3.0 to 3.2 engine AND tranny swap

[92ShoOff]

Hey guys, I'm sure this question has been asked a dozen time but I'm in a huge hurry and couldn't find anything via the search method.

I currently have a '92 3.0 MTX with a bad tranny and I'm considering swapping the motor and tranny with one from a 3.2 setup. What all EXACTLY has to be changed to complete the job??

I know the 3.2 computer is on the list, but is there anything else I'd need to change up or modify to get the 3.2 engine and tranny in there? I'll be getting the two from a '94 MTX at a salvage yard in Va. so they might still possibly have the computer and whatever else I may need. If not, any recommendations on which computer to get?

Also, I noticed that the '95 SHO is faster than the '93 and '94. Is that because the engine is slightly different, or is that an issue with weight difference between the 3 years???

Lastly, does swapping the 3.0 with a 3.2 void emissions laws? I have an El Camino (1987) that has a bigger motor in it and I've been told it's not legal to put a different motor in your car than what it originally came with. Is that so when swapping from the 3.0 to 3.2 in a '92 that originally came with the 3.0???

Thanks!!!

 

[jelloslug]

Hey guys, I'm sure this question has been asked a dozen time but I'm in a huge hurry and couldn't find anything via the search method.

I currently have a '92 3.0 MTX with a bad tranny and I'm considering swapping the motor and tranny with one from a 3.2 setup. What all EXACTLY has to be changed to complete the job??

I'm assuming that you are sticking with the MTX. You will need a good 3.2 engine, and the following parts from a 3.0: the oil pan, timing belt tensioner, timing belt covers, all accessories with belt and tensioners and optionally the front head. If you change the front head you will need a set of head gaskets. Most people (I did) put the 3.0 cams in also. There are much better write ups here and on SHOtimes than what I have outlined above.

I know the 3.2 computer is on the list, but is there anything else I'd need to change up or modify to get the 3.2 engine and tranny in there? I'll be getting the two from a '94 MTX at a salvage yard in Va. so they might still possibly have the computer and whatever else I may need. If not, any recommendations on which computer to get?

You will use the 3.0 computer and wiring harness, some people have use the 3.2 harness with good luck and some have not. I say just use the 3.0 harness and be done with it.

Also, I noticed that the '95 SHO is faster than the '93 and '94. Is that because the engine is slightly different, or is that an issue with weight difference between the 3 years???

There is no real difference between those years. Where did you get the info? I woud say that is has more to do with whoever tested them.

Lastly, does swapping the 3.0 with a 3.2 void emissions laws? I have an El Camino (1987) that has a bigger motor in it and I've been told it's not legal to put a different motor in your car than what it originally came with. Is that so when swapping from the 3.0 to 3.2 in a '92 that originally came with the 3.0???

I'm not sure . The 3.2 is an engine that is supose to be in a Taurus SHO and you are using all the stock emission parts so it's kinda a gray area. Unless you told the tester that you changed the engine there is no way to tell from the outside that it is different.

 

[revhardSHO]

You wont be getting any 3.2 from a stock MTX car; only ATXs had the 3.2 (93-95). Did you mean to say ATX?

The 95 year is not faster. All the MTX SHOs run about the same, with the 89 models just a hair quicker

 

[92ShoOff]

My bad guys... until I read your replies I had ALWAYS been under the impression that ALL '93-'95 SHO's had a 3.2.... regardless of the transmission. But doesn't involve much to do the swap from what it sounds. I have the 3.0 to use for parts (which just has a few bad seals... cam seals, valve stem seals, etc.)... still a very good running engine though.

And I just remember reading some 1/4 times on some web-site that showed the '89 being the quickest with a 15.2.... the '92 with a 15.4, and everything else was a little slower. It showed the '95 with a 15.6 and the '93 and '94 SHO was the slowest of them all according to the site. And if I recall all those results were with MTX trannies. But like you guys said, that's probably off anyway.

So would it be best to swap a 3.2 in with another MTX, or get a low-mileage '89 3.0 to put in there with another MTX????

Thanks again!

 

[luigisho]

Get the 3.2 motor from an automatic car and mate it up to the manual transmission and enjoy.

 

[revhardSHO]

If you find a 3.2 you'll have to strip it to the bare block and build it (dress it) up with everything from your 3.0 motor. IE: heads, oil pan, oil pump, timing covers, etc etc. Everything comes over.

 

[92ShoOff]

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply but I just got back from Richmond, Va tonight. Thanks for all the replies though... but I'm kinda puzzled about a few things for the swap:

Why would you need to strip the engine down to the block and put everything from the 3.0 motor onto it? I though the 3.2 was the EXACT same motor with exception of having a bigger displacement and having a front serpentine belt rather than 2 drive belts like on the 3.0.

Why can't a 3.2 just be mated to the tranny, bolted in place and go? What's so different about that I need to swap the heads, oil pan, oil pump, etc? Sorry for my ignorance, but I just don't understand why you can't use what came with the 3.2 to drop it in as is. Can I keep the serpentine setup on the 3.2... or do I have to swap all that stuff from the 3.0 onto the 3.2 also??

I'm just making sure I'm not getting myself into a huge mess. In the meantime I'll be reading up on the ShoTimes description once I find it and see if that doesn't answer some of my questions. Thanks again for your help guys!

 

[40BelowSummer]

the accessories, and some othe minor things, some people prefer to use 3.0 heads/cams but thats up to you http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...e=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=167

 

[ghostrider]

The reason you have to use all the belts, tensioners, and accessories from the 3.0 motor, is because of how the motor sits in the subframe. The serpentine system, and accessories will not fix when mated to an MTX subframe and transmission. The ATX motor sits further to the front of the car then the MTX motor. The easiest way to do things is use all brackets and tensioners from the 3.0, the oil pan, oil pump, subframe all that stuff. Bolt it to the 3.2 and go. Check out this page for a really good write up. Click Here

 

[92ShoOff]

Hey guys I just finished reading the ShoTimes info on the swap. Thanks for those last 2 replies, and Rob, thanks for putting the reasoning into lamens terms for me. haha. I needed that.

Well that's definitely too much work for me to do in the little play-time I have for the job, so looks like for now I'm just going to get a used or rebuilt tranny in there so I can start driving the car to work again.

What I'll probably end up doing is checking on getting my 3.0 rebuilt and maybe bored out. I'm just gonna make a new post on that and see what everyone says about that. Thanks fellas!

-Andrew

 

[Ferendon]

The 89s are faster due to weight... That ABS adds some weight (89s don't have ABS)