3.8 swap?

[devilsalmostfree]

my 3.4 locked up, i have found a few 3.4's, but keep hearing about head gaskets blowing. ive found a 3.8, & im thinking its going to cost about the same as some of the 3.4's ive found! also heard that they were good engines! if i was to buy a 3.8 that came out of a auto car, will my 5 spd bellhouse bolt up to it? will it be a straight bolt up in my car, or will i need 3.8 motor mounts or anything else? also, the 1 i found is out of a 2000 firebird, is it drive by wire or cable? would i have to find a drive by cable tb? what all would i have to do to make this swap complete? this car is going to be used as my daily driver, do 3.8's get good mpg or as good as the 3.4's? thanks in advance!

[Blizzard242]

Re: 3.8 swap?

1999+ are wire TB's. You'd have to get a 98 or lower, intake manifold and TB to keep the cable since the intake manifold design was changed as well. I believe you'll need a new PCM as well. That's all I really know.

[devilsalmostfree]

Re: 3.8 swap?

1999+ are wire TB's. You'd have to get a 98 or lower, intake manifold and TB to keep the cable since the intake manifold design was changed as well. I believe you'll need a new PCM as well. That's all I really know.

thanks man, i was aware of the pcm, & wiring harness needing to be changed. i may not go the 3.8 route, just wondering what needs to be done before getting into it. i appreciate ur help!

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8 swap?

I would go with a series III engine from a 07'-08' swap to a 96-98 LIM/UIM and TB to keep the cable and you'll have a stout 3.8. Just get a 98 PCM and HPtuners.

[devilsalmostfree]

Re: 3.8 swap?

I would go with a series III engine from a 07'-08' swap to a 96-98 LIM/UIM and TB to keep the cable and you'll have a stout 3.8. Just get a 98 PCM and HPtuners.

that would be cool & all. but i dont have the cash for that. thanks!

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8 swap?

$500 for engine, $150 for aused 98' LIM,UIM and TB , find some one with HP tuners or PCM for less $150, gaskets $100, $900 for engine + $400 for tranny and wire harness from speartech $190 = $1500 for engine swap, or you might find a complete engine harness for $100 or less. So you'll still looking at less than $1500, not bad for a beefed up engine with better flowing heads than a series II 3.8. Whats your buget? For a engine swap you should at least have $1500-$2000 on hand before you get into it, so it s done right.

[devilsalmostfree]

Re: 3.8 swap?

$500 for engine, $150 for aused 98' LIM,UIM and TB , find some one with HP tuners or PCM for less $150, gaskets $100, $900 for engine + $400 for tranny and wire harness from speartech $190 = $1500 for engine swap, or you might find a complete engine harness for $100 or less. So you'll still looking at less than $1500, not bad for a beefed up engine with better flowing heads than a series II 3.8. Whats your buget? For a engine swap you should at least have $1500-$2000 on hand before you get into it, so it s done right.

right now, its a very tight budget. im laid-off, & ive been looking for a job since jan. so im trying to get this car fixed as cheap & right as possible! my dad(a guy that has been a mechanic for a long time) has already gotten me to spend enough that i coulda bought another 3.4 for. wasnt his fault the engine locked up, the stupid guy that worked on it before i bought it left the oil pump assembly drive clamp out of it & i never noticed it. so i gotta be frugal!

[flamingchicken]

Re: 3.8 swap?

$500 for engine, $150 for aused 98' LIM,UIM and TB , find some one with HP tuners or PCM for less $150, gaskets $100, $900 for engine + $400 for tranny and wire harness from speartech $190 = $1500 for engine swap, or you might find a complete engine harness for $100 or less. So you'll still looking at less than $1500, not bad for a beefed up engine with better flowing heads than a series II 3.8. Whats your buget? For a engine swap you should at least have $1500-$2000 on hand before you get into it, so it s done right.

parts dont cost the same everywhere. its $700 where i live for a series II, with high milage.

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8 swap?

parts dont cost the same everywhere. its $700 where i live for a series II, with high milage.

You need to come out to AZ then.J/K

[devilsalmostfree]

Re: 3.8 swap?

well ive found, locally, a 3.8 series II, with pcm & wiring harness, from a 2000 firebird, 114k, from an auto car. like 30-40 miles away. for $450, but i dunno if i should since i would have to run around to the junk yards & spend even more for the 98 or lower intake manifold and TB. im sure the swap would be worth it, but i dont have the cash for the car as of right now! i dunno how much the junk yard would charge for that, prolly like $30-$60. i mean i could this stuff on a credit card, but im trying to stay away from more debt.

[flamingchicken]

Re: 3.8 swap?

You need to come out to AZ then.J/K

i think so...it just seems everywhere but here is dirt cheap! shiz if i lived in az i wouldnt have rebuilt, i would have just put a new engine in...lol!

[ssms5411]

Re: 3.8 swap?

i think so...it just seems everywhere but here is dirt cheap! shiz if i lived in az i wouldnt have rebuilt, i would have just put a new engine in...lol!

Basicly with some of them with 1100 miles on them, and we really don't get much rust here, the place I go they store them in airconditioned wherehouses. But I don't think my wife will let me buy one, maybe next year.LOL