I bought a 98 z34 recently the previous owner claims he put a series 3 3800 from an 05 impala. I'm curious if there's a simple way for me to check if it's series 2 or 3. Any help or suggestions highly appreciated.

 

An 05 Impala has the series II.

The easiest way to check it to look at the Upper Intake Manifold. The series 3 is a little longer and not made of black plastic.

 

yea. they made it of aluminum finally on 04 on buicks and sum pontiacs. best was to check i guess between 1 and 2 in the tensioner bracket. it was coolant elbos and the front and back of it that leak frequently on the series two. the older one has a similar set up but should lack this black crap plastic terrible infuriating ford like design

 

thank you both for the quick responses, now when I check it if it is series 2 is there serial number that I can look up to see if its the original or if he did in fact engine swap?

 

that'll b a question for the dealer to answer really. i sell parts, and vin codes tell me very little aside from production place and ymm. copy down the serial on the block and the last 8 of ur vin and call chevy up. ask for parts and usually the gm parts ppl know what they r talking about. if not call my guy carl. in jersey. 856-235-2000. thats the service and parts dept. . if anyone cud tell u it should b him.

 

Were on the block can I find the number?

 

no clue.. sorry

 

I'll be checking it this friday so until then my fingers are crossed hoping its series 3
Once again thanks for the help , I'll post my findings when I get a chance

 

If he put a true series 3 in there which I highly doubt, the throttle body will be drive by wire, the upper intake will be aluminum, the oil pan will be aluminum and not black, and the fuel system will be returnless. If only the upper intake is aluminum then it's just a series II with an aluminum intake on it.

 

Matt (PacerSS) GM replaced my engine in my 2005 monte ss supercharged
My oil pan is aluminum not black like my wife's 2005 Impala ss , Is my engine a series 3 ?? Thanks Jerry (zjerry)