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I posted questions regarding the best engine swap for my 99 Silhouette (Leaky manifold and antifreeze in engine on a 96K car) about a month ago. Since then, I’ve been lurking on the forum reading everything I can about v6 engine swaps. I decided go with a 2005 LX9 3.5L Uplander engine to replace the LA1 3.4 engine. (I want to recognize SuperDave and Danial Schelhorn for their help and recommendations while I got up to speed on the swap)
Below is the status of my project. (Complete sub-frame was dropped out of the car a couple of weeks ago)
1. Purchased a 2005 Uplander engine with less than 3000 miles on it. (This version engine has a power steering pump on it)
2. Purchased a slightly beefed up rebuilt 4T65E transmission with a heavy-duty torque converter.
3. Purchased many new suspension parts: KYB G2 struts, lower control arms, rod ends, LH and RH axle/drive shafts, bearing hub assemblies with sst ABS brake sensors, new motor and trans mounts.
4. I will be running Accel 24lb Multec 1 injectors (P/N 150124) on the 3.4L/LA1 fuel rails.
5. I plan on swapping sensors and electronics from the 3.4L engine and use the original engine harness.
6. I purchased the WOT-Tech TB adapter plate and will run an Intrigue 65mm Throttle body to start, and may upgrade to a WOT-Tech/TCE TB later on.
7. For now, I’ll have to use the 3.4L damper and crank sensor, because WOT listed the adapters kit as being out of stock. (Will the under-drive be an issue on a LX9?)
8. I’ll have to deal with the A/C mounting issue and the engine block to Trans mounting issue when I start putting it all together.
There have been recommendations to put in a mild cam (MPG/torque cam) with springs/seats/retainers & .020 longer push rods. This doesn’t seem to be worth it because I can’t find a set of headers that will work in a 99 Silhouette. S&S Alero headers seemed like the way to go, but S&S is out of business. (Bad timing on my project I suppose) I don’t want to spend the next several weeks purchasing flanges, collectors and tubing in order to fab my own set. (I’ve read everything I can find regarding headers on the forum and it seems that this is an area that needs its own forum topic, or at least a sticky. – It would be nice to have all of the head types listed with bolt patterns and port spacing, head angles and/or a comparison to the 3.3 and 3.8L 90 degree V6 heads. Perhaps I could mod a more common set of 3800 FWD engine headers to make them work on a 3500 engine.
If I went down the “cam and header” path, then I’d need to do extensive tuning. I am not sure that all this extra stuff is worth it for a van. (Despite coolness factor and a little more acceleration.)
I’ve been keeping a pretty good record of the project and will publish a summary with, pics, part numbers, costs and problems encountered once I get the car running again.
Happy New-Year 2010 is just about here!
Below is the status of my project. (Complete sub-frame was dropped out of the car a couple of weeks ago)
1. Purchased a 2005 Uplander engine with less than 3000 miles on it. (This version engine has a power steering pump on it)
2. Purchased a slightly beefed up rebuilt 4T65E transmission with a heavy-duty torque converter.
3. Purchased many new suspension parts: KYB G2 struts, lower control arms, rod ends, LH and RH axle/drive shafts, bearing hub assemblies with sst ABS brake sensors, new motor and trans mounts.
4. I will be running Accel 24lb Multec 1 injectors (P/N 150124) on the 3.4L/LA1 fuel rails.
5. I plan on swapping sensors and electronics from the 3.4L engine and use the original engine harness.
6. I purchased the WOT-Tech TB adapter plate and will run an Intrigue 65mm Throttle body to start, and may upgrade to a WOT-Tech/TCE TB later on.
7. For now, I’ll have to use the 3.4L damper and crank sensor, because WOT listed the adapters kit as being out of stock. (Will the under-drive be an issue on a LX9?)
8. I’ll have to deal with the A/C mounting issue and the engine block to Trans mounting issue when I start putting it all together.
There have been recommendations to put in a mild cam (MPG/torque cam) with springs/seats/retainers & .020 longer push rods. This doesn’t seem to be worth it because I can’t find a set of headers that will work in a 99 Silhouette. S&S Alero headers seemed like the way to go, but S&S is out of business. (Bad timing on my project I suppose) I don’t want to spend the next several weeks purchasing flanges, collectors and tubing in order to fab my own set. (I’ve read everything I can find regarding headers on the forum and it seems that this is an area that needs its own forum topic, or at least a sticky. – It would be nice to have all of the head types listed with bolt patterns and port spacing, head angles and/or a comparison to the 3.3 and 3.8L 90 degree V6 heads. Perhaps I could mod a more common set of 3800 FWD engine headers to make them work on a 3500 engine.
If I went down the “cam and header” path, then I’d need to do extensive tuning. I am not sure that all this extra stuff is worth it for a van. (Despite coolness factor and a little more acceleration.)
I’ve been keeping a pretty good record of the project and will publish a summary with, pics, part numbers, costs and problems encountered once I get the car running again.
Happy New-Year 2010 is just about here!
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