Has anybody ever put the chevy 3.8 multiport intake and stuff on a pre-vortec 4.3. I know the buick intake won't fit but the chevy one should right. If it will fit then the intake can be ported and what not. What all sensor would be needed if I were to wire it all up to the TBI injector wires. I know the regulator would be needed. The fuel lines are no deal as mine are braided lines anyway. I am also sure the I would need the fuel pump too. So the initial questions are will the intake fit and what sensors to use.

 

The 3.8 (or 3800) is a buick motor no matter what it came in (chevy, buick, pontiac, holden, olds, etc...). The upper & lower intakes may be different between the different applications, but the mating surface between the lower intake & the heads is the same even on the older LN3 3800's (which I think is what you are talking about). I'm not the most knowledgable in the history of the 3800, but I know enough to get me in trouble. If you wanted me to ask around, I know the guys over at BonnevilleClub.com would know more than enough on the subject. Hell, they took the Series 2 L67 (motor in my B'ville) & 4T65E-HD trans, and threw it into the late 80's early 90's style Bonneville (aka. Frankenbonne) with complete integration between old and new electronics!!!

Let me know if you want more info and I'll get the ball rolling over there!

**When I say the mating surfaces are the same, they are for the different engine designs (LN3, L27/S1 L67, L36/S2 L67/L32).

 

yea man do ask. Thanks

 

I know that one main difference is going to be that the 4.3L has always been based off of the small block 350... Whereas the 3800 has pretty much been on it's own. The LN3 had the I,E,E,I,E spacing which coinsides with the 4.3L, past & present, but with the L27 and series 1 L67 I believe they went to I,E,I,E,I,E spacing (I = intake, E = exhaust if you didn't already get that part). So I'm thinking your only bet would be to see if you could get your hands on an old 3800 LN3.

If you have some nice pick-n-pull yards around you, try rummaging around there and see what you can dig up. Do your research on the actual motors. If they bolt up, great, if not, you are out a days worth of work, but nothing else. The other way to go is to pick up a lower intake manifold gasket kit for both the LN3 and the 4.3L.

 

Well I know a few guys at the local parts stores so maybe I can check out the kits. And I have a good friend at a yard so he would probably let me play for a day bolting up different combos. Now I just have to get my truck from breaking a pushrod every morning to get out there to it. Thanks for the info though and if you find something else let me know.