LQ1 into 2001 GP?

[2bzbat]

I havent been on in quite some time since I sold my Lumina to my stepdaughter. I now have a 2001 Grand Prix GT with the SeriesII 3800. Of course the major concensus for an engine swap I'm always told is to swap in an L67 but I would prefer to stay with an N/A engine.

I remember reading on this site before that the 300hp figure was easily attainable with the LQ1 DOHC engine, so I was considering doing a retro swap when the time comes. I am info gathering at the moment. If I could find a 96-98 engine to rebuild that would be OBDII compatible I think it would make for a very unique and cool engine swap. I assume a 3100/3400 trans would work?

any opinions?

[bszopi]

It is illegal to swap an engine in that is older that the car. You must swap in a 2001+ engine.

[2bzbat]

Is that federal or local?...I've never heard that before...really.

[2bzbat]

I found this online...

The only requirement is that the engine must meet or exceed the emissions requirements for the model year that the car was produced.

In general this equates to the engine being installed must be either identical to or better than the factory engine for the year the vehicle was built.

There are situations where an older engine will meet those requirements as long as all of the sensors and controls are installed for the model year of the vehicle.
Source(s):
30 years behind the wheel.

So as long as my sensors function then the system should work, correct?

[robertisaar]

Source(s):
30 years behind the wheel.

lemme guess... Yahoo Answers?

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

if you live in the states i think you just have to pass a general emissions test. and if you pass that, what does it matter what year your engine or car are?

[robertisaar]

if you live in the states i think you just have to pass a general emissions test. and if you pass that, what does it matter what year your engine or car are?

depends on the state. i'll look up virginia stuff in a minute.

EDIT: Virginia: every year; emission inspection every two years in urban and suburban jurisdictions in Northern Virginia.

yeah, he would NEVER get away with it.

[bszopi]

There are situations where an older engine will meet those requirements as long as all of the sensors and controls are installed for the model year of the vehicle.[/COLOR]

So as long as my sensors function then the system should work, correct?

Its not the sensors working, it is all the sensors for the model year of the vehicle (2001) be installed and working on the engine being put in. There were several advanced in engines between 97 (last year of the DOHC) and 2001, so the chance that ALL sensors would be installed goes down. Then you have to worry about making the PCM work with the older engine.

[2bzbat]

This is why I love forums...straight forward and concise answers to put those silly fantasies in their place. lol

I guess maybe I'll just plan on selling the GP to my daughter next year and I'll make arrangements for whatever the next "project" will be.

Thanks for all the fast input guys.

(really is a bit of shame tho...the LQ1 does have a screaming exhaust/intake note at WOT...would have sounded sweet in the GP)

[mrl390]

I would think a 97 LQ1 with OBDII would have the same kind of emissions equipment and sensors as a 3.8 OBDII.

[robertisaar]

i've got the ECM pinout diagrams, if you want to pour through those.... that should give a general idea if something is missing or not...

[SofaKingWeToddDid]

shouldnt it just PASS an emissions test? meaning burning clean enough? shit put two cats on it

[Superdave]

You could always swap to a pushrod 3500, being that they came out in '04 you'll have no legal problems. a few small things to get it running on a 3400 harness/computer would be needed but it's fairly easy to hit the 300 HP mark with them. Plenty of aftermarket, unlike the LQ1

You should have plenty of space for a LS4 though

[2bzbat]

swapping to the newer 3500 sounds like decent idea, but I would prefer the LS4 ...the biggest snag I havent found anyone who can answer to is that in 04 they went to "drive by wire" for the throttle body. Is than an easy issue to solve for throttle and cruise control?

Every time I ask about this on other forums they just tell me to swap in an L67 and call it a day. I just really want to stick with a N/A engine.

[Superdave]

you can pick an adapter plate from wot-tech to run any number of GM throttle bodies. I'm using a 75mm Northstar unit on my 3500.

Not sure about cruse control, but i'm sure there is a combination of stuff that would work out.