So, straight up 3500 instead of hybrid?

[Sidewinder]

So, I'm really thinking about getting a straight up 3500 swap instead of the hybrid, and for a good reason. I was browsing car-part and found a bounty of used '04 and '05 3500 engines nearby for very cheap. $478 for 11000 - 80000 mile engine, and I also found another set for $396 with 24000 - 40000 miles on them. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but this would mean that I could buy the engine soon and start working on it this summer. I'm going to give the yards a call and double check everything, but if its true in a few weeks I will have a 3500 engine to build up

That being said, this swap is going to be a bit more complicated, though I know that the thread stickied above will be a great help. I'm going to make a list of the parts I need (once I read through the thread again) and get a double check on it from you guys so I can get everything in one go.

Oh and lastly, what should I have a look for on/in the engine to make sure everything is ok?

[SappySE107]

pull the plugs and turn it over by hand. With the mileage on those motors, they should be ok.

[Joseph Upson]

A salvager in my area offered to pull the main caps because the accident itself has been known to cause spun bearings apparently in their experience since it was their idea to do so and I was told it didn't matter how knew the engine is.

[Superdave]

pull the plugs and turn it over by hand. With the mileage on those motors, they should be ok.

x2



most places offer a 30 day warranty as well, if it's bad they'll take it back.


great decision on the full swap, you won't be dissapointed.

[merlot566jka]

x2



most places offer a 30 day warranty as well, if it's bad they'll take it back.


great decision on the full swap, you won't be dissapointed.

that warranty is awesome. but it will bite back. i bought my 3500 for $150 from allprousedautoparts.com. it came with a cracked upper and lower intake and ended up eating a rod bearing 300 some odd miles later. I called the salvager and they said, sure well refund your $150, just ship us the engine. they are in florida and im in oklahoma. so basicly they knew i was fuckered, cause it cost more than the engine to ship it, and where the hell was i going to find another engine for $150?!?!?

they got me... dont begotten

[IsaacHayes]

Put a cam in and get those S&S headers to work and you'll have the setup PCGUY has pretty much.

[Canyonero]

that warranty is awesome. but it will bite back. i bought my 3500 for $150 from allprousedautoparts.com. it came with a cracked upper and lower intake and ended up eating a rod bearing 300 some odd miles later. I called the salvager and they said, sure well refund your $150, just ship us the engine. they are in florida and im in oklahoma. so basicly they knew i was fuckered, cause it cost more than the engine to ship it, and where the hell was i going to find another engine for $150?!?!?

they got me... dont begotten

Same thing happened to me with an eBay engine. It cost more than $150, but it still wasn't worth sending back. Full of sludge, rusted cyl and broken motor mount. Lame.

[Superdave]

that warranty is awesome. but it will bite back. i bought my 3500 for $150 from allprousedautoparts.com. it came with a cracked upper and lower intake and ended up eating a rod bearing 300 some odd miles later. I called the salvager and they said, sure well refund your $150, just ship us the engine. they are in florida and im in oklahoma. so basicly they knew i was fuckered, cause it cost more than the engine to ship it, and where the hell was i going to find another engine for $150?!?!?

they got me... dont begotten

that's why you buy one that's somewhat local..


I found mine about 20 miles away from my house, lol

BTW, if it was only $150 they knew something was wrong with it, that's way below the value of the engine. If it's below $300 then i'd be worried.. my 3500 was $610 with a 30 day warranty.

[Sidewinder]

Both are in my general area, about 45 - an hour away from me so that won't be an issue. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to call them today, and I won't tomorrow but I'll get some info either Wednesday or Thursday.

[IanSzgatti]

its so funny because i've been thinking about this tonight too... what is the 3500's stock HP anyways?

[Barry]

I cant wait for a 3500 to pop up in my local yard, motors are only 75 bucks. I could do a 3400 swap really easily and cheaply, considering its basicly the same motor that i have right now.

[Superdave]

its so funny because i've been thinking about this tonight too... what is the 3500's stock HP anyways?

201 HP/220 TQ with stock tuning.. From what ive seen with the 3400's running on OBD1 you should be able to pull a few more ponies out of it easy.

[Sidewinder]

I'm debating what I want to do with it now. I was planning on getting ported upper and lower intake manifolds and head work with a cam for my 3400/3500 hybrid. I could do the same thing with the 3500 but I'm thinking about putting it in stock and getting it to run first, what do you think?

I've read a bit of PCGuy's (42 pages is a long read) so I know of a few things I need. Most parts I can use from my 3100 correct?

[IsaacHayes]

Yeah the accesories/etc fuel rail/etc. Get a cam if you are going to do one first, since that's hard to put in if the engine is in the car... lol and get the appropriate size injectors and make sure you can tune of course.

[PCGUY112887]

Yes! Having an actual 3500 rocks, I love to say I have a cammed 3.5L.

If you guys have any questions about it just ask in my sticky thread, I learned a lot doing the swap.