I found a 1996 3.8 5sp t-topwith a bad motor. I do not have the details on what happened but I will assume it is not a simple repair. Motor starts and runs but it has a lower rod knock valve noise and I think a blown head gasket. I am looking for option. I started to look at master engine kits andlong blocks. I have not had much luck finding either. I did find the GM replacement motor at Jim Pace Chevy. AsI was reading all the cars it said it fit I got to thinking there is a ton of these in yards. Here is the list I found:

Can that be real?
Anyone know of any sites that have a good price on rebuild kits?

 

Local Bone yard has a "K" 3.8 from a 2002 impala with 70K on it for $750

 

The only similarity between the engines in our cars and those listed are the block... Everything else is different lol. I say work on replacing rods and valves rather than going with a whole new block... I'm sure your block is plenty fine...

 

I agree with evil. These 3800's can take alot of punishment and keep on going.

 

I will most likely fix the engine I was just looking into the "what if" worst case. Here is the link to the GM replacement engine. based on that information ther are a lot more common parts then just the block. This pic shows a pretty complete long block
http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...p;ProdID=96139

Note that is a GM part number Pace Performance is owned by Jim Pace Chevy. GM does not configure part numbers if there is any differents the parts get a new number. I have never heard say GM Part #89017861 for a camaro and 89017861 for a olds being any different

 

There are more things in common than just the block. The cam, the heads, the rotating assembly. An L36 is an L36. The only differences are those that make it easier to fit sideways in the FWD cars.

 

So in the worst case scenario I could buy a motor from a 2002 impala strip off all the accessories and brackets and install all the parts off the original Camaro 3.8 and be good to go.

 

Essentially yes. Only thing I am not quite sure about it is if they have the RWD motor mount spots on the FWD version of the engine. I would think they would, but not sure.

 

I do remember them doing that with the 2.8/3.1 motor. But GM was very clear in the parts cataloge that crate motors where front wheel or rear wheel drive and they had different part numbers. The above link leads me to believe this is not true for the 3.8's.

 

Just in case anyone finds this post in a search. You can use 1996-2003 FWD 3800 "K"Long block. you have to strip it down to long block. If you understand what a long block is then you can stop reading here.

Make sure you use your originaloil pan and pick up tube. Your upper and lower intake, all brackets, motor mounts sensors exhaust.

Best thing to do is strip the FWD motor down so that all that is left is the engine block,heads, timing chain, cam lifters ect....( all assembled). Then start moving the stuff off your engine to the new engine one pc at a time.