What does it take to swap a 3.4 with a 3.8?

34v6needhelp · 07-05-2006, 08:31 AM

My 3.4 needs alot of engine work...now hard would it be to put in a 3.8...I'm dont' work on cars...I am just asking to know how much it will cost me to have the work done...

Will I need a new wiring harness?...if so how much are they?
new computer...if so how much....and so on

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 07-05-2006, 09:19 AM

If I was going to swap I'd just go full out and dump a V8 in it. That's just me though.

34v6needhelp · 07-05-2006, 09:59 AM

I was doing some reading...it looks like it is just as much work to put a V8 in...but I'm looking at 2K easy...and it's just 1.1K to fix my 3.4...so I might be fixing my 3.4

**MegaMan** · 07-05-2006, 11:52 AM

i read up on it about a year and a half ago and i don't think its a good route to go. it is roughly the same work to put an LS1 in, but you are getting 100+ less hp. granted, the engines cost a lot different. for a 3.8 swap, 2K easy IF you are doing all the work yourself.

34v6needhelp · 07-06-2006, 04:23 AM

Yeah...looks like my best option right now is just paying the $1,100 to get the heads polished, crankshaft repaired, and all the metal shavings removed from engine...

**Hot Black Trans-Am** · 07-06-2006, 05:23 AM

I feel for you. You should be able to find a good running used 3.4 fairly cheap. That way you can save some cash for a V8 or towards a turbo motor build!

**MegaMan** · 07-06-2006, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Hot Black Trans-Am

I feel for you. You should be able to find a good running used 3.4 fairly cheap. That way you can save some cash for a V8 or towards a turbo motor build!

very true, look around some. 3.4s are cheap.

34v6needhelp · 07-06-2006, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by MegaMan

very true, look around some. 3.4s are cheap.

But where do I get one cheap with low miles?...cause if I get another 3.4 with around 100K miles I could end up right back where I am in another 20K miles...

Looks like 1.1K is going to get my 3.4 rebuilt (almost rebuilt...but close)

**MegaMan** · 07-07-2006, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by 34v6needhelp

But where do I get one cheap with low miles?...cause if I get another 3.4 with around 100K miles I could end up right back where I am in another 20K miles...

Looks like 1.1K is going to get my 3.4 rebuilt (almost rebuilt...but close)

yea, that's a valid point. a low-mileage 3.4 is rare. when are you rebuilding it? i'll keep my eye out for a used one, but you may be right. good luck with whichever path you choose.