post pics of the swap!!

 

For both the 3800 and 3400?

Did he say anywhere he had a 3800? All I see is that its an 02 monte; if its a 3400- then he couldn't do that.

If it is a 3800, then rebuilding wouldn't be cost effective, or necessarily give him a reliable car. 3800's are a dime a dozen- and between L36, L26, L67, and L32 through all the various newer years of cars (at least 98 up) you should be able to find a decent condition short block for a good price.

 

None of the 00-05 Montes have a 3.05 ratio (the 00-05 Impala LS does)
The Monte LS has a 2.86 FDR
The Monte SS NA has a 3.29 FDR
The Monte SS SC has a 2.93 FDR (3.29 Diff w/ 33:37 sprockets)

As far as the PM rods, a few guys w/ 04+ Impalas have noted that they have them. I wouldn't be surprise if the early L32 and some of the early 04 L67s didn't have em as they likely used the cast rods until there was no stock remaining

On the tranny 4th shaft issue, they go regardless of abuse or not. It's not like you can really abuse the 4th shaft as the tranny downshifts as soon as you get on it. Also, if you look, you can do the tranny pretty inexpensively. In 2006, I paid $275 for an 04 GP GT tranny w/ 5k miles on it from a salvage yard

If it were me, I'd first try to find the 04-05 L67 from the Impala/Monte... and if you can't find one at a decent price, open the search up to the 98-03 GP GXP or Regal GS

BBEngineer