'02 Grand-AM 3400 into a '02 Venture

[randomBullets]

While I'm still wanting to fix my current motor in the Venture I am realizing with almost 200k miles it's just a matter of time before it's just done.

I was browsing the good old craigslist locally and found a " '02 Grand Am 3400 V6 Ram-Air Motor and Trans" for 750$ says it has less than 100K and it's already removed comes with everything, brackets, sensors and what not.

Seems like a good deal, only thing is will it just be a plug-n-play deal, that's what I really would like to have. I know I'll have to use my A/C compressor but other than that should be good to go right? I believe I would just use the fresher transmission as well.

I was toying with the idea of a 3500 but seems like a lot of work for what I need, which is a daily commuter van.

What do the experts think? anyone done this swapping in a van? It's no easy to work on because of the placement, but I've been down as far as taking the lower intake off so I think should be straight forward deal.

Thanks for any insight and input in advance.

[pocket-rocket]

It would get your van back on the road faster, but it's going to have a different transmission than your van (4t40 vs your 4t65hd, I believe). There also could be subtle differences lights exhaust manifolds, heater cores him hook up to the LIM, etc., so keep your eyes open for stuff like that if you go ahead with it. Hope this helps.

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[robertisaar]

02 GA should be a 4T45, 02 venture should be a 4T65. definitely not direct swap for those.

[pocket-rocket]

02 GA should be a 4T45, 02 venture should be a 4T65. definitely not direct swap for those.

At least I was close.

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[robertisaar]

externally, for a given platform, a 4T45 and 4T40 are identical IIRC. same for the 4T65 and 4T65HD.

but it's the gooey centers that are different.

[randomBullets]

So, I keep my trans, then for simplicity. But I'm probably gonna have to open up the GA motor and use some van parts like maybe LIM, Exaust Manifolds and other stuff. Which means buying new bolts and gaskets, which isn't a bad thing but still another expense to think about. And since it'd be off the car and already down that far may as well do the head gaskets as well, cause it it don't have 100k yet it's probably not had to have that issue delt with.

Now my van has rear A/C and heat. So I'll be using my compressor and all that. Best bet would say I'm gonna take all the accessories and their respective bracketry and have to use them from the van. Or at a minimum the brackets.
…wheels are turning in my brain. Still looking at $1k to do this, I have over $4k in it already. I dunno, almost to far into it to turn around now.

[pocket-rocket]

I wouldn't bother with head gaskets. LIM gaskets, however, I would check to see if it has metal or plastic ones and if they are plastic I would change them.

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