I'm currently daily driving an 85 carbed regal. Stock v6/200C trans. I'll be getting a 350 engine and trans here soon and i'll have 1 week to do the swap. All i have is a toolbox of basic but essential tools. Other than a past cooling system overhaul, and crankshaft seal replacement, this will be the biggest task i've ever by myself.. lol So here goes the questions.. The 350 will be chevy as well as trans. I have no clue as to what the converter will be included.. - Any recommends on stall? Everyone has told me v8 motor mounts from a mid 80's monte will do me good. - Question is, do i need a cutting tool to cut out the stock mounts? Or do they just unbolt?? What holes do i need to put the monte mounts on? - Other than a cherry picker, what other major tools will i need? - Can i use my stock crossmember bar to hold up the 350 trans? I plan on running either true or nontrue duals in the future, still deciding. - Since i live in memphis and i need to pass emmsions.. What key items do i need to keep it legal? Legal headers, what type, brand? Intake/Carb?? - Will the stock cooling lines from the trans to radiator work with the 350 trans swap, or will i need to fab up new lines? - Wiring, What wiring can i ditch and what crucial wires do i need to make the swap? I plan on keeping AC and heater. - Radiator... I upgraded to a 3 core rad in the past which is still very new, would this be sufficient until i can buy a better bigger rad?? What temp thermostat should i use? - Springs, what springs do i need to keep the body lifted? I also have 22" wheels so i need an extra 3-4 inches of lift in the front. Wow, i know this is alot of questions but im just preparing myself ahead of time. Thanks for any insight!
Let me be the first to ask, "Why a Chevy motor?". The Buick 350 is such an easy swap and you could still use that Chevy tranny with an adapter plate. -The v6 mounts work on the SBB -All of your accesories swap over to the SBB -No other major tools needed -You'll need a new crossmember for duals or modify the one you have. -There are several guys on this board who can keep you smog legal. -Your trans lines will work. -You can keep the wiring with the SBB but you can remove some of the extra stuff that went to the old carb. Don't know about the Chevy motor. -3 core rads are fine. -Not sure on the springs with your setup. I was going to go with a Chevy motor until I found out how difficult it was going to be changing wiring, mounts, fuel line, etc. Good Luck!
this must be a buick 350 forum... hmm.. well i think its a little too late to make a transition to buick 350. I just figured parts were easy to get for the chevy, and alot cheaper.. unless buick and chevy parts are interchangable... thanks alot for that info, but majority of that pertains to sbb? right? these forum boards need a little condensing, its too confusing on deciding on where to post..
BUICK parts DO NOT interchange with chevy ones. The monte mounts will work, but you'll need the monte frame pads. You can buy new monte mounts so do that and find used frame mounts. I still don't understand why people come on here to find out how to take the Buick torque out of thier Buicks.....
Uhh, I think that comment was uncalled for. :error: However, Torx, it is unfortunate that you've decided to go with the SBC. Like the others have mentioned above, the SBB is basically a bolt-in, moreso than the SBC. That said, your Chevy swap will indeed need new engine mounts (any G-body SBC mounts will do). They simply bolt in. If your exhaust is cranky, you may want a set of oxy/acetylene torches to make the job go faster (just be aware of your fuel system). Your thermostat choice will depend on the specifics of your engine (is it modified? is it stock?). I don't know what your situation is like, but if you have one week to do the swap, the only other major tools that you may want are friend or two to help speed up the process. These engine swaps can sometimes be deceptively time-consuming! Hope it goes well, and next time, consider a Buick engine! :3gears:
I'm just trying to give you the easiest option if you only have a week. I was in your same situation a few years ago and after exploring all the work it was going to take to put the chevy motor in, I decided to find a Buick engine. I found one for $50 and dropped it in. Later on I added headers, duals and aluminum intake. That car was a blast to drive and I only had about $1500 in the whole project including the car. We'll help you with whatever you decide. MARK
I wouldn't be to hard on him for going Chevy powered. If emissions legalitys are a huge concern, he can't go SBB since they quit making V-8s in 1981. I don't think we've had anyone in this Sub-forum with 22" dubs before. I myself don't like the high-rider look, but if its your thing then thats very cool. Since you need quite alot of stuff to go from the Buick six to the Chevy V8, I suggest a parts car purchase. Maybe a junker V-8 Powered 78-87 Monte Carlo. This way you'd get your rad, tranny lines, motor mounts, springs, etc, all in one shot. Good luck on your swap.
