3400?3500?3900?

[double00bu]

I have been taking in lots of information,not sure whats best or even correct.
2000 malibu 3100,block is cracked.
I have a 3400 complete but,needs rebuilt.
would a 3500 swap be that much better? and if so what years of the 3500 will i want? and what do i want to do to it for performance?
Is there a 3900 swap?
Is it worth it?
I plan on doing upgrades on whatever i swap
I have found all of these motors are pretty available so,what you guys think I should do for the power?

[Realestdriver]

I don't know much bout a 3900 swap if its even possible. When doing a 3500 swap you have to almost take the engine apart to the block. You don't have to take off the LIM, which is good b/c that a $100 gasket under there. The oil pan probably needs to be swapped out. All listed vehicles had them:

2005-2006 Buick Terraza/Chevrolet Uplander/Pontiac Montana/Saturn Relay
2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu/Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
2005-2006 Pontiac G6 Sedan / Coupe
2006 Pontiac G6 GT Convertible

The 3500 would be a great swap, power is good on the top end.
There are alot of mods out there, but it isn't cheap. The best way to get power is too start directly on the engine. Ported upper/lower intake manifolds with throttle body(nice combo). If you're not going to race it don't waste the money. The 3500, a custom tuned pcm, and a CAI will give you a very noticable difference. Oh yea and dont forget about the external crank trigger to make the engine work!

[Superdave]

wow, lots of mis-information in that last post.. haha


a '00 Malibu with a 3100, a 3500 should pretty much bolt right in. You will need the external crankshaft trigger and the crankshaft pully, 24x ring and sensor from the 3100 (direct swap).

for ease of swap i'd use your 3100 injectors and fuel rail, also the 3100 UIM and TB unless you want to spend the money for a 65mm with the proper adapter for the 3500 UIM. Obviously the 3500 UIM is better and the 65mm TB is great.

your 3100's exhaust manifolds will bolt right to the 3500 using the old 3100 gaskets. you'll have to use the knock sensor, OPSU and coolant temp sensor from the 3100 (there is an adapter that will help with the coolant temp sensor, let me know if you want the part number). The cam sensor might require a little bit of splicing, that's easy. You would re-use your old coil packs and module from the 3100 since the 3500 uses a different style that won't work.



The 3500 responds very well to any mods, it's begging for a larger cam since the heads flow so well. The stage 2 or 3 from the WOT-Tech store would work well. You will need to be able to tune the car though.

[Realestdriver]

wow, lots of mis-information in that last post.. haha

Umm duh haha, he didn't ask for the extra details. I've completed the swap, it would take a lot more than that to cover the bits and pieces of problems he would run into. The swap can be a headache if you don't know what your doing and considering the guy is even asking about a 3.4, 3.5, or 3.9 swaps.....I'd suggest he keep it really simple.

[dimentd]

is the information for possible donor cars for the 3500 correct?

[Realestdriver]

is the information for possible donor cars for the 3500 correct?

Yes, but still make sure you know what the engine looks like when you see it.

I pulled this up for vehicles equipped with the lx9 from wikipedia, which doesn't say a whole lot, but I think their correct.

[double00bu]

sorry guys for being MIA on this thread,been busy as hell at work

I went with the 3500 from a 05 G6
and tons of parts from Ben
motor is currently at my cousins machine shop

I think i have a game plan laid out but,am sure i will need more good info from you guys after i get it in the car

this is my 1st fwd 60v6 build but,i do have mechanical experiance(supercharged 434 SB 85''corvette,632 BB 70"chevelle)
everything i have learned about the 60v6 came from this site and all you guys willing to help so,thanks a lot,this site and everyone on it kicks ass!