1997 malibu engine swap 3.1 to 3.4 - GM Performance Tuning

eskr · #1 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 01:18 AM

ok here is my situation. my 97 malibu has 232,000 miles on it and every mile was street raced and loved it. i resealed it at 198,000 and blew the transaxle. hum now i am bored and have a little spending cash. i have a chevy high performance magazine from april of 1998. in this magazine they took a 3.4 cast iron block from a chevy venture and dropped it into the malibu with some engine upgrades producing 238 hp at 233 lb ft of torque. ive come to the conclusion that this is what i want to do. so i am asking for some knowledgable imput on this swap and what would be the best way to go about this.

jamz · #2 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 09:00 AM

First, welcome to the site! Glad to have you here. I'm excited to hear about your plans and look forward to seeing you do it and keep us all updated here on GMPT. I am not the gear head like some of the other guys, so personally, I couldn't tell you to much in regards to this. However, I can tell you from the swap we did in my grand am (3800 series II), you are going to love the project and the end result.

Wish I could give you some tech details but I'll pass this along to a few people and maybe they will be of more asisstance.

Or, some of the other guys on here with swaps are sure to reply soon!

eric99gt · #3 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 10:26 AM

3400swap.com
Should be a good resource.

eskr · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2006, 01:40 AM

thank you for the resource link. and yes please ask around for specifications and or problems related to this engine swap. right now its a matter of finding an engine at a reasonable price. with the transmission of course. please keep me posted thank you.

phat_ridegt · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2006, 08:21 PM

exactly how much cash do you have to spend (*see below)...i pondered the 3400 swap in mt gagt...however, i think you could make just as much power with the 3100 block, using 3400 heads/lim/uim. afaik the heads are interchangable. either way, making that much whp out of a 3100/3400 isn't very reliable without a stronger bottom end and transmission.

as to my earlier question, depending on what you want to do, you may be better off just putting a good trans in it, and driving the car till it's death. if you are just wanting a little extra pep, no need for a motor swap, until the engine HAS to be pulled anyway. if you want to go fast, get a different car. honestly. you could buy a turbo kit (which is why i asked about the money), or an rsm csc, but to the best of my knowledge, they are only running high 13's in those cars...

im a little biased because we own one, (see link in sig) but a GTP (grand prix) is honestly your best bang for your buck as far as wanting to go fast. after you have the car (you can get a 97-00 for between 3000-7000). it will cost you around 500 to run 13's, and about 1500 after that to run 12's. which is 300whp (400bhp) *check out www.zzperformance.com

just my $0.02, a swap would be a very good project, and a very good way to get your feet wet with the car, but honestly imho, it's not worth the hassle.

good luck either way man

Illuminous · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 12:26 PM

In my opinion, the 3100 is a better motor than the 3400. I would just try and find a new tranny for your car and then do some upgrades to the 3100.

34005spdcorsy · #7 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 11:55 PM

how do u figure the 3100 is better than the 3400?

GS_Geoff · #8 (**permalink**) 09-13-2006, 10:13 AM

We need more L67 malibus!

The 3800 + 4t65e-hd is about the most reliable you'll get in GM FWD. Not to knock you 3100/3400 guys, but if you have the opportunity to do an engine swap, you might as well go big. :D

Of course, the 3400 block buildup would probably be much less pain on your part... but hey, no pain, no gain!