Hello all,

I have a 1996 Monte Carlo LS. I recently took a trip to the local junk yard and picked up various cosmetic parts such a new quarter panel and random other stuff. The cars that they had at the yard were a 95 and a 97, the 97 being a 3.4L engine. It got me thinking, would it be possible to drop a 3.4L engine into my LS assuming that I had the correct technical help, which I do. I have searched around and I havent seen anything about the compatibility of the two engines. This project might seem crazy but I am a fanatic and have a love for this car. :licka:

Thanks
RJ

I just got the same car and have been trying to find out the same information have you got any responses yet? i talked to mechanic who had done it and he tol;d me that you need to get the engine &trany along with the wiring harness for sure. He is going to get me the wiring diagrams and told me the biggest issue was the computer swap because of how easy it is to fry the things. I guess anything over 20 ohms and you get to go find a new one. He also said the sway bar have to be replaced. I did some searching on the net and did find the 97 3.4 z34 engine had the most hp of the years in case you wanted to know. Let me know if you have tried yet and you haven't make sure you take it all out in opne piece only leaving the struts behind he said that was the easiest.

I havent tried yet. I was just wondering to see if anyone would know. Supposedly you should be able to do it. I would think you could also just swap the wiring harness, sway bar etc without risk of blowing the computer. However I don't know. I will be talking to a mechanic friend later this weekend, I will give you an update and see what he thinks.

the 2.8, 3.1, 3.4 motors are all the same 60 degree block, and will bolt right up to your tranny, pcm's may need to be changed for reasons of timming, spark, fuel, etc....

I have heard the 3.8 with the super chargers will drop right in to the monte carlo too. i was told the 3.8 has the same block as the 3.1 and 3.4 has anyone heard of this?

I read that the 3.1 and the 3.4 are the same block. I don't know if the 3.8 is, however, all 3 bolt on the same to the transmission, so you should be able to use ur trans when swapping. I have a 3.8 i pulled if anybody's interested in it just let me know! (i needed the trans, but not the motor)

-Aaron-

just want to throw my 2 cents in there.... the 3.4 DOHC (if thats what your talking about) is a terrible engine, reliability wise. The tranny coupled with the 3.4 (and 3.1) is weak as heck. This is my second 95 monte carlo z34 (don't ask) and its made it 177,000 miles with all origional parts, and regular maintenece.

Soon i will race my freind who has a 2001 bonneville with a 3.8L. From the specs he has about 5-10 hp over me, but it should be fun.

The 3.4L DOHC is powerful, but it comes with a price, poor design, not that great of reliability, and i would classify it under a gearheads engine, becasue you have to pop the hood and check things over more often......... I would not reccomend swapping for it.....

I prefer a nice big 5.7L 350cid chev small block :) or a 454cid, but those of course wont fit in a newer monte.

good luck!

Hey I found a 95 monte z34 with 3.4 and only 70,000 miles on it my questions is how hard would it be to take the froint clip from the 96 which is in great shape and put it on the 95 which is totalled? I have heard it is just a sub frame deal kinda like the Camaro and isn't that bad. Has anyone done this and if so and tips or tricks I should know about?

I have a 96 Monte LS that has a bad knock in the engine (3.1). I have been told that the 3.1 and 3.4 are trouble so I want to put my 3.8 from my 89 Olds Regency Borougham 98 in the Monte. I have been told yes, I can but you need to move the mounts, change the computer, and wiring harness. However, according to another place using the interchange book you cannot do this. The 3.1 and 3.4 are interchangable though.