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GM 3800 Series 2 V6 engine swap?

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Old 04-07-2016, 09:07 AM
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Default GM 3800 Series 2 V6 engine swap?

I have a 2001 Buick Le Sabre with a 3800 3.8 liter V6 and a 1994 Cherokee with a 4.0 liter inline 6. I was wondering if it would be possible to swap the Buick engine into the Jeep being that it has far less miles (I couldn't give you an exact number, seeing as pretty much the whole dashboard does't work) than the Jeep (roughly 500k). What would it take other than possibly a bell housing and other electronics? The jeep is 4x4 and I would like to keep the transmission & transfer case if at all possible. All help is appreciated!
Old 04-07-2016, 09:47 AM
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Anything is possible, with enough money and/or fab skills. However, the only benefit would be that the engine is free, which would quickly be bypassed by the cost of swapping everything needed. Why not just get a 4.0 from the JY?
Old 04-07-2016, 09:52 AM
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Mainly because me and a few buddies of mine just want to see it be done, and I honestly haven't even considered getting a Junkyard engine... might have to keep that in mind from now on!
Old 04-07-2016, 12:36 PM
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need to find an adapter for the trans to buick engine, fab motor mounts, and radiator hoses. use everything else from the lesabre
Old 04-07-2016, 12:39 PM
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Really? I didn't think it'd be that simple. Guess I better start looking then!
Old 04-07-2016, 03:31 PM
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I like driving my grandparents Buick park Ave. . .
Old 04-07-2016, 04:33 PM
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Buick 3800's are awesome engines, and they do work well in XJ's. They're not strictly plug-and-play, but I'd love to have a 3800 XJ especially an 84-86 cuz then I wouldn't have to feel bad about throwing away a good engine (84-86 XJ's had garbage GM 2.8 V6's). Novak Conversions should be able to direct you to all the info you need.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/


P.S. My real "dream" would be a SC'd 3800 in a Corvair.
Old 04-07-2016, 05:33 PM
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That's a FWD engine........answer is, No.
Old 04-07-2016, 05:38 PM
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http://www.3800pro.com/forum/rwd-380...85-l67-yj.html
Old 04-07-2016, 09:07 PM
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Might be big easier in a vehicle with a frame.
Old 04-08-2016, 01:13 AM
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The 3800 block is cast to be used rwd and fwd ,But its a huge swap and not really worth it when you can get a used 4.0 cheap and will bolt in.
Old 03-06-2018, 10:14 AM
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Angry Fwd my ***

Originally Posted by Jeep Driver
That's a FWD engine........answer is, No.
it can be turned people do it all the time
Old 03-06-2018, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Leo Schmitt
it can be turned people do it all the time
are you familiar with “far more effort than its worth”? it can be done but you mise well start with a rwd engine. if nothing else it will simplify the exhaust and air intake setups. assuming the stock stuff will bolt up without huge issues.
Old 03-06-2018, 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by s346k
are you familiar with “far more effort than its worth”? it can be done but you mise well start with a rwd engine. if nothing else it will simplify the exhaust and air intake setups. assuming the stock stuff will bolt up without huge issues.
this is an ancient thread so I didn’t respond earlier but the 3.8 was a RWD engine in the Camaro/firebird.
Old 03-06-2018, 08:04 PM
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Kinda off topic but "far more effort than it's worth" does come to mind after reading this thread.

If your going to put a 3.8 in why not a 4.3?.

Op has a free engine...ok. but a 3.8 is well, less than 4.0.

I know it's a free engine, I'm surprised nobody has brought that up though.


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