First time poster on JBO, so be easy on me....
I recently picked up a 99 Z24 that has a trashed LD9 but is otherwise in decent condition (I'll post an intro and photos soon, apologies for not doing that first). I have an opportunity to pick up a 2001 Grand Am SE parts car with a useable LD9, in hopes that I could swap the motor into the Z24.
1. Are there any issues with the '01 LD9 and the 99? I am aware that there was a change to the LD9 around 99, but I can't sort out if the changes were on 1999 engines, or post-1999 engines.
2. Is there anything else on a Grand Am that is useable on a Z24? Tranny....wheels...brakes....exhaust....etc?
Not sure on your first question.
But for your second question, I believe the transmissions are the same, but I'm not positive. Wheels are not. The bolt pattern is 5x115. Brakes are also not usable. Exhaust I don't think is either. I believe it's routed differently, and I know the muffler's are different.
However, if your getting a parts car, now could be a great time to do the N body brake swap, and or the N body rear suspension swap, or both
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Tuesday, November 02, 2010 10:22 PM
Sunfiretun3r wrote:Not sure on your first question.
Fair comment...I went back and realized I didn't actually pose the question I intended. Really just asking if the 2001 LD9 is the same as the 1999 engine. That's based on statements like this which I find on the 'net:
Quote:
This engine received a minor update halfway through the 1999 model year that eliminated the EGR, increased the compression ratio from 9.5:1 to 9.7:1, and switched from low impedance fuel injectors to high impedance.
How do I know if the LD9 in my Z24 is the "pre-update" version, and will thus be able to direct swap in the Grand Am motor?
Sunfiretun3r wrote:However, if your getting a parts car, now could be a great time to do the N body brake swap, and or the N body rear suspension swap, or both
Great idea, thank you!
99-02 LD9's are the same. Should be same casting number on the head. Use all the sensors from the 99 LD9 on the 01 LD9 motor.
ALL 99 J-Bodies are the same. The update was for the 99 "model year".
The N-body brake swap is not a bad idea, nor is the independent rear. I would get the Z running first, in my opinion.
PRND321 Till I DIE
Old Motor: 160whp & 152ft/lbs, 1/4 Mile 15.4 @88.2
M45 + LD9 + 4T40-E, GO GO GO
Thanks.
I wasn't even aware of the N-body brake or IRS swap...I am new to the J body world, so have been doing as much reading as I can and a lot of (hopefully) learning before even posting.
I agree that the N body swap is more intensive, and that's probably something to leave until later after completing the engine change and sorting out whatever else is wrong with the Z24. BUT...at least I know that I should strip off the rear end of the Grand Am before I send it off to the junkyard, so I can at least think about the IRS or brake change in the future.
Anything else like this that I should strip off a Grand Am parts car?
Oh, I'm not sure how you feel about the factory j body seats, but many guys (including myself) do the front seat swap. I got mine from a coupe. You could take those out too and if you don't like them, you can sell them. I'm not positive about the rear seats, I think they are too wide.
Somebody on here might want the wheels too. Lots of guys need them from doing the brake swaps (unless you do the swap too, then you will need them).
You can also head over to grandamgt.com, tell them your jbody.org and give them the whole story on needing the engine, and part out whatever ese anybody wants/needs. I am a member over there too.
I'd have to think pretty hard if there is anything else that could be swapped over, but I think that's it. But theres a few more ideas to get some more of you money back from the grand am.
What is required for the seat swap? From what I've ready, the GA seats are not direct bolt-ins...
Great idea for the parting out announce on the Grand Am forum. I don't have the GA yet, so I don't want to jump the gun, but I'll definitely do that if/when it comes time.
Well, it's not a direct swap per say, but when I did it, it didn't take much.
To do the swap, you will a 13mm wrench, and a 13mm long socket. The long socket is for the front bolts, and the wrench is for the rea bolts in your j. You may also need some tin snips, and I'm not positive, but I think the bolts that hold the seats to the sliders are 13mm as well. You will also need 8 grade 8 bolts, nuts, flat washers and lock washers. If i remember correctly, you will also need a 10mm socket for the drivers side j body slider.
Basically, you remove the bottom seat basket on the grand am seats, from their sliders, so the seat is by itself. When you take them apart you will understand what I mean about the "seat basket". The sliders are bolted on with four bolts. You have to remove the bottom portion of the cloth seat covering and lift up the foam. It's not as hard as it sounds. Seriously. You do this for both the passenger side and the driver's side. The seats I picked up on the passenger side had 2 cables run through the sliders. One of them came out no problem, the other I had to cut. They haven't affected the seat in any way. The driver's side seat didn't have these cables. After the sliders are off of the grand am seats, you have to take the factory j body sliders off the factory seats. This is pretty easy too. Another 4 bolts.
So after the sliders are off of each seat, you will need to get the grade 8 bolts you got. For the passenger side, the swap is easy. There is a cable that connects the lever for the slider on the left and right side. It not be taught when you put the sliders on the grand am seats, but it will still function. Use the bolts you bought to bolt the j body sliders on the grand am seats.
For the drivers side, it's gonna be a little harder. Once the slider is off the j body seat, you will need to remove the backet that goes from the left side to the right. Once that's off, it makes life easier if you take the bar out that connects the left and right side of the slider. It comes out pretty easily. Set this aside, you will need it later. So now the left and right side should be separated. From here, bolt on each side using the other 4 bolts you bought. Once both sides are bolted on, grab the bar you removed. Now connect it back on to the tabs, and bend it slightly so it stays tight. it bends relatively easily.
Once both sliders are on the grand am seats, your ready to bolt the seats back into the car. You may have to move, push, shove, and swear just a little to get the bolt holes to line up on the driver's side, but the passenger side should fit fine. it may work slightly differently on your car though because my driver''s side slider has been cut down a 1/2".
So yeah, it seems harder than it really is. It;s more just time consuming, but the grand am seats are way worth the swap.
Don't forget to bolt your seat belt buckle on the driver's side back to the bracket if you took it off. It's a tight fit, but it will go on.
