First post is a sad one - engine died

[ZubrAZ]

iamironman, could you please tell if transmission removal is required in order to replace the engine on VX? according to the repair manual from this board and info from "alldata" (my friend printed me out) tranny needs to be completely removed. is that true? Im highly concerned because I'm planning to do the swap myself and, most likely, it will be reasonable to bring the car to a shop to do the swap if tranny needs to be taken off.

also, I'm waiting for the message from Steve Jennes, who currently sells two 1998 3.2 engines that supposedly should fit VX, to get the engine codes, but do you have the knowledge to tell if those are types of engines that not going to have such a bad oil consumption?

[iamironman]

iamironman, could you please tell if transmission removal is required in order to replace the engine on VX? according to the repair manual from this board and info from "alldata" (my friend printed me out) tranny needs to be completely removed. is that true? Im highly concerned because I'm planning to do the swap myself and, most likely, it will be reasonable to bring the car to a shop to do the swap if tranny needs to be taken off.

also, I'm waiting for the message from Steve Jennes, who currently sells two 1998 3.2 engines that supposedly should fit VX, to get the engine codes, but do you have the knowledge to tell if those are types of engines that not going to have such a bad oil consumption?

No, you do NOT need to remove trans with R&R of engine.. I had it done twice, second time being the Axiom engine and both times the tranny was not pulled out with engine... it's a little tricky to get to all the bell housing bolts but it can be done and it ends up being easier than not doing it and trying to get the tranny out with the engine. I don't think the 3.2 engine will fit the VX... I think because of the tranny... different tranny's were used with 3.2 and 3.5... I may be wrong... but I just don't think it will go... bolt pattern on each engine will probably not match up with bell housing on tranny... engine designation on 3.5 is 6VE1... 3.2 is 6VD1... I think... also, the "X" being the 6th digit in the VIN has to do with the type of trans is mated to that engine. When engine comes out of vehicle with "X" being the 6th digit in the VIN UP TO May of 2002, it will work in the VX. I state this in several of my previous posts about my swap.

[iamironman]

One More Thing I'd like to add... On this site I posted previously to search for an engine: http://www.car-part.com/

There have been Axiom engines on here that were $2200-$2500... WITH 30-40K Miles on them... even with that price.. it shouldn't cost much more that $1500 to do the R&R (labor-wise)... and that STILL makes it less than $5000 to do the R&R... $4000-$4500 to do the R&R, in my opinion, with what will be a MUCH more reliable engine (Axiom), is still a great savings of $500-$1000... that's nothing to thumb your nose at... it's still a huge savings... but still too.. an engine with 60k-70k-80k for less than $1800 is fantastic I think... If your realy strapped... there have been engines on that site with 95k-105k miles for $1450! I would think even that would be worth it if I was on a really tight/strict budget of $3000. It's up to the individual and their budget...