Engine Swap/Mods?

[Remnant King]

I know I've probably asked some of these questions on chat, but I'd rather have every answer to my question in one place when it comes to this.

As some of you know, I'll be replacing my engine soon (when I get the money). I am about half way there right now and I should have about another $1000 (hopefully) coming in. I am not sure how much I'll have exactly, but I'll have enough to swap the engine itself.

I definitely want to change out the LIM gaskets and the coolant elbows and replace the coolant with that universal stuff. That's pretty easy, but what else I should do, that's kinda confusing.

Should I replace vaccum lines?

I want to do something else to the engine since it's out, but I don't want to do the tuning quite yet. Partially because I probably won't be afford it if I do any mods, and because I don't know who around me tunes or how much they charge.

So is there anything I can do in terms of mods without having to tune? And if I tune, do I have to keep constantly scanning for knock? I'd rather not...

[Explicit_Spade]

You're going to have to tune for a cam or rockers, so there isn't much else you can do.

Yes, you will have to constantly scan for knock, your pcm will try adjust itself with desnity, temperature and air pressure, which can cause knock.

[CTKGP09]

if it aint broke dont fix it, check things like motor mounts and the oil pan gasket, as far as mods puttin in headers would be cake with the motor out

[Remnant King]

If that's the case I'd rather leave it stock for the most part then.

Regarding headers though, I was interested in that and had a few questions:

Let's say I am buying those $200 headers (Speed Daddy's was it). Is it a direct bolt on or do I need other things to make it work?

Without a tune, is there any change in noise, or mpg's?

Will it throw any codes when installed?

How much horsepower does it give me (if any)?

Anyone also have the link for the gaskets and elbows to order?

[dsmuts]

Sd's are a direct bolt on. You will need two 2 1/4" band clamps and two 3" band clamps. Your gas mileage will get better and they are a little louder if you go catless. It will throw the rear o2 code if you run it without a cat. I noticed a huge difference when i installed my headers, but i'm not sure on a real hp figure.

[Remnant King]

I can run it with the original cat right?

If that's the case, I'd rather do that, I don't want any kinds of codes showing up.

I think I'll do the headers, pretty sure I want to.

[TheOtherNick]

You need to get a high flow 3" cat for headers.

[dsmuts]

You can get the code tuned out if you ever get a tune. I'm not sure about throwing the stock cat on it.

[blueguy]

The only way you could get the factory converter to work in a set of headers would be to have it welded in.

[matt5112]

I thought there were a few who tuned in MI.

[Remnant King]

There was this one company that's located in Grand Rapids (can't remember which though). But that's like a few hours drive.

[darkhorizon]

I can do a tune in the flint area.

[BlackGT97]

not to hijack but how much you talkin for a tune darkhorizon. im like 30 min away

[darkhorizon]

depends on what you need, pm me your setup for a quote.

[Remnant King]

Expect a PM from me as well. I can probably do Flint.

[Remnant King]

Sorry for the double post but there was one last question I had.

Anything else you guys would replace in terms of maintenance besides the LIM gaskets and the coolant elbows?

I heard that was the only necessary one for the most part. Also, can I keep running Dexcool with the new gaskets and elbows or is it better to go for the universal stuff?

[matt5112]

change the coolant regularly and you'll be okay.

LIM job requires elbows.

I'd replace valve cover gaskets while you have it apart.

They like leaking, and removing the belt tensioner makes the job much easier. Also requires removing coolant elbows.

[CTKGP09]

If that's the case I'd rather leave it stock for the most part then.

Regarding headers though, I was interested in that and had a few questions:

Let's say I am buying those $200 headers (Speed Daddy's was it). Is it a direct bolt on or do I need other things to make it work?

Without a tune, is there any change in noise, or mpg's?

Will it throw any codes when installed?

How much horsepower does it give me (if any)?

Anyone also have the link for the gaskets and elbows to order?

i have a short ram and headerrs on my n/a GT stock tune, sounds a LITTLE deeper n better and i got 2 or 3 MPGs highway, i definatley recommend them

[Remnant King]

I think I 've settled my mind on just replacing all the gaskets, and then doing a stock tune.

Headers sound like a great idea, but I am not going to pay for headers, and then have to buy some different crap for it, to make it fit or run better.