Need to do an engine swap as my son screwed up his engine. I found an engine for $500.00, but have a few questions.

The guy said;

1. RPM varies when engine is idling (goes higher and lower, didn't tell me everything but engine probably shakes)
2. He said something like it won't shift from 4th into 5th or something, didn't hear him correctly will call again tomorrow

He said he went to two mechanics, and both told him it was a faulty computer and not the engine.

That being said, will a 2003 3.0 engine fit into a 2005 3.0?

 

Also, he is a dealer

 

the engine will fit without any modifications

As for the rough idle:
-weak spark; plugs, coils
-dirty/faulty maf
-vacuum leak(s)
-something up with your EPC

Transmission probably has a damaged synchro

$500 is pretty cheap, so i guess you get what you pay for. The good case scenario is if it ends being the ecu like he says.

 

Since what I'm doing is just swapping my engine, would spark plugs, coils, maf's etc not be affected since it is all staying from my old engine?

And if it's the tranny..would that also be a problem just on his car or would it continue on mine?

 

I'd atleast buy new spark plugs, coolant, oil and filter. Wouldn;t be a bad idea to flush your old transmission and change the filter on that.

If what you've got is a 2003, then i would just mate the engine you're buying to your existing 5-speed transmission. the 6speed that is most likely mated to the engine you're buying is already ed and you'd need to run the harness for it. Save yourself the headache.

-Take new engine, mate to current transmission
-change all the fluids, spark plugs, old/hard/cracking lines and hoses
-swap it in and enjoy
-sell old engine and ed up 6-speed tranny to crap metal
-...
-Profit!

 

I have the 2005, and I'm putting a 2003 engine in it...

 

That's fine too. Just keep your 6-speed then and scrap the 5 speed.

 

Care to clarify? I thought the 2003 and 2005 are virtually the same? Don't they both have 6 speed tranny's and not 5 speed??

 

Oh right, you have the 3.0L. I'm used to talking about the 1.8T. In your case, it should be common sense, use the new engine you're buying with your old transmission.

To clarify the confusion:

2002-2003 non sport 1.8T came with 5-speed, the ultrasports came with 6 speed
2004-2005 all 1.8T came with 6-speed if manual
2002-2005 all 3.0L came with 6-speed if manual

 

Just swap engines right? No necessary spark plug changes, coil box etc