Engine swap / replacement compatibility

[Brent72]

I have a 2001 PT with the base engine and manual trans. The engine (and probably the trans as well) are shot and need to be replaced. I want to swap in a used engine, and then rebuild the old one myself, but this will take some time. To get the car back on the road more quickly, I am looking for a rebuilt engine, or an engine from a junked car. I am searching for a used engine (with or without trans at this point), and have a question regarding the possiblity of using an engine/trans from a different model year in my car. A shop has told me that the newer engines are "different" but wasn't sure if they would work or not, nor what problems might be encountered. I will be doing the swap myself, with the help of an experienced friend who has the heated garage and all the right tools.

I have poked around and found these differences... Engine cover deleted after 2001 (not important for an engine swap), intake breather tube, and coolant overflow tank. I am assuming I can keep my existing intake breather tube and overflow bottle, although those do not sound like job-stoppers anyway.

Can somebody please expand on this list above, and tell me what to watch out for? For example, is it important that I also get the PCM that goes along with the used engine? Or can I reuse my existing PCM? I don't think I have the anti-theft system which would prevent the engine from starting, but perhaps I do but don't know it!!!

How about other things like mounts, wiring, exhaust, fuel lines, half shafts..?

Same question for the tranny... will I run into any compatibility issues trying to use a newer 5-speed, assuming I stick with the manual T350?

Thanks in advance guys!!

[slartyblarfast]

With the exception of EGR I', pretty sure that 01-03 are the same. 04 is when they did a big change to the electronics. 04 and up manual trasnmissions have a taller final gear ratio that brings the rpm down but not sure if the pcm can work with that. As far as pcm, you do not need to replace the pcm with the motor. AS for the rest of everything it should be a straight across swap. If your engine has an EGR then make sure the replacement has one also. That's about all I can think of that would be a deal stopper.

[Brent72]

Thanks for the reply. My shop guy gave me a bit more info. He said only a 2001 or 2002 engine would be compatible (with my '01 PT). He said the crank sensor changed for 2003 and beyond. Perhaps a different sensor type, which would also mean a difference in the PCM ?? Can anyone confirm this? And if this is true, could I swap PCM's as well, so that I get a matched set (engine+PCM from the same donor car ) ? Thanks guys!