99 Alero 3400 engine swap

lazyman · 05-16-2009, 09:38 AM

Hi, I have an 1999 Alero with a bad engine (mechanic said probably a real bad piston ring) as a result of LIM coolant leak. I have located a 3.4 engine but it's from a 2000 Alero.

Someone told me I should swap with the same year but the heads seem to be the same. What kind of problem am I going to run into if I do that?

I need to put another engine or sell the car as is. It's taking my space. It's a nice ahndling car and I'd love to fix it. Thank you.

leoalero · 05-16-2009, 10:42 AM

go with it cause its the same engine,and when youll be ready to swap,just double check that everything is the same,if not,just swap the piece(s) in question!

Nate's Alero · 05-16-2009, 12:17 PM

should bolt right up

Cliff8928 · 05-16-2009, 01:24 PM

You have to switch the injectors and FPR. You can just do the whole rail assembled if it's not damaged.

leoalero · 05-16-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff8928

You have to switch the injectors and FPR. You can just do the whole rail assembled if it's not damaged.

good to know!!

lazyman · 05-17-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliff8928

You have to switch the injectors and FPR. You can just do the whole rail assembled if it's not damaged.

Nice. you must know these engines very well. 1997-2002 have the same heads. So does that also mean all these years have the same 3.4L?

Cliff8928 · 05-17-2009, 10:20 PM

The intakes are different, but compatible. Use the newer ones for best performance.

The only real compatibility difference is the injectors on the '99 (and older) 3400s use the original Multec injectors running at ~41-47 PSI and the '00+ runs the newer Multec II injectors running at ~52-59 PSI.

AleroB888 · 05-17-2009, 10:32 PM

I would not change the injectors and FPR, the PCM is calibrated for the '99 values, and the '99 fuel pump flow capability may be different.

It should work good enough either way, though.

Cliff8928 · 05-17-2009, 10:52 PM

Use the original Injectors and FPR but the newer manifolds is what I was getting at.

zzyzzx · 05-18-2009, 03:04 PM

Just curious as to how many mile before the LIMG problem.

05-18-2009, 04:37 PM

Also, keep in mind that the EGR valve changed from 1999 to 2000 - '99 was a horizontal mount and 2000+ is a vertical mount. So if you are intending to use the 2000 UIM, you'll need the EGR valve too. Pretty sure the wiring harness is the same and the PCM won't care.

lazyman · 05-18-2009, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

Just curious as to how many mile before the LIMG problem.

Alero has 210k miles. I just bought the car and was told it had brown head gasket. Mechanic said picton rings are bad and it locks up sometimes. So I'm putting in a new motor.

I don't know the history of the motor...

lazyman · 05-18-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfuller

Also, keep in mind that the EGR valve changed from 1999 to 2000 - '99 was a horizontal mount and 2000+ is a vertical mount. So if you are intending to use the 2000 UIM, you'll need the EGR valve too. Pretty sure the wiring harness is the same and the PCM won't care.

The 2000 motor comes with the EGR valve. Hopefully the flex pipe and all tubes/wires will work with the new location.

From all the helpful replies, here's the summary:
- 2000 3.4 has updated intakes. But will work with my 1999 car. The updated is supposed to be better?
- EGR changed location and mount but hopefully all tubes/wires will work. Worst case I just switch to the old intake.
- I will need to use the injectors and FPR from old 1999 motor because the 2000 injectors and FPR have much higher rating.
- Someone told me to watch out for air pump in later models. Hopefully I'll be ok with the 2000 motor.

Thanks guys!

Cliff8928 · 05-19-2009, 12:35 PM

You'd know if you had the A.I.R. system. I'm sure there are some people which have some pics with and without on here.