the frame pads(mounts) can be bought at auto parts store yo just need clam shell (part bolts to motor) and depending on where you get engine from,might be on there already. if not most cars/trucks 74-96 with chevy v8 will work (camaro,caprice,monte,malibu,impala,wagons.truck,suburban) convertor will depend on your camshaft/intake/carb/rearend choice if stock motor go with 1800-2200 range which will work with some milder cam upgrades too you can lose most of the wiring from right side loom as thats for computer you will need to lengthen some as most stuff will change location i suggest new springs, moog 5610 are tall and stiff and are replacement pieces and you might want to have someone do those as they are dangerous for a novice without right tools. 200c crossmember is same as 350 crossmember,driveshaft too. make sure its not a lockup convertor 350 trans,not many convertor choices and luckup is useless without a computer trans lines should work with a little clearanceing you could go with edelbrock monte carlo header kit 68783 it will have most parts you need and you can then use a monte carlo SS or grand national exhuast stetup (hooker makes a nice one that you could install yourself and the headers are pretty easy too) radiator- you could get a plastic with alum fins from a newer camaro/firebird or front drive boneville/park ave/regency 98 the buick turbo guys use this alot and should keep you cool mounts on frame will unbolt the new ones bolt up towards the the top holes on frame,if you look where the fuel lines come out of frame and match the mount to the holes that match the mounts(2 top,1 bottom) you will have to run some fuel lines from left side to right as chevy has fuel pump on passanger side.get new radiator hoses for chevy engine monte will work.you will need all brackets and pulleys for power steer,ac,alterater,waterpump. none of the buick parts will work also alternater and power steer will not fit without major work so get the right parts so you know its right. you will need accelarator and trans cable brackets for your setup. if your near chicago i have a lot of leftover parts from converting my regal from a chevy383 racemotor to a 455 buick racemotor got mounts,march underdrive pulleys,radiator,springs,shocks, pulleys and brackets,HO camaro exhaust manifolds,tuned port injection 58cc hi compression 1.94 valve heads , 12 bolt posi with traction bars have a turbo v6 4barrel set up laying around too if interested and you might want to drain trans fuild or get some kind up plug for the tailshaft when you pull out driveshaft as you will have a big puddle under car when you pull engine if you pull with engine.can be annoying mess and slow your swap down andy
Torx, You following me.?. One more week and I'll be done with my engine swap. I'll be looking to get my exhaust built/installed on the 1st and maybe even adding a turbo before I come home this summer. Did you ever catch up with "Twin".?. Anyway, hit me up off list at shortydoowop138@yahoo.com
ou: Uh....yeah....this is afterall www.[b]V8Buick[/b].com... o No: And....this is the "V8 Buick Powered Regals" forum you are in too...ou: Not to be a smart-butt but, you are definately going to get better Shivvie advice over on the Monte Carlo board when it comes to installing those engines in a G-Body. Is that a pic of your Regal in your avatar? Bling, Bling and all....:laugh:
hey man sick ride! dont let anyone here hate, we all have different taste thats why its called a custom car, right? to fit your personality! anyways i also did a 350 chevy which i beleive to be the easiest and cheapest choice based on parts availablity and im into fuel injection too and i have never seen a buick v8 injected. anyways im not gonna say anything bad about the buick or olds engine, i just know that i could swap a sbc into a g body blindfolded, lol. the monte motor mounts will work, the stock tranny mount will work and the crossmember does not need to be modified, all you need to do for the exhaust, wich was my personal hardest part, is get some g body shorty style headers, summit sells them for under $100, when you take it to the shop for the exhaust tell them that you want the drivers side to wrap under the engine to the passenger side and have both tubes side by side untill halfway back where they will split off like any other dual setup and run them either strait out or out behind the wheels. i personally run all mine out the back. i paid the shop 150 cash and already had a pair of flowmasters, however that was a cash sale because of the fact that it will not pass emessions, i live in omaha, ne and you are not required to pass them. i am interested on how to pass them when i move to austin, i might have to keep nebraska plates, not sure yet. i have done 4 sbc to g body swaps and can answer any questions on it, just email me, regalman4925@yahoo.com and that 1 week time frame for your first swap is a little short, my first one took a couple weeks. good luck! :beer
Regalman how many g-bodys did you do with a Buick v6 to Buick v8 swap or Olds 307 to Olds 350/403 swap? If you have not done any how complete is your basis for comparison? On another note ever go to a car show or drags and have people crowd around your car and say how different and cool your car is? What makes you regalman anyway? Would sbc in everything at any cost be more appropriate? Not saying just asking.
