Bct907

So, I was offered money for my car, enough to think about selling it.... It never really overheated, just was on its way, I am positive I saved it, changed oil, and drained coolant by running car at idle, with rad cap off, heater goin full hot. It's perfectly fine, which makes me happy.

However...

I found a 91 gxl in AMAZING condition. it has several brand new parts on it, and receipts for it all, most of it dealer oem as well. No rips, no tears anywhere inside, not a single crack on the dash.. so wish my phone wasnt dead in the car when I got there, I was really blown away. hatch works, sunroof works, ac works.... it's like I was flung back to 1991. BUT, it blew a coolant seal I was told, and it pushes water out of the exhaust.

My remedy? Buy a known, working, running motor, drop it in. Found a few on here from reputable people, and I have enough money to get car, engine, and still have a bit of cash left for those unforseen hiccups. about 600 dollars worth of hiccups, but I hope to God it goes smoothly.

My questions are many to be honest, but the main one is, when I go to put the newer engine in, do I have to remove intake manifold? If so, do I need new gaskets for it? I am very unfamiliar with these engines, which is why I am wanting to sorta just plug and play, rip apart bad engine on the side, play with it and learn. but I again, do not know much here.

Now, your guys' opinion-

This good Idea or bad idea? what could go wrong? could this potentially be plug and play?

Howru

iTrader: (25)

All the N/A engine pulls/installs I helped with had the manifolds off. I'd take advantage of that and replace all the fuel/vac lines -- they'll all have to come off to replace them and gaskets are cheap -- if they haven't been done already. If you're careful you can get the OMP lines off without breaking them.

As long as you have a known good core, the only big problem you'll have is remembering where what plug and bolts go where.

Bct907

I am actually buying the core from a mod off of here, so it had best be good! haha

nopistons2o9

Ahh finally some1 else in modesto!! U don't need to take manifold off it drops right in. But like he said if its off take advantage n put new lines, Gaskets. I would also take lots of pics n label wires if u don't no where they go. I been working on mine for 2 years now n the wiring on these cars r a bitch. I'm also in the process of rebuilding my 13bt. Good luck

matt87FC

iTrader: (12)

You do not need to remove manifolds to remove/install an engine. It all fits in there nice and snug. If you happen to remove them though, replace the gaskets just for peace of mind. Also, might as well remove your transmission and service it while your at it and re install it with the engine. Makes the whole installation process a little bit easier without having to worry about lining stuff up when installing the engine back in. If you need any help shoot me a text. I removed mine by myself for the t2 swap for the first time and it wasnt too bad. As long as it is a straight forward n/a to n/a swap and you arent replacing wiring or painting engine bay, its all pretty simple once you get in and do it.

MAKE SURE TO LABEL ALL PLUGS AND BOLTS. lol

Bct907

Well, I actually see no point in dropping the tranny as well because the one in there is almost brand new, reciepts showing servince done within the last... hell, I think it was done within the last 700 miles on the car to be honest, it was less than a thousand... I wont have a lot of time, I have one car, and I am selling my current fc to afford this project, hopefully, since it is just n/a to n/a, both s5 motors, it should be done between a monday morning to the following friday morning time frame...

I know it wont.... Just being hopeful lol.

FelixIsGod29X

iTrader: (50)

Its much easier to remove the engine with the tranny attached from my experiences.

You have to remove a manifold to get the injector clips off. Or pull the engine with the harness attached. Disconnect from ecu and ect then pull the harness through the firewall, best way when swapping engine/harness into another car.
But since your putting in another engine without harness you will have to remove the manifold anyways. CHEAP/GOOD investment is to replace gaskets, vac lines, coolant & OMP lines if brittle and ect. will need all new fluids as well. Good luck, take your time, dont have to do it twice.

matt87FC

iTrader: (12)

I only mentioned taking the tranny out mostly for the ease of reinstallation. Not because it had to be serviced. The top mounting stud on the engine will give you grief wwhen trying to reinstall the engine if the transmission is still in the car (hell itll give you grief for removing the engine as well).

I also agree that removing the manifold is necessary if you don't want to unplug the harness from the ecu. To me, it ttakes about the same amount of time to take off the manifolds or unplug from the computer. I prefer just unplugging from the ecu though and removing the harness when the engine is out so that way you can be more careful when removing the injector clips and what not. Either way it is up to you.

lastphaseofthis

iTrader: (8)

i think most things have been covered, but do yo know if you're "new engine" will have the manifolds on it? will it come with a wiring harness? it's a very quick and easy affair if you can just unplug the ecu and other connectors and pull the wiring harness without removing it from the engine, and install the new engine with it's wiring harness pre-installed..

IF you're buying just the short block, just pull the manifolds in the car, and don't bother dissconnecting the wiring harness... it will save you time, as you would be pulling the manifolds anyways....

So.. how is the engine coming to you.. short or full block?

Bct907

fully dressed engine. I told the seller I didn't actually want any of the sensors or the harness, as the car it is going in is really in very immaculate condition, and the harness is hardly even dusty on it... so I mean.. really, I just need the longblock, which is what I am picking up as soon as I find a damn day to get off of work.... fookin responsibilities....