Pontiac Repair: engine swap, cutlass ciera, wiring harnesses

Question
QUESTION: i have a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am SE. it has a 3100 v6. the engine is shot. my question is, can i use an engine from a 1996 Cutlass Ciera and put it in my car with my current transmission? can i also use the same wiring harnesses and what not between the two?

ANSWER: Hi colin:

As long as both engeins are 3100's and the vin code for the engine in a code "M" they should work okay. You will want to swap over the electronics from the 98 engine to the 96 but as far as the rest of the stuff it should just drop in a bolt in. To be 100% sure call a local junk yard and find out. IU'm not a parts guy I just fix 'em. Good luck :)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, what electronics are you talking about? Are you talking just the coil packs and what not, or the computers also? Another thing, I know there were several types of engines made. Such as the (LHO) and the (L28) could this make a difference if they aren't both an LHO like inkniw that mine is? Thanks so much.
~Colin

Answer
Yes eaxactly the coils/ignition module injectoprs and so on. you may need switch the rear exhaust manifold as well and possably the heater pipes all the rest of the stuff on the engine is the same. they both need to be the same engine desigantion I'm not sure what the vin code "M"'s option code is but an "M" engine in a grand am is a 3100 engine from that vinatge.