Here's the deal... I have a 1995 Buick series 1 3800 SC with the Buick auto trans now. One of the few options available to me, without major engine work, is a smaller pulley from a 92-93 3800 SC. I can't even find headers. In my search in the junk yard for this pulley, I came across a 97 Series 2. I can get it for $300. There is so much more available for the series 2. But is it worth it? I would only improve this new motor with headers and maybe a pulley change. I don't want to get too deep into the motor. Also, will it bolt up to my 95 Buick 4T60E trans? I realize I'll probably have to go to the 97 Computer and harness. Any other issues that I'm missing? Thanks in advance! Kevin
------------------ 85 Fiero-based ASPP GT-40 MarkII. 3800 S/C, Auto, Held suspension all around with 2" drop spindles and sport fr. end. RCC bump-steer correction. Mr. Mike's interior.
Here's the deal... I have a 1995 Buick series 1 3800 SC with the Buick auto trans now. One of the few options available to me, without major engine work, is a smaller pulley from a 92-93 3800 SC. I can't even find headers. In my search in the junk yard for this pulley, I came across a 97 Series 2. I can get it for $300. There is so much more available for the series 2. But is it worth it? I would only improve this new motor with headers and maybe a pulley change. I don't want to get too deep into the motor. Also, will it bolt up to my 95 Buick 4T60E trans? I realize I'll probably have to go to the 97 Computer and harness. Any other issues that I'm missing? Thanks in advance! Kevin
if the series 2 in question isnt originally an SC motor, i wouldnt buy it, as the series 2 SC motor has beefier internals. you can use the 4t60e tranny ONLy if you keep your existing OBD-I wiring. If you switch to OBD-2 wiring( not worth it in my opinion ), then you must get the 4t65e tranny, as the 4t60e wont work properly with the obd-2 computer.
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05:32 PM
Jan 12th, 2005
jb1 Member
Posts: 2147 From: Tullahoma, Tennessee Registered: May 2003
I probably would hold out to buy a series 2 SC , which is what I am doing swapping from a 93 series1 Sc to a 99 series2 sc. There is a new post on the forum that the series 1 headers are now available from WCF https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/058861.html
------------------ '87 GT 93 3800sc series I / 4t60e 7.597 1/8mile ET 1.579 60' 88.53 mph
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04:59 PM
GT40 3.8 SC Member
Posts: 104 From: Bear, Delaware Registered: Aug 2003
Sorry guys... I didn't mention that the 97 Series 2 is also supercharged. With less then 50K on it. I saw my friend, that works at the junk yard, today. He says they have had this motor for 5 years and want to scrap it! I may be getting it for free! Kevin
------------------ 67 GT-40 Mark II, 3800 S/C auto, 85 Fiero based (ASPP) kit. Held suspension and coil-overs all around with 2" dropped spindles. Mike's leather interior. And a whole lot more...
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10:49 PM
jb1 Member
Posts: 2147 From: Tullahoma, Tennessee Registered: May 2003
You can use your ECU but you will have to splice the harness of the newer engine into the obd1 harness, didnt seem to bad most all wires are same colors just differant location and you could have a custom mem-cal burnt. I picked up a 99 3800sc from a GTP for $400 with 48K miles and thought it was very well worth the effort, I am in the middle of buying all the things for the engine had some head work cam pulley headers etc hopefully drop it in this spring.
------------------ '87 GT 93 3800sc series I / 4t60e 7.597 1/8mile ET 1.579 60' 88.53 mph
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11:36 PM
Jan 13th, 2005
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Sorry guys... I didn't mention that the 97 Series 2 is also supercharged. With less then 50K on it. I saw my friend, that works at the junk yard, today. He says they have had this motor for 5 years and want to scrap it! I may be getting it for free! Kevin
$300 for a 3800 Series II SC engine is a VERY reasonable price if the engine runs. As many have said in this thread already, you can simply slap this newer engine into your car and use all of the existing wiring and computer on it...the only thing you will need is the chip reprogrammed aside from the mechanical differences. Your existing harness should be plug and play on the Series II engine for the most part, although injector spacing is different and you might have a couple of short wires for an injector or two and the TP sensor electrical connector is different between the Series 1 and Series II engines. Don't forget to use the knock sensor in your current engine in the Series II because the Series II knock sensors are not compatible with the knock sensor interface module that is soldered to the mem-cal chip.
------------------ power corrupts. absolute power corrupts absolutely. Custom Computer Tuning | Engine Conversions | Turbocharging | www.gmtuners.com
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12:58 AM
Darth Fiero Member
Posts: 5922 From: Waterloo, Indiana Registered: Oct 2002
Something else I forgot to mention, you are going to have to redrill the torque converter bolt holes on the series II engine's flywheel (flexplate) so it will work with your 4T60-E's torque converter. Intense-Racing offers this service for $50 I think or if you have some skill you can do it yourself. Don't forget to replace the flexplate bolts as they are torque-to-yeild and cannot be reused.
[This message has been edited by Darth Fiero (edited 01-13-2005).]
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01:00 AM
jb1 Member
Posts: 2147 From: Tullahoma, Tennessee Registered: May 2003
Wished I would have known the harness was that close to the same................. would have saved alot of time guess need not assume and just ask right questions.......guess I could have just changed my PCM connectors and been close to ready to go.
------------------ '87 GT 93 3800sc series I / 4t60e 7.597 1/8mile ET 1.579 60' 88.53 mph
[This message has been edited by jb1 (edited 01-13-2005).]
