I need some input from the 5th gen guys. I am looking at a 96 Monte with a 3.1. The guy says it has lifter knock. I'm thinking that, if I get it, I'd just swap out the whole engine to be sure that it is good to go. Could I swap in a 3400 without too much trouble? Or even a 3800? I'm thinking that the engine computers would be completely different.

 

You would just need all of the parts, engine, trans, wiring harness, computer from the donor.

3.1 lifter tick is common on cold starts.

 

Thanks Chibi. It has been awhile since I had a 3.1. Probably 15 years or better. The car has 207,000 on it, so I'm leaning towards a complete engine replacement (if I get the car) He only wants $600 for it, and the body is in decent shape. Just a couple small rust spots. I haven't crawled under it yet though, so the undercarriage could be shot.

 

Could be worth just looking for a 98-99 z34 instead

 

You can swap a 3400 with no modification I believe, a 3800 though is a totally different story. You need the PCM, wiring harness, transmission, axles at least.

 

Since the 3400 and 3100 use the same block, from what I've read the swap is pretty much straight forward. The mid-90's Grand Am guys have done that swap a few times. THere are soem write ups about it (as there can be a couple small issues, and I mean SMALL that it helps to see what othrs have done before).