My 00 monte carlo has a trans and engine leak, both are getting progressivly worse. So instead of dropping 2,500-3k to fix them, i was thinking of just replacing them. Atm its the 3400 with the auto trans. So i was wondering if you could tell me what would fit, im not asking for people to say "get a 355 small block for 5 grand", i'm looking to spend less money if possible. But i am looking to get a much power as possible with a manual trans at a resonable cost, so could anyone tell me what would fit in?

 

Welcome to MCF!!! Not too many people have swapped to a manual transmission so I can't say how to do it.

As for transplant. The single best way would be to drop a used 3800 engine. The 3800 is much more "bullet proof" (though some will argue this) than the 3.1 and 3.4, has many more mods available for it, readily available, and has a huge knowledge base. Tons of info here: http://www.l67swap.com/


Also the 355 small block is actually more like a 20 grand mod to refabricate the interior, rebuild the entire front and rear suspention and a half dozen other not so cheap items.

 

well the early to mid 90s cavaliers you could get with a 3.1 anda manual trans, but it would be alot of work to convert a monte to accept that trans. also they were made to handle less power than you already have in a lighter vehicle. i cant think of any gm fwd manual trans that recived a larger engine... or the cobalt ss has more power.

i cant see how you could do anything of the sort w/o paying far more than repairs.

 

Thank you both for your help. I'm going to go with a 3800 and a automatic trans. Now I have noticed that Buicks Pontiacs and Oldsmobile dating as far back as the early 80's have 3800's with a fwd trans. Sence it is GM is this the same engine?

 

I would be concerned about the mounting locations of the earlier non Chevy cars.