98 3.8 v6 dead! LS1 swap?

[99onI95]

the story is i think i overheated the motor and its had a bad day. Cylinder 3 is misfiring and all my $2.18 a gallon 93 amoco fuel is flowing out both tail pipes. I'm checking the compression tommorrow.

Don't tell me its: the coil, fuel pump, catalytic converter, fuel filter, spark plug, plug wire, etc. because it has all been replaced.

First question is will a 99-02 3.8 directly bolt in my car. I know there are a few differences. I need a motor to get me through the semester. I figured I would take summer off and work.

Other question is about the LS1 or LT1 swap? I drive about 150 miles a day so reliability is a must and fuel mileage is also sort of. (I would trade some mpg's for hp) Fortunately most of it is cruising at 80mph.

How difficult is the swap with my 98 v6 specs? Do you know of anywhere I could get either engine at a good price. I am in the middle of attempting to get a college degree so the bank account is not overflowing.

[Mr. Luos]

LS1 would drop right in I believe.

Not gonna be cheap though.

Is Cylinder 3 missing every cycle?

[99onI95]

auto transmission. In third you hit about 1900-2100 RPMS as you continue pressing the pedal the rpms refuse to rise as the car goes faster. If you press further the auto shifts into passing gear.

The motor idle is pretty eratic. When first turned over the rpms rise to about 1700 then drop to 900 and continue the rise and fall and eventually evens out at 1000.

Occasionally the rpms stay at 900 at an idle and it runs really rough like a plane in turbulence!

Have you ever heard of an intake leak or intake crack causing this? someone elses suggestion

[99onI95]

Has anyone ever done a V6 to V8 swap on a 4rth gen?

If so what should I know before I begin?

[custom mccannix]

sorry to hear that the cats did not fix the problem! other than that if you do the swap you should know that the engine drops out the bottom of the car which means all front suspension and crossmember must come out. everything should bolt up though but you will eventually need to change the rear axle because they are smaller and weaker than the one that comes with the v8 equippped cars

[86TA]

i have done the swap... an LT1 will fit fine... nothing huge to know about the swap really, other then whats been said... if you run into any problems or anyhting PM me... check out www.car-parts.com to find yourself a motor... btw. what are you gunna do with the one you got now?? if you dont have any plans for it then let me know, i might be interested in it... either way, good luck to ya and let us know how it turns out..
-Dusty

[KaotiKCamaro5]

have fun swappin it in.. just make sure you get all the goodies.. computer, trans.. etc..

[cuda_dude]

ahh... the goodies.....

[86TA]

actually, you dont really have to worry too much about the transmission... unless the one you have is about donefor... 4L60E that is in there will hold up to an LT1, David still hasnt swaped his trany out and its been about 50K since we put the LT1 in... but if you do get a new trany, go ahead and get a rear end too... like custom_mechanics (i think is who said it) said to get a new rear axle anyway - you will have to eventually, exspecially if you are going to be "putting it to work" so to speack. But if you are gettin all that let me know what you are doin with the stock trany and such that you are taking out... like i said, i may be interested in getting them off of you... and again, if you need any help or anything let us know... good luck to ya bud...

[99onI95]

hey I appreciate it as for the motor I believe my father wants it off me. If he changes his mind i'll definitely let you know.

I'm not sure you want it though I'm dropping it out because I can't fix a cylinder 3 misfire.

I think I'll be doing the swap in May.

[86TA]

i'd take about anything man, i take them and strip em down to the block and start all over... my little "toys". so yeah, i want it if your willing to part with it... just let me know...
thanks
btw, have you checked the compretion on that cylinder to see where it stands?? that may clear somethings up for ya...

[99onI95]

You know I tried to do that. As you know the #3 plug is under the driver's side manifold in a tight position.

I tried for 45 mins to get that damn hose threaded in and couldn't. I put the plug back in and turned it once and it began screwing in.

Talk about really pissing you off.

Anyway since the checker wouldn't screw in I had a look at the plug. Looks great but what do you expect from a 2 month old plug. No build up or deposits.

[86TA]

check that plug to your other plugs, because if that cylinder is not fireing, then there should be a lot of deposit on the plug... unless you are not getting anything in that cylinder, but it would have to be free of oil and everything to not have build up on it... check all the other plugs and compare. then let me know what ya find...
-have you replaced the TPS and MAF sensors?
-didn't you say the computer was giving you a PO303 code?

[99onI95]

I haven't replaced the MAF or TPS sensors. Hell I don't even know what that is. I don't know much about the new stuff. Give me a carb motor and I'm a little more educated.

Yes the code is PO303

You ever supercharged or turbocharged the 3.8 RWD?

[86TA]

your MAF (mass air flow) sensor is somewhere between your air filter and where the air line runs into the motor... and the TPS (throttle possisoin sensor) im not sure about on a 3.8, maybe someone else with a 3.8 could chime in and tell ya, or it should be in a chiltons/hanes repair manual...but also, have you changed your O2 sensor?
but to answer your question, no, i havent supercharged a 3.8, but I have a 3.4, but i have a lot of other work done to it too... where are in georgia do you live? i am going to be heading to florida soon, if i am coming near you then i might can stop by and take a look at it for ya if you want... good luck, hope this helps some...
-Dusty