Replacing my 3100

cmg3100 · Post by **cmg3100** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 2:09 pm

My 3100 has some rods knocking, and I just realized the head gasket is leaking, so rather than rebuild, I think it'd be cheaper to just put a new engine from the salvage yard. Additionally my transmission has shifted very roughly for years, so I'd like to get a package deal and just rip out all of the old drivetrain.

So my question is, if I buy a complete 3400 to put in, is it a 100% direct swap? What about ECU? is there any model car that's easier to swap from? Grand Am , Venture etc? I'd really like to upgrade if its not much more difficult than just putting in a new 3100. I've had this car for about 16 years (my first car) so I'd like to "treat it", so to to speak for all of its years of service.

Thanks, Chris

Money pit Beretta · Post by **Money pit Beretta** » Fri Oct 05, 2012 7:09 pm

This has been asked so many times that there should be a sticky.
You can use the stock ECM.
Here you go:
http://www.3400swap.com/3400%20Swap%20V ... 02.5.6.pdf

Beretta1234567 · Post by **Beretta1234567** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 7:05 pm

An option to used engines:
Go to advanced auto parts and look up rebuilt & refurbished 3100's for the Beretta and 3400's for the Chevrolet Venture Van.
Mine was $1200 for a 3100 SFI v6 for my Beretta.
It was the block & heads properly rebuilt and assembled.
Needed things like sensors, oil pump, intake, oil pan, oil pump drive, etc...

Depends if its worth it or not for the car, just an option I thought I'd mention.

Post by **3X00-Modified** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:53 am

a jy 3400 would be a better investment... I wouldn't trust an engine from Advance.

Money pit Beretta · Post by **Money pit Beretta** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 12:06 pm

Refurbed in Mexico. Or reFUBARed if you will.

Beretta1234567 · Post by **Beretta1234567** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 2:50 pm

They said mine was refurbished in the US, took a long time to find it, I was about to leave because they all come out of mexico.
After its break in period I've tested it hard, it runs great.

Only issue I had was one of the lower intake bolts that go into the heads, the hole was striped out when I got it. I rethreaded it and put bolt that was around 1/16 larger. I would have sent it back, but I already put everything else together and I had to have the car working for school.
That was hard, taking it on the freeway fresh out of rebuild, I couldn't rev it very high, it almost never wanted to shift when I was trying to get up to speed. Later that day I forgot a clip on my fuel rail and I had boiling gas all over the place. I Got lucky, it never caught fire.

If you do rebuild anything, make sure its all together, and don't rush. That was almost my mistake. But I had no other way to get to the university.

Beretta.net