Turbo buick engine/tranny swap into Chevy Caprice

[WannaBe TT!]

My friend has a 93 chevrolet caprice classic and is looking to make it fast. I'm curious what would be necessary (or if it's even feasible) to put a turbo buick engine into it. Would the tranny/ rear end/ drive shaft components need to be replaced as well? Has anyone ever heard of/performed this swap? Thanks.

 

[blackbuick87]

A lighter platform would be better for this engine then that pig. You will be into boost all the time just to get the damn thing moving!

Not that our cars are light but they're not over 4000#

I am sure you could get it to work but you would run slower then everyone else with the same buildup on the engine

 

[Chuck Leeper]

CAPRICE!!!

That, IMO, is going from bad to worse... A TR is a heavy car to start with at over 3500.. a Caprice would be a MUCH larger car size wise and most likely weigh somewhat more than the TR...
The lighter wt of the engine could help offset that difference, but the benefits would be far out weighed by the hassles.
A better idea would be to add some power adders for SBC's..IE a complete LT-1, etc. Virtually a bolt in and TONS of add on stuff at a RIGHT price!!

Back to cuttin on the frame for BIG "tars"!!

 

[UNGN]

Buick made a prototype B-Wagon in 1987. If the car has a 200-4R it's practically a bolt in deal.

 

[1320]

I don t think the weight is an issue.....I ve even thought about it.....but I ve got an impala.....so a stroker lt1 is just easier....

My impala is 4150......a friends gn is 3900.........true most are lighter........but my impala is no stripper......it could be lighter....

Anyways, getting caprice in the mid 12's should be pretty easy with 3.8.........and it isn t that easy with an lt1....

Torque is what gets the weight moving and the tr engine makes loads....

 

[WannaBe TT!]

I agree that the TR engine is a better alternative than the LT1 if it's a fairly simple job to do. My friend is used to stock caprice performance.... a high 12 sec. car his goal. He's the moderate one... i'm the crazy one. So, has anyone here completed this swap? Will the engine bolt up to his tranny or will that have to be replaced as well? Thanks for ur replies.