upgrading a '92 with '99 bits and pieces

[geofffinlay]

Hi All,
My friend the ex-GM tech has a 99 Regal on his hoist with a blown 3800 S/C. It looks like they'll be putting a used engine in it, I'll know by Monday. I'll have access to the old one for anything I need. My 92 L67 is ready to go into my Lotus, but there's no hurry.

I'd appreciate your suggestions on what parts I should retrieve from the '99 that would improve my '92. The damage to the '99 is bottom end. Also, any experiences with replacing camshaft magnets would be valuable.

Thanks

Geoff

[willwren]

Very little will be worth even thinking about. That's a different series motor, near total re-design.

Get the starter, water pump, coils, or other very basic parts, nothing more.

[J Wikoff]

For the cam magnet, it's either follow padgett's JB weld procedure, or pull the front cover and timing set, and put a new magnet into the cam gear.

[Mechanical Mike]

What year/model Lotus do you have?

[geofffinlay]

It's a Lotus Super 7 replicar. It'll be registered as a '87 when it goes on the road later this year. There are pics of my previous one somewhere on this site with a few pics of the current build.

I was told that the later roller-rockers would work on the '92, but I didn't get a second opinion.

Thanks all for the input.

Geoff

[xX3800Xx]

The roller rockers will not work

[geofffinlay]

Thanks All,
I thought I'd scored but apparently not. At least I've saved some potentially wasted time/effort.

Geoff

[geofffinlay]

Re the series 1 Vs the series 2 Regal engine. Is the entire engine different, or is it from the heads up?

Geoff

[J Wikoff]

You can use the lifters, the boost control solenoid, that's about it.

The block, rods, pistons, cam heads, LIM, SC, throttle body, valves, pushrods, springs... all different. The heads will bolt up, but neither LIM would fit, and you'd probably need custom length pushrods, and the cam wouldn't match the position of the valves properly.

I don't know if the starters are compatible or not.

[willwren]

Starters are compatible. Water pump too but you must use the donor's original pulley.

[geofffinlay]

Thanks again Gents,
While it's a tad disappointing to have to miss such an opportunity, your intimate knowledge saves me a lot of wasted time. I'll likely grab the starter motor as the one I just got from the "friendly recycler" is really rough inside.

Geoff

[Merrillspontiac]

How many miles are on the Park ave?

[00Beast]

Grab the coils. They're just a bit hotter than your stock S1 L67 coils, plus its nice having a spare set.

[J Wikoff]

Oh, the fuel pressure regulator will boost your fuel pressure a bit, given it's at original strength.

[geofffinlay]

Merrillspontiac - My L67 came from a '92 Le Sabre with 120,000 kms (72,000 miles). It's in incredible shape. The car was owned by an elderly gent who serviced it religiously and eventually couldn't drive it any more. It developed a steering rack problem and he agreed to give the car up. It went to my local "friendly recycler" who knew I was looking for one.

The inside of the oil pan cleaned up with a couple of paper towels, the oil was still fresh and the plugs are so new, I won't have to change them or even clean them. The recycler took it for a toot and loved it. By the time I got to hear it run it was inside and they were getting ready to pull it out. It sure sounded sweet, and I really expected to get something that I would have to rebuild. Except for top and bottom gaskets, I'm just going to leave it alone.

The '99 with the blown motor is a Regal. I have no idea what the mileage is. I'm going over there tomorrow and I'll take a look. If it's of interest to you let me know and I'll respond.

00Beast - I wouldn't want to change the coils for something else unless I knew the exact differences. I've looked at lots of GM ignition coils on an oscilloscope and they all have lots of kvs available (more than enough) and loads of coil reserve too. I've set up lots of older, mechanical ignition (points/condensor) vehicles (and boats) with an early GM 4-pin module and E-Core Coil. That's a potent combination, better than anything Accel or MDS for the money. The combination requires spark plug gap/heat range modification, ignition timing and possibly fuel changes or it's easy to burn out pistons.

The difference between the old style coil/ points & electronic systems is huge in terms of performance, which can be felt as soon as you crack the throttle.

Despite the physical differences, GM ignition systems really haven't changed much. I'm sure you already know that GM coils are so powerful they rarely just stop working, but usually break their insulation down, sending spark off in all the wrong places. That's why the module often needs to be replaced too. The leaking coil takes the module out.

J Wikoff - The engine's still in the car, so I'll have a chance to check the fuel pressure before removing the regulator. Not much point in taking it off if it's not as good as the one I have. I'm guessing that the '99 has lots more miles on it than my '92, I'll know tomorrow, good suggestion though, since I haven't checked the one on the L67.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

Geoff

[willwren]

Geoff, you can upgrade to the newer ICM and seperate coils from the Regal to replace your old Magnavox Brick.

The Delco system is a hotter spark and cheaper to replace individual coils. The regal is a good donor for that.

[Merrillspontiac]

I didnt know that you could get an L67 in a LeSabre.

[00Beast]

I didnt know that you could get an L67 in a LeSabre.

Ditto. You sure it wasn't a Park Avenue Ultra? Would've been one rare LeSabre...

[geofffinlay]

Hi Guys,
It was a LeSabre for sure. It may? be something to do with it being a Cdn car, we get a lot of that. The L67 is used in a lot of places I didn't expect. My friend with the blown '99 has a 2000 Monte coming in tomorrow with a "knocking sound", it has the L67 too. It must be the season.

The (92) engine came with Delco coils. I don't know what year they changed over, but they appear to be original. I absolutely agree that the type 1 was inferior. Not so much in performance as longevity. The fuel pressure reg on the '99 was actually a couple psi below spec. so I left it there.

It's going to be interesting around my friend's shop for a little while with 2 vehicles with the same engine replacement going on at the same time. Shame there's so little I can use.

Cheers Men

Geoff

[willwren]

All 91's and some 92's got the Magnavox. 92 was the 'changeover year' for a few things, including an EGR part way through the year, and the nylon upper replacing the aluminum.