NEED HELP 1990 RIVERA SWAP
 

Hey guys, i was wondering if any of you have a good knowledge base on GM's 3.8L sc and non sc engines.
i am thinking of purchasing a 1990 Buick Rivera in immaculate condition, the interior is amazing and has loots of cool features i really like. The only problem is it has 220k, i know it will still run for a while but i was wondering if a 3.8SC engine would be a bolt out bolt in swap or will it require some custom fab work? ANY advice would be much appreciated!!!
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Do you want to swap over just the motor?

If I went with the SC I'd go for the whole engine/transmission, as the transmissions in the non SC setups are not as strong, and if you put a SC top end on top of the non SC lower end and transmission, then it is not going to last as long, unless you baby it all the time..

i would i have to unbolt the tranny from the engine to remove it? probably not right? if i could swap any 3.8sc engine and tranny out i would. would one from a gtp fit?
thanks for quick reply

like will series 1,2,3 all fit in this 1990?

You will also have engine harness and computer problems to deal with....

It's not going to be as simple as a 1:1 swap out/swap in, bolt stuff up, turn key. Looking at a few pics you're probably going to have to convert quite a bit of hoses and wires and etc.

Not sure the dimensions underneath for subframe and half-shaft concerns.

The Series2/3 both are a little smaller package than your Series1. Then add a supercharger on top and it might be a bit taller.

I agree with the others, get a donor trans with the donor engine. Preferably out of a mechanically sound car that's been wrecked in back. Target a W-body and you'll have a chance at having motor mounts near where you need them in your E-body. Also think about how you are going to manage gauges and electronics and controls. Grab a PCM too. Maybe a lot of the donor's wire and gauges and controls too?

Series 2 or 3 engines will not work on a Series 1 computer. Period.

As far as mounting it, I'm not sure.

But if you still want to and feel adventurous, get the harness, computer, trans, engine and halfshafts.

Yep, that's why I said to grab a PCM too. :)

Maybe Bflegs should just turbocharge what he's got. Might be easier. I wonder what altitude he lives at.

That's another possibility, but the LN3 typically won't be able to handle much boosted abuse, and can be easily and reliably outran by a series 2 L67 stock swap, and that's not even counting modding potential.

Was mostly joking about turbocharging it. I've been trying to get some answers on doing something similar elsewhere at: https://www.gmforum.com/buick-172/wa...p-back-308778/