Failure? Help?

[natural3800]

Here is the story first, I was driving along and decided to get on it from 60 to 80 for the heck off it. Well it took it a pretty good time to do that, i rolled into the town where I was heading to get some gas for my car and some to start my race car. Well everything seemed alright. I stopped and shut off the car at the pump. Went to start it up and bang the motor spun a rod bearing. It sounds like its a rod bearing to me. It is a little noticeable at idle, but when you give it the gas the thing sounds like a machine gun. So now I am at the decision on to either rebiuld the motor the way I want it, or to get a replacement. So far I have found two very good replacements.

1. 1999 3.8v6 from a firebird with 10k miles for $800, but it has been setting since 1999.

2. 2002 3.8v6 from a camaro with 34, 35k miles for $640, it has been sitting since 2004.

Now I am favoring the 99 motor because it doesn't have that drive by wire sh*t. MY question is which one would be better? Would it be better to get the cheeper motor and swap intake manifolds over? Or does the 99 motor have those semi-headers ( tubular manifolds)? If it does would it be better?
I need tech help very quick have one free week before graduation and the day after that I start working on the farm. Anything will be appreciated. O I have a 96 camaro btw.Thanxs

[CDNFB]

Re: Failure? Help?

Are you sure that's a 99 and not a 98 or earlier?

My 99' 3800 is drive by wire. I don't think they put 3.8s with conventional throttle cables in Firebirds in 99'.

DZ

[natural3800]

Re: Failure? Help?

Whell the haynes manual said on page 4-12 under throttle body that the 2000 later models throttle control ssystem is electronic. (drive by wire). No mechanical cable. On models through 99 have a cable.

[97rs4life]

Re: Failure? Help?

nope, 99+ have the drive by wire and the straight tb/intake

[natural3800]

Re: Failure? Help?

So since there is a type-o in the haynes manual should I beleive everything else in it?

Also the what will it take to make one of the motors work in my 96 then?
I would love to have the straight intakes, but not that drive by wire.

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Failure? Help?

Someone here, i forget who, but they replaced their engine with a factory brand new one, and it looked really nice. If you plan on keeping your car, thats what i would recommend.

[natural3800]

Re: Failure? Help?

You know the one thing that I learned during High School was that in order to carry a clear conversation with someone, I had to speak clearly and explain what I was talking about and also to have good reasoning for what I was talking about. I just realized what I have done here, I didn't explain why I am looking at these engines. So I will now explain it so you can give me the info that I am looking for. NO offense meant by this please, I'm just trying to explain why your not giving me the info that I was looking for.

1st. The car has sentimental value to me.
2nd. I want to keep it all original like I had it during High School.
3rd. It was my first car, first responsiblity, and first (child), she is my baby.
4rth. I am serious this car is like a kid to me, It is that valueable to me.
5th. I like it the was it is, no changes, because there are other cars that can be changed, screwed with, and broken under my size 14 foot.
6th. Finally, I was just looking to find out if I could get one of these motors to drop into my car, until I can get the original motor back in it to keep it all numbers maching.
7th. I know the short block of these engines are all the same except for a knock sensor I beleive, so is it still a good idea to get one of them?, I am favoring the 99 motor.

Sorry if you guys are offended by this, but I felt that I wasn't receiving the answer that I was looking for. Oh and please if you have a different opion like bobbyz72 please just answer the questions I have, I respect your opions but they are not what I really would rather hear right now., I need the info fast, I am at a crunch to hurry up and get the car runing great again so I can drive her to work instead of my 944 porsche. All you guys know that the 944 porsche was a mistake for porsche. Drive it for 1 day and fix it for 3 or 4 or whatever else can cause you great pain and missery. Please guys just answer my questions if you can, I don't want to drive that d*mn porsche.
That thing is just a go cart, so please someone tell me what the best route is.

[ma4life]

Re: Failure? Help?

I'd go with the '99 one ... just give it a real good prime (a couple times) of oil before starting it up ... are you planning on rebuilding the original motor and just need a temp motor to get her back on the street ?? If, so, get the '99 and rebuild the OEM.

Good Luck.

[natural3800]

Re: Failure? Help?

What all will I have to worry about when I get the 99 motor then?

I know of only two things right off hand, the knock sensor (please explain why), and the intake setup, (someone give me great detail why).

[natural3800]

Re: Failure? Help?

Oh and yes I plan on reuseing the oem motor. I am going to eventually get the zzperformance stroker kit and go wild on it. (Race Wild) It will be a good time like a year or two. I have to go to colledge and all other crap (porsche).