95 SE L36 Engine Replacement YOUR THOUGHTS NEEDED
 

Hello everyone. First of all, I’d like to thank all the posters for their continual knowledge and experiences on our cars. Most posts have great information that I never knew of or would have thought of. You’ve all helped me in many ways with many problems. I enjoy being a part of this website and would never give it up. :D

My 95SE L36 with 166K is knocking. I thought it was the harmonic balancer. I swapped it out and the knock still remains. I’ve been told it is a rod bearing. I know that this was inevitable…just a matter of time, and I have no problem addressing this. I’ve done so much to this car and taken pretty damn good care for her. I would hate to see everything just fall to the wayside as some sort of donation or "part out". All the work I’ve done is in my signature and the body only has a few spots of minor rust that I will address (Michigan salt).

With the assistance of my cousin, who works for GM, we are planning to drop a new crate motor into her. This by far will be a great experience for me. I was shocked when my dad told me that it would only take a day to do.

What I need from everyone are some tips that I should know of when the swap occurs. Anything that I should be aware of is appreciated. My cousin is well versed and basically a 30-year journeyman when it comes to this type of thing. I’m glad he can do it for me, as he knows this car like the back of his hand. I just wanted to post so I could get feedback from all of you who also know this car like the back or your hands.

I’m going to go for a couple performance upgrades such as a CAI. I don’t think my car is going to end up looking and running like our beloved Admin Willwren’s, but a good CAI would be cool with the new motor.


So your feedback will be appreciated on:


1) Tips or “things to be aware of” when doing the engine swap.
2) Minor performance upgrades I can do besides a CAI.
3) Your opinion on me dropping a new motor in this car.


All your information is appreciated. I'm eager to get this underway. I want to prepare first and do it right.

Thanks again,
Eric

A couple things i could think of off the top of my head are, make sure to keep the same kind of coolant fluid, and if your seriously thinking about big performance then now is the time to slip a cam in. If you do it later you'll be kicking yourself in the a$$.
I had a new motor but in too. You won't regret it.

As far as performance mods it depends on how much you're willing to spend.
A cam would be nice.
I'd suggest ported exhaust manifolds(or headers if you got the $$) and a torque convertor with any other beefier tranny mods you can do.

yea the trans mods are something that you have to consider when modding the engine