For discussion. I have a 99 Monte LS. I understand that the 3.1L it now has can be swapped for a 3.8L 2nd Gen. I have had 3.8L in past and have not noticed that much more power in other vehicle platforms. Does anyone have an opinion on if there will be noticeable difference etc. If I did swap, it would most likely be a stock 3.8L. Any other benefit cons appreciated.

 

Why swap at all? Is the 3100 having problems? If you're not looking to upgrade anything, I'd just leave the current engine.

These are 2 differently designed engines 60* vs 90* and with that comes benefits and cons all over the place. I, too, have had both engines and I like them both.

For instance, the water pump on 60*V6 engines is so much easier to replace; however, the t-stat is much easier on those 90*V6. Also, those 3800s have more aftermarket performance parts - but you said you were not interest in that so...

At any rate, you'd want to consider all of the other parts you'd need ie, wiring/wiring harness, computer from donor car, any tune up needed on the donor engine, ect.

According to wiki, that 3100 came in at 160 HP - it would depend on the 3800 you put in NA or supercharged what you get so I'd say 205 - 240 (Guessing we would use Series II)

 

I agree with above said. The little 3.1 is fun to drive. I put some Michelin's on it and changed the dreaded intake gasket. Other than that it has been mostly maintenance with exception that I did do the water pump and starter: light work. I am rambling. It is fun, I was just wandering if a 3.8 L would add any extra noticeable power, etc or would

 

I think both are peppy enough for daily driving. I had a slightly different 3100 though - mine was in a 1990 Grand Prix LE. Pretty basic. Also had the 2.8 in an old Chevy Celebrity, I have a 3400 in a 2000 Grand Am GT1, a 3400 in a 2005 Impala base, had a 3900 in an Uplander. Anyway, the 60* are fine enough, the 3800s do seem to have just that extra pep though. Just my opinion. Not enough if it were me to go and change out an entire, perfectly good engine that isn't giving me problems. I think the key for you is does it have enough difference stock. If you want a projects, heck yeah, go for it. I do projects just because sometimes as well.

I hope someone else may chime in to give some incite, but again my opinion is not worth it. I know a lot of people in the impala forums don't think it's worth it for a 2000-2005 Impala with a 3400 to go to a 3800. Then again the LA1 has 180 HP and the L36 has 205 HP so it's a smaller gap in power.

 

Thanks WBody. My thoughts as well on the not quite worth it. It's not like I would be swapping for V8 etc. That being said, I again was looking for opinion/ discussion. That being said, I probably wouldn't consider the trade unless the 3.1 crapped out on me. And then the question would be 3.1 or 3.8

 

I service my current 3.1 now like clockwork so it will live forever

 

You'll need a 4t65e transmission to go with a 3800, not to mention axles, PCM, wiring harness, and some other things. If you're leaving it stock, the extra ~40 horsepower isn't worth the hassle or the investment IMO.

 

Sounds like my cars. Had a friend of mine tell me I'll have my car till 2030 - I'd probably want a new design by then though.

 

If you were to swap a 3800 in, swap in the supercharged 3800. Would possibly be worthwhile plus it opens up alot of modding opportunity.

 

It would add a lot of power, even for the NA version. The NA engine is about a 40 hp / 40 tq gain. On a 600 hp car, that may not be particularly noticeable, but on a sub 200 hp car, that's a major delta. I'd guess you'd shave a full second off the 1/4 mile time.

Not to mention, getting that kind of gain by modding the 3100 would be incredibly difficult.

With that said, I don't think it would be remotely worth it to swap now, especially if you were only going to do the NA 3800. 5th gen montes are dirt cheap. I can't imagine a 5th gen with a 3800 in it would cost more than a couple grand. By the time you bought an engine, trans, wiring, and spent the labor putting it in, it wouldn't make any real sense to do the swap anymore.

Heck, you could pick up a 3800 grand prix or early 6th gen monte for not much more money since the values are all pretty well bottomed out at this point.