97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

[OutKlast]

My car is a daily driver and I was planning on beefing it up anyway down the road but I've got a slow oil leak somewhere in the rear. Figure I'll just buy a new 98+ engine beef it up and swap it out rather then hassling with trying to find the leak in a reasonable amount of time.

Is this a straight-forward swap can I use my old 97 PCM with a 98+ engine. Or do I need a 98+ PCM and if I do use a 98+ PCM do parts of my electrical system need to change? I also plan on swapping the tranny to; a 4L60e again but a newer one because I'll probably upgrade that a hair too.

[slow6]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

going from a 97 to a 98 is not an upgrade really
what if the new USED engine leaks? lol

[OutKlast]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

going from a 97 to a 98 is not an upgrade really
what if the new USED engine leaks? lol

Well considering I'd be replacing all the gaskets/seals on it when I do the upgrades that would mean I did it wrong and I would have probably screwed it up on my original engine as well.

[97rs4life]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

any 95-98 engine will be a direct swap. 99+ they went with the straight tb so you would have to put your 97 intakes and tb on the new engine to make it all work easily

[OutKlast]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

any 95-98 engine will be a direct swap. 99+ they went with the straight tb so you would have to put your 97 intakes and tb on the new engine to make it all work easily

I actually wanted the straight TB. From pictures I've seen theres not much difference in it. I have an SS hood that isn't hooked into anything but it blows right where one could put the air-filter if they were so inclined.

[FirebirdGT]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

I actually wanted the straight TB. From pictures I've seen theres not much difference in it. I have an SS hood that isn't hooked into anything but it blows right where one could put the air-filter if they were so inclined.

99+ uses a electronic TB. You will need a 99+ PCM, engine wiring harness, and have other wiring issues (gauges, etc). Not worth the effort.

[slow6]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

Well considering I'd be replacing all the gaskets/seals on it when I do the upgrades that would mean I did it wrong and I would have probably screwed it up on my original engine as well.

you never said what upgrades your going to do to it and what for?
if you wanna rebuild it or replace all the gaskets then whatever, by all means, go for it! its good experience
good luck

[OutKlast]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

99+ uses a electronic TB. You will need a 99+ PCM, engine wiring harness, and have other wiring issues (gauges, etc). Not worth the effort.

Eh teh suxor. Hard finding an older well kept engine.

[OutKlast]

Re: 97 3.8 to 98+ 3.8 swap; straight forward?

you never said what upgrades your going to do to it and what for?
if you wanna rebuild it or replace all the gaskets then whatever, by all means, go for it! its good experience
good luck

Just some N/A stuff and make it a little stronger for nitrous down the line. New valvesprings (higher rate), double timing chain, rockers, pushrods, cam, pistons, L32 forged rods, porting the intake and heads, new bearings, gaskets. Send the transmission off to a guy from camaroz28.com that beefs up the 4L60e so I can get better launches. Painting the engine/transmission before it's put back in. New 98+ rear end 3.42's and LSD, new torque converter. The goal is 13's NA (on street tires); I'm also dropping weight even for daily driving and 6.5-7k redline.