Dying 3800

[ktraver97ss]

So my nephews 97 GTP with almost 200k is about to kick the bucket. The shame is that the body and interior is in pretty damn good shape. He currently has a bad motor mount that caused his right axle to rub on something and damage it. The crankshaft pulley has a bunch of play, intake and and valve covers leak, a bad belt, it has a nice tick, and it misses(injectors). The engine is basically done. I found a used 2000 motor and 4t65e trans with 120k on them on CL for $950 but im sure i can beat him down on price. Will this year swap right in with his ecu and harness?

Any other ideas besides just letting him drive it till it dies and parting it out?

Click to read more...

 

[KagA152]

97 was a bastard child year so youd have some problems, im sure somebody else can shed some light on what all is required. if his trans is ok i would say just look for a newer n/a engine

 

[99PONTIACGP]

97's suck a fat one. Had issues with mine installing a different engine.

 

[99PONTIACGP]

http://www.grandprixforums.net/97-grand-prix-engine-swap-43300.html

 

[Fish]

The engine itself will be the same, cept the vac lines on the blower. I dont remember if you were able to switch it to the 98+ style though. Unsure about the transmission.

 

[Myprixxx]

I thought the pcm had to be changed. Repin the connectors or something. And iirc the tranny is different as well.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk

 

[PANDA]

This is a question best to ask James. He will close his guys look up at the sky and spit off all the info you need in about 5 min.

 

[Fish]

97 pcms are different, but you can use the one already in the car. I had an 05 engine in my 97 regal with a 97 PCM running it.

Fwiw, it had an 01 transmission as well.

I also believe I had the 97 vac lines for the gen 5 blower as well. I'll have to find pics to confirm.

 

[GTwolf]

97 are a little different. Blowers had special vac lines, PCM is different, vac lines are vacuum controlled as well.

 

[Myprixxx]

97 are a little different. Blowers had special vac lines, PCM is different, vac lines are vacuum controlled as well.

I think you mean trans lines controlled by vacuum? This was my impression anyway

 

[Fish]

97 L36 powered cars have vac controlled transmissions, they also do NOT have the 4T65E. That started in 98.

 

[ktraver97ss]

So a 98+ can be done with the 97 ecu and some vac line modification?

What about a 97 N/A 3800 out of a bonne?

 

[Aircal]

97's suck a fat one. Had issues with mine installing a different engine.

97's where the year of the factory freaks !! And will rule all other years!!....lol

 

[ktraver97ss]

Could someone pls point James in the direction of this thread por favor.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

as long as its a 3800 and a 4t65e youll have no problems.
if you use an na shortblock youll have to swap over the heads and other parts.

you could just leave it NA if you wanted and it would run fine.

97's primary differences are mostly wiring and pcm, and also the trans if it was an NA car.

you can use almost any year engine/trans