Swapping DOHC for 3X00

[jmgtp]

Congratulations Sir, your powers of persuasion have worked in a single post!

LX9 it is.... I'm even excited to do it. I'd be all over it now except garage space isnt guaranteed until spring. I do have garage access from right now until first snow if i wanted to do it sooner but I'm not sure if that will be enough time for parts collecting, swap and of course tuning after. The big delay though, is I also want to really rust proof the car. I'll probably sandblast the cradle while it is out and use truck bedliner or the like to coat it. I also need to remove the front ST lowering springs and put the stockers back in or my airdam will be a snow plow. The steering rack also needs new seals now that I think of it.

If I can secure a corner of the garage I think I may get an engine soon and that will give me the winter to prep it (replace lower intakes, new fuel rail, injectors if need be, 7x install, etc). Really wish my place had a garage! Guess I'll have to convince the parents I need a corner of their 2 bay!

[IsaacHayes]

2 bay! When I do get to use a garage it's a single bay shared by a washer and dyer on one side, and a water heater on the other. No room in there!

[jmgtp]

Believe me, there is so much stuffed in there that it can only barely fit a single car.

It needs a good clean out and rearrangement. There are also a lot of things in there that should be in the shed, but my dad has that full of lumber and other building materials.

[jmgtp]

I'm looking at an lx9 from a Pontiac G6. Is this the same as the Malibu one? The engine I am looking at does not appear to include the crossovr pipe for the exhaust. Two questions here: are they cheaply available (I could make one if I HAD to) and will the stock lx9 crossove clear my getrag and shifter cables without a problem?

Thanks guys.... About to pull the trigger...

[IsaacHayes]

As long as it's an LX9 you're fine. You don't want the VVT 3500 that is a destroked 3900.

3500's have dual exhaust that connect to a Y... You could use 2 front 3500 manifolds for good flow since they are almost like shorty headers, and bring the front one over and connect in the rear. Or get 3400 log manifolds that have a cross over. Don't get 3100 ones unless 2000+ as the rear is even more restricted and kinks down. Plus 3400 rear has short runners sort of.

But 3500 manifolds would be best if you can swing it.

[asylummotorsports]

I have the 3100/3400 manifolds and cross over that were on my 3500 before I got the headers.

If you are stuck you can have them for the cost of shipping.

[jmgtp]

Thanks I may take you up on that... I need to see what exactly the engine comes with, the pic I saw may have been a stock photo.

I'm waiting on a shipping quote right now...

[mickaz]

EDIT: 3400 with 3500 top end = cost more than just 3500 swap, and you loose compression and .1 displacement.........

expensive yes but just as powerfull, alot of 3500 malibu and G6 have seen the back of my car LOL! and that is with my stupid misfire

[jmgtp]

Won an eBay auction (from LKQ) for an LX9 today. 52k miles pulled from a G6. This swap is officially on!

Engine Cost: $300

Shipping: $0 - borrowing a pickup and getting it myself (~100 miles) - sure beats paying $250 to ship! There is a small additional cost to put the engine on a palette or crate of some sort. Also have to pay sales tax. Overall this is still a good deal.

[IsaacHayes]

Sweet deal, you can't beat that!!!! Still $300 for an engine locally with low miles a good deal.

[jmgtp]

On the eBay pics I don't see the engine lift brackets. Are they concealed under he cosmetic 3500 manifold cover? I hope they are there or I don't know how I can get this thing off the bed of the pickup. My engine hoist goes plenty high just needs somethig to grab onto!

[IsaacHayes]

Should. There should be one on each head. It would be hidden by the cover.

[jmgtp]

Good

Along with the pickup truck that we'll be using to transport the engine, my dad is also borrowing from work some sort of special straps meant to pick up a palette with a hoist.... just in case! It may even prove easier to leave everything on the palette and just pick it off the truck and plop it on the floor for now.

Really appreciate everyone's input on this thread!

I'm sure I will make a 'swap' thread where I'll share the details, ask the questions and post pics of the progress... hopefully by the time it is all done I can be a new resource for swapping an LX9 into a Gen I W car.

[IsaacHayes]

Have you looked at PCGUY's thread? He swapped a cammed headered LX9 into his. Might want to look through that when you get time. Of course he replaced a 3100 that was in his instead of a TDC, but still for the other things that would apply.

You don't have to worry about the cam and 24x sensor though. You can tune with the stock $DF code or drop $A1 code into your PCM.

[robertisaar]

DF is a *bit* more documented/sophisticated than A1, but either would work in a 9396.