jpolster2005 Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 I have a 1989 Regal with a 3.1 L Motor. It looks exactly like the 2.8 Motor from the top. I Don't know what kind of trans it has. I want to put in a 3800 that was given to me by a friend. If its not the 4t60E tranny, I want to put that in also. He gave me the 3800 series 1 from his 1995 regal gs after it was rear ended, still bolted to the 4t60e transmission. I did not get the engine computer from him, he was using that in a park avenue i think. How hard is this to do? What things do i need to do to do this. I am in the field of computers by trade and education, but i have managed to do a few car things like Sparkplugs, head gasket, Brakes, oil changes, Fuel injectors and i also once replaced a throttle position sensor. I have a full socket toolkit, full screwdriver set etc. I am not very strong and I cannot lift the engine / trans assembly alone. It took me and him both to scoot it on to a roller which is where it is sitting now. While it is out of the car i have taken the time to clean it all up. I have never done an engine swap before, and all this stuff, even my regal i ahve now, is extras. In other words if i fuck it up, im not out a car that i need. If i can get this 3800 into the car and make it work, I would start on making my regal look nice. I want it to be my main car when i am done. Any help here on what i need to do and what tools i need would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Fury Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Your current regal has the 4T60, rather than the updated, electronic 4T60-E That's all I got! And welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1QUICKHATCH Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Your current regal has the 4T60, rather than the updated, electronic 4T60-E That's all I got! And welcome! could also be a 3T40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 To start of with, you'll probably need a computer for the car, and a wiring harness. Engine mounts might be different, so you'll probably want to check on those. Mind if i ask how old the 3800 engine is? You'll need an engine lift btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpolster2005 Posted November 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 engine is as old as a 95 regal. this "wiring harness" sounds like a PITA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
w-bodys_are_the_best Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Your best bet is to try and find a regal in the yard with a 3.8, get the mounts, harness, and computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted To Boost Posted November 15, 2008 Report Share Posted November 15, 2008 Keep the 3.1 in there.. it will run forever or until you lose interest in the car. Whichever comes first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Keep the 3.1 in there.. it will run forever or until you lose interest in the car. Whichever comes first. So will the 3.8, but the 3.8 is better for burnouts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted To Boost Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Tranny isn't gonna last long in it, regardless of which engine you have if you're doing burnouts.. You will probably get better mileage with the 3.1 also. I got 31 MPG with my TGP on the highway with a turbo 3.1, and my dad had a 3.8 NA Regal, which he struggled to get any more than 22 MPG out of. Do what you want, whatever makes you happy, it's your car and you're doing it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpolster2005 Posted November 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 the transmission is having a little trouble and there are shavings in the pan. Don't have the money to rebuild / replace it. It doesnt like to downshift when you try to pass and it bucks in overdrive sometimes..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtremerevolution Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Tranny isn't gonna last long in it, regardless of which engine you have if you're doing burnouts.. You will probably get better mileage with the 3.1 also. I got 31 MPG with my TGP on the highway with a turbo 3.1, and my dad had a 3.8 NA Regal, which he struggled to get any more than 22 MPG out of. Do what you want, whatever makes you happy, it's your car and you're doing it for you. I was only joking with the burnouts. My regal managed 30.5 mpg highway going from North Dakota to Chicago highway driving 70mph the whole way. I now average 22-24 mpg going to work every day (last tank was 23.56), and half of my 1 hour 15 minute drive (give or take 5 minutes, depending on the day) is rush hour traffic at 15 mph or less. If you take care of your car (like I imagine you did), you'll get great mileage. If you're getting 22mpg on the highway with a 3.8, you're doing something seriously wrong. Wasn't Slick getting 33MPG highway in his fat-ass Bonneville with the 3.8 N/A series 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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