93 3.1 to 3.8 swap

[cruisn8ball]

Was given a 93 apv with 3.1. The van is in great shape considering the tranny was slipping pretty bad. I added Lucus oil (stuff works wonders) which seemed to take care of it. Now its starting to slip again, not bad but there. I can get a 94 3.8 thats totaled in rear but still runs for nothing. My question is will the 3.8 w/tranny bolt into the 3.1's spot and changing the wiring harness and computer be the only changes i'll have to make. Thanx

[LMP]

I think you have a good picture of what you must do, and since you can pick all you want from the '94, you have all chances of total success. Of course, "changing the wiring harness and computer " might prove a little more than an easy swap...as several sensors are different and I hope the computer wiring is not interlaced with other wiring....; transmission dial is not the same as you will have D and OD now..so the instrument panel must be changed too.... check variations in wiring for check engine light, tach, oil pressure too, not sure exactly where the wiring variations are executed.
Diagnostic plug is not wired the same as 93: the B pin is missing in '94 and a scanner is needed from that year. '94 had air bags, so probably some alert system in the computer you'll have to decommission...EDIT: I checked out and this is a separate control module so you do not have to care for this...
You can browse through www.avigex.ca/xport for lots of genuine transport '93 diagrams, which are common with the APV..mmm... did the APV have a tach too? .
Other forum members have genuine 94 or 95 diagrams and they will come to help.
...ask questions as you need. Report success!