Originally Posted by Godzilla

Hi. I am doing this exact same swap (FWD engine from LaSabre) into Firebird, 2002 model but have come across a few problems that I haven't seen mentioned. The guide mentions that the dampener and flexplate needs to be swapped over. But both parts are apparently installed using TTY (torque to yield fasteners) which are discontinued from GM and no longer available. Certainly the dampener bolts is for sure discontinued. Seems really stupid that a 16 year old car can't get parts that are "required" to be replaced after removal and can't be reused. I have seen the dampener bolt available for the FWD models but not for the f-body which uses a different dampener (thinner). Does anyone know a solution to this or what is everyone else doing about this, just reuse the bolt? And the torque specs are quite serious. If the bolts are already stretched and fatigued from (yielding), would there be a higher possibility of snapping the darn things inside the crank? Also, because the original firebird engine already has 192k miles, I am thinking that maybe it would be wise to replace the dampener too while I'm at it. But the dampener is also discontinued too. What??? And nobody makes a replacement. I have always wrenched on old classics and these newer cars are frustrating the heck out of me. Seems the lifespan of these things are gonna be rather short if we can't get simple replacement parts anymore. I am highly tempted to just stuff in an old school SBC since parts are always going to be plentiful and I'm in a state that doesn't require smog checks but right now, I've got this replacement motor which I'm prepping to swap in, so one way or another, it's going to go.

Originally Posted by Massey

Due to the large number of requests lately about what 3.8L engine will work for my car questions I decided to write up a little article about what engines can be used and what you need to do to use a FWD engine in your Camaro or Firebird.
First off not all the 3.8L engines are the same. There is a lot of history in the 3.8L engine and I am not going to get into all of it here. We are going to keep with the Series II and Series III engines. If you are interested in some further reading check this article out.

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/article/4142/rebuilding_the_38l_buick_engine.aspx

Not all Series II engines are the same. In 1995 when the Series II engine was introduced it used a different block than the 3800 engine and was updated in 1996. Unless you have a 1995 car I would steer away from using this as a replacement engine.
All Series II and Series III engines used the same block, and Heads from 1996-2008. The Supercharged engines were the same from 1996-2007 and used different pistons, rods and cam than the naturally aspirated engine. The L67 or Vin 1 engine should not be used for a Camaro or Firebird engine, using the Camaro/Firebird naturally aspirated intake. We are going to talk from here on about the L36 or Vin K engines.

Differences in the engines of the early 3800 (95-98) and the later ones (99-02) are limited to the intake and throttle body only. (the 95 engine also has a different block but it will interchange with the other years). In 95-98 the upper intake inlet was pointed downward to clear the hood and used a throttle by cable throttle body. Late production 98’s have been found with the 99-02 Throttle by wire (TBW). In 99 the upper intake changed to improve flow and to accommodate the TBW system. The upper intake no longer points downward and the air cleaner is located above the radiator, this system was unchanged through the 2002 model year.
FWD engines share some parts with the Camaro/Firebird. Again you will want to find an engine from 1996-2008 naturally aspirated, L36 or Vin K engine. (L26 or Vin 2 for Series III engines). These engines are in abundance in most wrecking yards and can be bought for around $400-$700 with low miles. You will need to remove most of the outer accessories and tin to get the engine ready for your Camaro/Firebird.

If you buy a FWD engine here is what you will need to remove from the new engine (and swap from your car’s original engine)
Oil Pan
Oil pickup tube/screen
Oil filter mount (on the timing cover)
Upper intake
Lower intake
Fuel rail
Fuel injectors
Belt tensioner/Heater hose manifold (replace the plastic elbows and make sure the ends of the old elbow did not stick inside the manifolds.)
Flywheel
Harmonic balancer
Valve covers (some engines have the oil filler in the middle of the cover and will not work too well with the Camaro/Firebird)
Exhaust Manifolds
Oil dipstick
All accessory brackets from the Camaro/Firebird engine over to the new engine. (You may want to leave the engine hook on the rear right side off so you can remove the valve cover easier in the future)

The Water pump, Timing chain cover, Crank Sensor (CKS), Cam Sensor (CMS), and Knock Sensors are the same on all 96-08 3800 engines. You can also use the coils and ICM from the FWD engine on your Camaro engine. If you don’t need them right now keep them aside they are not cheap to replace and it is good to have parts like that in reserve.
With the Flywheel and harmonic balancer, they are designed to work together and should be kept together. The FWD balancer may look the same but it is built to balance the flywheel of the FWD engine. If you can look at the imprints the crank leaves on the flywheel, match them up on the new engine for best results. Be careful with the Harmonic Balancer, there are tin metal plates inside that are the reluctor wheels for the CKS, These must be in good condition for your ignition system to function properly.

I hope this write up helps anyone looking for a new engine for their 3.8L Camaro/Firebird. Any questions please feel free to ask I will be happy to answer them.

Massey

Originally Posted by LastRS

Stick or auto?
I may have one for an auto. 65k miles.

Originally Posted by lluminous

Auto. I’d like to buy it if you’re willing to sell bud