hey man, like i said, im not hateing on your stuff. i know chevy motors enough to be confident in what im talking about. i know absolutly nothing about buick and olds v8s except for the fact that 307s are weak factory motors and i heard that olds 350s have weak bottom ends. i grew up with a large group of street rodders and almost all of them use small or big block chevys. chevys are easy to adapt, easy to build and cheap. i cant remember seeing a march serpentine setup for a buick or olds motor. i build rods and the cheapest show quility high performance motor i know of is a chevy. like i said i know nothing about the rest of them and i am not gonna say anything bad about them cause i have never done one and probably wont do one. i cant go to a salvage yard and pick up a tuned port injection setup for a olds or buick!
oh and by the way, i am regalman because my passion for regals and g bodys is odviously a lot stronger than yours because you are not open minded and think your way is the only way. i live and breath these cars!
Regalman4925.....It's pretty obvious that in fact YOU are the one who is not open-minded in the fact that you (like the masses ) think only about Shivvies. True, they are a dime a dozen and can be found on every corner but that just makes you a part of the "follow-the-leader" crowd!:boring::sleep: Admit it....you probably see nothing wrong with putting a Shivvie in a Grand National either right?o No: If ya gotta have a G-Body to put a Shivvie in then PLEASE make it a Shivvie body, you can't ruin them anymore than they already are!:grin: There are PLENTY of Shivvie sites on the web. Please join those sites and "rant-n-rave" over the Shivvie's supposed "superiority".....:laugh: (and just in case this hasn't been figured out yet... :error: ) Also to interate on your ridiculous vocabulary.....YES, I'm a Shivvie "HATER"! :blast:
I'm always stunned that people will try to talk someone out of an opinion. I don't think it's ever happened in the course of human history. If you're trying to decide between a buick and chevy small block there are some facts we can share with you. You have to decide how to weigh them and what fits your situatioin. 1) Swapping to a Buick V8 from a V6 requires the fewest amount of modifications / fabrications. Accessories, wiring, motor mounts, even transmissions and drive shafts all line up easily. 2) Stock Buick motors tend to have more torque than stock Chevy's. Chevy's will rev higher and have more horsepower. On the street torque is preferable on the track horsepower. 3) A thoughtfully built small block (either one) should provide more power than the chassis and traction can handle. Neither choice will limit the performance of the car. 4) If you decide to return the car to stock in the future the sbb will be easier. 5) Putting a Chevy engine in a Regal requires more modifications. If this is your first swap the chances of the project stalling or failing are higher the more complex it is. 6) If you buy a junk Monte Carlo you can get most of what you need in 1 car and the swap is fairly easy going this route. Chevy engines have more performance parts available and they generally cost less. No one can prove that either engine is superior to the other because it all depends on the criteria and level of modification. If you're starting from scratch the buick will be the easiest, quickest and cheapest swap. If you've got a Chevy engine already then it makes sense to use it. If you want fuel injection, or lots of chrome accessories and are willing to spend the time and energy to make it possible the Chevy opens those doors. In the end these decisions are never made logically. You weigh all the factors and do what you think is best. Good luck. John
