Engine swap Malibu to Grand AM

[nitehawk92]

I have a 98 Malibu LS 3.1L engine auto trans that was in an accident that damaged the pass side quarter panel, tie rod and possibly other damage to the lower control arm and frame. The engine and tranny are good. I know a guy that has a 98 Grand AM with the 3.1L engine that the engine is damaged, bad crank or cam shaft. Other than the bad engine, the car is in excellent shape. Is there any reason the Malibu engine cannot be installed in the Grand AM? The same year, same size engine, logically it seems like the swap would not be an issue. But I am no expect on the Malibu or Grand AM.

The plug going into the tranny housing (computer connection?) is black on the Grand Am and grey on my Malibu, so I am told I cant use my tranny in the Grand AM, but once they get the engine out they can bolt the Grand Am tranny to the Malibu engine. Anybody have any input on whether this is possible/advisable?

 

[melsg5]

It should be interchangeable.
Is the plug identical for the trani other than the color?

 

[nitehawk92]

I figured since the engines were the same year and size, they should be swappable. I haven't actually had the plug off the tranny, somebody at the shop where the Grand AM is at said if the plugs are not the same color the computer chip may not/wouldn't communicate correct with the Malibu tranny in the Grand Am. But if necessary I would think we should be able to take the tranny from the from the Grand Am and the engine from the Malibu put them together and put it in the Grand Am. They should be compatible too????

 

[melsg5]

They should be but isnt the shop where the Grand Am is located doing the work?

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[nitehawk92]

Thanks for the help...

No, my nephew rebuilds old Nissans and suggested I take the cars to a specific shop that he trusts for the swap. Thanks for the advice. Have a good New Year.