synistershadows Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 ok so heres the prob i have a 92 3.4L that has a leaky tranny, power steering and coolant. the engine and tranny have around 230 000 kms on them. now i have 2 thoughts one would be to fix the 3.4L and all its problems or i have the chance to get a 3800 series II with all acceseries and tranny this engine has 50 000 Kms on it. i can get this for around $600 now in your guys opinion what should i do? fix the 3.4L or get the 3800? im thinking it would be cheaper to get the 3800 but the $600 is for only the the engine itself not install and i have never done an install like that before. Quote
digitaloutsider Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 There's nothing actually wrong with your LQ1, or transmission so why bother replacing it? And what makes you think you can take on an engine swap when you don't seem to be able to handle simple maintenance (i.e. fixing a leaking transmission line, leaky PS pump, etc.) Figure out what's wrong with what you already have before you think about replacing it. The last thread already diagnosed your transmission problem. It's a line. Replace it. PS pumps are stupid cheap at bone yards, just replace it and see if that fixes the leaking issue. It could also just be bad lines, which a new engine wouldn't fix anyway. Coolant is most likely bad hoses. Find the bad ones. i have no idea where these run nor do i have the tools So by all means, do an engine swap. Quote
White93z34 Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 so let me get this straight? PROBLEM: car leaks fluids SOLUTION: do an engine swap Quote
synistershadows Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Posted January 25, 2008 no im just saying that i have the opertunity to do a swap or fix the one i got Quote
GP1138 Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 so let me get this straight? PROBLEM: car leaks fluids SOLUTION: do an engine swap LOL Quote
synistershadows Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Posted January 25, 2008 keep in mind the engine and tranny i got have over 230 000 Kms on them Quote
digitaloutsider Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 So? It's a 145,000 miles. I've got 226,500 on mine. What's your point? Quote
jmoore4294 Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 So do most everyone here. Atleast I do anyway (actually about 6000 more miles) Honestly, it would be a better investment for you to fix what minor problems you have as opposed to a more expensive and time consuming engine swap. Quote
mfewtrail Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 so let me get this straight? PROBLEM: car leaks fluids SOLUTION: do an engine swap Yes! Engine swaps are the answer to ALL your car troubles! All kidding aside, I agree with the others...fix your current problems and keep driving the car. If I were you, I would invest in a cheap tool set and start a' wrenching on it yourself. You can save a lot of money working on your own vehicle(s). Just FYI, shops would charge you a lot of money to swap out an engine & trans. They're at least going to take $1000+ out of your wallet for something like that. Quote
synistershadows Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Posted January 25, 2008 well heres the thing i work at a shop and its one of the mechanics there that is offering me the engine and said he would help me put it in free or for like a couple hundred anyways. and i do have a small tool set starting up its just mor ethe fatc that i have no idea what im doing and would rather not screw up the only mode of transportation i have Quote
digitaloutsider Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 Then don't even consider an engine swap. That car will be up for weeks working out electrical issues and other odds and ends that you don't foresee. Quote
ManicMechanic Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 and i do have a small tool set starting up its just mor ethe fatc that i have no idea what im doing and would rather not screw up the only mode of transportation i have Get a factory service manual off ebay...They're like $20 most of the time. Quote
88red4cyl Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 Then don't even consider an engine swap. That car will be up for weeks working out electrical issues and other odds and ends that you don't foresee. x2 If you don't really know what you're doing then this can/will turn into a disaster.. The 3800 Series II is an ODBII engine, and your Cutty is ODBI.. Fixing your 3.4 will be the cheapest and easiest route.. If it had some major problem like a knock or something, then swapping the motor could be a better choice, but not at this point.. Also, ~143,000 isn't that many if the car was taken care of at all.. Quote
Chancho Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 kep the 60* they are better lol 3800's suck lol, im jk for all u 3800ers out there, they arnt that bad. but al jokes aside, that car is low miles for the age, just maintain it well, and baby it, thats all these cars need, with a little maintinance these cars last awhile, and with a little more money, these cars end up turboed, twin charged and everything in between lol the 3800 motor is good, but ur better off learning how to fix cars on this motor then learning how to put a motor in a car Quote