Well said Kerry. :laugh: sbcman er regalman where did I say my way was the only way? You are the one who recommended putting in a sbc even though you say you know nothing about the other choices, and to do so regardless of what the car has in it now. You don't seem like regalman you seem more like sbc in a g-body man. Your Regal does not sound like much of a custom car as mentioned in your first post but more like a follow the herd common parts car car. Like I said have you ever popped your hood at a show or cruise in etc only to have people huddle around your engine bay to ogle, ask questions, or compliment you on doing something different & cool? My way is the only way and I'm not open minded? I have two hot rod street g-bodys a Grand National with turbo charged Buick engine and a Olds 442 cloan with a 509ci Cadillac engine so I'm obviously not closed minded uninformed about other options or stuck on one thing. And I made no recomendations as to what Torx should switch to. First you talk about being able to do it cheap then you talk about March serpentine systems. They don't go hand in hand. If you actually build rods as you say you do are a real hot rodder and want a serpentine system, its not particularly difficult or expensive to fab your own from existing systems. Be it for a Buick Olds Pontiac or Cadillac. Then if you do, you actually are building that custom car you were refering to. Tuned port? In 1984 Buick started useing a computer controled sequential port fuel injection system on the GN & Ttypes that was way ahead of those by comparison POS tuned port setups that chevy later started putting on things. Cadillac also had fuel injection on the 500s in 1975 & 76 long before the advent of cheap computer chips etc. But like the tuned port it proved to be of little value over a well done Q-jet for a combination of performance mileage simplicity reliability and cost. I could have put a relatively cheap Cadillac fuel injection setup on my Cad or even modded a Tuned port setup for it but it just isnt worth it over a well done Q-jet. At least not in my eyes for my application. Aside from Corvette Chevy was always on the bottom rung in the GM lineup and not at the technological and quality forefronts. Chevy does have some cool and great stuff and I am not a Chevy hater I'm just not Chevy blind either. What about you? PS I hope your not upset that I challenged your thinking. Life is short. I would much rather :3gears: and :beer then :af: and :spank:
Not to put anyone down anymore than they already have been...BUT, I must say that Buick in Buick=Good, Chevy in Buick=Not good. I had rather see a Buick motor put in a Chevy than a Chevy in a Buick...why? Because I prefer Buick power. If it wasn't for the power that Buick motors have, I wouldn't care much for Buicks. And I just don't understand why people think chevy motors are going to make their Buicks any faster when really it's not doing much for the power/speed or the car itself? o No: ou: I don't usually complain and gripe much, and since it's your car, you can and should do what you want with it...if a sbc in it will make you happy, then go for it...but, I have just been seeing way too many of these threads over the years to hold back my opinions much longer....
well vern and kerry, you are so right, i should scrap all of the ideas that i want to do to MY car and i am gonna start doing them the way that you think i should do them. i thought this was web page was setup to HELP people, not to tell people that what they like is wrong. maybe i should quit giving advice about anything i know cause i guess i know nothing. you know a regal is the same as a cutlass monte or grand prix but you know what, when i get onto those sites and tell people what i want they will help with what they can wether it is what they want or not, those are REAL car lovers. i have freinds that build mopars, buicks, fords, olds and even hondas. i would never build a honda but you know what, i will help those people out even tho thats not what i want. like i said before, a regal is the same as the rest of the g bodys wether they are buick, chevy, or pontiac, they are the same car, they came with chevy engines too, its not like im trying to put a ford engine in my gm car. buick and chevy are the same company last time i check, yep still gm! this is the last time i will post on this thread, so have fun wasting your time talking people down and not working on your car!!!
