Broken crank! What swap? (Page 2/2)
sourmash APR 15, 09:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by 87convert: I went with the 4.9 Cadillac with 4 speed auto. This is not a race car swap but it is a blast on the street. Just enough to be killer in the 60ft grand prix (across the intersection) and a great cruiser on the freeway with 30 mpg and A/C. It is not a quarter mile killer, but is a lot of fun and a fairly easy swap.
Rolland



I have a 4.5 and it's a lot of fun too. Highway mileage is very good and it likes cruising at higher speeds.
arbakken APR 15, 10:05 PM
I have two good options.

1. Iron duke. I'll sell you the one out of my car real cheap. It needs a new wiring harness and a valve job.

2. Sell the car to me!

From my conversations with the Utah emissions testing guy, an engine swap shouldn't be a problem as long as it's newer. You should still call and tell them exactly what you want to do and they will tell you if they'll let it go.
Raydar APR 15, 10:10 PM

quote
Originally posted by engine man:
... i loved my 3.4 dohc it was easy to put in and i used the 4:10 4 speed as i knew it didn't have a lot of torque so it needed gear and it was great sounding
...




I find this really encouraging. I am contemplating a swap in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future. I have a 96-97 LQ1, and an F23 from a Cavalier. The F23 still has the 3:94 FDR.
Several people told me I should do the bellhousing swap to get the 3.6x ratio, but it just doesn't seem worth the trouble. So I think I won't.

To the OP...
FWIW, I've got a 4.9 with an Allante intake and a NV T550 (aka Beretta Getrag) trans. It's a torque monster. The trans gearing doesn't suit the engine's torque curve at all.
But it's stupidly quick, and outrageously fun to drive. And sometimes that's all that matters. (It will almost pull the front wheels off the ground. Or so I'm told.)

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 04-15-2020).]

Modesto APR 15, 10:27 PM
Well, here are some clues from today's 5 hour shift (and 2.5 hours of driving) at the junk yard.




I was prepared for a much higher mileage motor so depending on how things look on the inside I may not have to do a full rebuild. The donor car was otherwise in excellent shape with a well cared for interior, clean oil, etc.
engine man APR 15, 10:59 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Raydar:


I find this really encouraging. I am contemplating a swap in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future. I have a 96-97 LQ1, and an F23 from a Cavalier. The F23 still has the 3:94 FDR.
Several people told me I should do the bellhousing swap to get the 3.6x ratio, but it just doesn't seem worth the trouble. So I think I won't.

don;t understand why they would want you to go from 3:94 to 3:6x FDR as you are dropping rpm due to higher gear on a engine that lives on rpm

[This message has been edited by engine man (edited 04-16-2020).]

Modesto APR 16, 11:43 PM
Well I went back today and broke it down to the short block, then dropped it off at the machine shop for cleaning and inspection.
Raydar APR 17, 09:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by engine man:
...
don;t understand why they would want you to go from 3:94 to 3:6x FDR as you are dropping rpm due to higher gear on a engine that lives on rpm




IIRC, the DOHC actually starts out with as much torque as a 3.4 PR. But it can breathe until 7200 or so.
Even if it does blow 1st gear away, it'll still wind up for another thousand RPM before I have to snatch it into 2nd. At least it'll give me time to get ready to shift.
sourmash APR 18, 08:43 AM
I don't know, based on my experience with that same situation. My 280ZX turbo had a stock T5 and a turd for first gear. Very annoying. It was modded with 64-65mm TB, Supra intercooler, shortened waste gate rod, LSD and adjustable pop-off valve set to 13-14 psi. By the time it got rolling you had to chase down everything. It would catch and pass but it still made people think their car almost got you. Some would back off when they saw you were going to and pretend they won.
engine man APR 18, 01:05 PM
I can't speak for a 3.4 pr or the 3800 as i did not have them but i did love the dohc 3.4 and should build another but i love the sound of the V8 i have and the power the 3800 like i said can make a ton of power but it just sounds like it is flat or something higher up in the rpm . If you wanted to do a longitudinal engine install i would do a Passat 4.0 W8 engine it is short you can use a stock passat transmission auto or stick sounds great stock it has 270 hp with a tune about 300 hp .