92 Compatability

[vrmlbasic]

Hello, I have a long-lived 1992 lesabre, though the body has been declared wholly unrepairable. Even if the body could be rebent, I determined that it would be a hassle to reinsure and reinspect due to the "totaling", so I have a great car that just is not drivable due to some cosmetic damage. I am wondering what other vehicle used the same components so that I could swap/have spare parts, as I don't want to let this car go, but I can't bring her back to roadworthiness directly. So I'm going for the whole King of the Hill, let the car live on through a part transplanted to another car, idea.

With a new radio setup, new struts, new ignition coil, repaired engine, repair manuals, spare ECM, and almost brand-new tires, I have a lot of parts that I would like to reuse.

Of course another 1992 lesabre would work out, but those are hard to come by. I think that the only difference betweent the 92 and 93 is the throttle body was plasticised, but I wouldn't bet on it, and the 94 is similar too, right? I know 95 is the start of the series II motor, which leaves me with a useless engine, and 91 and older are completely different.

I found a 92 regal limited and was thinking about that, but I don't know how compatable all my stuff is.. (..or how to tell if the regal runs the wimpy 3.1 or the 3.8)

Any help you hae is deeply appreciated--right now all my cherished ride can do is be driven in circles in the yard, and I'm having to beat my truck into the ground by using her to do drives that really are a car's calling.

[HotZ28]

You could broaden the search to include the 91-93 Pontiac Bonneville, Olds 88, or 98 that used the same drive train & electrical system. 1994 was the beginning of the conversion to OBDII and the PCM & wiring harness changes. Many of the suspension, transaxle and engines parts are still compatible on the 94-95 models, but the PCM/ECM & wiring harness is not. If you could find a good 91-93 with an engine or transaxle problem that someone wants to get rid of cheap, you could start building your Frankenstein. If you use parts from the Buick, Olds & Pontiac, you would have a B.O.P. instead of a LeSabre! Good Luck!

[spinne1]

For direct compatibility of most parts, stick with a 91 (and possibly 92) Park Avenue or 92 LeSabre. You are right in that the engine is slightly different in a 92 versus a 93 and 94 LeSabre. The upper intake was metal on the 92 and plastic on the 93 and 94.

For general engine/tranny swaps, broaden the reach for the Bonneville and Olds cars. I do not know the exact swapability of every other part between these cars. You'd have to check on a part by part basis. One way to do that is to go to partsamerica.com and look up parts and then click on the button that tells you what cars the part will go on.

I agree that it seems hard to find these cars for parts for purchase. Perhaps they all end up in junk yards without being put on the private market (or most are still in operation??)

[vrmlbasic]

I'd like to think that all these cars are still running. After all, my lesabre still drives after being rear ended at 50 some miles per hour, and I insist that the transmission actually shifts smoother now, but I don't know if that is a good thing or not.

My main problem in searching has been that the 1992 vehicles that I have found all seem to be using the wimpy 3.1, and while it might be possible to put the 3.8 directly in, I do not want to bet on that.

I had forgotten about the park avenue, and never really thought of the bonneville, and since a 92 lesabre does not seem to be readily available for me to buy, I think that I might have better luck if I increase my chances by including those rides in my searches. Thanks for the suggestions.