Is the 3100 in these an interference engine? Im pretty sure it is but want confirmation. I have a chance to get the car dirt cheap because the timing chain broke. This also points to it being an interference engine due to them not wanting to fix it and sell so cheap.

How easy (or difficult) would it be to swap a SC 3800 into? Could it be done without any custom modification? Is there anything else that would swap in without custom mods?

Hate to see the thing go to waste. Body and interior is almost perfect but nobody is going to pay for that kind of repair on such an old, undesirable car.

 

I don't think a L67 swap would be as easy as doing it in a wbody. Certainly not possible with zero custom modification.

First issue I can think of is wiring. A 96 monte 3100 is easy to swap because you can just drop in a 3800 harness from a 98/99 monte (which gets you 99.9% to a L67). But since the Beretta never came with a 3800, you'd likely have to manually merge the two harnesses to one.

Second thing that comes to mind are the upper mounts. Most 3800s use the dog bones to the upper radiator support. I don't think any Berettas mount that way regardless of engine. To avoid having to build a structure there, perhaps you could adapt the 3800 Buick Park Ave mount system to work? Its the only 3800 I can think of that doesn't mount to the upper radiator, but no clue how similar the mount location is to the Beretta as theyre completely different chassis.


If you're just thinking about keeping the engine pretty stock and just want to get it back on the road with minimal effort, Id stick with the 60 degree engine family. The 3400 or a 3400/3500 hybrid would be immensely easier as theyre physically almost identical to the existing 3100.