Hi everyone, I have a 2000 olds intrigue with the 3.5 with leaking head gaskets, I was wondering if any other v6 gm engines would swap with mine? Thanks.

The 3.5 was the only engine that shipped from the factory in those cars. Not sure what else might fit. The computer systems make swapping other engines into the car very difficult, if not impossible.

That said, I'm wondering about a 4.0L "Baby Northstar" from a second-generation Aurora, since those cars also came with the 3.5. Then again, head gaskets were an issue on all the Northstar variants.

I was thinking the same thing too. I've heard it called a shortstar. I would stick with another 3.5 for simplicity sake. If you want to get really involved, a */C 3800 or a Northstar would be appropriate.

remember the intensive bcm,pcm control relation on intrigues. You can go 3800 from a 3800 intrigue but you will need all the wiring including body and the bcm to match the pcm to save yourself alot of hassle.

I always thought the 3.5L was the "Shortstar" because it was based on the Northstar'* design but had six cylinders instead of eight. The 4.0L Aurora engine was just an under-bored version of the 4.6L Northstar with a different oil pan. My understanding is you can swap a 4.6L Northstar into an Aurora and the Aurora'* PCM won't even notice the difference. The only caveat is it has to be from the same generation (i.e., first gen Auroras get a '99 or earlier engine and second gen. Auroras get a 2000-2005 engine). Since the Intrigue'* original engine was a V6, it may be a bit more complicated.

Time to clear up some stuff!

First things first, the Intrigue came out in 1998 with the 3800. Year 99 was its last model year with the 3800, and during that year the 3.5 came out. By 2000, the 3.5 was the standard engine on all models.

The Shortstar is the 3.5L V6 based on the Northstar. The Northstar is either the 4.0L or the 4.6L, but they are not interchangeable. There are many differences, and setting up a 4.6 with the PCM of a 4.0 would be pretty awful. However, back to V6 talk!

Since your Shortstar is an aluminum engine, it needs strong threads in its aluminum block to hold head studs for its aluminum heads. The issue with this is that GM used the same nylon material as they did for 3800/3.5/LS intake manifolds to make threads for their head gaskets. Over time, as this crappy material weakened, heads started leaking. The proper fix is to tear down the engine and use metal thread inserts.

A friend of mine has an Aurora with the 3.5, and he had head gasket issues, too. The engine was under warranty at his dealership, so he got a replacement engine. It'* apparently less costly, even to a dealership, to outright replace the 3.5 with another 3.5 than to fix it up.

That said, the 3800 should bolt straight up to the transmission, but you'd need a W-body wiring harness and maybe some fiddling around with dash wiring. I suggest strongly that you get an L67 so you can go to a 240 hp engine and get some fun out of your engine swap, should you choose to do it. Otherwise, keep in mind to spit on and throw away the nylon thread inserts as you're replacing head gaskets, and then you actually shouldn't have any more problems with your 3.5.

Very good info here, I truly appreciate all the help it'* a second car so i have time to think about all options.

Hi everyone just wondering if the transmission in my 3.5 shortstar will bolt up to a 2001 impala 3-5 ???

01 imp would be either 3.4 or 3.8, either might work wiki says the starter is different but you might be able to make something work. what are you trying to do?

"Northstar pattern

Nearly identical to the GM small corporate/metric pattern, except that the starter is located between the cylinder banks, and the lower right bolt hole is moved outward by roughly one inch. Being nearly identical, it too has the distinctive odd-sided hexagonal shape. These engines can be fitted in Rear Wheel Drive vehicles with the right bellhousing and are used in hot rods, kit cars, sand rails and late model engine swaps."

My son wanted me to try blue devil head gasket repair but i found a good 01 impala with a blown tranny and was thinking on puting the olds tranny in the impala and at least i'd have a car running.