Easier to Swap engine, or swap tranny?

Saturn #4 · 05-02-2009, 03:57 AM

OK, so gold '96 has choco milkshake coolant, red '94 has tranny popping out of gear while driving (both auto). Problem appeared after tranny ran completely out of fluid (bad friend for not checking fluid...bad me for not fixing leak before selling).

Gold '96 is "prettier" - has body/interior that are in better shape, RKE, etc. but has salvage title. Only 112k miles
Red '94 has dings/dents/ some wear, etc, odometer broken but nothing horrible.

Soo...the question is, is it better to swap the tranny from the gold car to the red one, or to put the engine from the red one into the gold car?

Gold tranny has reverse slam, but not bad...hadn't had a chance to try reverse slam "cure" before milkshake syndrome appeared. Hasn't affected driving.

Red engine has a tensioner(?) squeal, and probably about 140-150k miles - gets great mileage though. Squeal goes away if you stop and re-start the engine.

It may matter --- Emissions sticker on '94 says "NB", while the sticker on the gold '96 says "CB" --what do those letters mean?

ruley73 · 05-02-2009, 10:51 AM

Swapping the transmission is easier if you don't have access to an elaborate shop equipped with a lift. However, in the end I don't think swapping the engine is much more difficult. I've never done either myself. I'm just going off of my knowledge of these cars. Somebody who has done this before could certainly have a different opinion.

madpogue · 05-02-2009, 12:05 PM

The '96 is def. the preferred car to commission, esp. since it will be easier to support (salvage yard part supply, etc.) in years to come. You'll need to use the '96 fuel rail.

Alternative - I dunno automatics, but ask around here if the '94 tranny problem might be solved with a new valve body. In fact, you might be able to transplant the valve body from the '96 into the '94. That would be the least work, if it worked.

P.DADDY · 05-02-2009, 08:41 PM

If you are going through the top, you have to pull the engine to remove the tranny. On the other hand, the tranny can stay in the car if you are just swapping motors. So my answer would be...the engine swap would be a little easier and less time consuming. Just my two cents, I've changed out three trannys and one engine tranny combo.

Chaotic66 · 03-15-2016, 12:59 PM

I have a 99 sl2 with a broken timing chain cover. I have the chance to get an 01 with a blown trans. Should I use the 01 motor in the 99 or the 99 trans in the 01?

Nekomimi · 03-19-2016, 03:26 PM

Wouldn't changing the timing cover be easier then swapping one of those out? Changing the engine or the transmission is a heck of allot of work and best not if you don't have to. ( I had to swap my trans twice right, one after the other...)

Highmile · 03-21-2016, 09:44 AM

The 94 to 96 engine swap is going to have an issue with the EGR valve.

Highmile
'95 SL1 597k and counting

05-02-2009, 03:57 AM	#1
Saturn #4 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South Calif - home of rustfree cars! Posts: 69 1996 SL2 1996 SL1	Easier to Swap engine, or swap tranny? OK, so gold '96 has choco milkshake coolant, red '94 has tranny popping out of gear while driving (both auto). Problem appeared after tranny ran completely out of fluid (bad friend for not checking fluid...bad me for not fixing leak before selling). Gold '96 is "prettier" - has body/interior that are in better shape, RKE, etc. but has salvage title. Only 112k miles Red '94 has dings/dents/ some wear, etc, odometer broken but nothing horrible. Soo...the question is, is it better to swap the tranny from the gold car to the red one, or to put the engine from the red one into the gold car? Gold tranny has reverse slam, but not bad...hadn't had a chance to try reverse slam "cure" before milkshake syndrome appeared. Hasn't affected driving. Red engine has a tensioner(?) squeal, and probably about 140-150k miles - gets great mileage though. Squeal goes away if you stop and re-start the engine. It may matter --- Emissions sticker on '94 says "NB", while the sticker on the gold '96 says "CB" --what do those letters mean? ... 6- '95 SL1 Gold - 58k mile! 5- '98 SL2 Pearl #4 - '96 SL1 Lt Teal 3- '96 SL1 Gold -SUV vs SL2, = a draw 2- '97 SL1 Silver - Carjacked. 1- '94 SL1 Red- sold 2 friend

05-02-2009, 10:51 AM	#2
ruley73 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Is this heaven?....No, it's Iowa! Posts: 3,045 ruley73's Photos	Re: Easier to Swap engine, or swap tranny? Swapping the transmission is easier if you don't have access to an elaborate shop equipped with a lift. However, in the end I don't think swapping the engine is much more difficult. I've never done either myself. I'm just going off of my knowledge of these cars. Somebody who has done this before could certainly have a different opinion. ... 2007 Ion 2 Quad Coupe 5-speed manual 183K miles gone 2007 Chevy Equinox LT 200K miles 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L 60K miles

05-02-2009, 12:05 PM	#3
madpogue Super Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Madison, WI USA Posts: 25,715 madpogue's Photos 1996 SW2	Re: Easier to Swap engine, or swap tranny? The '96 is def. the preferred car to commission, esp. since it will be easier to support (salvage yard part supply, etc.) in years to come. You'll need to use the '96 fuel rail. Alternative - I dunno automatics, but ask around here if the '94 tranny problem might be solved with a new valve body. In fact, you might be able to transplant the valve body from the '96 into the '94. That would be the least work, if it worked.

03-15-2016, 12:59 PM	#5
Chaotic66 New Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 2 1999 SL2 2008 AURA XE	Engine swap questions I have a 99 sl2 with a broken timing chain cover. I have the chance to get an 01 with a blown trans. Should I use the 01 motor in the 99 or the 99 trans in the 01?

03-19-2016, 03:26 PM	#6
Nekomimi Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 446 Nekomimi's Photos 1996 SL1	Re: Easier to Swap engine, or swap tranny? Wouldn't changing the timing cover be easier then swapping one of those out? Changing the engine or the transmission is a heck of allot of work and best not if you don't have to. ( I had to swap my trans twice right, one after the other...) ... '96 SL1 Originally the family car, passed on to me as my first. "Hellcat" 240,000+ miles and purring smooth. My Mug is filled with the lost souls of imports.

05-02-2009, 08:41 PM	#4
P.DADDY Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 65 2000 SW1	Re: Easier to Swap engine, or swap tranny? If you are going through the top, you have to pull the engine to remove the tranny. On the other hand, the tranny can stay in the car if you are just swapping motors. So my answer would be...the engine swap would be a little easier and less time consuming. Just my two cents, I've changed out three trannys and one engine tranny combo.

03-21-2016, 09:44 AM	#7
Highmile Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 1,294 1995 SL1	Re: Easier to Swap engine, or swap tranny? The 94 to 96 engine swap is going to have an issue with the EGR valve. Highmile '95 SL1 597k and counting

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