1999 OLDS ALERO 3500 swap

[nixtux]

Putting together the final bits.

Motor: MALIBU 04-05 4th VIN digit "Z", 3.5L (VIN 8, 8th digit) @ 13032
Trans: GRAND AM 05 A.T.; 3.4L, 3.29 ratio opt FR9 @ 12,900

Parts I've bought so far.

Crank trigger
3500 Swap FPR Bracket
3500 Plenum TB Adapter

Buying a cam and push rods Tuesday.

Getting the hptuner this week or next week too.

Is there anything else I'll need and/or should do while the motor and trans
are out of the car? Is there any top-end parts I should have swapped?

Would a after market crankshaft pulley be a good idea?

Any suggestions for cold air-intake? I've googled around a little but haven't
found anything specific I can say will work.

I figure I can do headers later unless that is something I should do now?

[asylummotorsports]

If you can do the headers from the start they make a significant difference, but they aren't cheap.

What cam are you looking at?

[nixtux]

cam: 3118/3118

Nothing extreme, but should give it a nice kick.

The only headers I could find was S&S headers below. Ceramic Coating
shouldn't be needed for non-racing applications? At least if I read about it
correctly.

http://www.headermania.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=H&Product_Code=3400C&Category_Code=V6HeadersOA

Would I need/want to get 3500 Header Gaskets from the wot-tech store?



Maybe a stupid question, but would they hook up to the stock exhaust or
will I need to take it to a shop to get it quiet again? I plan to replace the
rear bumper down the road so it has the dual exhaust outlets but I don't
know if I can swing that, new exhaust and headers. It's on the list as well
as a half a dozen other things... Used cars with 220,000 miles can be a
bit ran down. Albeit nice too. Except the hail damage.

[asylummotorsports]

Those headers are actually designed for an Alero so they should match up to your exhaust, or at least be close.

And ceramic coating will make them last longer and look better.

I forget how much S&S charges. You may be able to get it done cheaper locally.

They come with header gaskets which are fine.

[geldartb]

im assuming your doing the 3500 on a 99 alero like stated in the thread title. if yes than the headers will bolt up no problem. they will fit like a glove.

[nixtux]

Yeah a 3500, I'm picking up the motor on Monday. Paying for the
cam/pushrods tuesday and maybe the headers I guess. I had planned to
get the HPtuner but that's a bit cheaper so I can do the following.

im assuming your doing the 3500 on a 99 alero like stated in the thread title. if yes than the headers will bolt up no problem. they will fit like a glove.

Good to know about the ceramic coating. I wasn't sure on it because I
thought I read it was for racing... I messed around with a couple shops
to fix some exhaust leaks on my truck and most of them were tools.

It was a small leak on 2.5in piping and they quoted me upward to $700
to fix it. I went to a smaller shop and they didn't have a big enough bender
(or something like that,) but they said a good shop would charge around
$150 to cut off the bad part and weld in a new piece. The same thing
when my friend replaced the muffler on his Cavalier, they charged over 100.
We bought the muffler and hangers and even removed the old hangers!

I'll ask the mechanic I'm having pull the motor and transmission because
he's a decent guy. God I miss having a huge garage.

Those headers are actually designed for an Alero so they should match up to your exhaust, or at least be close.

And ceramic coating will make them last longer and look better.

I forget how much S&S charges. You may be able to get it done cheaper locally.

They come with header gaskets which are fine.

Off-topic, but would LSD be good for regular driving? I would think
it would be good for snowy climates but then again I haven't found any
LSD packages for the 4t45e. If it did exist I would think it would a good
idea. Alero's are light cars so it should help tractions on icy days; or the
get up and go launches.

[asylummotorsports]

Did you check with Jeff at Engineered Performance?

He can probably build an LSD for it.

tech@engineered.net

He can be a little hard to get ahold of, but his stuff is bullet proof and virtually invisible during normal driving.

I have three HARD race seasons on mine and not a whimper.

[Superdave]

You'll have to swap to the 3400 crank pulley to use the external trigger, that's actually smaller than the stock 3500 pulley so it's technically underdrive

[1QUICKHATCH]

I would do the headers first the hp tuners, easyer to install the headers when installing the engine. My Alero is running good on the stock ecm.

[nixtux]

....

[geldartb]

I would do the headers first the hp tuners, easyer to install the headers when installing the engine. My Alero is running good on the stock ecm.

well at least for the back on its easier when its not in the car. i waited to put the headers on mine until i did the 3500 top end swap. put both front and back on the heads before they went in the car way easier than playing contortionist for the rear.

[nixtux]

Added a picture of the 3500 and 4T45-E. I'll have pictures of the install too.

The 4T45-E is a bad picture. I'll have some better ones in the next week.

Hopefully the week of the 8th the install can get started and I'll post pictures
for those considering a 3500 swap.

As for headers, unless I get a decent side job I probably won't be able to do those
until the end of November.

Anyone know how long S&S takes to ship? I e-mailed them but haven't gotten a
response.

Thanks for all your help!

[onefastV6]

Added a picture of the 3500 and 4T45-E. I'll have pictures of the install too.

The 4T45-E is a bad picture. I'll have some better ones in the next week.

Hopefully the week of the 8th the install can get started and I'll post pictures
for those considering a 3500 swap.

As for headers, unless I get a decent side job I probably won't be able to do those
until the end of November.

Anyone know how long S&S takes to ship? I e-mailed them but haven't gotten a
response.

Thanks for all your help!

What year, make and model is that transmission out of?
From the side shot it doesn't look like it is going to work in your alero with out some modification.

[nixtux]

The transmission is from a 2005 Grand AM GT.

[nixtux]

Here is another shot from a slightly different angle.