engine swap for ‘93 regal GS

[kerm_13]

i want to possibly engine swap an LS4 5.3 L V8 into my 93 regal. the engine is originally transversely mounted in any stock model(05-09 impala SS), just like the 3800 stock engine for the 93. is this even remotely possible? worried about overall dimensions of new engine block + accessories.
also aware of the possibility i’ll need a new trans to handle the added 120-130 horsepower, age factor of the stock tranny, and it only being a 4-speed auto

 

[Zeroboostbuick]

Have not seen it done. Probably more work and money than worth it for me personally.

If you have the spare motor and the car sitting around doing nothing, you can make it a project. But it's no weekend swap job.

 

[Conradish006]

I had an LS4 Impala for a while. And it was a pain in the ass to maintain. The engine is so tight that you have to unbolt the engine mounts and ratchet strap the engine forward just to change the spark plugs.

But it was damn fast!

 

[kerm_13]

I had an LS4 Impala for a while. And it was a pain in the ass to maintain. The engine is so tight that you have to unbolt the engine mounts and ratchet strap the engine forward just to change the spark plugs.

But it was damn fast!

Say for example i was to buy just the engine without any chassis and completely rebuild the internals; all new seals, check the timing belt, new fuel injectors, plugs, valves, connecting rods etc etc so that the engine was in tip top shape before swap, do you think it would be worth it at that point? obv ill have to keep in mind that things can go bad regardless of replacing them but

 

[MelsRegal]

You are better off selling your car and buying what you really want, a faster car.

 

[Conradish006]

I don't think it makes a lot of sense to swap a V8 into a front-wheel-drive car. If it was a rear-wheel-drive and easy to work on, I'd say "hell yeah!". But I don't think it's very cost-efficient, or worth your time.

 

[-Regal-]

That

I had an LS4 Impala for a while. And it was a pain in the ass to maintain. The engine is so tight that you have to unbolt the engine mounts and ratchet strap the engine forward just to change the spark plugs.

But it was damn fast!

This isn't exactly uncommon.

 

[kerm_13]

I don't think it makes a lot of sense to swap a V8 into a front-wheel-drive car. If it was a rear-wheel-drive and easy to work on, I'd say "hell yeah!". But I don't think it's very cost-efficient, or worth your time.

i see your point yes, but the LS4 was meant for FWD config.

 

[Conradish006]

I'm saying, a what good is a V8 front-wheel-drive car? So you can do a burnout through 40 MPH? Front-wheel-drive will never be able to channel the power of a V8 to the wheels without spinning and torque steer. It doesn't seem like a good idea to pour so much money into a car that won't be able to handle the power.

Buy a rear-wheel-drive car, like a GTO or Camaro, and swap in a turbo LS. That would be worth your money.