So I finally got down to denver this week to swap the built 5 speed into the alero. I picked up an 05 3400 motor out of monte carlo, looked the same, i knew some brackets had to be swapped, whatever, simple stuff. Got the flywheel and clutch bolted up, bolted the tranny up, everything looks good, drop it into car, some custom mounting brackets and everything looks great. Next morning i start on the bottom and hook everything up, A/C starter, ABS, Wiring harness, Fuel lines, etc. Get on top of the motor and the nightmares begin, 3 hours and 4 powering steering pumps later, I realize it's either yank the motor and new timing cover so I can get the power steering pump to line up, or I get a 3400 from a grand am or alero.
So an hour later the motor is out and i'm very frustrated. Next morning and a 12 pack later, I got a 3400 out of a 03 grand am. New motor drops in great, mounts are good still, then when i'm hooking the fuel line back up the fpr cracks, call up GM, it's a special order and can't come until tomorrow morning
two days later and a couple more minor issues aside everything is back together and the last thing to do is stab in the axles, fill with fluids, and break the clutch in.......here it comes......
......passenger axle is a good 2 inches short, drivers is a good 2 inches long, motor is in a great position, 2 out of 4 stock motor mounts were used. Next morning, after 4 hours of searching and 2 or 3 12 packs l call up a couple local driveshaft shops, and the driveshaft shop, looks like $600 for shitty pieces together stock axles, or $1300 for 500hp level 3 customs from the driveshaft shop, so the alero with remain in denver for a month or two until the custom driveshaft shop axles are done....
........
On a side note, hp tuners has handled the 5 speed swap great so far and I anticipate no problems on that side, i got a set of almost brand new potenzas for my wheels for $150!! 255/40/17s in the front and 235/45/17s in the rear.
So all problems aside the alero runs again, after almost 3 years,
which makes me very happy. And the new axles should be done in a month or two, and be ready for the boosted motor and fabrication of the supercharger setup!!!
