Thread: Top Swap Info and Faqs, Also lots of 3800 Info

Originally Posted by whyspyder

Are top swaps only used if you want to supercharge/turbocharge your engine? If one were to swap tops and keep the car NA, would there still need to be reprogramming of the PCM? Hopefully I didn't miss this information in the previous posts....

Top swapping is only for going supercharged. No reason to swap to the L67 top end otherwise. That's like putting on a condom to jerk off.

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

Top swapping is only for going supercharged. No reason to swap to the L67 top end otherwise.

I will have to re-read and try to understand the different engine codes better. The way I was reading I got the impression I could swap on the slightly better flowing heads (L26 Series III) onto my Series II. Back to reading - may have to make my own table just so can learn this stuff better....

You could. But two things. First, the L26 heads don't really flow any better. Second, it'd be a lot better to just get ported heads.

Originally Posted by whyspyder

I will have to re-read and try to understand the different engine codes better. The way I was reading I got the impression I could swap on the slightly better flowing heads (L26 Series III) onto my Series II. Back to reading - may have to make my own table just so can learn this stuff better....

For the time and effort, just get ported heads, the flow difference is minor, and will not make a difference on the Butt dyno, you could do a head swap is what your talking about, when we say top swap we mean the supercharged setup on the na bottom end, or visa versa(for turbo applications) swapping stock NA heads for stock NA heads is a waste of time, gaskets, and effort

i would love to have a reverse top swapped l67 block with an l26 upper and run a high boost CSC setup. sweeeeet.

nice writeup...

Originally Posted by x1lightning

can a 97 SE with the 3.8 be top swapped????

yes.

DONT DO A 97!!!! JUST DO A MOTOR/TRANNY SWAP!!

the vacuum controlled transmission that comes in 97 SE/GT's is straight junk and youll have a hella hard time controlling it with the l67 top end.

This is your L36:


This is your L36 block:


This is your top swapped L36 block:


Any questions?

not if you find the right deal and a motor/trans. i bet if you look you can find it for less than $1000 from the right place.

yeah, you can pick up a non-molested one for like $3k nowadays anyway.

So from what I can Gather. I'd do better to find a Newer GTP motor and tanny for my 97 GT instead of doing a top swap.

that vacuum controlled transmission is what is your problem. if you didnt have that then you would be money.

Originally Posted by Bio248

that vacuum controlled transmission is what is your problem. if you didnt have that then you would be money.

I'll have to check and see which one I have.

Originally Posted by GaBear

I'll have to check and see which one I have.

If you have a 97 GT you have the 4T60E which is the vacuum controlled transmission.

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

If you have a 97 GT you have the 4T60E which is the vacuum controlled transmission.

So as I said before I'd do better to find a newer GTP model Engine and Trans instead of buying the parts to do a top swap on my GT.....Right???