• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

Top Swap Info and Faqs, Also lots of 3800 Info



WindsorGP said:
Would you have to change cams at all or leave the stock one in also what about the tranny's. I've read a few post and I don't think nobody really ask these questions. I'm going to be in the process of a swap in the next few months and would really like to know now before I find out that I should have done these then instead later on when somthing blows in my face and feel like idiot.
Click to expand...

I tried to touch on the Trans in the original post, the stock transmissions are the weak link in our cars....If it helps, my non-hd trans has 17+ track passes and 10 months of DD and no signs of any problems**knock on wood**

MNGP07 said:
do you need a new map sensor for a top swap or will mine work?
Click to expand...

If you want to read boost, you will need the 2 bar sensor for a GTP, but you will need a GTP BIN loaded into your PCM so the PCM can understand the different MAP

Bio248 said:
you need the 2 bar L67 map sensor for it to work correctly. it wont be able to read boost without it.
Click to expand...

Like I just said, you need to adjust computer to use the 2-bar

MNGP07 said:
ok, so then will any SC map sensor from 97+ work? or just series 2?
Click to expand...

All 97 - 02(maybe 03 as well) use the same 2-bar map sensor, the Series III actually uses two map sensors(one is used as a baro), and they physically look like the L36's 1-bar sensor

Bio248 said:
i would stick with the series 2 just to make sure it would work.
Click to expand...

Once again, depends on the year of the car you are top swapping, I'd like to request that whoever posts questions from now on, please state the year your car is
 


wow. i just got my monte and have been researching a top swap and what it would involve to do it and the time and parts it requires... this is exactly what ive been looking for! you guys rock! of course it will be a bit before that all happenes but i know what to get now!
 
and can it be as easy as going to a salvage yard and getting like a crashed gtp and swapping over the necessary parts?!?
 
03monteSS said:
and can it be as easy as going to a salvage yard and getting like a crashed gtp and swapping over the necessary parts?!?
Click to expand...

Yes and no. Still need to get the PCM programmed. You could use the GTP PCM but it would need your VIN programmed into it.

And it's not just GTPs. 04-05 supercharged Monte SS's and 04-05 Impala SS's have compatible parts too.

Also, I wouldn't recommend doing a direct plant from one car to another. Junk yard parts will be dirty. Especially the heads. Look at this thread for what the heads I got looked like before and after I took them to the machine shop:

http://www.grandprixforums.net/f18/reconditioned-heads-10753.html
 


Maybe it's different with GPs. In Impalas and Montes if the VIN in the BCM doesn't match the VIN in the PCM it won't even try to crank. Just gives you a security light.
 
I have read countless of post and threads on topswaps and I don't know if anybody clarified it but what about the pushrods and lifters, replace with new or reuse the old one's. Personnaly myself I don't want to start the swap and find out that I could have used the old one's instead of spending the money on new and spent it on some other part that I could have bought instead.
 
yeah i got a guy who programs pcm's im getting mine tuned like next week to get rid of my o2 code and top speed limitier and all the other goodies you can do... so that wont be an issue and yeah when i get the parts i will check them out and clean em all up...
 


i thought that might be the case... i was told that 04 would work too... damn these ppl that tell me all these lies! it will be a while before i can begin to actually buy these parts but ive already found good deals now! theres a whole gtp motor from an 04 with 81k on it for $650. car caught fire so some of the plastic parts are burned but still
 
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....

I would love to do some forced induction on my car, but I really don't feel like taking the chance of abusing my transmission - at least not at this time. The car has to be a reliable daily driver so a broken transmission/wore out clutch is of no use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top