24v 3.5 v6 in alero

Hi all i'm new here although i have been a lurker for quite a while. I am the owner of a 2000 intigue gls. While i like the intrigue's power reliability refinment and durability it is more of a cruiser than a sports car. It moves very well for a car with a crub weight north of 3500 lbs. but after driving my brothers 2002 alero gl1 i was amazed by the cars handeling. I recently test drove an alero 2000 gls coupe. The car has excellent agility and while the engine is not as refined as the intrigues 3.5 it moves the car from 0-60 in about the same amont of time as the heavier intrigue. What i want to do is buy an alero coup and do an engine swap putting my intrigues shortstar in the alero just like on the 2001 alero osv concept. Leaving the enigne stock would net a 45 hp and 30 ft/lb gain over the stock alero's v6. On the conept car they had the 3.5 pushing 245 hp and 255 ft/lbs just by using better exhast and air filtration. So What i want to know is how much do you guys think it would cost to have a mechanic do an engine swap for me and also mate the 3.5 to a manual tranny? I want to spend about $20k on the whole project, that incldes buying an alero of course, Id buy a high mileage one since i wouldnt care about the engine. So do you guys think this is fesiable?

-shortstar

[Redog]

If you want to spend the money than go for it. It will fit. I saw a 3.5 in a GA showcar last month.

Just remember to change the PCM though

im willing to spend but i want some educated guesses as to how much it will cost so i know what to expect when i go to fins a custom shop to do it. dont want to get ripped off.

i can tell ya right now i dont think $20k will be enuff to buy a high milage alero, shortstar to swap in, new tranny and parts for the manual swap, then have it tuned and installed. nah i dont think so..... not unless ur doin it urself

but i dont have prices...... i just dont think thats enuff scratch to do the swap

[Naich]

If you find a high mileage alero for like 5 or 6k, get the engine for like 3 or 4k, then you have around 10k to get the computer and transmission work done. It will not be easy, and if you don't have prior experience with it, I wouldn't do it. Especially if you need the car to be running in a short time frame.

I would think it could happen since 4 banger alero's esp aren't worth that much, I have seen them 99 and 00 go for under 4,000 at auctions, so if you have a dealer friend have them hook you up when the go to auction. Also, if you are going to do the swap, as far as with the automatic trans, if you decide not to go manual, you will need the 4T65E to follow the 3.5L and the PCM as well.

I don't see why this project can't happen, but you are going to have to do a fair amount of the leg work on your own.

I already have the shortstar im just going to take it out of my intrigue. I know i an get a custom tuned PCM now from SLP headquarters in NJ which is about a 2 hour drive from where I live. The PCM will cost about 2000 for a thorough job including a dyno seshion for testing and optimizing. Will i need custom engine mounts for the 3.5 or will an alero's 3.4 bolt on?

Originally posted by shortstar@Mar 1 2004, 08:07 AM
Will i need custom engine mounts for the 3.5 or will an alero's 3.4 bolt on?

You'll need custom engine and transmission mounts, plus you may need to modify the Alero powertrain cradle a bit for clearance. The Intrigue wiring harness will need to be swapped over, and you'll need custom half-shafts. You'll need to fabricate a new set of exhaust manifolds. That's most of the big stuff.

[Pimpalero03]

sounds like a tight job. if u do it take lots of pics during the process

[springs fastest alero]

I'd take it on
I'm doing a 3800 series Ii supercharged swap into a 98 ga soon.
the swap wouldnt be that bad but the manual and the computer tune is where it gets tricky.
did slp say they could tune it for ya?
I've been talking with my rep for a while on such things

we could easily do a built auto (4t65-e) with better gear ratios for the alero.
I could prolly get dhp to custom do the computer
the rest is minor
we could also do some bolt ons to up the power if you like.

if we took the 3.5 and the trans from the intregue it wouldn't be bad at all
but doing a manual will get expinsive fast since a v6 manual 3.5 or 3400 was never produced from the factory.
we would have to have a flywheel made and prolly a clutch too
if the bellhousing bolt pattarn is the same as the 3400 then we could use the same trans I'm getting for my 3400. and then manual parts from a 2000+ 4 cylinder alero
if your serious about the manual it bay be easier to buy a 4 cylinder 5 speed alero to start with

If you were impressed by the handling of the GL1 alero you test drove (hence a 4 cylinder) then you will be less impressed if you swap a heavier 6 cylinder, the light weight up front is the reason for the quicker reflexes of the Alero...

Not only that, but I'm pretty damn sure that there'd be a huge difference in engine weight alone... that'll mess with the weight distribution quite drastically... I know that last week or so they showed the difference in engine size between one of the 2.4 L's, and a 3800 that someone swapped into a Cav... forget the link, but it's on this forum somewhere. You'll really see the difference...

[springs fastest alero]

the 3.5 is all aluminum so it shouldnt be much heavier than the 3400 or a 3400 with a sc
if its nose heavy you can always move the battery to the trunk

yeah the 3.5 ive heard the 3.5 is only like 50lbs heavier than the iron block 3.4. Im thinking of just using a built 4t65e tranny since it would be a lot less expensive and whould ave money for other things like better breaks, sprinds wheels and other good stuff. I want to try and get 260hp and 280 ft/lbs out of the 3.5 but keep it naturally aspirated. I'm looking into getting it some custom cams and having the ports polished. Ithink thats a reasonable goal.

if thats the amount of power ur lookin for why dont u jsut buy the turbo kit being made for alero's. $3000 and ur done

[springs fastest alero]

Originally posted by SweetAlero99@Mar 2 2004, 09:39 AM
if thats the amount of power ur lookin for why dont u jsut buy the turbo kit being made for alero's. $3000 and ur done

individuality B)
if I had an intregue I'd do it

[springs fastest alero]

Originally posted by shortstar@Mar 2 2004, 08:31 AM
I want to try and get 260hp and 280 ft/lbs out of the 3.5 but keep it naturally aspirated. I'm looking into getting it some custom cams and having the ports polished. Ithink thats a reasonable goal.

I belive this is a very reasonable goal
I know a local shop great with heads but I also know of a northstar shop that can prolly do custom cams and all for ya.
headers would seriously help but not be easy.
ported or extrude honed exhaust manis would prolly do it
then a nice free flowing exhaust and a larger tb should get you there.

[-Alero-]

what a project! :rolleyes:

[springs fastest alero]

Originally posted by Alero-@Mar 10 2004, 08:09 PM
what a project! :rolleyes:

what you trying to say?

I think he's trying to state that, while "unique" it's by far the best choice.

There are simply better options than the 3.5 shortstar if you want a GM V660 engine in your alero. The 3400 can be made to produce plenty of power, but there goes your uniqueness because those come in an alero stock right? :rolleyes:
Why not use the new 3.6L V6? Seems like a nice promising engine with ~260HP in stock form...

Or why not use the Northstar V8 engine? That would be much more unique by virtue of its two extra cylinders....

Maybe that's not what -Alero- is trying to say who knows, but thats my opinion on it anyways <_<