What are the main differences for the 3.4l from 2000-2005?

Anything that would be an issue when it comes to swaping one for the other?

I have a 2000 LS, i know i have a gasket leak somewhere and i can get my hands a 03 engine and tranny for 350$ out of a grand am.. I figured that, although being a bit more work, it would be cheaper to swap the engine then get'n the head gaskets done..

Any connections that might be different? or would it just be pull it out, put it in, replug everything and drive away?

 

LA1

The LA1 3400 ("E-code") was a bored-out version of the 3100. It retained the OHV layout of the previous engine, and was first utilized on the 1996 U platform minivans and appeared in a car for the first time in the 1999 Pontiac Grand Am and Oldsmobile Alero. A 92 mm (3.6 in) bore with the same 84 mm (3.3 in) stroke brought the displacement to 3.4 L (3,350 cc/204 cu in). Like the LG8, the LA1 featured numerous common parts with the similar GM High Value engine family. Power was up to 170 hp-185 hp (127 kW to 138 kW) and torque was 210 ft·lbf (280 N·m). The 3.4 L engine is known to have intake manifold gasket problems causing engine damage if the owner of the car neglects to check or change the gaskets (if necessary). Many aftermarket companies have released gaskets that correct this problem for good. It is used in the following:

• 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV/Pontiac Trans Sport/Oldsmobile Silhouette
• 1997-2004 Chevrolet Venture/Pontiac Montana/Pontiac Trans Sport/Oldsmobile Silhouette
• 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero GL/GLS
• 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am SE/GT
• 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek/Buick Rendezvous
• 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala
• 2000-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

 

Good info Kid, but I read somewhere that 3400s made after 2003 have updated torque specs on the lower intake manifold gaskets and different sequence for tightening the fasteners as well. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to confirm this with a knowledgeable source...maybe someone can chime it.

 

i believe it was '04 that they changed the gasket material. Not for nothing, but i would just change the gaskets. Do a pressure check and see where the leak is. You may get lucky and it may just be the LIM gasket. I just replaced my head gaskets this past summer and i think it was about $250-300 for the gaskets, machined the heads, and fluids. I know it may seem cheaper to just swap the engine, but you never know what you are going to get with a used engine. What happends if you start leaking coolant 1,000 miles later? Just my $.02

 

 

if theres not many miles on your car id fix your motor, or if the milage diff between the motor u wanna swap out isnt much than you wouldnt gain anything, if i were you id just fix the one you got

 

Chances are the G.A. engine is about to lose a gasket also. It's probable that it's an intake gasket and you can fix it easily in an afternoon. All of this was stated above. I agree.

 

Fix the intake gasket. Forget the swap. Chaances are the donor engine hasn't had the gasket changed yet, and you'll just be turning around and changing that.
Is there anything wrong with the current engine other than the gasket?

 

Nah, power wise i think she might lost a bit but shes 10 years old and almost 210,000 km (just over 125,000 miles i think).

So i'll take a better look to see if i can find the leak... if not ill get it checked...

The guy called me back for the engine, has no idea what the milage is on the car, so thats an other reason why i wont get it...

Tx again!

 

I agree with the above, just fix the gaskets on your engine, and know its fixed. Rather than get a doner that could have more issues. Plus the tranny on the Grand Am is different than the Monte.