la1 to lx/z9 swap

[Fumder]

hey all, first time posting here, long time 3.4 gm user

i have what i believe to be an LA1 (possibly an L32), mounted in my rock buggy. it is running, but not well... i bought the buggy used, and don't know the history on it, but i do know it has a north/south mounted 3.4, and iron heads. the wiring is hacked in there, and the obd connector is missing. so it's making trouble shooting the intermittent issue very difficult. i would like to start fresh, with a high performance engine that will bolt to a 904 trans that i just rebuilt. just an fyi, the buggy was originally a 97 tj with a 2.5 iron duke, and auto trans.

first question is about accessories, i have invested a few hundred into a high output power steering pump and i would like to keep it for the swap. if memory serves it's a p style. does the LX9 or LZ9 use the same mounting, or can i swap the aluminum bracketry straight over to the new blocks?

second question. the engine needs to be stand alone. i am using a manual valve body on a hydraulic trans, and no option for a vss on my transfer case (dana 300) can either of the vvt engines be run through a mechanical means, or locked into the retarded position? is there a posibility of reaching full horse potential without the pcm and sensors?

Thanks for reading!

[Fumder]

no one? nothing? buhler? buhler?

[jmgtp]

I'm in the middle of an LX9 engine swap...

The LX9 has provisions in the timing cover to mount a 3x00 style power steerimg pump. Does the pump you are using bolt to the top of the timing cover with 3 bolts?

The LX9 uses a different alternator bracket than the other 3x00 motors. You can swap the bracket from a 3400 onto the LX9 and mount your old alternator.

LX9 may have some extra idler pullies bolted to the timing cover, this is how they got around not using a power steering pump (electric steering). You can easily unbolt those pulleys.

The LX9 has the serpentine belt tensioner bolted to the alternator bracket. I used the LX9 tensioner but bolted it to the timing cover which has the provision for the 'pin' in the back of the tensioner to prevent it from rotating. I did have to swap the pulley on it from a ribbed to a smooth.

I'm not sure of bracketry difference between LX9 and LA1. I'm using the rear engine mount from the '91 3.4TDC, the lower engine mount from a '00 3100 and the a/c bracket from I believe a '94 3100 which still required modifications to bolt up.

The LX9 does not utilize cam phasing. I cannot help you with the standalone stuff. I am going to be running an OBD I ecm and manual transmission. I had to install an external 7x crank trigger to make it compatible with my OBD I ecm. This required the use of a 3100 harmonic balancer since the reluctor wheel is designed to fit against it. The LX9 harmonic balancer is too large.

[Fumder]

awesome, thank you for the reply, looks like an lx/lz9 swap may be in my near future.. my la1 won't run for shit right now.. seems to be a gremlin in the wiring somewhere, and i don't have a diagnostic port to pull codes..