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new project 3.1 to 3.8

Jtwelding

New member
I have a 96 grand prix with the 3100 in it that i have replaced once, but now i have a wreck 2002 with a 3800 n/a motor i got the whole car for $250 so im gunna do a little swaping. hope to pick up the 2002 this weekend could be a fun time in the garage
 


You should just turbo the 3100.

havent had time to go get the new car yet, but started pulling my engem, the reason for the swap is i have put a new 3.1 in the car 4 years ago and i just replaced the lim gaskets and a month later the head gaskets are gone i wouldnt mess with it if it wasnt the 3.8 motor i will never have another 3.1, now that i have the whole care it should be easy swap the pcm and computer and just bolt up the sub frames. hoping it goes that easy lol
 


Ya once you finish this I would like to know how it went cuz I am in the EXACT same situaion as you. I need a new head gasket and for the price of gaskets I can get a 3800
 
Funny how everyone says to turbo a 3.1, when you can spend less and do a 3800 swap. A great idea, and good luck with it :th_thumbsup-wink:
 
Because a turbo 3.1 is sickkk, just sayin'. How many of those do you see compared to 3800's. Regardless of the swap, teh sw000sh sound is way better than just being like 'yeah, I swapped a different engine in it.' Just my opinion though.
 
there is more info about the 3800 as far as modding goes on this site compared to the 3.1, as probably on many other GP sites as well, but if its the 'sw000sh' sound that girls like i bet alotta those people are like, ''damn i gotta turbo a 3.1 now!''
 


there is more info about the 3800 as far as modding goes on this site compared to the 3.1, as probably on many other GP sites as well, but if its the 'sw000sh' sound that girls like i bet alotta those people are like, ''damn i gotta turbo a 3.1 now!''


The sw000sh sound is what this girl likes, other girls, I don't know. ;)
 
there is more info about the 3800 as far as modding goes on this site compared to the 3.1, as probably on many other GP sites as well

That's because 90% of the people on this site, as well as "the other site", own Gen II w-bodies, so naturally, about 90% of the time, it's the 3800 that's going to be talked about. If you look on w-body.com, or better yet, 60degreeV6.com, there is tons of info on turboing the 3.1/3.4, or the DOHC 3.4 (now THOSE put down some pretty sick numbers boosted), because the ratio of Gen I w-body owners to Gen II is the direct opposite of the former mentioned sites.

Though I'll agree, swapping a 3800 in would be much cheaper (and has been done many, many times in Gen I w-bodies). The turbo alone would cost close to what you can get a whole 3800 motor for, but I'll also agree that the turbo sounds much nicer, as does the 60° motor as a whole.
 
the 96 3.1 is a 3100 60 degreev6. where as the 3800 is a 90 degree v6. what i would do if i was you would pull the 3100 get a 3400 same exact engine. 2003+ better engine could get used 4, 500 or less american with low mileage. i've been a member of v6z24 for about 3-4 yrs. and work for gm. with the 3400 you can run your inj. and your electronics with no change. some 3400 are equal in power to a n/a 3800. it would be a complete drop in. no modifications at all. 2003+ 3100's use the same topend as a 3400. the 3400 top end will also bolt up to your block. no mods. i got a 96 grand am block (3100) with 2000 3400 top end on it sitting in my porch right now. if you go that route, 31100 bottom 3400 top use the 2003+ 3100 head gasket kit. everything you would need is there.
 
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