks.

If you want to do something somewhat unique and more rewarding go with the Buick 350.

If you want to do what is easiest, go Chevy motor/tranny

 

[sixgun86gn]

Chevy motors are for mechanical meatheads.Nuff said.I think the 455 is a good idea.Its roughly the same size as the 350.

 

[Member # 77]

Wow...now my head is really spinning

I guess I might just keep the 3.8 and add headers and a 4 Bbl intake and carb.