LQ1 to 3.1 MPFI Swap

[oldscsc]

Found a '94 Lumina with a 3.1 to put into the long lost Cutlass, which was originally an LQ1 car. It's nothing special or fast, just something to get it going, possibly to sell or maybe keep for something that gets better than 15 MPG. From reading this thread ( http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/5935-3-4L-to-3-1L-Swap ) it looks like the swap is pretty simple. It sounds like I can keep my current transaxle and take that out of the equation completely.

 

Other than the computer and engine wiring harness, what would I need off of the Lumina to get this thing going again?

[chadz34]

<---- Would never put a 3.1 in place of a 3.4. 60 horsepower difference at least and damn near identical fuel mileage. Is this because you can't find another LQ1?

[oldscsc]

It was a turd with the LQ1 so I don't care about power. After self destructing at 77k miles, I don't want another 3.4 anyways. It has sat for a full year so at this point I don't really care what goes in it a long as it's a cheap and easy swap.

[chadz34]

I'm sure there are plenty of 3.1's. If You really want a 3.1, I'm thinking you go with the LHO because it has no gasket issues, the exhaust sounds better and it'll probably run longer than a 3100.

[oldscsc]

Yes, I've already found a car with the engine, I just need to know what all I would need to swap over and what I could keep.

[White93z34]

best bet is to get a pinout of the firewall c100 for both cars and see what will and will not line up. a 95' lumina would make more sense for swap since it has all the ability to do obd1.5 which is what the cutlass is wired for where the 94' lumina will still have OBD1 and will not have secondary CPS or cam sensors.

 

not to say its not possible to use the lumina engine harness and effectively take the car "back" to obd1, i'm sure its possible, just a matter of overcoming any c100 wiring differences.

[Hairdo12]

Transmission gearing is not correct for the 3.1. If you thought it was a turd before, you'll really love the -60 hp and wrong gear ratios. Might as well throw an iron duke in there.

[tornado_735]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the gearing is 3.43 for the LQ1 vs 3.33 for anything 3.1 powered, ie: shorter gears with slightly improved acceleration.

[oldscsc]

Chris, that's kinda what I figured I'd be doing..just transplanting a whole, complete engine, wiring and all, into the Cutlass. I'm up for whatever is easiest though.

 

If i can't find a '94/95 Cutlass or Grand Prix a '95 1.5 gen would be the easiest swap? I'm still considering the '94 Lumina because of it's availability and cost (and it might not be too hard to get together and working well if you swap everything over) but like I said, this is mainly about ease of the swap (most everything bolting up, minimal wiring etc.) So I'd listen to ideas. I'm just tired of seeing this car sitting - it's too nice to see it go to scrap.

Edited December 12, 2011 by oldscsc

[Crazy K]

the wiring in the trans will also be different, so the trans as is will not go........ doing an OBD 1.5 swap with a 3100 and the stock 94-95 3.43 FDR transmission would be fine though, if your CS is a 94-95

[oldscsc]

My car is a '94 Ken. If I ended up finding an engine (like this maybe http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pts/2627546118.html <---- 3100 I'm sure) what all would need to be swapped from the other car?

[jman093]

If it's really what you want to do (I'd just get a salvage LQ1 personally), I have a good LH0 for sale out of a GP my brother ditched. Complete with accessories. $75 and local to ya.

[oldscsc]

What year engine is it? Very interested in it, feel free to PM or shoot me a text if you prefer that.