I have found several motors to put in a 1996 GLE I have (which has an automatic transmission), but none with the exact same manufacture date. I just want to be sure my ECU and other engines and or transmissions will be completely compatible with this 1996 max.

I would like to hear from our experienced, hands-on, DIY’s as to the complete compatibility of motors in the range of 1995-1999 for this 1996 GLE..

I may have to get a new transmission later if the one I have proves bad so comments on automatic transmissions interchangeability would also be appreciated.

None of these I am considering are California.

Thanks for your help!

 

they are the same.... although if u get a 99 motor ur gonna have to take off the digital egr ting and ur gonna have to reuse your own electronics stuff.. but motor is the same..

 

Ahh...this is the kind of stuff I need to know. I want to keep this as simple as possible. This is my first engine swapp ever.

Any more help from you guys?

Thanks,

 

i would not get a 95-96 motor the timing chain tensioner goes bad..

 

It doesn't 'go bad' so much as it's an outdated design, oil drains out overnight and allows timing chain to rattle on cold starts with no oil pressure.

What 'digital EGR' thing?

All 95-99 willl work, you could throw in a DEK for a little more power, and roughly the same price for the motor. Depending on Fed or Cali spec, you might have to swap emissions components around. Ideally I'd use all of your sensors from your original motor as you know they work, and won't have any issues after the swap.

What happened to your current VQ? They're pretty much bulletproof...

 

99 motors have a transducer type egr valve....its electronic..

 

IMO, answer this and then we can move along.

 

The motor I'm pulling out jumped time on a cold morning 18 months ago (according to the seller who was the original owner). This motor had 386,000 miles on in at that point. The transmission has the same mileage.

My car is a 1996 GLE w/manufacture date of 6/96. Here are some options I have:

1) I have found a car with date code 6/95. It was running fine when the owner bought it in a wrecked condition so he could use the parts to re-build other cars. I can get this motor cheap - $300 or so. But it has been sitting for 5 years. The seller is reputable and will refund my money if the motor is bad. I have not mechanically inspected this motor yet. It has 160,000 miles on it and the oil looked clean. I would likely have to help pull this motor and transport it myself.

2) He has another motor in a car with 125,000 miles on it which has also been sitting but he has never heard it run. It would cost the same and I would still be involved with pulling and transport.

3) Local salvage yard says they have two 96 motors (98,000 and 106,000 miles). They have a reputation of not standing behind their motors. They want $400 for either motor and there is no telling for sure how many miles are on these motors because the motors have been pulled and are in a warehouse. They said they would deliver the motor to my house for free. They supposedly have a 30 warranty. If the motor proves bad, I would likely be stuck with a bad motor.

4) Another salvage yard has just gotten a 99 in. He is reputable and wants $650 for the motor. He thought the mileage was 100,000 or so but could not remember since it just came in.

I’m thinking about going to inspect the 95’s that have been sitting. Take the starters and plugs out and spinning the fly wheel to see if there is any resistance which would likely be rust in the cylinder(s).

What do you guys think?

I will sell this car if/when I get it running. I’m just doing this for fun to see if I can do it and to have interesting discussions with my friends.

Thanks,

 

if i was you dude, i would go with a full vq30de-K swap...

 

if your selling the car after the swap, then get the cheapest of them and get it running. drive it for a month, then sell it if you want. but, ya gotta buy another Max mate! lol

 

I don't know if you're in an area with many salvage yards or not, but those prices are high for those motors in my experience. In the chicago area for instance, you can find 40-70k motors all day long for $350ish.

The motors are all the same save for the fact that some of them have different emissions equipment on them. All could be made to work, but the emissions equipment on them may not match up. However, you still have your old motor so you could swap over the equipment from that if you're really concerned with passing an emissions test.