'94 3100 in a '96 Grand Am???

[nice96gt]

I have a '96 Grand Am with a 3100 and recently it took a crap on me. I found a used 3100 from a '94 Grand Am for a good price. The only problem is that I don't think it will just swap right in. I know some stuff will have to be adapted to be able to use it like the coolant temp sensor and possibly the upper intake but I'm not quite sure. I have read through many threads and I haven't found exactly what I am looking for. If anyone knows what is different between the '94 and '96 3100 for swapping purposes I would love to hear what they are..Thanks.

-Ryan

[imported_germ]

the 94 has 2 coolant temp sensors, 1 for the ECM, and 1 for the dash gauge. 1 is on the rear head, leave this one in or you will leak coolant, but dont hook it up. the other sensor is near the thermostat and you will need to switch your 96 sensor onto your 94 engine, but leave that other sensor in, but leave it unhooked or you can put i bolt that threads in there to block the coolant.

the 96 has 1 coolant temp sensor. it is located near the thermostat



the 94 engine uses stamped steel rockers, the 96 uses roller fulcrum rockers.

my suggestion is to put the 96 heads on the 94 engine. you could also probably just swap the rockers over.


everything else should be the same, and bolt up the same.


PERSONALLY, i would look for a 3400 engine from a 96+ GM van, or a 99+ grand am/alero, or a 2000+ monte carlo/impala.

they tend to have a LOT less miles than any 3100 ive seen, and they generally cost less than $500 for low mileage


check out www.car-part.com and www.3400swap.com

[nice96gt]

I didn't think it was going to be that much trouble. I was already considering dropping in a 3400 but I am unable to find any at a decent price. Unfortunately around here they are going for atleast $1000CAD or more and that's not how much I want to spend. I want to fix the car asap but it looks like I may hold off a little longer. Thanks for the info.

[imported_germ]

if you consider 2 sensors "that much trouble" then you need to reconsider what your trying to do and take it somewhere that doesnt shutter at the thought of 2 sensors.

if you think swaping 1 sensor is bad, you havent even began to think about what is envolved with pulling your motor.


and try www.car-part.com

i KNOW you can find engines cheaper than 1000 CAD, but keep in mind, your gonna want to replace the head gaskets and the intake gaskets on ANY junkyard engine you get.

[nice96gt]

Oh, those sensors aren't any trouble. I was actually wondering about the EGR and how that all comes into play? I am able to do the swap I just want to be aware of what needs to be changed. I don't want to have to go swapping manifolds and other stuff. Otherwise I would just look for a more compatible engine. I've swapped a motor before and my friend who would be helping me has done 2 himself so that won't be the problem. If all it is is 2 sensors then that's great

I am getting this 3100 for $500 and that's why I was trying to see if I could make it work, that's all. It's also not coming from a junkyard so I know the background of the motor.

I've already been on there and have only found some higher in price and almost too far away to make it worth it. The travel time/cost plus the cost of the motor would end up costing me about the same as a rebuild...

here were my results for a 3100

http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi?userSearch=int&userPID=1000&userLocation=Ontario&userIMS=&userInterchange=%3EB%3F%40%3EN&userSide=&userDate=1996&userDate2=1996&dbModel=61.10.1.1&userModel=Pontiac%20Grand%20AM&dbPart=300.1&userPart=ENGINE&sessionID=549&userPreference=price&userUID=0&userBroker=&iKey=&userPage=1

[imported_germ]

you will need to use your upper intake because of the egr, but that is nothing either, easier than swapping the sensors.

keep in mind, the pre 96 engines are the "same" with very small differences. things changed in 96 due to going to obd2 control systems, so some of the electronics are different (coolant sensor and egr being the 2 that matter).

if you have pulled an engine before, dont be worried about that old dog you have laying there.

just have some common sense. if the 94 doesnt look like the 96, put the 96 parts on it to look the same, they are compatible.

[Guest]

Wow Germ, you make this harder on yourself than it realy is....

Swap the upper intakes, EGR flange poblem solved.

Swap the temp sensor in the T-stat housing, coolant sensor problem solved.

No need to get into swapping rockers, in fact that would be a step backwards, and headache that's not needed.

[imported_germ]

I make it harder???? um, ok, im trying to make it sound easy for the guy that wants to do it.



and how is swapping the rockers FROM the 96 engine TO the 94 engine a step backwards? this i would like to hear.

[nice96gt]

That's great guys. That's pretty much what I was looking for. I got what both of you were saying, wether it was a short or a long version..

Thanks again...

-Ryan

[korbendallas68]

3400 swap

[nice96gt]

ya ya I know...I have heard it from everyone I've talked to, and I mean everyone. I would have done it and it was actually what I wanted to do. I'm not looking for performance though, which is unfortunate because a little more would be nice, but I'm just trying to get her back on her feet since it's my only mode of transportation . This is the best option for me for the money at the moment. If I could have found a 3400 in my area for the price that some are finding them for in the U.S. I would have already had it in the car...lol

[TheDirtyBen]

wait, i thought that 94-96 was the same? didn't both run the digital EGR? i thought they went linear in 97?

[Guest]

wait, i thought that 94-96 was the same? didn't both run the digital EGR? i thought they went linear in 97?

Digital in '95 and '95, linear in '96+.

I misuderstood the rocker swap then, I read it as using the '94 rockers on the '96 engine....

But then you'd need to swap heads too, since the groove is not present in the '94 heads to align the roller rockers.

[TheDirtyBen]

ok, i'm lost. i've heard that 97 3400s had digital EGRs. but i know that at least 99+ 3100s/3400s had linear.
Did the 96 3100s have roller rockers or just in some models?
I was under the impression that 94-96 3100s were the awful OBDI.5s and were the same engine completely, including intakes and EGRs.

[SappySE107]

96 3100 only had roller rockers in w bodies last I hear. I know 96 beretta does not have roller rockers. 96 changed EGR, 2000 changed EGR again.

96 is OBD2. 94-95 is obd1 with obd2 codes and sometimes obd2 connector.