Redwingvksm Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Hello all. Will be getting a Canadian 1989 Buick Regal Grand Sport tomorrow (Some paperwork has to be filled out in Customs). 3.1, Optional Digital Dash, Leather Steeringwheel, etc... I have never delt with W-Bodies. I am a State certified mechanic in Michigan - so I know how to repair and have extensive knowlege in fixing vehicles - but I don't know the specifics for my newly accquired vehicle. 1. Will a First Gen 3800 be a direct swap w/ the 3.1 (Becides computer/some wiring/ect...) 2. Sound. Man - I had to fix the wiring in one of these suckers. It has the main control unit under the dash. Is there a way to by-pass this EASLIY (I really don't feel like soldering wires) or maybe use it inline with a new Radio? I'm sure I'll have more - but let me drive it. First ever GM owned. Have always been a Chrysler Man... Quote
1990lumina Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 I think you'll notice our GMs are built better then any Chysler you've ever driven Oh, and welcome and be sure to post pics once you get it! - Jeff L. Quote
maybe2fast Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 well if you are doing a swap do a L67 swap (SC 3800) yes it will bolt to the trans but you will want the 4t65hd, you are a state certified mechanic and you have never delt with W-bodies! where are you working because they are all over here. also you are a "mechanic" and you drive Chryslers! you must really like fixing junk. get your GM and stick with GM. Quote
Redwingvksm Posted February 18, 2005 Author Report Posted February 18, 2005 Haha - let the Chrysler jokes rip here... I have delt with W-bodies - but just straight. Never customised one/engine swap/etc... (Most of them here are WT vehicles. All rusted n' busted) Got lucky with mine (Not a spot of rust anywhere) Quote
jeremy Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 welcome and be sure to check out the Events section of the forum, we are orgainzing a meet for later in the year. Quote
maybe2fast Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 I live in Walled Lake, MI. real close to you and I know what is here. I thought you meant "I have never worked on one!" ummm you can do the supercharged 3800 swap with the 4t65hd trans with the pcm and all the custom wiring. but that regal GS will haul some serious ass! where do you work? Quote
Guest TurboSedan Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Haha - let the Chrysler jokes rip here... hahaha yeah don't take it seriously. i'm a Chrysler fan myself - specifically a Turbo Dodge nut. Quote
Redwingvksm Posted February 18, 2005 Author Report Posted February 18, 2005 Mileage Masters Automotive (In Melvindale) but use to work at Dick Genthe Chevrolet...(Wwwaayyy after the 1st gen W-bodies went out ) I live right behind the Huge tire on I-94 to give ya' a really good idea where I live at! Quote
MaroonRegal Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Hi. The 3800TPI will swap relatively easily, considering you're experienced, but to tell you the truth, it wouldn't be that much harder to swap in a 3800 Series II N/A (L36) or Series II Supercharged (L67). Quote
JoroCorona Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Yo, I do Chrysler/GM aswell. I love my lumina, and I love my Concorde. Since your a Chrysler guy, any idea how to make the damn diff pin stay put in my cirrus? This will be thr ethird time its worked its way out. I'm about to just tack weld the pinion shaft in place and eleminate the pinall together. Quote
White93z34 Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 welecome to the insanity anyhow don has a point, state cert. mechanic who hasen't worked on tons of these cars??? i guess those silly chryslers are keeping you busy as for things to look out for. since its a canadian car, its definately seen snow and salt and that good stuff, theres a metal coolant line that runs under the front passenger side framerail that LOVES to rust out, i usually just replace the bad section with heater hose. and the rear brakes are good for one thing... BREAKING. and if you have a oil leak check the distributer drive blockoff plate under the TB, theres a O ring that loves to leak, a new seal is avaliable for $2.50 from any GM dealer. as well, if its a coupe, watchout for the door handles, they break prety easily in the winter. however they are prety cheep and easy to replace. Quote
runt Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Hello. As chris above me said, welcome to the insanity Quote
Bossman429 Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 I live right behind the Huge tire on I-94 to give ya' a really good idea where I live at! HA! Even I know where that is! I lived in Michigan for a year, Macolm Township. Sad, I can barely even remember where that town is in MI now. I think that tire says "Uniroyal" on it doesn't it? Oh yeah, Welcome to the site! Quote
93CutlassSupreme Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Mileage Masters Automotive (In Melvindale) but use to work at Dick Genthe Chevrolet...(Wwwaayyy after the 1st gen W-bodies went out ) that's cool as hell....i live in Redford, just outside Detroit, and my girlfriend used to be a leasing agent at Dick Genthe Chevrolet.... Quote
CuttySup Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Welcome. Add another Michiganian to the list! Quote
jeremy Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Welcome. Add another Michiganian to the list! you should get kicked off that list for using the term "Michiganian" ....it's "Michigander" Quote
maybe2fast Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Welcome. Add another Michiganian to the list! you should get kicked off that list for using the term "Michiganian" ....it's "Michigander" no shit! Quote
slick Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 I usually just call them the fools up north. Quote
MaroonRegal Posted February 18, 2005 Report Posted February 18, 2005 Will you Michigeese stick to the topic? Quote
Redwingvksm Posted February 18, 2005 Author Report Posted February 18, 2005 ...as for things to look out for. since its a canadian car, its definately seen snow and salt and that good stuff, theres a metal coolant line that runs under the front passenger side framerail that LOVES to rust out, i usually just replace the bad section with heater hose... and the rear brakes are good for one thing... BREAKING. and if you have a oil leak check the distributer drive blockoff plate under the TB, theres a O ring that loves to leak, a new seal is avaliable for $2.50 from any GM dealer. as well, if its a coupe, watchout for the door handles... Heh... Believe it or not - There isn't a spot of rust anywhere (I sware. If you don't belive me I'll put it up on the hoist and you can see for yourself )and that metal line has been replaced when they replaced the engine and trans (With a jasper! Still have the 2 of the 3 years for warantee) Rear brakes breaking? Can't quite say I've ever come across that. What happens with them? Where do they break at? And the Dis. "O" ring seal - I've done somany of these. 2.8, 3.1, 3.4's over here love to leak. A hard SOB after it's been like that for a while... And the Door handle (Driver side) has been replaced once already - and after poking my head around the WWW, that seems to be the main complaint for replacement. Thanks for all of your help! I'm glad to be a part of this community! Maybe pics this weekend (Friend has a Digital Camera) Quote
CuttySup Posted February 19, 2005 Report Posted February 19, 2005 Welcome. Add another Michiganian to the list! you should get kicked off that list for using the term "Michiganian" ....it's "Michigander" They both work. Michiganian sounds less retarded Quote
White93z34 Posted February 19, 2005 Report Posted February 19, 2005 Rear brakes breaking? Can't quite say I've ever come across that. What happens with them? Where do they break at? its in the poor design of the rear calliper, they tend to quit functioning properly very quickly. on the bright side they aren't too expensive to replace. Quote
JW Posted February 19, 2005 Report Posted February 19, 2005 i only had one dodge but it seemed to be much better engineered than the gms ive had. dont get me started on door handles. and to change plugs you need a breaker bar(to pull the engine forward) and small arms 10lbs of crap in a 5lb bag thats all i have to say. Quote
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