RowJon13

I am resurrecting my 84 Regal T Type with 61K original miles. Front suspension rebuilt with poly bushings and Eibach springs, will start rear suspension this weekend. Trying to find performance parts for the original non intercooled AKA Hot Air turbo 3.8 V6 are limited and what is available is big $$ for minimal HP gains! Any LS engine suggestions? Looking for something streetable, affordable, and dependable. More interested in cruising on the streets with the occasional blast down the 1/4 mile and keeping all the creature comforts.

1964SS

iTrader: (1)

Best bang for the buck would be to drop in a 5.3 with mild cam. Not sure about hood clearance. You would more then likely have to swap out the intake for the LS1/LS6 style. and relocate the alternator lower.

RowJon13

The 5.3 w/4L60E seems to be a very popular swap here I noticed. Any particular year of engine/trans to look out for? I do have a lead for a complete LS6 intake for less than $400 that is supposedly in like new condition and new OEM LS6 cam & lifters bought for a project that never happened. My other question is the best engine swap kit available that will allow use of factory accessory drive systems? Not interested in notching frame for AC compressor or alternator clearance and definitely no bling underhood! lol

kj598bbc

I'd say use the Hooker complete system, and get a 5.3, of almost any year unless you're particular about a certain head casting or rod. Ls6 intake isn't necessary for a G-body swap, truck intake will fit and be great on the street. And why not add a sponsors "truck" cam. The Ls6 intake and cam are worthy as well, i just wanted to point out that the intake isn't a necessity. Good Luck

76larkman

you can get a iron block 5.3 or 4.8 for $500 complete. I just got one 90k on it for that but had to take it out.

RowJon13

Appreciate the advice I am getting. I thought about putting a manual tranny behind it but I cannot seem to find any ready to install aftermarket kit for doing this. I have a G body clutch/brake manual pedal assembly but want to go with a hydraulic throwout bearing and not the old school clutch fork/rod assembly.

Isolde

iTrader: (4)

I'd order an aftermarket master cyl, install the pedal you have, then try to figure how to connect the 2. You will need to drill the pedal up near the pivot, or weld on a bracket, but a solution shouldn't be that difficult to create. This is entry-level fabrication, you already have the hard part done once the pedals are figured out.
I'm doing a '96 Camaro 3800-II V6 into an '83 RX-7 with a '94 T5 from a 3.4L V6 Camaro. As such, I had to use a Howe clutch slave, which then required a Wilwood master to move fluid for the Howe HTOB. So I'm in the middle of exactly what I'm suggesting to you. I'd post pics, but it isn't an LSx swap, so they'd get deleted and I'd get banned.

RowJon13

Searched some threads and found a company called SSM clutch pedal which makes what I have been looking for in converting my car to a hydraulic clutch setup. I have done some late night engineering but there clutch master cylinder mount bracket came at the right time! Now to figure out what trans to get requiring as little massaging to the trans tunnel as possible?

RowJon13

I have been searching for an LS engine/trans combo locally and on Ebay. I came across a few ads by Schram Auto for the Cadillac twin turbo 3.6 engine/trans! This has potential to be an interesting swap. Any inputs?

L92 OLDS

It would be different for sure....do your homework on stretched timing chains. Some versions of the 3.6 had major issues with this. IIRC, there are 3 chains that stretch

Goldhawg

iTrader: (7)

Inputs? YES! You must do it! Cuz I've been thinking about it for a bit and I need someone else to blaze the trail! I have an 87 that needs work and I'm trying which way to go (likely not going to do that one for a few years) and I was thinking LSx but then GM started making these amazing V6 twin turbos and the idea of keeping the GN a turbo'd v6 really appeals to me. But I have no idea of what's involved...

So please do it! And post many pics!

rkreigh

I have the hot ticket for you. a 4.8 with lunati rods and wiseco forged piston

this will easily handle 1000 hp and I have a couple of T04 T60 turbos and the manifolds that will get you there.

I also have a stock rebuild 4.8 that will handle 600 plus if you want to go a bit more budget

PM me if interested. this is a great build!

I miss my old Turbo T bought it brand new in 87 and raced it until I had 135K miles on it. a very nice combo that ran 10s.

not to hurt the buford buddies feelings but the LS swap is cheaper than a high end v6 build and it's easy to make big power with less $$

RowJon13

I went down to the local Cadillac dealer to take some measurements but forgot to take underhood photos of the engine, salesman not happy when I broke out the tape measure! lol The service manager was telling me the timing chain on these are new/improved, no worries like the first 2yrs of the 3.6 production. The tranny does concern me as it appears bigger than a 4L80E in a few places. I don't want to cut up the trans tunnel to make it fit. Any inputs on who to contact about reprogramming the PCM? Definitely ready for the undertaking but an LS swap still not out of the question if I can find a decent deal on a 5.3 or bigger engine with an iron block. I did look for LS motors here in Las Vegas but the prices are too high, about $1800 average for a 5.3 engine trans with over 130K miles! I thought about a 4.8 but the prices are the same as a 5.3. A few Buick friends here cringing at the idea of what I want to do with this car! lol I want to keep all the creature comforts but there never was a strong aftermarket support for the hot air 3.8 turbo V6's and I have owned this car since 1991 when I bought it with 32K original miles.

Me24seven

I think turbo Ls is the way to go

RowJon13

Any recommendations of vendors for a complete engine/trans combo? Here in Las Vegas, anything decent is high dollar.

kawijames

iTrader: (2)

RowJon, if you look in my thread you'll see exactly how the 4.8/5.3 fits. I'm using a CTSV pan and Vette accessories and Intake. Clears perfectly. My driveshaft had to be shortened to 1240mm center to center.

Old Geezer

iTrader: (3)

Look here.. Lots of info:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/forums/lsx-tech.182/

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/for...onversions.98/

RowJon13

Just curious but are LS 5.3 engines from Monte Carlo SS and Impala SS front wheel drive cars useable for engine swaps in rear wheel drive cars such as mine?

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Don't go there. The blocks have a different bellhousing bolt pattern.

Andrew