Engine swaps? What is the new meta? (Page 1/2)
TakeTwo MAR 12, 06:45 PM
What swaps are people doing these days? I know the buick 3800 swaps were very popular for a long while but I don't see any options for low mileage donors and have been looking for a few weeks. I'm not opposed to doing a 3800 but is there something else I should be looking into instead?

I would like decent power, possibly be able to turbocharge etc..
cvxjet MAR 12, 07:30 PM
If I wanted more power than the F-body long-block swap I did, I would like to go with the new 4.3 V6 that is in the GM trucks and vans; It is 70 lbs lighter than the 2.8 V6 and has 285 HP and 305 Lb/Ft of torque; The power peak is at 5300 rpm- Not a high-rpm engine- but it has a lot of torque and a very WIDE power-band. You don't have to be constantly shifting to keep in the power band.

It does have the fore-aft style bellhousing pattern, so it requires an adapter...But taking 70 lbs off the rear-end while gaining 300 Lb/Ft of torque......Better handling and lighter weight overall for better performance in all parameters.

Oh yes- I have heard an older 4.3 running thru a Fiero V6 exhaust- had the same (Great) sound...Although that was a 200 hp engine- the 285 hp version might not be happy with the 2.8 V6 exhaust...

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 03-12-2023).]

Xenoblast MAR 13, 01:46 AM
join the lq1 cult

there are plenty of 500 hp turbo lq1s out there, and even with a bad tune 350 hp is achievable.

best part is that it basically bolts right up to the cradle and transmission, however many people use different mounts to get the engine lower.
zkhennings MAR 13, 05:36 PM
LZ9 (3900) squad. Well I haven't driven it yet so I'll get back to you.
hyperv6 MAR 13, 08:02 PM
To be honest it is foolish anymore not to do a LS swap for more power. It fits well and is lighter than any V8 and most V6 models.

You do not have the heat issues of a Turbo to deal with that are difficult on oil temps.

There are tons of parts for them and the sky is the limit. They are also cheap to buy used.
pHoOl MAR 13, 09:51 PM
I'll piggy back on here as I was looking to do similar research. I would tend to road drive and prefer handling over a straight line all out wheelie machine. I'd need something that a manual trans would hold up to as well.

I hadn't thought of the 3900 swap before zkhennings mentioned it in another thread I had going. Being that it came paired with the f40 in the g6 gtp, that idea has a lot of legs for me. Before I was considering primarily a turbo ecotec, 4.9, or 3800SC. I've assumed (perhaps wrongly) that the ls4 swap would be multitudes more expensive than any of the other options. As such, if money was no object, that'd be the way I'd go. However, being that I don't have the skills, tools, or time to perform the swap myself, it'll likely come down to whatever can get me 250ish hp or better and be reasonable on swap prices. Seeing the price of used 3900s, even low mileage ones, has me pretty excited about that as a prospect, however it'd come down to ease of swap and the cost to have it done.

Unfortunately, I don't think it's been common enough for there to be swap brackets readily available. And while I've read it can bolt up to the 88 rear mount, I've got an 86, so not entirely sure the differences.
MichiganReefer MAR 15, 07:35 PM
I'm in the process of swapping a L67 3800 right now, it's been a project for the past 1.5 years. I still think it is the best bang for the buck at a sub 10k budget (if the suspension and everything also doesn't have to be done). For transparency I've spent 17k having outsourced the wire harness work, transmission rebuild work, and machine shop work- doing the swap and full suspension restoration myself. The other potentially interesting swaps I could see being popular in the near future are and of GM's model FWD or transversely mounted powertrains. The 3.6L V6 with the 9 speed could be interesting if it fits (I've not heard of anyone doing it). Another swap I could see going well is a Bolt EV powertrain swap, although it's a little to be desired in the HP stat but there is quite a lot of torque available. These two ideas are just that I've not heard of others doing.
zkhennings MAR 15, 09:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:

To be honest it is foolish anymore not to do a LS swap for more power. It fits well and is lighter than any V8 and most V6 models.

You do not have the heat issues of a Turbo to deal with that are difficult on oil temps.

There are tons of parts for them and the sky is the limit. They are also cheap to buy used.



Are they really cheap to buy used? Definitely heavier than an LZ9. More power potential NA of course but LZ9 can probably make some decent power, we will see what mine does when it is done.
TakeTwo MAR 19, 11:27 AM
The LS4 and L32/L67 3800 swaps standout but the LZ9 swap sounds a lot more modern/interesting.

Is there a complete swap process or build I can check out for this?
Jay-ID MAR 22, 05:16 PM
I'm happy with my L67. However, I wouldn't mind a little less weight out back for autocross. A Honda k-series is tempting but that would push me out of the SSM class (engine swap limited to same manufacturer). One engine that I'm keeping an eye on is the 2022+ GM 2.7l L3B. It is a truck 4 cylinder but the power to weight looks impressive. 310 hp and 430 ft-lbs! I've tried to find a weight but the best I've seen is 80 lbs lighter than the 4.3l so around 300 lbs. Aluminum block and heads. The turbo would be on the rear side of the block for the Fiero. I have no idea on mounts, transmissions, or electronics.
https://www.musclecarsandtr...ls3-matching-torque/