Engine Ideas

[iBgodsmacked]

I am currently mulling around the idea of putting a new engine into my 98 malibu. I am a stuck in between doing the intake and just dropping the subframe do rebuild on the tranny as well. my 98 only has 119,000 miles so i am not sure if it would be worth it.. I can get an engine from a junkyard with less than 70k miles on it for 750. I am looking for pros and cons or discusson points and question since i did not explain my reason very well

[iBgodsmacked]

I am still looking for ideas. I am leaning more toward the intake, but I am going to try and get time to do a compression test. any advice on things i could do would help.

[Johnny R]

I wish I could help on the technical side. I have a 99 Malibu 3.1 with 156,000 kms (96,000 miles) . Over the years since I purchased it new, I have replaced the front coil springs, brakes, battery and alternator, gasket, and waterpump. For the last 2 years it has run like a dream, and just a few weeks ago I had the complete major tune-up done.
I am an accountant, and I like numbers. Allow me to share the lifetime operating costs of my Malibu thru the end of 2006, in Canadian currency:
8.747 ¢/km (5.515 ¢/mile) fuel
7.040 ¢/km (4.375 ¢/mile) maintenance and repairs
5.252 ¢/km (3.263 ¢/mile) insurance
Cheers!

[slls]

Originally Posted by iBgodsmacked

I am currently mulling around the idea of putting a new engine into my 98 malibu. I am a stuck in between doing the intake and just dropping the subframe do rebuild on the tranny as well. my 98 only has 119,000 miles so i am not sure if it would be worth it.. I can get an engine from a junkyard with less than 70k miles on it for 750. I am looking for pros and cons or discusson points and question since i did not explain my reason very well

If you are doing your own work, do the intake, you will be just out the gasket set. If it needs a engine later on no big loss.
If the transmission is running ok I would do a pan drop, fluid and filter change. I do a fluid filter change on my transmissions every 30K and they go in excess of 150K.

[iBgodsmacked]

Originally Posted by slls

If you are doing your own work, do the intake, you will be just out the gasket set. If it needs a engine later on no big loss.
If the transmission is running ok I would do a pan drop, fluid and filter change. I do a fluid filter change on my transmissions every 30K and they go in excess of 150K.

I am doing the work myself, however most of the work will be done next spring. I am going to school to be an Auto Technician. I am thinking of buying a motor just dropping the subframe, flush the tranny (assuming that the fluid isn't too bad) put it back up.

But all the input is greatly appreciated, specially the numbers thanks mate.

[slls]

Originally Posted by iBgodsmacked

I am doing the work myself, however most of the work will be done next spring. I am going to school to be an Auto Technician. I am thinking of buying a motor just dropping the subframe, flush the tranny (assuming that the fluid isn't too bad) put it back up.

But all the input is greatly appreciated, specially the numbers thanks mate.

Well If you are learning. Do a pan drop and filter replace, NO FLUSH, unless you want to learn how to overhaul an automatic transmission.
You don't have to believe me, do a google search.

[iBgodsmacked]

Originally Posted by slls

Well If you are learning. Do a pan drop and filter replace, NO FLUSH, unless you want to learn how to overhaul an automatic transmission.
You don't have to believe me, do a google search.

I have rebuilt transmission for 5 years, before I went back to school. I am really leaning towards just doing the intake. However, giving the power steering problem, I think i am going pull the whole thing and a new rack.

[iBgodsmacked]

Well I finally did it! it was over all cheaper to do the intakes, since i had it apart. I replaced the head gaskets as well