Look what I just nabbed off of ebey!!

[SappySE107]

I wanted that motor but its way too far away:P I only wanted the top end for research as phil has stated.

[91LQ1Lumina]

Oh yeah, I am still going to get it even after gas cost to drive an pick it up, it will still be well under $300, and if the motor is "less then 300 hundred miles" as they say it is. I will not be out anything, I am sure of that.

[onefastV6]

If you get it and can't use it....part it on here.

I would be interested in some parts and Ben might be interested in the heads for research.

[91LQ1Lumina]

Well I just now noticed in the photo the the coolant fill is located on the motor by the accessory drive, witch means there is no doubt that this is the LZ4(or is that LZE) motor with VVT. Oh well maybe since it has the ECM and all the wiring I will keep it around and look for a second project, or a friend that wants a hobby?

[91LQ1Lumina]

Well I guess if that is the case, I could most likley resell it here in my area for close to the same price if not more if the motor is in as good a shape as it is said to be. Either way I couldn't pass up a near new motor for that price.

[IsaacHayes]

Hate to burst your bubble, but that doesn't look like an LX9. Looks like an LZE (VVT 3500).

Reasons I think it is:
1) Exhaust manifolds look just like 3900 (3900/3500 VVT are similar except in stroke and upper intake).
2) Hard to see the UIM, but the way the coilpacks bolt to the intake is NOT like the 3500 UIM I have...

#1 is the most dead give away I think, that is exactly the same long runner with cross over exhaust manifolds that the 3900 has. #2 could be just different cast but I don't see why they would change it that much how they bolt up.

But for $150 not a bad deal, makes more power than the non-vvt 3500. If you can fit the engine in there with the cam-phaser not hitting the side of the car then you can lock out the phaser and get a re-grind like Joseph did, or might be possible to run it as is, with the cam advanced. Not sure how the phaser is activated (5v, 12v, PWM?) but if you figure that out you could run it off a RPM window switch to kick in at 3000 RPM or whenever.

Not sure how the mounting will work you might need a different timing cover or at the least a side mount that bolts to the cover. I've seen one on the 3900's so I know they are used in vehicles that use the side engine mount (malibu/etc). This one came from an impala so it won't have the side mount just the front dogbones and bottom mount setup.

EDIT LOL others beat me to it. Oh yeah the fuel rail/system will have to be adapted with an external regulator like Joseph did.

[bszopi]

It is hard to tell from that pic, but I think it is the VVT version as well. The plenum looks like the 3.5VVT one, not the 3500 one. But it is hard to tell from the pics.

Looking at the GM Powertrain site, and the auction listing, I'm not pretty much set that it is an LZ4 (VVT) and not an LX9, as an Impala was never available with the non-VVT 3500.

[Superdave]

are you sure that's a LX9?

looks more like the VVT version, the front exhaust manfold looks like it's from a 3900.

[91LQ1Lumina]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160231291850&_trksid=p2759.l1259

Should be picking this beauty up here with in the week. So I guess I just need to make a check list for swapping it over to my 99 GAGT. (Speaking off, Ben could you put my name on one the TCE External Crank Trigger's? Edit:Guess I should wait a little bit longer until I have a home for forsure) Hoping I can do this in a weekend, think it's doable?