Jonn

Anyone know if its possible, worth it, to try to put a 91 Buick MPI 3.8 from a LaSabre is a 91 Lumina that has a 2.5 in it?
My cousin has a wreaked Buick with a sweet low milage 3.8 i can get for practicaly nothing. Any idea on tranny? i figure my 2.5 wouldnt fit the 3.8? would the 3.8 tranny work in the Lumina?
Just throwing ideas around, would love to have it in the Lumina tho..

jeffcoslacker

I think it would be too much for one of us. It could be done by a performance or specialty shop, but would cost megabux. Besides making it physically sit in the Lumina and all the welding and changing of mount locations, it would require a different ECM, wiring harnesses, exhaust, springs, struts, possibly steering rack, and God knows what else.

I like to think about that stuff too. I've had fantasies about putting an Aurora V8 in my '97, but then I start thinking about what would be involved and come back to reality.

The only thing is if (for some reason) somebody makes a conversion setup. I doubt it. But the make kits to put 350 small blocks in Toyota pickups, Datsun Z's and VW bugs, so who knows?

__________________
You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.

jeffcoslacker

I'd try to find a LeSabre, Park Ave or Delta with the motor smoked and just do a straight swap.

__________________
You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.

Jonn

?? what do you mean? buy a buick with bad engine and get cousins engine and put in it?

If so that wouldnt be a bad swap but the idea was a 3.8 Lumina.
I can get the whole car, and from what i saw of it, i dont think rack would be a problem as i looked at the rack when my car needed one, and im sure i could remedy the spring issue.
Mounts? well i can and have cut steel and welded mounts up before, tho i know, this would be more difficult.
One way you could make it easier is to drop the frame from under the car and with transmission still on or positioned,sit engine against it, then build frame mounts, then settle car body back over it and build any engine to body mounts.
As far as fabricating, welding, etc. thats no big deal for me as i have torches and welder. Worst problem would be pulling while ECM harness and keeping whats needed and disposing of the rest. Yeah, i am still dreaming, but they put a 2.8 and a 3.1 anf 3.4 in luminas and 2.8 and a 3.1 in Cavilears, so physically i cant see any "fit" problem. Ill probably never do it, but it would be nice.

jeffcoslacker

That'd be really slick if that cradle was the same on both. Then you'd be set. Just swap whole assemblies. If you have welding ability, you are way ahead of me, I have to outsource that work. I once put a 455 in a '77 LeMans Sport Coupe that came with a Pontiac small block. That was the worst part, trying to get the mount saddles welded where I needed them to be, cuz since a big block was not an option on that model, there was no template in the frame for where the mounts should go. Has to just install the egine and trans in there, get the tranny set on it's mount, and start guessing, working with wood blocks for shims until I had the motor sitting correctly, then I had to go get two parts from a Catalina with a big block outta the boneyard and figure out where they needed to be, and figure a way to adapt the upper mount to bolt to the motor. Then take the motor back out and have the guy weld it up. Pain in the butt.

__________________
You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.

jeffcoslacker

The 3.8 will fit, but it has a wider V than the 2.8, 3.1, 3.4 family, so will take up more room under there.

__________________
You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.

Jonn

I wonder...... Lumina APV's came with a 3.8

1992 Chevrolet Lumina APV/Minivan: A 165-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 joined the option list for all APV models, connected to a new 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. With that powertrain, towing capacity rose to 3000 pounds. Only a 3-speed automatic could be used with the 3.1-liter engine. New springs and strut/shock valving promised to improve the ride.

wonder how much frame cradle they share with the car version

jeffcoslacker

I think you're onto something. As far as I know, they are the same.

But, if that's the spec on that 3.8 you're considering, it's 5 less horses than my 3.1!

You can get Paxton superchargers for the 3.8s, though. Hmmm.

__________________
You made three mistakes. First, you took the job. Second, you came light. A four man crew for me? F**king insulting. But the worst mistake you made...

...empty gun rack.

Jonn

No, that wasnt the 3.8 spec. that was just a cut and paste about the 3.8 being in the van.
yeah that would be sweet with a super charger on it wouldnt it. Im sure it would run plenty good enough for me as is though, love to have it hidden under there with nice low growling dual exaust

Manny_boy

Our cars fall under the GM W-Body classification. (Chevy Lumina, Pontiac Grand Prix, Cutlass Supreme, and Buick Regal)

Some of the Grand Prixs came factory with a 3.8L and a paxton supercharger (L67 engine) (GTP's). Yes they are Sweet sounding, and yes they will blow your doors off. (I found out the hard way, I raced one and he handed me my boo-tay... on a platter)

wrightz28

"I'd try to find a LeSabre, Park Ave or Delta with the motor smoked and just do a straight swap."

Hey jonn, I know of certain Park Ave. in need of donor heart! -Dylan

Jonn

Hey Dylan, i told you my cousin had that engine ages ago ! LOL