My sister has a malibu that just recently blew a head gasket. It's an 06 with an L61 with the electronic throttle body, not the cable operated (supposedly that matters). I tallied up the cost of the parts and it comes close to about $700ish, including cost of HG, timing and balance shaft chain sets, head bolts, etc.

I don't have a problem at all pulling the head off, but I don't really think it's worth it at this point. The engine has 155k miles on it and burns about 1.5-2 quarts every 5k miles. So I'm looking just replacing the whole motor in general for a few hundred more. Only problem is, all the motors in my area are high miles, over a 100k.

So my question is, am I able to fully swap into a different motor, maybe an LE5 or LAP without having any issues? Figured I would need the whole harness with ECU, but would I have any issues with the trans or any of the other electronics? Don't mind spending a few hundred more, but on a time crunch. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Iirc, an L61 will only directly swap with an L61. The LE5 and LAP use variable timing and a different reluctor wheel. The 03-06 Ion and 05-06 cobalt L61 people have run into the same issue.

 

Would I have the same issue if i were to use the harness and ECU out of the LE5/LAP?

 

It's probably technically possible, although to be on the safe side you would want to make sure you are using a LE5 from the same year. At the very minimum you would need to tow the car to a dealer so that they can use a tech 2 to change all the modules (BCM, Radio, ABS, Ignition, possibly power steering) to match the VIN of your ECM.

 

Is that the case?? I did not even think about that....

Well, guess I'll most likely be looking into just getting a replacement engine. Found one with "only" 135k miles

 

2.2's are great engines. If you're worried about your replacement engine buy a timing chain kit for it, that's the only major weak spot that I've heard of.

 

Its such a hassle working out the bugs after the swap, just stick with the 05-06 l61