1991 3.1L V6 Compatibility with Indy

[mouseman]

I have come across a great deal on a 1991 3.1 V6 that was never put into a car and has no VIN, the seller sent me pictures and stated that the only numbers he is seeing are "a stamp on the engine saying T0206 CTS, with an "M" stamped on the back of the block". Apparently the engine was used for testing by GM only. Can anyone help me to determine if this engine would be usable in my 1990 Beretta Indy Pace car?

[3X00-Modified]

It's the same motor... and typically these engines don't have vins on them so I'm doubting it's anything overly special.

[Isotope]

The VIN is stamped on the engine block on any production Beretta engine. Check your service manual if you have a set, It's on the trans mounting flange down near the starter.

[mouseman]

Thank you so much for the information guys.

I spoke with a couple dealerships and they said that the motor in my Indy was a "T" coded motor and this one is a "M" which might require some work to the fuel system or intakes, but they weren't positive. I would think these changes would be nothing off the chart cost-wise, but the most important is that it will fit.

[Asylum]

To be honest that "M" bothers me. I'm wondering if it's an early SFI test engine. GM would have had those engines long before they went into production vehicles.

[3X00-Modified]

A 91 M motor? That seems a bit fishy. They didn't come out till 94.

Do you have pics of this engine?

[Asylum]

GM would have been developing that engine for at least a couple of years before production started.

It just seems strange and coincidental.

[3X00-Modified]

Oh and factory engine from my 96, no vin...

[Asylum]

Best get a pic of that engine as Jon suggested. IF it is an SFI engine you will have some issues, although fairly minor, in your Indy.

[Cliff8928]

Main issue would be not being able to bolt up the front engine mount without a custom bracket.

And the L82 came out in 1993 in the Cutlass Supreme.

[Isotope]

Engine ID is dot matrix stamped (pin printed) on the engine block. It's impossible to see if the block is badly rusted. 1992 Beretta GT (the rusted block), 1996 Z26 the blue block

[mouseman]

Here are the photos of the engine the seller sent me.....now I am concerned that it wont work based on the issues of the mounting bracket etc.

Any thoughts after seeing these?

[Asylum]

That is the same as yours!! Good to go.

[mouseman]

Thanks Eric, that is a major relief.

[3X00-Modified]

Well externally it is the same yes, but there is some funky crap on that motor... They have an oddball crank sensor on the main pulley, not sure why thats there and a few other electronic sensors.

I'm guessing if you pull all that off and just use the engine as is and bolt on your items you should be fine, but I would definately check everything over including try to measure the cam or anything else to see if there are some odd parts in it as well.