I just bought a 1985 base buick regal. it has the 3.8 v6 in it and i want to
swap the 3.8 with an LT1 engine. My dilemma is i don't know if the stock
transmission will hook up with the LT1 or not? Also with the increased
power the new engine will have will i need to get a beefier transmission and
rear end? I am hoping to spend as little money as possible. I am not trying to
build a drag car just give my car a little more power. Thanks to anyone that
can help me!

usually the BOP's (buick, olds, pontiac) will be the same, and chevy will be different. i would believe this to be true with the bellhousing. but you can find a 700r4 or similar for relatively cheap.

ok thanks. ill will search for a 700r4. what is a good price for one? also will the increased power tear up my rear end? thanks for the advice it has gotten me goin on this project!

you could probably find a junk yard trans for 200-400.


do you have the engine already?

no i dont already have the engine. the more i think about it i dont think im gunna get the lt1 solely because of how much work i will be. i am looking at the gm goodwrench engine because it is fairly cheap and a new transmission for it would not cost more than 800 dollars. but if you have any comments concerns or suggestions i am open to anything. thanks!

also i was wondering if the base 85 buick regal came with a th350 or th400 transmission in it because then that engine would bolt right in thanks again for all the help!

is there any issus with the current engine? and if you have a line on a good lt1, are you by chance in the michigan area?


and yes a 350 or 400 trans would bolt up to the frame no problem. i think the issue would come up if you try to mate a chevy bellhousing to aB.O.P. bellhousing. but then, there were universal bellhousing tranmissions too. they are a little harder to find though

yeah the engine it came with has a multitude of problems and has 135k on it so it defanitly needs replacing and the rest of the car is in emaculate shape so i dont want to just get a new car. and no im in virginia and the lt1 was for 1000 but i can look deeper into it if you want me to the guy might be willing to ship it

thank you, but for 1000, no thanks. i think i found a good core motor.


http://detroit.craigslist.org/pts/627802272.html[img]smileys/smiley2.gif[/img]

yeah looks good to me what are you gunna put it in?