concerns before 92 grand prix swap

[Firebb15]

I just received a 1992 2dr grand prix SE for free (well, I had to run new brake lines on their new car for payment). Just rolled 105K and has a rod knock (oil leak).
3.1 mpfi

It would be nice to swap it out for a 3100 for a little power gain, but craigslist is flooded with 3100/3400 vehicles with bad intake or head gaskets.
I almost never see a 3.1mpfi with bad intake/head gaskets.
Is there certain years I should stay away from?
Were the old 3.1 mpfi prone to this problem as well, I just never see any?

I don't want to put a ton of money into a free car. After I buy a 3100, does anyone know an average cost for all the conversion parts?

I am thinking I might just regrind the crank, or throw in another mpfi just to keep cost down?

I have two mid 90's bonnevilles with 3.8s. Will a 3.8 bolt to our 3.1 trans? Or will the 3.8/trans bolt into a 92 grand prix?

Thanks for any help...still in the learning process for this swap.

Brian

[Octavarium454]

I had a 92 SE with the 3.1 and I have to say it is one great motor, not really powerful, but the sound was great. Struck fear in many people until they saw it take off the line, then laughter ensued. But it is a workhorse, and mine got to 160k before the motor went, and was never touched other than spark plugs, wires, and oil. Reliable through and through. You treat it right, and it will treat you right.

[robertisaar]

i wouldn't go talking about 3.8 swaps.... you'll start pissing off the wrong people very quickly.

the 3.1 and 3100 are not very similar, gaskets included. GM decided to use the cheapest thing they could for the LIM gaskets, and now we have to get ahold of the fel-pro set to not worry about it. blown headgaskets is probably more driver error than anything. drive around with a bad waterpump for a mile or two and they'll go at any time.

[Octavarium454]

Um I'm sorry I'm doing an L67 swap after a bad experience with the 3.4 DOHC. 3 rebuilds in the summer, no way in hell I'm doing it again. The 3.1 was my second choice though.

[pocket-rocket]

If you went through 3 rebuilds in one summer, I don't think the engine was the problem. I've got 3 DOHC's. One in the 91 with about 170k original miles, one in the 92 with about 110k original miles, and one on a stand with 20k miles slated to go in the 92 hopefully by spring. Who is your engine builder- that way I know to keep my cars WAAAAAAAAAAAAY away from them!

[Octavarium454]

Haha it was no one building them, but me pulling bad motors out of junkyards. Its what I get for only paying 100 dollars a piece, lol. I blew two after about a month a piece, then decided to rebuild one. First time it kicked ass (30 mpg highway) but then it blew the infamous oil pump oil ring. Fixed that, then it rolled a bearing and stacked it on top of the other half on the number 6 cylinder. My problem was I would neglect to change one thing, either due to not knowing there was a common issue (oil pump o-ring), to outright thinking it didn't have to be done (the bearings). Otherwise they are really good motors, but I had enough. The lessons I have learned though. REPLACE EVERYTHING YOU CAN WHILE IT IS EASY TO GET AT! THEN ENJOY RELIABLE CAR.

[pocket-rocket]

That sucks man. I can't say I was born with the knowledge I have either. But you can best believe I've learned from my mistakes as well. You are right though about replaceing stuff while you can get to it, I agree completely. It might not need it with 20k miles on it, but the 95 engine I have on the stand for the 92 will get new gaskets and bearings. It might not need it, but I think that's a small price to pay for insurance. Last night I was sitting here thinking "3 engines... WOW! I would be holding someone responsible" lol. At least you got yours for a good price. I think $100 for an engine is a steal. It just sucks you didn't have any luck with them

[Octavarium454]

It is alright. I do plan on returning to the DOHC with a Z34 Lumina one of these days, as by going through it so many times I feel very comfortable working on them. In fact I am fixing one on a 95 Cutlass as of this moment in my spare time.

Oh and I just saw how much a head gasket set costs for an L67 today. Yeah let's just say the LQ1 is seeming more and more appealing again, lol. The LQ1 doesn't suffer from the, how do you say it, performance tax, that the L67 does. 300 dollars for a kit, compared to 110!

[pocket-rocket]

$300 bucks? That's insane! And I thought the wifes T-bird was bad at $210/set when I did the head gaskets on it.

[Octavarium454]

Yep I'm making sure this sob runs before I dump that kind of money into it. I would of been fine with 200, but 300! No way. Especially since I plan on keeping it in the car for only 2 months until winter hits and pulling it to build it up, I think it is going to have to deal with the minor oil leak for two months.

[robertisaar]

The LQ1 doesn't suffer from the, how do you say it, performance tax, that the L67 does.

that's not a performance tax.... SBC350 parts are some of the cheapest parts ever. easily to build into a performance motor for cheap.

the L67 issue is dumbass-owner-willing-to-pay-fucktarded-prices tax...

and the OMGL67BBQ-what-do-i-do-to-fix-it?-moar-expensive-parts?-YEAH! tax also applies...

[Octavarium454]

Agreed. I like your way of putting it better.

Its cheaper for me to buy every gasket individually.

[1QUICKHATCH]

I just received a 1992 2dr grand prix SE for free (well, I had to run new brake lines on their new car for payment). Just rolled 105K and has a rod knock (oil leak).
3.1 mpfi

It would be nice to swap it out for a 3100 for a little power gain, but craigslist is flooded with 3100/3400 vehicles with bad intake or head gaskets.
I almost never see a 3.1mpfi with bad intake/head gaskets.
Is there certain years I should stay away from?
Were the old 3.1 mpfi prone to this problem as well, I just never see any?

I don't want to put a ton of money into a free car. After I buy a 3100, does anyone know an average cost for all the conversion parts?

I am thinking I might just regrind the crank, or throw in another mpfi just to keep cost down?

I have two mid 90's bonnevilles with 3.8s. Will a 3.8 bolt to our 3.1 trans? Or will the 3.8/trans bolt into a 92 grand prix?

Thanks for any help...still in the learning process for this swap.

Brian

the cheepest way to go is another 3.1, next is rebuild the 3.1 if you can do it your self, cut the heads down .010 and use 3.1 iron head, head gaskets for some extra compression!

3x00 swap depends on what you can get all the parts for, TB cable, frt engine mount...