anyone ever heard of a gm 3800 engine swap?

[blkbrd1100xx]

I just got an 89 hatchback with 200000 miles it runs really good but i cant imagine it having much life left...The car handles awesome and most things work.....anyways now the strange part i have a totalled out 98 lumina with the 3800 Is this absurd Or has it actually been done???? My friend swears people do it but I havent been able to find anything on this at all...Any direction would help If this is even possible Thanks in advance

[HermsS13]

dont waste your time.

[nissanfanatic]

Never heard of it being done.

3800 series puts out about 200hp@5200rpm and 225ft-lbs of torque at 4000rpm. IDK what it will take, but if you want to do this, go for it.

If you are doing this just because you think the stock engine is dying, you should perhaps check the condition of the stock engine first. A compression test would be a good place to start.

Factory compression=179psi
Minimum compression=151psi
Max. difference between cylinders=14psi

[240SXSlideStar]

I don't understand why people use the car with the least units out there to do these random swaps instead of a car that was 1 million units out on the road.

[orestes]

Originally Posted by 240SXSlideStar

I don't understand why people use the car with the least units out there to do these random swaps instead of a car that was 1 million units out on the road.

it sounds like hes doing it just because he has it lying around.

[durifto13]

any engine will go in any thing with enough time, money, know how, and work.

[sidewayzS13]

almost any engine not any engine.

[blkbrd1100xx]

Thankyou for the info guys the dude that told me that is the same type of person that thinks cars can run on ocean water with slight modifacation......
So here goes my other dilemma The rear section of the frame behind the right rear tire has a pretty large rust hole in it and the drivers side isnt quite that bad YET... There is also a big hole in the rocker panel but I can fix that myself...
Has anyone ever dealt with this problem is it even worth fixing?? Considering the milage 190,000 the car runs pretty damn good but id hate to spend money fixing the frame to have the engine or tranny(automatic) go bad on me....

[DWF Engineering]

I lost my reverse gear (manual) at about 235K miles. The engine is still in perfect working order. If you drive flat-out very often your gearbox will go first. You can pick one up at a salvage yard for $300-400. If you aren't up to putting a used gearbox in don't even think of an engine swap. Rust through on the body is a pain, I would just leave it and enjoy driving the car. Its not real common but you do see a good deal on 240s now and then so its not impossible to find one without the rust. I think the fist problem you'll have with the 3800 swap is that its too wide to clear the steering shaft. You can get the parts to re-route the steering shaft, just look in a KitCar or HotRod magazine. Next problem is that there is very little clearance between the bell housing and firewall as is so if the bell housing to the 3800 is a larger diameter you'll need to do some creative fabrication to make it fit. Then you'll still have to fabricate the mounts to boly it all down. I really think it would be far easier to upgrade to a KA24DE and get the 200 BHP from it. May even be easier to get the 200 BHP from the KA you have than installing the 3800.