Engine swap or top swap

**06PONTGP** · 01-19-2013

ok so i have a 2006 grand prix n/a l26 with 118K well i can get a whole l32 with 96k for about 1000 or a gen v top swap for around 800....if im not mistaken i would need a engine harness for both ways and a pcm. I was curious on what everyone else thought on which is the better way

**01GrandPrixTURBOGT** · 01-19-2013

I chose the top swap route and have problems I thought were major but ended up being simple so far. But I'd rather have the higher compression.

**06PONTGP** · 01-19-2013

what were the issues and was the other harness easy to swap out

**gtpeddie** · 01-19-2013

I have a topswap for sale but its for a GenIII but I can make you a deal on it with out the GenIII. So you will have all of the other parts to topswap it you would just need to buy a GenV and if you go that route your topswap will be way cheaper then $800. Just throwing it out there, Id rather topswap because then you have a high compression block already.

**06PONTGP** · 01-19-2013

what you thinking because you cant find a gen v and lim for under 300 then plus gaskets

**ctracer** · 01-19-2013

people always talk about high compression etc.
but will the rods be able to handle the boost? aren't they weaker in the N/A cars?

**06PONTGP** · 01-19-2013

not in 05+ if im not mistaken all motors have the better connecting rod

**01GrandPrixTURBOGT** · 01-19-2013

My issue was a misfire but it ended up being plugs which I had bought all brand new including ignition. So I put my old ones in AMD problem soved so far. The l36 block is plenty strong enough if tuned right.

**gtpeddie** · 01-20-2013

Originally Posted by 06PONTGP

what you thinking because you cant find a gen v and lim for under 300 then plus gaskets

PM me and we'll talk about working something out, I have a GenV LIM I can throw in

**Bio248** · 01-21-2013

if given a choice again after what i've done (both ways), build the motor outside of the car while you drive it and take your time. then swap the entire motor. it's a whole lot less hassle than doing a top swap in the car.

**MoarkatsINmuhtrailer** · 01-21-2013

Originally Posted by Bio248

if given a choice again after what i've done (both ways), build the motor outside of the car while you drive it and take your time. then swap the entire motor. it's a whole lot less hassle than doing a top swap in the car.

This... All of this.

Don't top swap your car. You have Le ****ty rods.

**GTPpower** · 01-21-2013

Top swap it. L26 rods don't have issues until you start making a lot of power.

**Slick2500** · 01-21-2013

Yup ^^^ and the vast majority of us will never make that much power in our cars to matter anyway.

**Bio248** · 01-21-2013

it's not that i wouldnt trust the rods in the L26, it's that it's simply easier doing a full motor swap and it's easier to work on the motor outside of the car, by far.

**GTPpower** · 01-21-2013

Then pull the motor and do the swap. High compression>Low compression with the M90.

**Bio248** · 01-21-2013

depends if you're gonna run out of headroom to run more boost or not. if you're gonna be down in the 2.6 pulley range on the L67/32 then for sure go high compression. i always like leaning towards more boost, though so i like the 'low' compression blocks.

**GTPpower** · 01-21-2013

It's because the rod cap bolts are smaller and break easier. The L36 rod cap bolts are a little bigger in diameter.

Even on the stock pulley, the higher compression bottom end will make more power.

**06PONTGP** · 01-21-2013

i look at this in a few ways one,the engine swap is in my eyes easier......but the top swap makes a little more power, the l32 has 96k mine 118k....but from what i read in 05+ the l26 get the powdered metal rod just like the l32 and the difference at stock between the 2 set ups is 5%....not to worried about it im not going super crazy maybe a cam with either swap exhaust and pulley drop prolly the most ill do not looking to buy stock in gm for 4t65hds

**sseilmnop** · 01-21-2013

Running L26 bottom end with supercharger heads, VS cam and gen 5. Been running this way for a year, lots of power! I don't beat it to death but I'm not 20 or 30 something anymore.