3400 Swap into a 2nd Gen J-Body

[laveryt]

I have a 1989 Z-24 with a blown motor and I want to place a late model 3400 engine in it. I have searched and read many posts on some other peoples swaps.
My questions are:
What may be the easiest year(s) 3400 engine to swap into my Z-24?
Has anyone done this swap using the Spookything Swap kit from JBP?
Is the EGR adapter from JBP required?
Does anyone know what changes I will definately have to make to get the 3400 running in the Z?
Will I have to swap all of the engine sensors from the 2.8 to the 3400?

This is my first attemp at swapping an engine in a FWD vehicle, so please be gentle.

[Cliff8928]

1) 99 and earlier

2) I have the bracket that goes with that kit, but i think i got it before they were selling them as a kit

3) EGR, what EGR? Actually, their EGR adapter is most likely for the Digital EGR (90+) that wouldn't work with your car..

4) just the required changes to adapt the wiring, and grinding one boss off the oilpan to mount the A/C compressor etc...

5) only the knock sensor

Oh, is your car an automatic or 5-speed?

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT <-3400
89 Volvo740

[laveryt]

Cliff,
It is an automatic transaxle. Should that matter?
I have read some posts about people changing the fuel injectors as well. Is it neccesary to change the injectors on the 3400 I want to drop in?
The 2.8 has an ECM for MPFI and the 3400 is SFI...any issues there?

I see that you have already done this swap. Was there anything that you found that you weren't prepared for? I want to make very sure I am ready to do this before I get in over my head.

Thanks,
Tom

[Cliff8928]

Yep, make sure you get the CORRECT bracket for the automatics... the first ones are wrong and the engine sits WAY too high and the belt hits the bracket...

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[laveryt]

I just called a auto-recycler and he said that the 97-99 3400's were junk...always had problems with them. He said he had a 2001 3400 with low miles.

What is the difference between the 99 and earlier 3400 and 2000+?

I have read that the injectors are different... what else?

Will I have more trouble with a newer motor?

Thanks,
Tom

[Guest]

Hmm, if the '96 to '99 are "junk" you should be able to get one cheap.

I don't know of any major changes that would make the older ones less disirable than the new ones. I think I sense a pocket reach in here.

[geoffinbc]

Yea man all the engines are basically the same since 94.

[Cliff8928]

Yea man all the engines are basically the same since 94.

The 3400 was introduced for the 1996 model year...

for the swap, the only real difference is the change of the injectors in 2000... not much else..


Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[Anonymous]

I've had a dealer tell me he doesn't like the 3400.. I dunno why he just said they are full of problems. Could any of them have faulty head gaskets? I know my boss's van (Trans Sport) had a head gasket problem and I think it has the 3400.

[Guest]

The 3100 and 3400 are both "known" for lower intake gaskets going (3400 moreso), head gaskets I haven't heard of a problem with. I don't think it's as bad as people are making it out to be, there hundreds of thousands of these engines on the road, and maybe a few thousand have these problems.there is a redesigned gasket to take care of this now as well.

[laveryt]

So I have the 3400 almost ready to be dropped into the Z-24, but I still have a few issues to resolve.

• One of them being the plumbing for the 3400 Power Steering Pump high pressure line. It needs to run down along the front of the timing cover. Does anyone know of an OEM line that takes that route?
  
• The other being the throttle body throttle cable linkage. Somewhere I read about swapping over the linkage from the 2.8 to the 3400. After looking into doing that, it appears that it can't be done. They are completly different. So...is there a throttle cable that will work with the 3400 linkage and the 89 Cavalier throttle? I can't forget about the kickdown cable and the cruise control cable either. Any clarification would be greatly appretiated.

I am sure I will run into more problems than this...it has gone too easily so far.

[Guest]

Try this site: www.domesticcrew.com/660

[Cliff8928]

I just used the P.S. line that went up and over by the alternator.... worked fine in my car..

As for that lower PS line i think you could get those in the W-Bodies? (someone should know here, there's enough W-Body owners!) either that or in the vans

Cliff Scott
89 BerettaGT
89 Volvo740

[Brink1031]

Try the how to section on v6z24.com They actually have a walkthou and the guy tells you exactly which parts you need and the part number from some retailers for the parts.

I think the cable you need is from a grand am and the part number for the power steering line is in the how to.

[pocket-rocket]

Not to be a butthole, but looking at the date... if he didn't get the swap done 7 years ago he needs to find another hobby.