I thinks it my lucky day. i got my hands on a 1986 park avenue with a 3.8L FWD engine for free. the engine is either a rebuilt or a crate with about 200 miles on it. the tranny is shot, the engine runs awesome. i was wondering if i can convert the engine similar to a TTA or GN and stick it in my camaro

Sweet deal. Let us know what you plan on doing with it. A 3.8 Camaro would be pretty sweet.

how similar is that engine to a GN or TTA?

I'm not sure. The engine mounts are differnt so you would have to change those, starter location maybe, not sure about the bellhousing either. I imagine the engine itself would be similar if its not a series II.

Its pretty much the same as a seriesII 3800, its nothing like the GN/TTA engine, I dont know which year changed between series I and II offhand, nor the exact changes, but you'll need to do a good bit of changing things around to get that into an F body, 4th gen accessories for the front, probably a 4th gen intake manifold, the good news is the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same as whats already in your car.

wasn't the change in 95 this is 86?

the RWD 3.8 and the FWD 3800 only have displacment in common preaty much. IIRC the RWD is a completly different casting, kinda like the FWD 3.4 and RWD 3.4 only not even that similar you best bet would be to get a RWD buick 3.8 and prepare to spend a shitton of money. the engine mounts are crazy for the swap.. I'd save that engine though, and get a fiero turbo 3800 in a 2600lb car is wicked fast man.

3.8 FWD
In mid-1984, the engine was modified for transverse-mounting in smaller, FWD vehicles, and equipped with multiport fuel injection (MPFI). This was updated to sequential fuel injection (SFI) in 1986, and initially produced in two forms, one with flat lifters (tappets), and the other with a roller camshaft and lifters. The latter was offered in various models through 1988. Power produced by this engine was:

VIN code B: flat lifters (tappets)
166 hp @ 4400 rpm, 210 ft·lbf (280 N·m) @ 2000 rpm
VIN code 3: roller lifters (tappets)
145 hp @ 4400 rpm, 215 ft·lbf (292 N·m) @ 2000 rpm (1984-1985 MPFI)
180 hp @ 4400 rpm, 235 ft·lbf (319 N·m) @ 2200 rpm (1986-1988 SFI) (LG3)


The 3.8 L (3800 cc) LN3 was an engine produced by General Motors' Buick Division. Introduced in 1988, the 3800 LN3, would later be loosely considered the Pre-Series I, although the older 3.8 SFI (LG3) was still available that year in some models

The LN3 was replaced by the L27 in 1991-1992 and produced 170 hp (127 kW) from 1992 onward, this engine was referred to as the Series I 3800. In Australia, the LN3 was also replaced by the L27 by Holden who used the engine in their series 2 (1991) VN Commodore range. However, the Australian L27 retained the LN3's one piece upper intake and lower plenum. Power was still boosted to 127 kW for the Holden L27. The L36 made its debut in 1995.

Introduced in 1995, the Series II is quite a different engine. Although the stroke for the 3.8 L engine remained at 3.4 in (86 mm), and the bore remained at 3.8 in (97 mm), the engine architecture was vastly changed. The deck height is shorter than the Series I, reducing weight and total engine package size. This required that the piston connecting rods be shortened 1 in (25 mm), and the crankshaft was also redesigned. A new intake manifold improved breathing while a redesigned cylinder head featured larger valves and a higher compression ratio. The result was 205 hp (153 kW) and 230 lb·ft (312 N·m), better fuel economy, and 26 lb (12 kg) lighter overall weight (to 392 lb). The 3800 weighs only 22 lb (10.0 kg) more than the High Feature V6, despite being an all cast iron design.

only one way to find out, if we can't fix the tranny im pulling it for sure. , im curious would i have to use RWD heads, the manifold a given and i wonder in the GN turbo header would fit, im 90% sure if i go with this project it will be turbo

The short answer is no.

It might make you a few bucks if you part it out. Those ignition modules and coil packs go bad all the time. The alternator would be worth a few bucks. Kind of unusual to see a dipstick that's not broken too. It'd be easier and cheaper to just yank the gas tank, radiator, AC, and crush it. Probably could get close to $200 for scrap metal. Load it up with other scrap to raise the weight and it might even bring more.

I know the orginal TTA actually used the heads from the FWD 3.8, forgot that part, so at least the heads were interchangeable. headers I do belive were custom.

there for the intake is interchangable im guessing, within the next 2wks im pulling the motor to see how bad the swap would be

Same engine as the Buick LeSabre T-Type, right Click Here? I say go for it if it makes you happy, A LeSabre T-Type will easily pull your Camaro with the 3.1, so this other 3.8 that you have, regardless, will be an improvement....

ok im guessing no one here has done it, and i will be the first

I belive some one at some point tryed, but never finished. If you do this and make it work, DETAILED PHOTOS AND STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS for the rest of us would be nice (cause I'd still love to do a 3.8 Turbo instead of a 3.1 Turbo

WOOT! Good new bad news time, lets start with the bad news, i have to fabracate a whole serpentine belt system , good news is from what guys at turbobuick, they say those heads are the same as the TTA, the engine have somethings in common life internals, major difference is the flywheel flange.
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/eng...fwd-buick.html

Why would you have to fabricate an entirely new system, couldn't you just use the bracketry, along w/the rest of the pieces from a RWD non turbo 83-87 Regal? They're all over the bone yard, or do you prefer a serpentine setup...?

i like a/c or i forgot to add i prefer a serpentine setup

Regals came with A/C too

dose any one make an electric driven a/c ? just wire a relay to the alt ? that would be nice,..

Im goin to pull the plug on my idea and go find a RWD, i have narrow down my choices for an engine swap in my car to 3.4/3500 hybrid, 3.8L Turbo, or LTx/T-56.