wildbill Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 What are you going to do when your 3800 has problems? swap in a V8? Quote
xtremerevolution Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 What are you going to do when your 3800 has problems? swap in a V8? 3800's don't have those kinds of problems. 3800's are virtually bulletproof. Ask anyone with a 3800 Series 1 or 2 and they'll tell you. Hell, mine has 171,000 miles on it now and since I got it with 67,000 miles I've been literally trying to tear that engine apart with the way I drive, and its still pulling really strong. I don't know much of how reliable the LQ1 is, but I'm pretty sure the 3800's are more reliable and easier to work on. Not to mention I hear they're lighter as well. P.S. At 171,000 miles I still don't have any fluid leaks. Boulevard here can comment on the amount of fluid leaks he had in his LQ1. As he had accidentally poured in a whole bottle of brake fluid in his power steering reservior and realized it, he said "don't worry, it will drain out in a week anyway." His brake fluid was also clearing out fast enough, and God knows what else. I still don't burn a single bit of oil. Between oil changes, my dip stick reading stays the same. 171,000 miles and counting... Quote
Bake82 Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 FYI. Regardless of what motor you have, it will not mean you leak more fluids from PS lines or tranny lines. Quote
wildbill Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 What are you going to do when your 3800 has problems? swap in a V8? 3800's don't have those kinds of problems. 3800's are virtually bulletproof. Ask anyone with a 3800 Series 1 or 2 and they'll tell you. Hell, mine has 171,000 miles on it now and since I got it with 67,000 miles I've been literally trying to tear that engine apart with the way I drive, and its still pulling really strong. I don't know much of how reliable the LQ1 is, but I'm pretty sure the 3800's are more reliable and easier to work on. Not to mention I hear they're lighter as well. P.S. At 171,000 miles I still don't have any fluid leaks. Boulevard here can comment on the amount of fluid leaks he had in his LQ1. As he had accidentally poured in a whole bottle of brake fluid in his power steering reservior and realized it, he said "don't worry, it will drain out in a week anyway." His brake fluid was also clearing out fast enough, and God knows what else. I still don't burn a single bit of oil. Between oil changes, my dip stick reading stays the same. 171,000 miles and counting... hmmm. I have a 3800 series II. My point was power steering lines and trans lines can leak on any motor. To fix these issues an engine swap is not the answer, as the previous posts also indicate. Quote
Bake82 Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 I will say...230KM is nothing, fix the PS and tranny lines that leak and drive it for another 150,000 km! Quote
gpchris Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 Or the more common.. so let me get this straight? PROBLEM: car leaks fluids SOLUTION: do an L67 swap Quote
xtremerevolution Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 What are you going to do when your 3800 has problems? swap in a V8? 3800's don't have those kinds of problems. 3800's are virtually bulletproof. Ask anyone with a 3800 Series 1 or 2 and they'll tell you. Hell, mine has 171,000 miles on it now and since I got it with 67,000 miles I've been literally trying to tear that engine apart with the way I drive, and its still pulling really strong. I don't know much of how reliable the LQ1 is, but I'm pretty sure the 3800's are more reliable and easier to work on. Not to mention I hear they're lighter as well. P.S. At 171,000 miles I still don't have any fluid leaks. Boulevard here can comment on the amount of fluid leaks he had in his LQ1. As he had accidentally poured in a whole bottle of brake fluid in his power steering reservior and realized it, he said "don't worry, it will drain out in a week anyway." His brake fluid was also clearing out fast enough, and God knows what else. I still don't burn a single bit of oil. Between oil changes, my dip stick reading stays the same. 171,000 miles and counting... hmmm. I have a 3800 series II. My point was power steering lines and trans lines can leak on any motor. To fix these issues an engine swap is not the answer, as the previous posts also indicate. The guy is leaking everything except for brake fluid at 50,000 KM, and I have yet to leak anything at 171,000 miles. I'd beg to differ. I think some engines are designed better than others in terms of reliability. I agree a motor swap is not the answer. I was just saying. Quote
19Cutlass94 Posted January 26, 2008 Report Posted January 26, 2008 synistershadows: You really need to figure out what you want and stop asking all these questions.... Quote
LuminaPower92 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Posted January 29, 2008 so let me get this straight? PROBLEM: car leaks fluids SOLUTION: do an engine swap i should try that at work Quote
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