3.8 or 5.7

[95firebird3.4]

ok so heres the deal i have 200k on my bird and i think the motor is not going to last much longer. what should i go should i get a 3.8 to put in it or a 5.7. which one will be easier. what all would i need to do to do the swap i have a 3.4 right now. i can get a 3.8 motor and tranny with 38k for 500 and 5.7 and tranny with about 56k for about 800

[badinfluenceRS]

Re: 3.8 or 5.7

those both seem like good deals...I'm not an expert, but I heard the 3.8 would need just as much work as a 350, So i'd say go big if your going to go through all the work

[3.4 slow to go]

Re: 3.8 or 5.7

do both come w/harness's? and does teh veeate come w/matching dash or at least tach?

one could also find another 3.4 and build that up for the easiest swap.

[Fbody3400]

Re: 3.8 or 5.7

Just buy an LT1 or go south and find Ellis Juan, he'll give you the hook up ;)

[UDLOSE98]

Re: 3.8 or 5.7

either way you have a **** load of work in front of you.....very rough list

New motor (complete longblock)
new tranny
New fuel pump
New Fuel lines
new front suspension
new speedo
obd2 wiring, computer, etc


theres a lot more being forgot, build a 3.4 and swap it, you will save yourself a MILLION headaches.

[96RS Alex]

Re: 3.8 or 5.7

I'm sticking with my 3.8, I am not concerned with the 222K miles on the motor and gunning for 300K. Hope the DexCool suits finally break the impasse on the makers of the coolant and fund my repairs/mods in the future. Wishful thinking.

Go with the 5.7 and document it all the way for us to review in extreme detail.

[homedog119]

Re: 3.8 or 5.7

I say ride the engine till it dies cause you can save up more money and buy the 5.7 and you can swap it later. you can do sh*t to the 5.7 while its out of the car and then just get everything ready and when you decide you can swap it
of course i make it sound like it will be a piece of cake but do wat u want