Oh I see, this is all new to me I'm still learning :P. lol thanks though for being patient with me!

 

This is why I was mentioning a turbo to you. Very easy to do in the backyard and with standard tools. Though the initial cost is higher than top-swapping, since you can do it yourself it is about the same cost wise? maybe even cheaper.

http://zzperformance.com/grand_prix/...=964&catid=109

 

If you're looking at an L67 like the ad and text say in your first post- it'll already have an eaton supercharger on it, and hence no need to 'top swap' it. The top swap would only be for an L36 or L26 (naturally aspirated series 2 or 3 3800).

One other thing to consider about a turbo, I assume he's looking for a lower mileage powertrain since his is older and worn out. If his mileage is really high- it may be a better idea just to stick a much newer powertrain in there and go from there.

 

Okay, well first off I'm 100% positive I can get this L67 Swap done, I've spoken to some people who were more than willing to help for free! So I'm very lucky and excited now.

I would like some feedback on this engine right here though
3800 SuperCharged Gm Engine W/ Computer and Harness - eBay (item 320676232304 end time Apr-03-11 22:05:47 PDT)

It has the computer + wiring harness however it's rebuilt. A friend of mine told me that although the 3800's are amazing engines, there is a rather high failure chance when they are rebuilt. I don't know if this is true or not but it kind of has me worried now, I'm willing to spend anywhere from $1200 and below on a good power train but I'm not too sure if about this engine right here.

I'm sure I can find a L67 tranny out there somewhere, they're more common than the engines from what I've seen.

 

I found this funny:

Your friend is right though, rebuilt 3800's don't have the best reputation. I'd also be wondering why it needed a full rebuild at 90k miles- abused, ran out of oil, massively overheated, etc etc? Also- how much did they rebuild/replace?

Since you already have a 3800, the wiring harness and pcm will be rather useless to you anyways as well.

I also found this funny:

Someone dropped the ball on that- early 90's 3300 vs a late 90's/early 00's SC 3800- I would've figured the price difference alone would've been a dead giveaway.

 

Wow, I have a ton of homework to do on my own my damn car since my gearhead friend knows more about it than I do!

Looks like it's back to the drawing board... I did stumble across this powertrain right here on Ebay as well, only thing is, is that's its also rebuilt.

3800 supercharged gtp engine with 0 miles - eBay (item 220759878696 end time Mar-31-11 19:24:51 PDT)

Or should I just steer clear from a rebuilt engine all together?

 

I'd steer clear of them altogether- there are seriously a ton of them that were produced, they were put in a bunch of different cars and made for many years. There has to be something out there with reasonable mileage on it that isn't rebuilt.

My second problem is with the price- that thing being almost $2000 for just the engine (literally just a complete engine- its missing all the accessories and such) is really steep for an L67- that's easily over 1/2 the price of the KBB for a 97 grand prix like that engine would've come out of, and well over salvage value for a totalled GP of the same year (ie if you were to take the powertrain out, part out the good pieces, and get scrap metal value for the rest). I understand that machine shop work is stupid expensive and that he put a nice chunk of money into all new bearings and gaskets- but it just doesn't make much sense to rebuild when there are so many engines out there and they're known to last so long.

Last thing is 97 GTP is one of the least desirable L67's. I know some of the wiring and such was different (probably including the PCM- not sure about the knock sensors, or ICM- I'd imagine they're the same)- plus I believe they were slightly more crack prone around the valves (he didn't mention if they magnafluxed the head chambers or not); and the 97-98 throttle body flows worse than the 99+.

 

Well, I think my search for an L67 is finally over...

I got in contact with a junkyard and I got this response
" I need to know the year of the engine you want. I have several 3800 supers on the lot and on the shelf, just gotta narrow down which one you need. "

So if I'm lucky I'll get something preferably low mileage and in good condition (isn't that what we all want?) but I was wondering if a certain make or year of the L67's were easier than others for the swap. I know you did it out of a GTP but I read on clubgp that Impala SS wiring is quite a headache... so which one would be the easiest to go for? Or what exactly would you recommend I look for?