Engine Rebuild or Replace

[Fat_kid_in_little_camaro]

I have a 1995 V6 3800. My car has 123k miles on it, and i'm putting on 40k+ miles a year. I can tell a major decline in power and its not running as solid as what it was. The cars basic care, such as oil changes, was neglected by the person who had it before me. I'm either going to 1. Have the engine rebuilt or 2. replace the enging.

1.If i have the engine rebuilt, what type of cost am I looking at? and

2. If I replace the engine, would a newer v6 3800 go in smothly or would slight differences like, teh fact that the 95 3800 had a angled manifold, skrew that up.

also would it be unreasonable, to put a 350 in instead of the 3800? I know it can be done, but would the cost excede a reasonable limit?

[daWhoady]

They didn't go to a straight TB until 99. Even if you got a straight TB, you chould be ok I'd think with minor modification. You can find a low milage used 3.8 for about $600-$800. Not too bad. To put a 350 in there, you will need the engine w/ tranny among other things. The costs would be high, just matters on your definition of unreasonable.

I'd just go with a new engine.

[Ironman24]

Used 3.8 motors are cheap, I picked up a complete running 96 3.8 with 60K on it and used all my 98 top end parts. Cost of the motor was $500. For me at the time that was a cheap solution. Next time I'll rebuild the block. FYI these 3.8's can take a lot of abuse. My junkyard motor took a 100 shot and put down almost 500ft lbs of tq at the wheels. Now I'm beating on it with a blower too. ;)

The 350 swap will be VERY expensive. If you have tools/hoist/time I'd just drop another 3.8 motor in there. Even if you have to pay for the labor it's a cheap fix.

[Fat_kid_in_little_camaro]

As far as dropping a new engine in, My uncle was a mechanic for 30 some years, and he's got anything really I need to do the job with and can help me with anything I don't know how to do. Just I don't have time to do a rebuild so I would have to pay someone to do it. But I'm guessing best solution would just be a used 3.8. Guess that's probably what i'll do.

[nikkev]

A V8 swap will run you around $2500-$3500 depending on if you do all the work yourself and the cost of the used motor.They sell kits from salvage yards for like $2k that come with the computer,tranny,motor,etc...You can probably get a used V6 motor for around $500-$800 so doing the labor yourself you'd save aroun $1700-$2500 going back with the V6 over the V8.Good luck.
Kevin