2.8 V6 swap into '85 Citation - questions

Dorifto_Tuning · 07-20-2004, 10:01 PM

Hey all - I have an '85 Chevy Citation thats been sitting in my backyard for about four years now, and I finally have a need for it. I also have an '89 Buick Regal sitting, and have NO need for it. So, I want to take the engine / tranny setup out of the Buick and spoon it into the Citation. A friend of mine told me that the "X-11" Citation had either a 2.8 or 3.1 V6 in it (couldn't remember which), and that it would bolt up to the Citation using the motor mounts from the Buick. I'm not sure about that ... so if anyone can give me their two cents on that it'd be great. Also, what would I need to carry over to the Citation from the Buick, besides the ECU for fuel and ignition? The Citation is an automatic as well - column shift - but it needs one more space on the lever for overdrive from the Buick tranny ... would this cause a problem? I don't plan on using the 1 or 2 lockdown, as it is going to become a delivery car for my step-mom's gift basket business. Am I missing anything? The help is much appreciated, and as always, thanks in advance guys.
-Dave-O
www.geocities.com/dorifto_motorsports

Ragtop_Renegade · 07-22-2004, 10:42 PM

The 3.1 has the same block as a 2.8 and would fit a Citation - The motor mount brackets should be in the right place for it. You'll need the 3.1's complete wiring harness. I'm not sure if the CV shafts from the turbo 125 in the Citation will work, if you have to use the turbo 440/4T60 ones from the Regal, you may have to change the hubs in the Citation. While the engine would run in the Citation the ECM is specifically programmed for the much larger, heavier W body car so you might get some pretty weird reactions from the engine at times. The shifter cable can be rigged up to work (no promises on the dash pointer being anywhere near accurate ) Getting the speedo working could be tough.
No clue on the radiator.
In general you'll have a lot of bugs to work out but for just a beater car it's workable...

P.S. If you insist on gutting that Regal and it has a red interior, I'll buy the Driver's side seatbelt from you, mines broke

Dorifto_Tuning · 07-24-2004, 01:09 AM

Its a shame the interior is tan / brown on the Regal, or else I'd give ya the seat belt ... Thanks for the input, it's appreciated.

MagicRat · 07-24-2004, 04:41 PM

Ouch, this is a terrible excuse for an engine swap.
The Citation came with a 2.8 V6 as an option, but you have a second generation design in your Regal, and it's really quite different. You definitely would need to carry over all the electronic engine controls and ECM, and retrofit. This would be a supreme hassle, and far far more complicated than worrying about the transmission shifter.

Don't get into this. Sell the Buick while it's in one piece. If you start ripping it apart then find its too much trouble, it will be worth next to nothing.

If you must have a V6 in the Citation, pick up a Citation parts car. They are super cheap and would have all the parts you need, a much easier swap.

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