Hey guys new to the forum and wanted to say whats up? I am pretty impressed with some of the rides on this site! Ok now to the title. I just bought a 97 grand prix gt with 86000 miles. Its got a bad head but i only payed $120.00 for it. It was actually my buddys car and he is moving to s.carolina soon so he said gimme 120 and its yours. So instead of just changing the head, im thinking about dropping a gtp engine in it. I can pick one(gtp engine) up for 350 complete with the computer and it has 24000 miles on it. Now my question is, Whats involved with "the swap"? am i going to have to change anything else besides the computer? Or would it be just plug 'n' play? Any help is greatly apperciated.. Thanks in advance guys and keep up the good work,Jim

There is an L67 swap kit from zzp. its just a wiring harness. Youre gonna need some sort of PCM, not sure how you wanna approach that.

Also, i believe that the 97 tranny has the extra vacuum line, not sure if that is gonna effect anything.

Just do a top end swap on your current block! you wont be disappointed!

Welcome to the club!

Top end swap meaning what? also if i do that im going to have my computer re-tuned correct? sorry for the stupid questions im not much of a pontiac person always had fords..

Top end swap is what i did on my car, along with a few other guys on here.

Do a search on here and read the FAQ page, but it is pretty much putting the top half (from the heads up) of your GTP motor on top of your GT block.

edit: and yes, you will need to get the PCM reprogrammed

Ok, where do i send the pcm to get programmed? hey ordonez thanks a million for your help.

You can send your PCM to ZZP to haave it tuned for a top swap,I suggest you read the FAQ above for some imfo on the details of a top swap but in your case if you are able to get an L-67 with 24000 miles for $350 a complete motor swap is what I'd suggest.Chico(pops)

http://www.grandprix.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009349

That's got everything I know about doing a top-end swap in it.

And yes, I DID have to link to it.

But yeah, if that head is the only thing wrong, $120 is a STEAL!

And if you can get an L67 for $350, I'd so go for it.


HOWEVER, everybody else forgot to bring something up. The tranny in your 97 GT is going to be the vaccuum operated one. (can't remember if it's a 4T60 ot just a non-electronic 4T65e)

So along with that engine you are going to need a 4T65e tranny, preferably the HD variant for ease of swap and no need to tune.

The N/A 97's came with the 4T60 if I remember correctly.

Zerg: The 'e' on 4T65E stands for electronic. All 4T65E's are electronically controlled.

In later years the stuck they 4T65 in all the trim levels, but put the HD version in the GTP's to handle the extra power provided by the Supercharger.

Not sure how thats going to work with the original non-E tranny. I would say upgrade the tranny (is possible, im not sure) or do a top end swap. BTW welcome to the forum, if you stick around, you will learn allot and everyone here is very helpful!

Personally I'd do a complete drivetrain swap w/pcm from a later model year. Makes life a little simpler in the long run.

Do a visual on the tranny on the 97. Late run 97s got the 65E which will be compatable with the PCM. Quick easy way to tell the 60 from the 65 is the 60 has a vacuum line on top of the tranny and the 65 has wires.

It's not a problem using the 4t60 with an l-67 swap just use the 97 gt pcm and have it tuned for a swap and run the vacuum off a T from the LIM .Chico(pops)

Thanks for all the great info everyone. I did look at the tranny and it has both vacuum line and wires running to it.. It appears to go to a regulator then to the fuel rail. Is there supposed to be more than one vac line? Or is this trans electronic? O yea I did have to charge the battery to get it in neutral. I'm not sure if that means anything?

but isnt it a weaker trans and would break under the power. Right now in my 97 gtp, i know ill need a trans soon since its not the HD version (i don't think they were offered in 97) or i will do a HD upgrade. I say just get the engine cause 350 is hella cheap and see if they will throw in a trans with the motor.

i didnt forget