Sorry if this isn't the most appropriate section to ask but I'm not sure where is the best.
Anyway I have a 2000 SSEi that I would like to drop a fresh engine in over the winter. But I'm not looking to drop in just a freshened up 3.8 I'm looking to build a solid 400+hp daily driver . Heres the thing I have a possible donor motor to use for the build that came out of a 99 LaSaber. I know that the con rods & pistons are different for the NA engines compared to the SC engines, but what about anything else. I pretty much plan to use only the block & maybe the heads from the donor everything else will most likely be aftermarket. So are their any real differences between the blocks that will keep this from happening?
I would like to use the spare engine so that I can still drive the car up to the actual swap. Plus I wont to do some trans mods wile the engines out & wont to keep down time to a minimum.

The heads are totally different.

By the time you converted that L36 over, you could have bought and built an L67 for alot less trouble and cost.

Many of the high hp 3800'* started out as NA engines, so there is great potential there. I don't know a lot about them, but there are those here that do, and they should chime in.

In talking with a few people that have gone the route of L36 bottom ends.. it seems there are enough differences that all agree, L67 bottom end or nothing. However..you are talking about only the block and a block is a block as long as it'* a Series 2 in my understanding.

The heads as mentioned are different. There are plenty of parts available though and you'll either want to P&P heads or buy them that way. 400+HP is quite a lot. I'd probably suggest you call the two major 3800 vendors, Intense-racing.com and ZZPerformance.com and discuss/get ideas for this project. Undoubtedly you'll be buying some parts from one or both.

Thanks for the replys guys. My biggest concern is the block cause it will be tied up for at least a few good days for the cleaning & machine work. No big deal with the heads I've already planned on getting a set, most likely from Intense.
The biggest thing I think will be getting all the rotating assembly, Crank, rods, pistons. Unless I've missed it I havent seen anyone who has a complete kit. But I also just starting to get serious about this & havent had a lot of time for searching quite yet.

If you are looking for used, talk to Ed Morad...he'll have everything. Check the boards and you might find a lower end already started. Who knows.

The engine from the LaSaber is being given to me, thats my only reason for thinking about using it. I just figured it could save me some down time on the car, by getting the block all machined & put together.
If all goes as I'm shooting for their wont be much of anything that dosent get replaced anyway other than the block.

if you have your heart set on using the block, you shoukd invest in the L32 Connecting rods. They are stronger and lighter than the L67 Connecting Rods

As mentioned, save yourself the hassle of trying to built that into an L67, it'* cheaper and easier to just buy one, and your end product is stronger and more reliable. If you want to use that engine and want L67-like power, check out the turbo forum at ClubGP and the guys using the Cartuning turbo kit.

While I don't think 400 HP is realistic for a daily driver, it'* certainly possible, but prepare to shell out thousands of dollars to build yourself a tranny that can take that kind of power. Everything wears out quicker when you start making big power, so it'* going to get expensive. More so than you think.

Don't forget your trans either.

Many of the high HP cars are running an L36 compression ratio, with stronger, aftermarket parts. You'll want to get your own tuning software IMO, find a good dyno shop to tune at, and you'll need a lot of money. Stage 3/4 parts, a Gen V, MP112, or CT Turbo kit will definetly be a very good Idea IMO. You'll need cam, new pushrods, etc, a great exhaust setup, most likely mid-large headers, 3" downpipe/exhaust pipe until the split.

If you could find an L32 to start out with, that'll make it A LOT easier as you go on... And you'll have a lower mileage block than most L67'*.


400HP is a lot in a 3800, if downtime is a concern like you say it is, then you really should evaluate why you're doing this. Any paticular reason for the 400 figure?