My 3800 decided tostart knocking. I have been looking at replacent options but a rebuilt is not an option. I found a used 3800 from a 2003 Impala. The car was his but I got a chance to drive it and it works great and only has 62000 miles. I checked this and other forums and it does sound like I can use this motor. Some say not to but most do. My reman engine catalog at work shows a different part number from 95-96 than 97 and later. Are there any diffences I should be thinking about. I am going to use only the block and heads from the new motor and reuse the camaro parts.

Also, pulling the engine. I see it is best to drop it out the bottom. I have no safe way of doing this. My thought would be is to get the car on jackstands and simply drop the cradle a little for clearance and still take it out the top. Just a thought.

Thanks All!
JT

 

I was given this link to use as a reference

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...D&ProdID=96139

The bolts holding the cradle in are only about 4 or 5 inches long. Hopefully that will be enough room for you. If not, since you are going to remove the intake anyways, you could remove it and have plenty of room to lift. It would only be a tricky deal setting it back in as a complete motor.

98 is when the upper manifold and throttle body changed and will not fit under the hood of the 97 and earlier without chaning the plenum. Good luck.

I leave the rear lift bracket off of the motor when I put it back in so I can get to the valve cover bolt that is covered by it in case I ever have to put new valve cover gaskets on. That thing is a PITA to work around.

 

agree with the duck, as far as i know the blocks and heads are all the same with the 3.8, gorn would know for sure. u should be ok being thats what u r using.

 

I think I will go for that engine. Thanks!

Now the fun begins.... Hopefully Friday AM the swap can start. I decided to go out the bottom. The back wheels go up on ramps and the front up on my 24" jackstands. I'll make sure to get pics!

 

Pick up a couple of those $15 furniture dollys to set the engine cradle and tranny on. Makes things go alot easier. Also, when you remove the bolts going throught the fender wells for the shock towers, be careful and don't let them fall down and damage the brake lines. Look at the rear of tranny and make sure you remember how the torque arm is attached or you will spend a few minutes under there scratching your head later. Good luck.

 

Fun!? I would have gotten an extended warranty, and then it would have been covered...

 

Do you have the step by step guide? There is a guy on a different website, user name Meattyshell or something like that. He used a 2003 Malibu and was real pleased in the out come. PM me with your email and I will send you a PDF tonight.