opinion on replacing 2.7 engine

Hi Everyone,
Just looking for some feedback/opinion on the 2.7 engine. My husbands 2001 broke down. Really bad noise coming from engine. Had it towed in to a small town service garage in our town. Mechanic only started it up and listened to it and told us the motor was gone in it. We reguraly changed oil every 3-4000 miles but engine did have 180,000+ miles on it but seemed to be running okay. Mechanic said something about the gears or teeth in engine went bad. Basically need to replace motor. BUT he recommended we NOT replace because this motor is known to be bad period. So we are debating whether to look for something else or should we chance another engine and this one replaced? Your input would be appreciated. Thanks

One option is a 2.7 to 3.2/3.5 conversion and it can be done.A donor car is the best option for this 2.7 to 3.2/3.5 conversion instead of the kit.The parts needed are the front exhaust,Radatior(the3.2 and 3.5 have oil lines),throttle cable(longer than the 2.7 throttle cable,Heater hoses,back of the airbox,powersteering pump and the resivior for the power steering pump,The computer on hand if needed.The 2.7 computer will work with the 3.2/3.5.Another option is a reman 2.7 from Jasper,part of the warranty is to keep the receipts for the oil changes and change the oil every 3,000 miles and not over or under 3,000 miles.Synthetic oil is recomended for the 2.7 from Mobil one.Jasper puts in updated bearings and throws away the balancer on passenger side cam,they say the balancer on the passenger side cam is not needed for a reason.I have put in one Jasper reman 2.7 so far.I would not recomend this one,an used 2.7 for a couple reasons,very hard to find and an used 2.7 is about $1,500.000 to $2,500.00 with NO warranty.

180,000on that motor is excellent. after 2002 the 2.7l came with an updated timing tensioner. so you could replace it with a 2002 or later 2.7. from what i understand the problem 2.7's were in 99,00,01. mike

The interchange is 1998 to 2001.

We just finished a 2.7 to 3.2 conversion, a fine fix for a troubled eng. The 2.7 is a slug eng. poor oil return creating oil shortage in the lower eng.

To do the conversion you must find a 3.2 donor auto. You will need to shorten the right side exhust about 2.5 inches. Change the right side motor mount ( I got both mounts w/ the salavage eng) new raidator ( eng oil cooler not found on the 2.7) when looking for the eng u must get wire harness complete, the a/c compressor, alt, power steering pump (w/ res) the 2.7 both are combined. The eng fits to the stock trans and can be run very well w. the 2.7 computer.

A 2.7 replacement will let u down again and will cost twice what u can find a 3.2 for.

Good luck!!

I would also suggest replacing the 2.7 with a 3.2. Make sure you replace the oil pump in the 3.2 at about 110K or you won't have one anymore :)