hi there everyone. in fall i picked up a 97 monte with the 3.1 for $275 cdn. the body is in solid condition with the odd surface rust. the sunroof needs a new motor, and the windshield needs replacing. the worst part is the busted cam in the motor. i dont know what or how it ran before being parked so im just going to replace the motor. any suggestions/tips you guys could help me out with for which years are compatable for a direct bolt in swap (probably doing a 3.1 again for easyness) i dont want to do any cutting or splicing. this is my first fwd engine swap, ive done rwd ones. any suggestions to make this swap easier aswell? thanks a bunch!!!

 

Moved your thread into a relevant section.

Hopefully someone can chime in, or our search feature can really help you out on this

 

If you're just looking for something to make a little beater out of, a 3.1 should do you fine. The 3.1 was never known for it's durability so I think you are doing the right decision. If you were looking for power, there are threads here on doing a 3.8L swap out (known for its better power and reliability), which also requires a transmission swap. I've done a few RWD engine swap myself, and I don't anticipate too many big differences in FWD's, but I've never done one either. Best of luck to you!

 

just a beater swap. can i pick any 3.1? or which years would it have to specificly?

 

Its not to bad to swap the 3.1's, I did my sons 95 grand prix. Just make sure you get the hideaway bolt in the bellhousing. All the bolts on the tranny go in from the driverside except 1 goes in from the pass. side. Good luck

 

So the cam itself broke? Sure its not just a simple timing chain?

If you do have to swap, obviously I wouldn't get older than 96- so you're sure you're getting an engine that was obd2. Beyond that, I don't know.

 

I don't think there is much difference in the 97 3.1's and the 95 3.1s. I just did the head and intake gaskets on my wifes 97 lumina and all of the sensors are the same parts numbers of her 95 lumina and same wiring connectors. As long as you changed any electrial part that was different a 95 3.1 should work.

 

yeah the cam broke in half. i ripped the upper intake off and what not to peek at it

 

The block and heads are all the same from 94-99 you just have to change some sensors and the upper intake and the exhaust manafold.

 

good luck with the swap