Vicki needs a new heart...

[pbkid]

I wish i had a good suggestion for you Mark, because I know how dissapointing it can be to have your VX motor die, its really not much fun.

Not to be harsh but this makes me feel better about mine blowing up. Whenever i tell people that i blew up the motor in my vehicle at 70k miles, they always just tell me, well if you didnt drive it as hard and offroad it as hard it probably would be fine. But you are the perfect example of a person who takes absolutely PERFECT care of his vehicle.

Definately look into the 3.7 H3 motor swap that the guys in Denver were talking about, and also look into the axiom swap as well, they seem like good options.

this is terrible news mark, i feel bad for Vicky and you. Let me know if there is anything i can help you with?

[MSHardeman]

Thanks for the sentiments Jack. I may need to have you look into shops that would be willing to tackle and Isuzu engine rebuild/swap in the Denver area, because there are NO shops in my neck of the woods that even want to get near it.

I have been doing a lot of reading on iamironman's Axiom engine swap, and if my motor truely is kaput, then this seems like a great option. Again, just need to find a shop that would be willing to give it a shot.

I don't remember seeing the H3 engine swap, so I guess I'll have to do some research on that too. Want to keep the TOD, and don't want to replace the transmission too (don't have enough fundage), so definitely need an engine that won't overpower the transmission horse power limit.

[H3_VX]

I wish i had a good suggestion for you Mark, because I know how dissapointing it can be to have your VX motor die, its really not much fun.

Not to be harsh but this makes me feel better about mine blowing up. Whenever i tell people that i blew up the motor in my vehicle at 70k miles, they always just tell me, well if you didnt drive it as hard and offroad it as hard it probably would be fine. But you are the perfect example of a person who takes absolutely PERFECT care of his vehicle.

Definately look into the 3.7 H3 motor swap that the guys in Denver were talking about, and also look into the axiom swap as well, they seem like good options.

this is terrible news mark, i feel bad for Vicky and you. Let me know if there is anything i can help you with?

This is what I plan on doing. The 3.7 in my H3 is a great motor, as are most GM motors.

[pbkid]

Mark, the 3.7 H3 motor will bolt right up to the vx tranny and tod will work fine. Very similar power wise and the electronics should be very close.

The positive is that the blocks and parts are readily available, but custom mounts will definately need to be fabbed.

If you need me to run to a few shops and talk to em just let me know. Whatever help you need.

[Buffy]

The valve covers should come off. The driver side might be a bit of a challenge due to the master cylinder/power booster. Passenger side should come right off.

[MSHardeman]

The valve covers should come off. The driver side might be a bit of a challenge due to the master cylinder/power booster. Passenger side should come right off.

Buffy, that's kind of what I figured after looking at it this morning. I don't understand why the shop manual has you disconnect the battery, drain the radiator, remove the fan, remove the fan clutch, remove the timing belt covers and the timing belt. That's crazy just to remove the valve cover.

rsteinmetz70112, #3 is the center cylinder on the passenger side, and I plan on pulling just that valve cover this weekend to see if I can see a stuck valve or any other annomoly on that side.

For future reference the cylinders are numbered:

Passenger side: #1 (closest to radiator), #3, #5 (closest to fire wall)
Drivers side: #2 (closest to radiator), #4, #6 (closest to fire wall)




Where HAVE you been Lisa? Having too much fun piddling around in Bob I'm sure.

[MSHardeman]

Mark, the 3.7 H3 motor will bolt right up to the vx tranny and tod will work fine. Very similar power wise and the electronics should be very close.

The positive is that the blocks and parts are readily available, but custom mounts will definately need to be fabbed.

If you need me to run to a few shops and talk to em just let me know. Whatever help you need.

Thanks for the offer Jack. At most I'll probably go the Axiom engine route. Need something to just drop in and go. Don't have the time or money to put into fabbing up new mounts, or figuring out intake and computer issues.

Probably need to go with a rebuilt engine too. Just never know what you're going to get with a used engine. Wonder if anyone is re-building Axiom engines.

[H3_VX]

I wish i had a good suggestion for you Mark, because I know how dissapointing it can be to have your VX motor die, its really not much fun.

Not to be harsh but this makes me feel better about mine blowing up. Whenever i tell people that i blew up the motor in my vehicle at 70k miles, they always just tell me, well if you didnt drive it as hard and offroad it as hard it probably would be fine. But you are the perfect example of a person who takes absolutely PERFECT care of his vehicle.

Definately look into the 3.7 H3 motor swap that the guys in Denver were talking about, and also look into the axiom swap as well, they seem like good options.

this is terrible news mark, i feel bad for Vicky and you. Let me know if there is anything i can help you with?

Are there any threads about said 3.7 motor swap. Hell, if there is a write up about and someone who experienced this swap already, i'd do it now, while my engine still functions.

[H3_VX]

I wish i had a good suggestion for you Mark, because I know how dissapointing it can be to have your VX motor die, its really not much fun.

Not to be harsh but this makes me feel better about mine blowing up. Whenever i tell people that i blew up the motor in my vehicle at 70k miles, they always just tell me, well if you didnt drive it as hard and offroad it as hard it probably would be fine. But you are the perfect example of a person who takes absolutely PERFECT care of his vehicle.

Definately look into the 3.7 H3 motor swap that the guys in Denver were talking about, and also look into the axiom swap as well, they seem like good options.

this is terrible news mark, i feel bad for Vicky and you. Let me know if there is anything i can help you with?

What guys in Denver are you referring to? I'm interested in joining that conversation. I would also like to know if I could replace the Isuzu transmission with a GM 4L60-E along with the LLR 3.7L.

[pbkid]

What guys in Denver are you referring to? I'm interested in joining that conversation. I would also like to know if I could replace the Isuzu transmission with a GM 4L60-E along with the LLR 3.7L.

I dont remember the specific thread but there was a shop in Denver that was working on doing a 3.7 H3 swap into the VX, and also working on a grand prix swap too, if i remember correctly. Maybe one of the forum search guru's can help us out?

[H3_VX]

I dont remember the specific thread but there was a shop in Denver that was working on doing a 3.7 H3 swap into the VX, and also working on a grand prix swap too, if i remember correctly. Maybe one of the forum search guru's can help us out?

VXKAT to the rescue perhaps?............

[pbkid]

VXKAT to the rescue perhaps?............

haha, you even posted in this thread-

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...hlight=H3+Swap

[H3_VX]

haha, you even posted in this thread-

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...hlight=H3+Swap

LOL, Yup, I remember this thread, but its mostly about the LH8 V8, not the LLR I5. I believe i'm the one who brought the LLR into the conversation.

[MSHardeman]

Just a quick update; pulled the valve cover this past weekend to see if I had a valve hanging open but, alas, that wasn't the problem. Everything looked just perfect under there. No wear, no gunk, no build-up.

Have an appointment on Friday with a mechanic to do a leak down test. They will pump air into the cylinder to see if it holds any air (I doubt it will with no compression in that cylinder). If it doesn't hold air, they will then continue to pump air into the cylinder and try to listen where it's coming out. If they hear it coming out of the exhaust pipe then it's an exhaust valve problem. If they hear it coming out of the intake/throttle body, then it's an intake valve problem. If they hear it coming out of the dipstick, or see the oil bubble, then it's a cylinder problem (hole in the piston, blown rings, scarred cylinder).

Oh boy, can't wait!! (that was sarcasm)