Expert: Mike Evans - 4/18/2010

Question
I've recently got possesion of an 86' 98 with a 3.8 loudly knocking automatic won't shift out of 1st for free. The interior is clean and the body staight also a one owner car. I would like to just drop in an engine/trans to make a cheap back-up car. Is there any other motors that can wake it up more like a supercharged pontiac 3800 ( I was told these were a little more powerful and smoother than the 3.8. or should I just stick with stock and beef it with small add ons ie.intake filter,chip, after market supercharger.

Answer
    These engines are structurally weak, as are the transmissions.  My advice would be to replace with the same thing that's in there.  They made so many changes from year to year, starting in '85 when the first EFI 3.8s were used in these full-size FWD cars.  I actually would advise you to get rid of the car, no matter how nicely kept it is, as you will never recover the cost of the repairs even if the car was a gift.  If it does, in fact, still run I would sell it for whatever you can get and congratulate yourself on having avoided a money-pit situation.  I have had several of these cars and know whereof I speak.