L32 swap, what to do before I drop the motor in?

[RivMan]

Hey guys, I'm dropping an L32 into my 04 GPGT to replace the blown L26. The L32 has right at 100k miles, and came out of a wrecked car. What gaskets / other parts are common failures on these motors, I'd rather swap them out when the engines on the stand vs in the car. I only really know L67's.

Thanks
-Rob

 

[matt5112]

LIM gaskets if plastic, valve cover gaskets w/grommets, coolant elbows.

Same as L67 really.

Check the flex plate for dual pattern.

L32 should have the 258mm converter pattern, and L26 IIRC is dual pattern?

Perhaps they're both dual pattern.

 

[RivMan]

Good deal, the donor motor is an 05, what was the first year for the new LIM gaskets?

Thanks
-Rob

 

[matt5112]

It was, but only some received them.

Just visually inspect the LIM to head gasket area. Aluminum will look like aluminum (GM gasket frame material) and the plastics will be black.

 

[BillBoost37]

They are both dual pattern. It should have the new gaskets. Double check by looking between the LIM and head though. Silver is smiling.

check the bolts on the rear engine cover. Behind the flex. They are often a source of seepage.

 

[RivMan]

I'll check those out, hopeing to pickup the motor this weekend.

Next question, I plan to keep the GT trans, harness and PCM. Does anyone have a good cal file for this swap? I'm guessing it'll be almost identical to a cal for a top swapped car.

Thanks
-Rob

 

[BillBoost37]

Actually you'd want to take the 04 L32 engine and your 04 trans tables and combine them to make one bin.

At BonnevillePro.com in the tuning section I should have both 04 files. Should be able to copy the engine or trans into a file to then use on the car. Then tune from there.