sup everyone, how u all been!?
anyways back here but this time w/advise to ask.
About to take out my 3.8series2SC w/its Transmission out of SSEi we had (fall through from rust)lol, and drop it into a 95 Riviera.
Wondering what are the best from cheep mods that could be done to 3.8? things like CAI, pulleys and so on... would like to know ur opinions and suggestions.
thank you

CAI, Fender well intake, are probably the cheapest.

A pulley would probably be next. But you can only go down so small before you need to add an inter-cooler, then PCM tuning.
Upgraded cam shaft, exhaust, bigger injectors. I think that list is pretty much in order of what needs to be done first.

Because your dropping it in a 95, you need to make sure you take all of your 95 sensors and swap them to the new engine. And the other bad thing is, being your 95, your PCM isn't easily tuneable as say the 97'* and up.

I'm sure others will stop in and provide additional info.

Hi Mike, thks for quick reply. I understand about all sensors and stuff, since I have a whole car to part out with I'm going to swap ALL of it, including wires if I have to w it'* own PCU, as I noticed 95 isn't just 1st gen but also MAP/MAF hybrid w like u said old style OBD1 comp or so.
As for all what u mentioned, fender well intake is being due to that it'* colder then one just sits openly in place of usual?
What size pulley do I go with. Hear alot of diff opinions yet no one says why they choose certain size. 3.2 3.4 and so on.
Also, what are the basic cams? What are rockets? Meaning what do I look for lift wise and brand wise?
Another thing is, being said that I'm using second gen PCU, I should be able to tune it using a tuner, right? If so if u or anyone else know, what tuner and to whAt specs, based on those usual upgrades?
And before I forgot: I ran a compression test on my 2nd gen 3.8 and I got all cyl pump 100-125-175 on 3rd or 4th crank. So they all pump solid 175, question I have though is: what is factory spec on it, what'* orig and how far off am I down from it?
That'* about all for now.
Thks Mike, and thks to whoever else will jump in ahead.

CAI, correct, the factory intake takes in too much hot engine air and the performance suffers from it.

I'm not sure on pulley size, but you can only go so far before you have to add an inter-cooler to reduce/limit knock retard.

Not sure on cams,(others should know)

Your 95 is more than likely OBD 1.5. Not a true OBD 2 system. HpTuners can't touch it and neither will EfiLive. I believe there is a different system that can tune it, but more difficult and the software isn't really mainstream. Someone may correct me on this one.

I would have to look in my service manual for the compression specs. I'll look tomorrow after I get back from work.

sup Mike, thks again for reply. Well heres update, the 95 buick is out of picture cause after checking it out realised its just as rusty so it would be matter of time that falls through. however i am keeping my 96 OBD2 second gen 3.8SC w/its transm out of my rusted Bonnie for future, if i get by some solid body for it. so all the upgrade questions still remain and appreciated, cause by then all ill need is body for my set up. lol.
PS when ill pull motor and tranny off of bonie, ill pull whole wiring and PCU.

Grab the drive shafts also.

That would be the CV shafts right? W boots on them? U know called many junk scrap yards, was told I'll get 200 for a whole car, lol no way I'm going to give it'* beastly heart out for 200, then aske how much for just metal and was told 100. So they will can a can but sure won't get anything else. I'm going to take off all I can that I can store and sell to maximize profit and minimize total loss on a car, all the lights, air pump, antennae, wiper motor, heat control and so on.

go on youtube and put in cammed gtp or supercharged v6. what i have seen and it makes alot of hp and tq is a 600 lift cam. kinda like the same one i have in my gto. but watch some video'* and you will get the idea.

where is orfice tube located on 94 bonneville se