yes and no. The RWD units have a different intake and accessory setup, but the long block is more or less the same from what I have been able to find. So if you have a blown up RWD engine, you can strip and move everything over to the FWD unit.
Thank you. I have a friend with a 97 Firebird. He wants to take the 3800 out of it and install a RWD 3800SC block into it. A good short block is all he needs because he plans to rebuild it. Seems the FWD blocks are cheaper than the RWD versions.
Rebuilding a 3800 is awfully expensive. Buy an engine and just go with it. The 3800's are as tough as nails. Be sure to check for LIM leakage before purchasing a used engine.
Also for some strange reason there seems to be a 50/50 change that you will spin a rod bearing shortly after rebuilding a 3800. Nobody seems to understand why either.
He has everything but the block and rods. Larger pistons, etc. He's wanting to go for about 400 HP and build a sleeper. I understood that all the externals came from a Firebird.
It shouldn't be an issue for him, then. He's only going to use the block. He has a crank kit, all the bearings, pistons, rings, etc. He just needs a serviceable block to rebuild. I don't know what gaskets he's using, but I'll let him know about the stock gasket issue.
" Also for some strange reason there seems to be a 50/50 change that you will spin a rod bearing shortly after rebuilding a 3800. Nobody seems to understand why either." I think the problems come in MOSTLY when people cheap out and Not buy new "Bolts". bearings can't spin without "room", the Rods don't give it up, the BOLTS do.
" Also for some strange reason there seems to be a 50/50 change that you will spin a rod bearing shortly after rebuilding a 3800. Nobody seems to understand why either." I think the problems come in MOSTLY when people cheap out and Not buy new "Bolts". bearings can't spin without "room", the Rods don't give it up, the BOLTS do.
