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1998 Grand Prix GT Engine Swap (to the L26)



just clean that crap out the two ports, they all have that, thanks to dex coolant sludge.

lay some rags in the valley so none of that crap gets inside the engine.

thats a damn super clean engine inside. you got a winner by looks so far.
 


Anything nowadays.

Dexcool is different than 8 years ago when it was still in the grand prix's and other GM cars, it's just as safe/good as any other coolant. Keeping the air out of any coolant system is still the key to long life.

Universal gold and green coolant are might be cheaper than dexcool and I use that stuff if I ever want to swap it out.
 
thanks guys, this set me at ease - I was wondering if I had a 500lb paper weight.

I will make sure to flush, plugging up the passages first as recommended.
 
jasonbernard said:
Thanks Scottydoggs, did you use an air tool grinder to do this?

With this mod, is it recommended to use a lower degree thermostat (i.e 165* F)?

Looks like I may have to buy one of those OBD2 displays: oil pressure, oil temp, individual CHTs, coolant temp, coolant pressure
(not sure if all those are available)...
Click to expand...

Like Scotty said, Torque is more than worth it if you aren't doing too much modding... my OBD2 adapter cost 25 bucks on amazon, and the app on Android is like 5 bucks.

I used a dremel tool to hog out the coolant passage, as long as you bring those inside edges down to the center support that will be enough. The new intake gasket set should have a new rectangular gasket for that cover plate as well.

and don't feel bad about the dexcool crap. I've still got some sludge, and I did my switch over to green over 3 years and 2 coolant exchanges ago. lol
 


nice work. just wash it out real good after all the drilling tapping and cutting. you dont want any metal bits left behind.
 
Is that the L36 LIM? if so it might not line up perfectly with the L26 UIM...

You could always just do both LIMs and sell the L36 intake manifolds and heads as a turbo swap kit. :D little bit extra dough for recompense of the cost for this project, or maybe a few small mods. :cool:
 
For the drilling/tapping/plugging mod, I'd like some advise for approaching this project...
I'm thinking about using my drill press, find a bit that fits snugly in existing hole and clamp the LIM to position it exactly where it needs to be, remove "snug" bit and replace with drilling bit and bore out hole to 1/4 npt tapp spec. Then follow the advice given here to very carefully tap with lots of test fitting of plug. Sound good?
 
WarStryker13 said:
Is that the L36 LIM? if so it might not line up perfectly with the L26 UIM...

You could always just do both LIMs and sell the L36 intake manifolds and heads as a turbo swap kit. :D little bit extra dough for recompense of the cost for this project, or maybe a few small mods. :cool:
Click to expand...


news flash, the lim is the same. like the same part # even.
 


Scottydoggs said:
news flash, the lim is the same. like the same part # even.
Click to expand...

My bad. lol

I didn't have an EGR tube sticking out of the top of mine, that's what confused me.... but eh.

Still, doing both and selling off the L36 top end, minus parts needed for the car, is still a good idea, no?
 
jasonbernard said:
For the drilling/tapping/plugging mod, I'd like some advise for approaching this project...
I'm thinking about using my drill press, find a bit that fits snugly in existing hole and clamp the LIM to position it exactly where it needs to be, remove "snug" bit and replace with drilling bit and bore out hole to 1/4 npt tapp spec. Then follow the advice given here to very carefully tap with lots of test fitting of plug. Sound good?
Click to expand...

That sounds like a very precise way of doing it, and it should work perfectly.
 
if it was me id be using the l36 upper only due to cost and ease of install. no extra work or parts needed. but im cheap :th_winking:
 
I would honestly prefer the aluminum, having held both in my hands and seeing the interior and exterior... but I'm performance oriented. :th_winking:
 
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