Buick 3800, or other v6?

[wombat]

I have heard a number of times about swapping in a buick 3800, v6, but still i am unable to find much info on the swap.. Does it require a body lift? what years engine would I need to look for? What tranny do I use? and lastly, is there another v6 that is just as easy, if not easierto swap in? I wanted a 4.3 GM, but not interested in the body lift as of yet..

[shawnruley]

the buick 3.8 is a very nice engine

would be interested myself to see if this would be a practical swap

[fourwd1]

I have the 231 (3.8) swap in my Toy p/u, mated to a TH350 auto.
It is probably the easiest swap to do. It looks like it came from the factory.

You do of course have to beef up the front suspension and need a bigger rad.

I already had a 2" BL, and it defenitely made things easier, but I don't think it's a must.

And the Buick 3800 is a different engine than the 3.8.
The 3.8 used for the swap is the RWD version, not the FWD version (3800), although the first year or two of the FWD cars used the RWD engine, which is OK. The FWD engine mounts differently. It probably could be done if you are ready to fab a lot of custom brackets and mounts, but the swap kits are designed for the RWD engine.

[wombat]

Where can I find more info on doing this swap? Do you happen to have a build thread from where you did the swap? Thank for the help.

[fourwd1]

wombat said:

Where can I find more info on doing this swap? Do you happen to have a build thread from where you did the swap? Thank for the help.

ROFLMAO

I did it around 1986, the internet didn't really exist then.
I used the basic instructions that came with the kit and figured the rest out myself. Didn't have the net to do it for us.

[81tonkatoy]

i have the buick 231 in my 81 p/u you keep the stock power steering and alternator i kept the stock radiator too all the brackets and adapters where from advanced adapter this link might help you a little more www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=186114