1986 buick regal v6 3.8 engine swap v8

Discussion in 'V-8 Buick Powered Regals' started by joeykoolster, Mar 26, 2006.

  1. joeykoolster

    joeykoolster New Member

    Fellas, i need the schematics on my first project. I have an 1986 buick regal 3.8v6. How long does that take to get out and how bad of a job is it.......Im hearing how easy this project can be, i dont wanna change the trans right away will that be a prob? i wanna stick the v8 sbb 350 in the baby...will i find headers to slide in there as well?heeeeeeeeelp...lol. will i need to change my crossmember to route dual exhaust?And what will be the best and easy trANNY TO PUT IN (v8)?i wanna baby beast wit a lil sound.talk to me
     
  2. GEECHIEDON

    GEECHIEDON Member

    Getting the engine out should not be all that bad. My old man uses his tractor or the infamous tree hoist to take out and install engines in his projects. For headers check out TA performance. As for your crossmember you will have to buy an aftermarket one or fabricate yours. You can go with the th350 or th400 for your tranny.
     
  3. Joe Kelsch

    Joe Kelsch Eat Mo' Rats

    Taking motors out is easy. Its just nuts and bolts. The 350 is the best choice if ease of installation is your goal. I think the biggest adjustment that needs to be made is that the fan shroud needs cut two inches.

    Dan has a few pics on here somewhere showing his Hooker headers and the mods that needed done. I think the smaller hooker headers are easier to put in. I don't know anything about the Poston or TA headers.

    If you don't have a tranny you can use the one that's in there for a little while. Don't beat on it or it will pop. I'd go with a TH-350 since it would require the fewest mods (I don't think there's any really).

    Summit has a Crossmember and there's a pic of a crossmember on one of the recent posts in this section. Or you can modify the one you have.

    Have fun.
     
  4. diver

    diver Well-Known Member

    V6 to V8

    You should take the 200r4 transmission out and rebuilt so it will take the extra power of the V8. After market crossmembers are out there. I think I used Olds fan shroud, bolt up fit.
    Diver
     
  5. RATROASTER

    RATROASTER BPG#1291, GS-CA#2265

    Here is my advice:

    1. GO JUNKIN'

    Look for a V8 Olds Cutlas and take its fan shroud it give it a clean factory look

    2. If you can't build your own double hump crossmember, find someone who can or buy G-force piece

    3. Change those motor mounts before dropping in the 350 and if you use a turbo 350 tranny your going to need that transmission lever doohicky off the 200R4

    4. Jet hot your headers after you prefit them because you will have to ding the passenger side to clear the A-arm.

    For some reason the infamous Regal V8 swap is often attempted, but not often duplicated or completed. A motor swap is always a hell of alot more involving that just reading the forums and having guys tell you how hard or easy it is. Its more or less like writing a book report for your 4th grade teacher, either you are going to kick ass and finish it and double check it 500 times over to make sure it is right, slam it together the night before and hope it works, or start it and say screw it and never turn it in or finish it. Either way if you attempt it we'll be more than happy to help you through it regardless of whatever scenario it turns out to be. :grin:
     
  6. Stage1 Jeff

    Stage1 Jeff Guest

    here's a pic of the custom fabricated one made by Mike Garrison in my 82 regal
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2007
  7. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    use turbov6 poly left motor mount . the stock v6 mount will make it
    a bolt in but the mounts are loose thats why i used poly grand national
    mounts.also either mount trans to engine before you drop it in
    or put trans in after engine and let back of engine drop because some of
    the bolts are really hard to get in past firewall and with engine hanging
    down you should be able to get the lower 4 and then jack up and get
    the 2 top ones from on top of engine.
    also if you use the 2004r that might be in you car already make sure you
    hook up the dentent cable before starting the engine at all or
    you can damage trans as it has no way to adjust trans pressure
    and yes it will happen in park as pump will be turning.
    also when you do get it running you want to try to get the adjustment
    close to stock or that can damage trans .plus trans cooler is important
    with those trans.get a monte ss or a stock gn convertor
    the will stall pretty hi on a good 350.
    andy
     
  8. carp123

    carp123 New Member

    i have a 1984 regal its all stock 3.8 not sure what tranny but im going to put a 350 in it can anyone tell me what i need to do in order to get it in there.. and can i use the transmission thats in it?
     
  9. tobyp

    tobyp Well-Known Member

    I have done the exact setup that you want except it is in a Cutty.

    Headers, no luck.. I have been searching myself.
    I have a SBB completely rebuilt and all kinds of goodies. My swap was easy stuff. All accessories bolted right in.
    I used a gforce cross member and run true 2.5" duals.
    I have a hopped up th350. If I could do it all over again, 200r4, 8.5 3:42
    I used the v8 fan shroud and a Radiator top plate from a v8, bolted right in.

    Go to Gbodyforum.com and look for me tobyp, I have lots of pics and what to expect when doing this swap
     

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