i have just been given a 1985 Buick Regal with a bad engine knock 3.8L V6....

N

new guy

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...suggestions on replacement motor? The 3.8L V6 has a bad knock and I was going to begin restoring car so was thinking of replacing the engine with something with some more power. Was thinking of putting a new tranny in as well. Any suggestions or comments on what I should put in there both engine and tranny.
If I put the chevy 350 with turbo transmission does the computer need to be changed as well?
Do I have to change rear end as well?
 
Those cars were available with the 5.0L (305) V8 Chevy engine and the 5.0L (307) V8 Oldsmobile engine. the Chevy 5.0L is a solid engine and cranks more hp than GM's 307. If I was going to swap for a larger engine, I'd look at at 305 and a HD tranny. these should be easy to find.

Your car is a GM G-body, same as the Cutlass/ Supreme, Monte Carlo, Malibu, bonneville/lemans, Grand Prix, and el camino and its GMC sibling.

The 305 and 307 engines were also available in the 84-86 Parisienne, 80-96 Caprice/Impala, 80-85 88 and LeSabre, 80-84 98, and Electra, and 1980-1996 GM B-body wagons

The upgraded 4-speed automatic transmission (4L60E) is the best choice but those were not available til the later years in GM cars.

Best of luck in upgrading - its not that expensive and parts are readily available..

Hope I could help you some...
 
you want to change the trans. It is a 200 turbo, most likely. WEAK!!! I suggest a 700R4 or a non computer driven 3 speed with an OD gear. If you can, put in a mid-range shift kit.

I suggest a small block 350 chevy 4 bolt main. You can tweak the intake and fuel delivery and spark system to fit your desires. You may want gas mileage with some power, or tons of power with no regard of gas. Small block 350 will fit right in and has many accessories available cheap and abundantly.

If you are the ambitious type, try a 350LT from an older Camaro or Impala SS. This will give you gas mileage with so much power you will be sideways most of the time. Pricey and difficult to install with the computers and harnesses.
 
Anything other than stock replacement engine will not work properly electronically with the transmission. If you want to play like that, I'd get an older car (1970's) before fuel injection and computer operated transmissions.
 
Put a chevy 350 or 305 in it. Get you a turbo 350 transmission. Check you state laws to see if you are even able to change to a different engine in you car. This will save you a big headache if it is not legal to do a engine swap.
 
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