Turbo SFI Riviera engine

[86 LeSabre LC]

I have a chance to get a complete Riv Turbo engine with harness. Anybody know much about this version ? Is it strong , troublesome ,hard to get parts for, anything good or bad give it to me.

Also

About 3 yrs ago while searching around the net I came by a page or pages that listed part numbers for all the Buick V6 engines componets - RWD and FWD , carbed, FI , NA or Turbo. It showed interchange which I recall was minimal. However does anyone have a link to that or know where to find it ? I've looked but cant seem to locate it.

Thanks

 

[6SENSE]

The Riv engine is an '84-'85 hotair engine adapted to the front wheel drive application. I believe the turbo has an extra adaptor on it that postions it differently, not sure what else.
Leo Wagstaff had one of these cars and used the engine for his '84 GN when he got it. He has since converted the engine to an '86-'87 setup using the same block, always ran great and strong.

 

[UNGN]

Originally posted by 86 LeSabre LC
I have a chance to get a complete Riv Turbo engine with harness. Anybody know much about this version ? Is it strong , troublesome ,hard to get parts for, anything good or bad give it to me.

Also

About 3 yrs ago while searching around the net I came by a page or pages that listed part numbers for all the Buick V6 engines componets - RWD and FWD , carbed, FI , NA or Turbo. It showed interchange which I recall was minimal. However does anyone have a link to that or know where to find it ? I've looked but cant seem to locate it.

Thanks

Turbo Rivieras used RWD motors, though they were Front wheel drive. The motor would be a good foundation for a rwd turbo motor.

Check here for casting numbers

 

[86 LeSabre LC]

So apparently it will bolt up to a 2004R ? Most engine parts are available and or upgradable ? I'm a little concerned that it was an oddball that has been long since discarded and obsolete.

200HP right ? Could be built for more ?

I'll look through any links you guys can send me too.

 

[turbodave231]

The 84-85 turbo Riv engine and the 84-85 turbo Regal engine are the same. They both carry the LM9 RPO code. Engine dress items are different for the two applications. Base engines are identical.

Good parts include: rolled fillet crank, cam sensor, 8445 heads (later 84 and 85 engines). Most 84-85 engine were 14 bolt oil pan engines.
Late 85 engines had 20 bolt oilpans.

DR

 

[b4black]

The Riviera and Regal longblocks may be the same, the the turbo set ups are not. The Regal's turbo is mounted on top of the intake, while the Riviera's is off the intake, above the transaxle. To use it as is in a Regal would require knocking a large hole in the firewall.


The casting numbers on Buickgod.com look questionable and not too specific too me. There are numbers at the bottom of this GNTTYPE.org page as well (but I'm not sure on the reliability of these either)
http://www.gnttype.org/general/v6hist.html

On interchangeability, a 1979 and on 3.8/4.1 Buick V6 RWD long block are very similar. Turbo's have better pistons and Turbo's/4.1's have better cranks. Rivieras used the same RWD long block, but had different bolt-ons. FWD transverse engines have different bellhousing patterns.

 

[turbodave231]

Like I said: Basic engine is identical........Engine dress is different.
Exhaust manifolds, valve covers, turbo, throttle body........all engine dress items.

I believe a Riv turbo can be used on a Regal if the straight adapter is used and the turbo is reclocked. But none of the turbo brackets or exh manifolds will work. Not sure about the throttle body...I'd have to look it up in 84 Buick EAM.

Still quite a good find. Lots of useable parts if the price is reasonable.

DR

 

[6SENSE]

86 LeSabre LC, its been done plenty of times. Get ahold of Leo Wagstaff, maybe start another thread? I'll try to let him know that someone is doing what he went through already and Im sure he will post whatever is needed to get the job done.

 

[leo wagstaff]

this setup is pretty much the same as a hot-air regal. about the only thing that will not work is the headers,downpipe and of course the trans. i used this moter when i got my gn because it only had 1100 miles on this moter. now it is used for the 87 setup and it is doing very well. i will continue to use this moter till i save enough dough for that crazy ta alunimum block

 

[mygrain]

Ive heard that the Riv has a bigger exhaust housing than the Regal hot airs. Not sure if this is true though.

 

[turbofish38]

I've owned 6 hot air Rivieras and heres the straight scoop. The big differences are the exhaust manifolds, crossover pipe and downpipe. The turbo can be used on the Regal with the correct adapter and turbo support brackets. The wastegate housings are different and you can use the throttle body but need the Regal cable bracket. The really big difference is the BLOCK! The oil drain back for the turbo has a hole on the back side of the block on the Riviera, just like the IC cars have on the front. The Regals have it in the intake manifold. You could probally get by plugging it. And of course the oil pan and pick up screen is different. The valve covers are different. A little fact that a lot of you didn't know. Hot air Rivieras used the old carb-turbo camshaft not the SFI cam. Thats why this motor was rated at 190 hp compared to the Regals 200 HP. The Riviera set up was mounted longitudially not transverse like the FWD Lesabre. It used the THM325-4L transmission which is a variant of the 200-4R. Used the same torque converter as the Regal and shared about 50% of its internals with the 200-4R. Almost all came with 3.36 final drive ratio but in 85 a 3.15 was standard and none of those parts will fit on a Regal.

 

[86 LeSabre LC]

Lots of information there guys - thanks tons of torque to ya'. I have bought the engine. My plans are a long way off and have many different pieces to gather. May just be a dream I cant even pull off. Time will tell.

 

[TRiv]

One other difference, although not on the engine itself but in the electronics is the PROM chip in the computer, can't remember if the computer is the same (Regal vs. Riviera 84-85), but the chip is exclusive to the Riv. Cal pack is the same though. What TURBOFISH38 said about the cam (did'nt know that ), along with the 3.15 gear plus the added weight of the Riv,is probably responsible for the exclusive PROM. 86 LeSabre LC, if you do get the Riviera motor and want to get ride of Riviera exclusive parts, let me know, may be interested. TURBOFISH38, so that's true about the cam? , I have an 85 T-riv and 85 T-riv drivetrain for a project, would like to e-mail and learn of any of your experience with these cars (6 T-Rivieras!), especially anything with the trans, differential, cv joints, etc.