I'm debating a swap 2.4 to??

fisdad · 04-04-2013, 12:21 PM

I know that I can swap in anything I want really. I was first excited about a 3800 supercharged swap, but I hear that's a real nightmare. What makes it such a nightmare, I don't know?

So I'm presenting options and weighing the pros and cons of each. Keep in mind that I currently have a 2.4 so swapping in anything means transmission and motor together.

I could do any of the following.

Colbalt SS turbo 2.4

2.8 or 3.1 v6

3400

3500

3800 supercharged

3900

or the aurora 4.0

The 3800 in my opinion is the most reliable engine that GM has ever built. The 3400's aren't bad either.

To do these swaps, will I need to swap my fuel pump and sending unit?

Will fuel lines need to be swapped?

Will I need to swap the radiator?

How much of the wiring harness needs to swap? Just under the hood? or do I need to pull the dash and replace every inch for the fuse box, ecm ect...

Right now I'm broke, so I'm just brainstorming and collecting information in case I decide to move forward with a swap idea down the road. Regardless, I don't want to spend a huge bucket of money if I do anything. I would buy a used drivetrain and parts just to do the swap.

03Sleepr · 04-04-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fisdad

2.8 or 3.1 v6

3400

3500
3800 supercharged

3900

or the aurora 4.0

The 3800 in my opinion is the most reliable engine that GM has ever built. The 3400's aren't bad either.

To do these swaps, will I need to swap my fuel pump and sending unit?

Will fuel lines need to be swapped?

Will I need to swap the radiator?

How much of the wiring harness needs to swap? Just under the hood? or do I need to pull the dash and replace every inch for the fuse box, ecm ect...

Right now I'm broke, so I'm just brainstorming and collecting information in case I decide to move forward with a swap idea down the road. Regardless, I don't want to spend a huge bucket of money if I do anything. I would buy a used drivetrain and parts just to do the swap.

Any of these swaps will be a nightmare going into a 2.4 car. Duval and I have both swapped 3400's into 2.4 cars, idk about the specifics of his swap but I swapped fuel lines, brake lines (non abs into an abs equipped car), radiator, entire subframe with engine, trans, engine wiring harness, PCM. Then needed to repin the fuse block to get headlights (huge thanks to Duval for figuring that out) and run a wire to get it to crank and start correctly.

If I were to do it again I would use the harness for the entire car, not just the engine harness. My remote door locks still don't work and my rear speakers don't either. I'm sure there is more..

guiguilandry · 04-04-2013, 01:09 PM

you didn't listed the easyest swap you can do... the 2,2 ecotec

Nas Escobar · 04-04-2013, 01:22 PM

guiguilandry, I think the OP wants to have a V6 powered Alero, but I would agree, a 2.2 Ecotec would be a lot easier on him, and with the M62 supercharger, he could in essence have a Cobalt SS.

Regardless, he would still have to change wiring harnesses. To have it foolproof, I would literally just rip out the whole wiring harness out of a 2.2 Ecotec Grand Am or Alero and then get a low mileage engine. L61's were everywhere.

xXManwhoreXx · 04-04-2013, 01:26 PM

4.0 v8 all day if you can!

Papa Rad17 · 04-04-2013, 04:08 PM

If your going to do it I would say go big or go home. If your wanting something more conservative but a little more power I would say 3500, that way kinda keeping true to the alero but still get the little upgrades the 3500 has over the 3400. If your just wanting good gas mileage and a motor that will last forever, ecotec 2.2.
Put an LS2 with a 6sp in there

good reliable v8, 400 horse stock and plenty or aftermarket options.

rocketfast321 · 04-04-2013, 04:46 PM

I would look at these

2006–2009 Chevrolet Impala SS
2006–2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
2005–2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
2008–2009 Buick LaCrosse Super

xXManwhoreXx · 04-04-2013, 06:04 PM

eff it dude go legit or go home... k23 turbo from the acura rdx

sleepyalero · 04-04-2013, 06:30 PM

no jap motors in an american car!

and the v8 screw that idea you know much it would cost just to make that thing work?

xXManwhoreXx · 04-04-2013, 07:56 PM

What are the ecotecs based off of?

03glgold · 04-04-2013, 08:21 PM

if milzy hasn't found his test car for the 3.9 swap then I would talk to him...I can't remember the price that he quoted when I asked, but it didn't seem that bad for everything that had to be done

fisdad · 04-04-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03glgold

if milzy hasn't found his test car for the 3.9 swap then I would talk to him...I can't remember the price that he quoted when I asked, but it didn't seem that bad for everything that had to be done

This may be the way to go? At least I'd have help, but I'm not sure if I can go so long without my car lol.

sleepyalero · 04-04-2013, 10:39 PM

if you need a vehicle i would wait to drop it off to milzy. (no offense to him of course)

xXManwhoreXx · 04-04-2013, 10:42 PM

Tell him up front its your dd none of the 8 month stuff

fisdad · 04-04-2013, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepyalero

if you need a vehicle i would wait to drop it off to milzy. (no offense to him of course)

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXManwhoreXx

Tell him up front its your dd none of the 8 month stuff

Just have to buy a beater if I were going to do it.

sleepyalero · 04-05-2013, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXManwhoreXx

Tell him up front its your dd none of the 8 month stuff

hes got alot of cars ahead of him if he did, milzy cant drop all his other work to get ryans done only cause its his only car. hes gonna have to buy a beater to get by while it was gone. especially cause the 3900 probably hasnt been swapped in the alero yet it would take some time. especially with milzy's sched.

no offense to you ryan.

xXManwhoreXx · 04-05-2013, 12:55 AM

Obviously not a 3 month job though...

Shiwnath · 04-05-2013, 02:36 AM

For the sake of not over complicating things, if i were you I would just work with the 2.4L. I think you're underestimating the potential of the Quad 4. Yes it would be more pricey to make quicker but it would reduce the risk of running into wiring issues and reduce the possibility of ending up with a half functioning swap. You could make a 2.3/2.4 hybrid which would be rather nice. Also swap in a GMPP 2.4 SC kit in a 2.3/2.4 hybrid would put you into the 200 HP range which wouldn't be bad... The SC kit does cost over 2 grand new but it would be a lot easier than what you're thinking of doing.

You are right in the sense that you can accomplish any swap, but the chances of success and getting everything in working order is less than working with what you already have. Not trying to discourage you, but I just think it's way more trouble than it's worth to go from 4 cyl to 6. I'd just sell the 4 banger and just upgrade to a GLS if you're set on a V6. Just my two cents.

sleepyalero · 04-05-2013, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXManwhoreXx

Obviously not a 3 month job though...

yes but depends how his sched is. hes a little short staffed in my opinion atm and has quite a few cars in his shop.

doesnt really matter how quick of a job it is, its when he is able to stop on some cars to do his.

i know it can be a little crazy how long it takes but you gotta see from his point of view, hes getting alot of business right now, and it will be crazier once it gets warmer.

xXManwhoreXx · 04-05-2013, 08:06 AM

Honesly ryan... the 3900 swap would be the same as a 3400 swap. Wiring transmission and mounts. A swap is a swap. The only diffrence is no one has done the 3900 swap

a. you could go stright with the the 6 speed
B. Its a torque/power monster right outta the gate
C. Its a newer and more reliable motor