Which swap is easier: 3.8 into '94-96 Grand prix, or GP body panels onto Regal GS?

[Larryhagmansliver]

Hi all,

New to the board so go easy on me!

This is probably a strange question, but I am a Pontiac freak and I absolutely love the style of the 1994-1996 Grand Prix, but I hate the engine options. I'm also a huge fan of the Buick 3.8 in it's various forms. I've been on motorswap.org, and unless I'm just looking in the wrong places, it seems like swapping a 3.8 into one of these cars is a MAJOR hassle. Of course, it could just be that most people are looking at swapping in the supercharged version which presents more challenges, I'm not sure.

 

So -is it easier and more cost effective just to buy a '94-96 Regal GS and swap over body cladding from a Grand Prix to get the appearance that I like, or would dropping a naturally aspirated 3.8 from a Regal GS into a Grand Prix make more sense?

[mediabandit]

Welcome to the forum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as for your question.......Brace yourself. Good luck.

[Jonpro03]

I honestly have to say that I don't think anybody has swapped body panels. I don't know anything about the Buick motor swaps, I swap in newer versions of the 3100 that make more power. My latest swap was a 3500. The 3500 is a relatively easy swap compared to what I've heard of the 3800 swaps. The 3500 swap doesn't require the trans to changed, or the harness and ECU. You will need to buy and external crank trigger ($~150) and a throttle body adapter ($50). Then you swap over the accessories from your 3100. The 3500 also makes ~roughly~ the same power as a n/a 3800 (200hp 220tq). But the 3500s are MUCH cheaper at the junkyards than 3800s and have much lower mileage. I spent $200 on mine with ~82K miles.

[95 vert]

Umm......I'm gonna say the engine swap would be easier. I've done several.

Welcome to the forum.

http://www.montecarloforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14610

 

One I did for a buddy. 96 Cutlass,

[Euro]

Welcome! Yeah, a 3800 swap would be a ton easier!

[GP4U2NV]

IIRC, I was like the 6th or 7th guy to do the swap.

 

It was a lot harder on the early guys. But, many swaps later most of the bugs have been worked out. Much easier!!!

 

Oh, dont waste.....get the blower.

[Night Fury]

Welcome. And I agree with ^^^^, or go 60* as Jonpro03 was saying

[xtremerevolution]

Hi all,

New to the board so go easy on me!

This is probably a strange question, but I am a Pontiac freak and I absolutely love the style of the 1994-1996 Grand Prix, but I hate the engine options. I'm also a huge fan of the Buick 3.8 in it's various forms. I've been on motorswap.org, and unless I'm just looking in the wrong places, it seems like swapping a 3.8 into one of these cars is a MAJOR hassle. Of course, it could just be that most people are looking at swapping in the supercharged version which presents more challenges, I'm not sure.

 

So -is it easier and more cost effective just to buy a '94-96 Regal GS and swap over body cladding from a Grand Prix to get the appearance that I like, or would dropping a naturally aspirated 3.8 from a Regal GS into a Grand Prix make more sense?

 

If you had a donor 96 Regal, you could swap pretty much everything from the engine bay and be done with it. That would give you the L36, wiring harness, PCM, transmission, etc. It should all bolt right in. Worst case you'd need the cradle as well. Your best bet for this route would be to find a 96 Regal with collision damage with a good drivetrain.

 

Otherwise, as Jon mentioned, you have the 3.5 LX9 option. It does have about the same power as the L36 (though the power band is at higher RPMs). They are however not as easy to work on as the 3800's, but if you can find one with low enough mileage, that may not be as much of a problem.

 

That being said, if you go 3800, get the blower like others have mentioned. It is by a long shot the easiest way to make cheap, reliable power.

[94 olds vert]

Welcome! If your going to spend the time and effort to put in a l36 might as well go with the L67!

[pwmin]

Welcome. And I agree with ^^^^, or go 60* as Jonpro03 was saying

x3

 

 

I'd want a '96 3.4X, but that's just me

[Larryhagmansliver]

x3

 

 

I'd want a '96 3.4X, but that's just me

 

Those had some impressive power numbers, but I've heard a lot of negative publicity on them. Other than the whole "remove the intake to change spark plugs" thing, is the reputation undeserved?

[xtremerevolution]

Don't forget the stupid alternator removal job.

 

Sent from my HTC Awesome using Tapatalk

[RobertISaar]

the 97 3.4 is betterer.

 

and every engine has it's gigantic, overcomplicated, PITA processes, some of which are made more prevalant by the vehicle they reside in.

[pwmin]

Those had some impressive power numbers, but I've heard a lot of negative publicity on them. Other than the whole "remove the intake to change spark plugs" thing, is the reputation undeserved?

 

every engine has it's gigantic, overcomplicated, PITA processes, some of which are made more prevalant by the vehicle they reside in.

exactly. After changing plugs on a '96 3.4X a few times and getting used to it, I'd actually rather change plugs on that than my Regal :screwy:

 

IMO, the reputation isn't deserved, but it's been argued both ways past the point of getting blue in the face. It does have it idiosyncracies and fallbacks, but overall if you know what you're doing, it's not that bad. There are definitely a lot of engines out there that are much harder to work on. I just wish they would have done timing chains instead of a belt.

[RoyalRegal]

I would just drive a regal with the 3800.... but I happen to love all GM cars and not specifically one over the other. Although.... I miss my Formula and much preferred it over any Camaro.

[BXX]

Otherwise, as Jon mentioned, you have the 3.5 LX9 option. It does have about the same power as the L36 (though the power band is at higher RPMs). They are however not as easy to work on as the 3800's, but if you can find one with low enough mileage, that may not be as much of a problem.

 

LX9 is a bit more uncluttered than the 3100/3400 and is easier to work on, and doesnt suffer from catastrophic LIM failures (GM finally got it figured out:lol:) Ive had plenty of customers with LX9 cars with high mileage and havent had any issues. Plus with the cost of them for low mileage units, it has become a no brainer engine swap, at least for me:thumbsup:

 

The LX9 also has a smoother powerband than the 3800 I might add, but the 3800 has more low end torque.

[xtremerevolution]

 

The LX9 also has a smoother powerband than the 3800 I might add, but the 3800 has more low end torque.

 

And aftermarket. Hey Bob why don't you call me again at around 5:45 CST while I'm my way home so you can hear that blower whine a few more times.