2001 3.8 on a 99 GT?

Hello everyone,

I have a 99 GT. The engine on it overheated. I acquired an engine from a 2001 GT. I noticed that the wiring connections to the engine are different. Will I need to replace the wiring harness? Will this affect the computer as well? What other things should I look for? Does anyone have a solution to this delema? Thanks!

Well thats a good post. I don't think the Computer will be that big as an issue as what the wiring harness will. My car has over heated once b/c the belt came off and i wasn't sure what was going on at the time and as i was going up my drive way the temp said 260 :eek: I got real lucky. I sure hope i don't have to go through something like that but best of luck doing it. Let me know how it went just incase this were to happen to me again.

Well, this is what I did. I just swapped intake manifolds. That worked fine. In the process I found out why the car overheated. It turns out that the upper intake manifold (the plastic black piece), has a small hole that is letting the water go into where the air comes in from the out side. Thus, filling up the chambers with water. I was able to test the new engine with a new upper intake manifold that a friend had. It ran great. Now I have to buy a new upper intake - $300 ouch! If anyone knows a great way to remedy this small whole, let me know. Apparently this is not uncommon with this type of plastic intakes.

Just out of curiosity, how many miles did it have cause unless u drove it hard all the time no 99' could wear out so quick with everday use. i got a 97'.
By the way, Scott, is that a picture of ur wife... DAMN!

Don't know a whole lot about them plastic intakes. To be truthful i wouldn't ever get on anyway. Sorry about no help on that. Pontiactrac, no thats a pic. of my G/F. jk. She does look Damn good eh.

Pontiactrac - The speedo reads 78,000. But I know it has more than that (I'm thinking 150). While I was away at school a former friend used it and then changed the mileage back. I confirmed this with the mechanic who actually changed the mileage. Beats me how he got a spare key.

Originally posted by greengt
Pontiactrac - The speedo reads 78,000. But I know it has more than that (I'm thinking 150). While I was away at school a former friend used it and then changed the mileage back. I confirmed this with the mechanic who actually changed the mileage. Beats me how he got a spare key.

Yea it had to be more than 78K, and definatly had to be tampered with, it's a muscular engine at 3.8 liters, i think that's the largest a V-6 comes as. When it comes to wiring, i don't know anything, but as a personal opinion, u should definatly get it done by a profession. if it were to affect the computer, it might actually change it for the better. (but don't put money on it) Stock computers only let the car go 108, im trying to get this bumped by some means. Since there were no engine changes between the two years, the engine swap should be do-able but still ask a professional unless u want to take the chance of screwing something up in ur car for the long term like ur friend already did.

So did you have someone put in your engine or did you do it yourself? Mine just went out on me yesterday while drive, supposedly my oil pan was bent so the engine couldnt get enough oil and it shot a rod through the block. I found a new engine from a 2002 with less then 100 miles on it for 800, but never changed an engine before, done everythign else but an engine.

Originally posted by Brandon Budd
So did you have someone put in your engine or did you do it yourself? Mine just went out on me yesterday while drive, supposedly my oil pan was bent so the engine couldnt get enough oil and it shot a rod through the block. I found a new engine from a 2002 with less then 100 miles on it for 800, but never changed an engine before, done everythign else but an engine.

Yea brandon, i forgot to tell you, your girlfriend Instant messaged me talking about how ur car went down. She was asking me about what u should do but i told her u know more than me.:D

a little info...
Engine Coolant Consumption or Coolant Leak (Inspect For Material Degradation/Replace Intake Manifolds)
1995-1997 Buick Riviera

1995-1998 Buick LeSabre, Park Avenue

1996-1998 Buick Regal

1998 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo

1995-1996 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

1995-1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue

1995-1998 Pontiac Bonneville

1997-1998 Pontiac Grand Prix

with 3.8 L Engine (VIN K -- RPO L36)

This bulletin is being revised to correct parts and labor operation usage. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-007 (Section 6 - Engine).

Condition
Some owners may comment on excessive engine coolant consumption, or an engine coolant leak near or under the throttle body area of the upper intake manifold.

Cause
Upper intake manifold composite material may degrade around the EGR stove pipe and could result in an internal or external coolant leak.

Correction
Follow the upper intake manifold removal instructions found in the Engine Unit Repair Section of the Service Information Manual.



Refer to the arrow in the illustration of the upper intake manifold above. Inspect the inner diameter of the EGR passage for signs of material degradation. Degradation will appear as "pitting" of the composite material in the EGR port passage.
If degradation of upper intake manifold composite material is found, replace the lower and upper intake manifolds with the following part numbers:
Lower Intake -- 24508923
Upper Intake -- 17113136 (includes necessary upper intake plenum gaskets)
Lower Intake Gasket -- 12537197
Follow the lower and upper intake manifold installation instructions found in the Engine Unit Repair Section of the appropriate Service Manual.
If degradation is not apparent, skip to Step 7.
Verify the repair.
If no degradation is found, evaluate the vehicle for other causes of excessive coolant consumption as noted in the Engine Diagnosis Section of the appropriate Service Manual.
Parts Information
Part Number
Description
Qty

17113136
Manifold, Upper Intake*
1

24508923
Manifold, Lower Intake
1

12537197
Gasket, Lower Intake
1

* Includes the necessary gaskets for upper intake replacement.

CAMPAIGN: UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FRACTURE #97-C-02 - (06/01/1996)
PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN

SUBJECT: 97-C-02 - UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FRACTURE ----------------------------------------

MODELS: CERTAIN 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, 1996 OLDSMOBILE NINETY EIGHT, EIGHTY EIGHT 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE, LESABRE, RIVIERA, REGAL; (C,H,G,W MODELS) 1997 BUICK LESABRE (H MODEL) EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINE (RPO L36, VIN K) ---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Highway Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.

If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.

To avoid having to provide these burdensome solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers are being instructed to contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Pontiac Bonneville; Oldsmobile Ninety Eight and Eighty Eight; Buick Park Avenue, LeSabre, Riviera, Regal; and 1997 Buick LeSabre model vehicles equipped with a 3.8L V6 engine (RPO L36, VIN K). These vehicles may exhibit, under a certain set of complex conditions, a backfire during engine starting that can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold. This can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire. Also, if a person was in the immediate vicinity of the intake manifold when the hood was open, and this backfire condition occurred, it could result in personal injury.

To correct this condition, dealers are to reflash the vehicle PCM with new programming software. Until the campaign repair is made, it is suggested that the vehicle hood be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1996 Pontiac Bonneville; Oldsmobile Ninety Eight and Eighty Eight; Buick Park Avenue, LeSabre, Riviera and Regal and 1997 Buick LeSabre model vehicles equipped with a 3.8L engine (RPO L36, VIN K) and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH

1996 PONTIAC Bonneville Orion "4" SOP T4242479 1996 PONTIAC Bonneville Buick City "H" SOP TH215935 1996 OLDS Ninety Orion "4" SOP T4312677 Eight 1996 OLDS Eighty Orion "4" SOP T4847606 Eight 1996 BUICK Park Ave. Buick City "H" SOP TH638915 1996 BUICK LeSabre Buick City "H" SOP TH454186 1996 BUICK Riviera Orion "4" SOP T4714125 1996 BUICK Regal Oshawa II "1" SOP T1473360 1997 BUICK LeSabre Buick City "H" SOP VH444313