i havent heard about that but they do make a series 2 aluminum one. i just ordered mines. its fom fel-pro so that should be awesome, cant wait till she get here

 

There is a Series III 3800 (L26) that has a compatible aluminum UIM (I'm actually working on one for my Monte as more of an appearance mod then anything). But to swap it on, you have to get the UIM, then an adapter plate that will run about $100 and modify the PCV venting. None of it is a big big deal.
- Is it an easy swap - Yes.
- It is a great and potentially permanent fix - Yes.
- Is the cost worth it - I don't think so, not for this issue. You can plug the ports in the LIM for next to nothing and end the coolant problem 100% for a lot less then the L26 UIM mod. Plus, most people don't have the car long enough for a brand new UIM to fail.

Where did you order it from and what's the part number for an aluminum UIM?? I've heard people mention supposedly an aftermarket company (like Fel Pro) makes one, but yet to show that it exists (it's been more of a "myth" then anything). It would be worth knowing more about to share the info.

 

If I can get an aluminum series 2 that would be awesome and I plan on keeping this car a very long time. If the engine goes ill make It lawn art. I love this car.

 

I forgot to mention, if you want to upgrade the LIM and UIM bolts to stainless, here's a kit as a result of me sending in bolts for this company to match up (I have a complete set in my garage for an up coming project):
osCommerce

They also offer these in polished and allen key style bolts.

 

Oooooooo! More shiney stuff? I think I should cool my jets a little on spending but this lookes good. I actually am in the process of painting my engine brakets so I'm just looking around inside my engine at all the things I can clean as I start pulling this up. I'm actually pretty excited to get on the project. But I might end up doing it on base beacuse winter is coming and a heated garage sounds nice.

 

Since I am planning an L26 UIM swap, I wanted to take this time to swap the old hardware and as you sad "more shiny stuff" lol. So I actually got an entire set of hardware from a junk yard car, validated that the L36 hardware I got would work with the L36 LIM and L26 UIM I have in the garage. I mocked it up, both engines uses the SAME bolt kits. Sent the junk yard hardware to these guys and they matched up a pretty kit for me and also offer it on their site! Can't beat that!!

I'm anxious to actually use my kit (it's been in the garage all summer because I have not had a chance to finish what I need to finish to have the L26 UIM ready for my Monte).

 

The unfortunate problem I have is my monte is my only means of transportation and I can't have any down time. I might look into thoes bolts, and possibly the aluminum UIM. Do you ahve a link to the adapter for It?

 

Here's the link to the adapter plate:
ZZPerformance - Gen 5 to L67/L36 Throttle Body Adapter Plate #ZZ-GEN5L67L36-TBA

I completely understand your Monte being your daily driver and needing it to be reliable. Personally, I still think your cheapest and best bet if you never want to worry about the coolant issue with the UIM, plug the LIM and call it a day. My father drove his Grand Prix with it plugged for a year and then sold it. Car still runs great, never an issue.

Under normal conditions, it takes a long time for that UIM to degrade to a point of worry. Keep in mind, I am changing my UIM not for reliability, I am changing it for appearance (besides, my LIM is plugged, so no issues there).

Here's a thread that's worth seeing:
https://montecarloforum.com/forum/en...12/#post481239

Member Franks 03SS had his engine blow on him. He put in a '05+ :26 (same exact engine as the L36, except the aluminum UIM and in '05+ L26s the connecting rods are forged, not cast). He kept the L26 UIM. He does a great top end tear down, build up and explains how he solved the PCV issue. That link jumps ahead to when he got the L26 (leaving out the stuff about the car died). Should give you the full look at what you'll be up to changing LIM gaskets and an L26 UIM.

 

Thanks for all your help man. Still scared of making this worse when I start doing it. I just wish that I knew some one here familiar with tjis engine.

 

I understand. The job can be a bit intimidating at first, but it's actually not hard at all. You just have to take your time, pay attention and ask questions when you're not sure.

Also, I would borrow a good torque wrench and torque the LIM bolts down to the correct tightness. Same with the UIM.