Pricing motors and the trans for a 3800 swap (Page 1/1)
CFiberFiero MAY 26, 11:23 PM
I'm unsure of the price ranges I should be shooting for with parts. I guess it depends on where I'm looking. Businesses seem to cost far more, so I'm currently scrounging craigs and facebook market place.

So what would be decent prices for the motor (3800sc 98-02 gtp) and trans (currently looking for a 282 from a cavalier). I think I may be able to get a 282 for around 1.5 and a 3800 sc for the same. is 3k about what youd expect these days, or should I look for cheaper? I guess that's about what I'd be willing to pay, so that's all well and good, but I still don't wan to overpay if I can avoid it.

(apologies if this topic is a repeat, I swear I looked to see if there was already one up but couldn't find one!)
jelly2m8 MAY 27, 02:04 AM
The most I payed for a series 2 L67 was 800, full accessories, harness PCM etc.

The last 2 I purchased was 500. All engines came from running vehicles and were tested for compression and oil pressure. That was in useless canakustan pesos.

For 1500 you should be able to pick up a complete car. Worse thing to do is buy from someone that had aspirations and then gave up and think they are the only one to have a L67.

I know of a couple V6 Cavalier getrags still in the cars, I'm sure they will go to the scrapper with the carcass, so they shouldn't cost much at all.

[This message has been edited by jelly2m8 (edited 05-27-2025).]

CFiberFiero MAY 27, 02:33 AM

quote
Originally posted by jelly2m8:

The most I payed for a series 2 L67 was 800, full accessories, harness PCM etc.

The last 2 I purchased was 500. All engines came from running vehicles and were tested for compression and oil pressure. That was in useless canakustan pesos.

For 1500 you should be able to pick up a complete car. Worse thing to do is buy from someone that had aspirations and then gave up and think they are the only one to have a L67.

I know of a couple V6 Cavalier getrags still in the cars, I'm sure they will go to the scrapper with the carcass, so they shouldn't cost much at all.




Where were you locating your purchases if I may ask? And you're right about 1.5 being a full car. I'm new to all this so my thought was I'd purchase a running, lowish mileage gtp and take the engine from that knowing that it runs.
Dennis LaGrua MAY 27, 04:25 AM
The question of cost of a 3800SC engine is a hard one to answer. The most recent engines are 20 years old and most will have high mileage on them. I'd venture to say that those engines are worth the salvage cost today. The LZ9 (3900) engine is also a possibility but the strong Impala and G6 versions are 15 years old. Those engines provide 240 hp (179 kW) and 240 lb torque, with a wide torque curve, very comparable to a 3800SC but hard to find in top shape. The LGX 3.5L V6 is the most recent V6 engine but the successors are inline six engines. Fiero swaps today are becoming more difficult as the engines that can be used are getting old.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

CFiberFiero MAY 27, 11:40 AM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

The question of cost of a 3800SC engine is a hard one to answer. The most recent engines are 20 years old and most will have high mileage on them. I'd venture to say that those engines are worth the salvage cost today. The LZ9 (3900) engine is also a possibility but the strong Impala and G6 versions are 15 years old. Those engines provide 240 hp (179 kW) and 240 lb torque, with a wide torque curve, very comparable to a 3800SC but hard to find in top shape. The LGX 3.5L V6 is the most recent V6 engine but the successors are inline six engines. Fiero swaps today are becoming more difficult as the engines that can be used are getting old.




hm, yah, age is a tough answr. i've found quite a few 3800 sc with less than 100k miles, but even then the age can take a tole on gaskets and the like, and I'm expecting even a low mileage engine to need a full service.
jelly2m8 MAY 27, 07:09 PM

quote
Originally posted by CFiberFiero:


Where were you locating your purchases if I may ask? And you're right about 1.5 being a full car. I'm new to all this so my thought was I'd purchase a running, lowish mileage gtp and take the engine from that knowing that it runs.



Local salvage yards.
richard in nc MAY 27, 07:33 PM
the problem with buying an engine from a salvage yard is you won't even know if it runs til its in the fiero.id try to buy a wrecked or rusted out drivable car.
jelly2m8 MAY 28, 03:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by richard in nc:

the problem with buying an engine from a salvage yard is you won't even know if it runs til its in the fiero.id try to buy a wrecked or rusted out drivable car.


It depends on the relationship you have with whatever yard. some will let you see it before they pull it, some you have a 30 year working relationship with and you know, you have trust in them.
Dennis LaGrua MAY 28, 04:10 PM
The junkyards can sometimes be a bit optimistic about the mileage and conditions of the engines that they sell. For engines used on swaps we bring them back to the shop and perform a cylinder leak down test on all cylinders. That procedure will indicate bad piston rings, scored cylinders, leaking valves, and head/head gasket condition. AT TDC a leakage of about or under 20% on a cylinder is usually an indicator of a good engine. If the leakage on any cylinder is in the 30% area. it goes back to the junkyard.
On my personal 3800SC swap that was a new engine when we put it in. On other swaps we did get leakage readings in the 20% range .
On the easy V8 swap ( 4.9L Cadillac) I did, the leakage was only like 10% which is like new. I went to the junkyard saw the car that the engine was in read the odometer at 61K miles. There was no mistake about the mileage because the dipstick had relatively clean oil on it with no particles.. The junkyard removed the engine and transmission while iI was there, so there was no mistake about the mileage. That engine swap is now in my 85GT convertible project and it starts and runs great.
If you have a decent sized air compressor you can buy the cylinder leakage test kit For about $30 or less
I might add that some salvage yards will let you hear the engine run if still in the vehicle- bring a stethoscope and listen carefully.
------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 06-09-2025).]