Swap 3.8 SFI

[Metro666]

My car is reaching almost 300K and its starting to let up a little puff of smoke when i start it.
I was wondering if a 3.8 SFI swap can be done in my Cutlass Ciera 1990
I know that de Century and Cieras came out with the 3.8 V6.
I just want the extra power and torque of the 3.8 than just swapping in another 3.3.
Cant his be done??

[CamoDeafie]

i believe so

[Metro666]

Anybordy else could confirm this??

[Prospeeder]

The valve stem seals are dryin up. Maybe try some oil stop leak, it just rejuvinates the seals, works real well for the valve stem issues.

[Century7667]

Anybordy else could confirm this??

Can it be done? If I had to bet, I wouldn't bet against it.

Snags along the way? My experience has been that engineers love to make improvements (read, changes) and so you might hit one or two. I think the deck height is different. My recommendation is to get a complete unit for the swap, and not count on things like brackets to swap cleanly. I've read in the 60 degree V6 forums that even the 2.8, 3.1, 3100, and 3400 engines are 100% smooth in swap out.

Again, I believe you can do it, but it won't be by the book.

Ken T.

[CamoDeafie]

I believe that certain year 3.8s should be a full 100% smooth swaps in place of the 3.3, as both are 90 degree Buick V6s....but I dont know what year, nor do i know which 3.8s would be best..I've seen 3800s swapped in though....

[turbokinetic]

Go with a same-year 3800 engine as your car. The engine will be a direct swap. The 1998-older 3.8 SFI uses an older style ECM that would complicate things a little bit.

The 1990 3800 engine is SFI (sequential fuel injection) and is nearly identical to the old 3.8 SFI engines; however it uses the more modern P4 ECM that is like your current ECM.

Get the engine and its harness and ECM from the donor car to ensure a smooth swap!

David

[Metro666]

Go with a same-year 3800 engine as your car. The engine will be a direct swap. The 1998-older 3.8 SFI uses an older style ECM that would complicate things a little bit.

The 1990 3800 engine is SFI (sequential fuel injection) and is nearly identical to the old 3.8 SFI engines; however it uses the more modern P4 ECM that is like your current ECM.

Get the engine and its harness and ECM from the donor car to ensure a smooth swap!

David
Exellent!!! Thanks for the info man!!:rock:

So i should shop around for a 89 and lower 3.8 SFI engine then?
Can i use the same tranny that i have now or should i swap in the 3.8 tranny instead??
And do you know the specs of the 3.8 SFI's too ??

[turbokinetic]

Exellent!!! Thanks for the info man!!:rock:

So i should shop around for a 89 and lower 3.8 SFI engine then?
Can i use the same tranny that i have now or should i swap in the 3.8 tranny instead??
And do you know the specs of the 3.8 SFI's too ??

The easiest and best swap will be a complete engine/ tranny from a 1989 or 1990 H-body car. The ECM used will be just like yours and will control the speedometer etc. just like yours does. If you go with an older engine, the speedometer will no longer work because the ECM will not have that function.

As far as specs - if I remember correctly, the 1986-87-88 LG3 3.8SFI had 200Lb Ft torque and 150 HP, and the 1988-89-90 3800 had 220 Lb Ft and 165 HP. All this is tuning dependant and you can get substantially more with some minor port work to the engine and an ECM re-tune. My mom's 3800 makes better than 190 HP (airflow estimated flywheel HP) with only port work and slight ECM tweaks.

Hope this helps!
David

[Metro666]

Thank you very much!! I will start shopping this week-end for a complete engine/tranny swap. :)