Howdy, Is it possible to swap a 350 into an '81 Regal without making any permenant modifications? I've read problems with AC clearance, header clearance, trans crossmember hole drilling... ect. I am on the lookout for an '81 Regal Pace Car and I want to upgrade the power from the 4.1L V6 to a 350 V8 but I have absolute intentions of not doing anything that can't be undone with a wrench or screwdriver. I know they use the same accessories, motor mounts, and transmission bolt patterns. The fan shroud sounds like a take out, store, and replace item at worst. The retrofit dual exhaust crossmembers sound like they will work with no new holes. However I'm concerned by the AC box questions on clearance. I'm only wanting around 275hp so would it be easier to mod up a 4.1L V6 and leave most of it alone? Thanks,
Well, I put a 455 in my Regal and kept the AC without any problems. :TU: Don't see why it couldn't be done with a 350. :3gears:
you should be able to drop the 350 right in you should be able to use the same trans in the car. If you chang trans then you may hav to do some mods but if your willing to pay you could find a bolt in cross member as far as the ac most bolt up with lil til no mods
As I understand it. The clearance work on the a/c box when doing the 350 install is only to allow getting the right valve cover off. Make sure it does'nt leak and put it in'there!
I am putting a 455 in my 1986 buick, I have not run into any problems. I have had the engine in the car with a 350 tranny and the crossmember and everything bolt right up. I do have the frame pads. Now I will have to drill my own holes for the frame pads. I have the engine out of the car right now but I had the engine in the car with the tranny bolted up and everything working, I pulled the engine out to drill my holes. No clearance issues. I used the stock exhaust manifolds clearance is not a problem. If you are only looking for 275 then that is what I suggest you do.
GM put a bunch of holes that they didnt use, unfortunatley none of them will line up for you. A few more wont be noticable. Once the engine is in there you cant see them anyway. You can pull it off and make it look stock if you take your time. Good luck with your project....
you only have to drill holes for the 455 swap. The 350 swap uses the existing 231 v-6 pads and mounts. I believe that your engine is a buick v-6 variant. If that's the case, I believe everything should bolt up as-is. The main change that you may want to note is to pick up a v-8 fan shroud at a junkyard, and preserve your v-6 shroud and radiator for later replacement. There are lots more posts in this forum. I didn't realize it until I searched the forum. Apparently, older threads are hidden from initial view. I recommend that you use the search feature, and you'll find additional information.
