where to find L36 engine in Atlanta area

**willalmo** · 05-12-2014

So I just got a 97 grand Prix gt. It has 240000 miles on it. So I go get a tune up. On the way back, about five miles, it starts knocking and dying and I barely make it the last quarter mile or so. So now I have it just sitting there. I expect it to need replacing the engine and transmission. I was hoping to get more than twenty miles out of it.

Then today my cousin comes over and we are looking at it. He says start it, so I do. Immediately, he says kill it. Says there is a dropped rod, I think. He pulls the oil dipstick out and says "Jesus, it is way over full. Says we over filled it and it now something has to be rebuilt.

Now, I was there during the tune up. I handed him the oil. We did not overfill it. Could there have been a bunch that didn't drain?

So now I am looking for a low mileage engine in the north Georgia area. Transmission as well probably.

Any idea's?

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 05-12-2014

Perhaps the intake gasket failed and filled the crankcase with coolant, and thats why it's overfilled.

Tried carpart for motors yet?

**Slick2500** · 05-12-2014

Try car-part.com you could also search for an engine out of a 2005 gp you will have to change the upper intake, tb, and oil pan or cut the lower engine mount bracket so it will go around the oil pan.

**willalmo** · 05-13-2014

Checking car parts now. When it started acting up, it gave a check engine light. We hooked it up, it said number two was missing. We pulled the plug and it was drippng oil.

**Slick2500** · 05-13-2014

Toasted piston most likely.

**willalmo** · 05-13-2014

Is there a thread that list the engines you can use in this model?

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 05-13-2014

97-04 regals
97-03 grand prix
96 or 97+ to 05 bonneville
park ave had it from like 99+?
00-05 monte carlo
00-05 impala

All those cars ran the L36 motor.

**Slick2500** · 05-13-2014

And like I said you can also run a L26 just need to change out a few things, and it will most likely be cheaper and have less miles than a L36.
L26 was in
2004-2008 Grand Prix
2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse
2006-2008 Buick Lunerne

Cam Park Avenue had the L36 from 95-05 or whenever they stopped making them. Same with the Bonneville iirc.

From Wikipedia
This engine was used in the following vehicles:

1996-2005 Buick Le Sabre
1997-2005 Buick Park Avenue

1996-2004 Buick Regal LS
1995-1997 Buick Riviera
1995 California only, 1996-2002 Chevrolet Camaro
2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala
1997-1999 Chevrolet Lumina LTZ
1998-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Z34, LT, SS)
Holden Commodore (VS, VT, VX, VY)
Holden Caprice (VS, WH, WK)
Holden Ute (VU, VY)
1995-1999 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1996-1998 Oldsmobile LSS
1996-1998 Oldsmobile Regency
1995-2005 Pontiac Bonneville
1995 California only, 1996-2002 Pontiac Firebird
1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

**willalmo** · 05-13-2014

Thank you. I guess I an going to look for one of these locally and see what we got.

**willalmo** · 06-08-2014

So can I put a supercharged 3800 in the regular GT body?

**Scottydoggs** · 06-08-2014

you can. but you'll want to get your pcm tuned for it. and re wire a few little sensors. very doable.

and you can bolt it right up to your tranny too. may have to swap the flex plate but that no big deal.

**willalmo** · 06-08-2014

I found a couple 3800s on craigslist, but then I seen the supercharged and said hmmm

**Scottydoggs** · 06-08-2014

it will cost you about 100 bucks more for a canned tuned pcm from a vendor.

**willalmo** · 06-09-2014

I hate to clutter up this thread so much... But I do appreciate youse guys opinions. So I am looking at two 3800s on craigslist. One had 75 grand miles and the other is 117 grand I think. Both are near $400. My question is how can I tell if they are any good. What I mean to say is what can I look ffor beyond what they tell me. Any ideas?

**Scottydoggs** · 06-09-2014

pop a valve cover off to see the rockers, if they are caked with burnt oil and black you may not want that one. check the oil to see if its just oil. ( black rockers means they didnt change the oil regularly)

if its not in the car any more and you cant hear it run or drive it first. you can do a compression test on the cylinders before you buy it.

id go check the lower miles one first. there not that far a part, but lower is better.

**BillBoost37** · 06-09-2014

I just pull a valve cover and look in. No need to pull the cover IMO. Takes too long..lol

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