I experienced on my own car as well as several others. The 'effect' is too subtle to go through that much work for a system that will crap a strut and give you a very hard time finding an affordable, reliable replacement

Proven what? I recall some debate on that issue still simmering, but have not yet seen any 'proof'.

Change them regardless. It'* called risk abatement.

I don't know if I'd trust the left front strut to hold out very long, judging by the appearant damage in the area.

I would also recommend replacing the LIM gaskets. It doesn't really cost much at all, and it saves alot of time in the long run if they go on you in 10k. For the work your putting into your 93, I wouldn't risk a blown motor over a cheap preventable maintenance. Just my 2 cents.

I am guessing you referring to the lower intake gaskets, never replaced those before in a 3800 car, whats all involved? And where is a good place I can get the gaskets. I know when I pulled the blower on my 93 a year ago it cost almost 40 bucks just for the supercharger gasket and throttle body gasket.

Mike

Yes, the lower intake gaskets. Even if yours are not leaking, change them anyway.

GM aluminum frame LIM gaskets (GM dealer) $65
Dorman coolant elbows $5
Gallon of "mixes with any type" coolant $8
Blue threadlocker for LIM bolts $3
Can of brake parts cleaner $3
5 quarts of oil and filter (x2) $30
Craftsman 3/8" drive deflecting beam torque wrench (11ft/lb LIM)
Rags

This whole thing may cost you $120 and it'* well worth it. The procedure I am not exactly sure. But let me see what I can find for you.

*EDITED*
Ok, I found you this article that BillBoost wrote. It'* very informative and even has pictures. You may have to scroll through a bit of chatter oh yeah, and boosty'* feet :P

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ment+procedure

Here'* another (no real difference to speak of on the L36 vs. L67):

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...light=ek98+uim

On the struts at 140K mine were as good as the Sensatrac brand new replacements. Badnit experienced quite a difference between his brand new Sensatracs as his 95K CCR'*. And Sonoma believes in them enough to feel it'* worthwhile to buy them used.

Let'* simply say we disagree on this one. You are probably comparing to a Monroe Reflexes and the rest of us have Sensatracs as a comparison. Reflexes...like the CCR struts are obsolete and not available. We should all be allowed our opinion.

As far as the Dex.. simmering..I guess. Many other GM'* that I see running dex for extended periods of time and don't collapse the gaskets. It would be a reasonable assumption that the composite used in the gaskets are probably the same across the various engine lines, maybe they aren't.

At 125k, my CCR works as advertised, and responds just like SSuperchargedEi'*. Hardly noticable. Not worth the trouble or cost.

On the gaskets, you said 'proved.' What did I miss on thtat? I missed the post. Can you link me?

This might be time for another topic to settle this one with finality. I'd like to know how an L27 runs cooler than an L36 and causes the L36 to kill gaskets by heat, rather than DEX'* known propensity for acidic behavior on old DEX? When both gaskets are made with the same plastic?

In your previous reply to this topic, you mentioned that heat was proven to be the killer.

Show me.

Many other GM'*? Sure, because they get it flushed BEFORE it turns ACIDIC.

Well guys common, no arguing. I plan on swapping everything anyways, even if you guys don't like the adjustable struts, as this isn't your car. My doner car was well taken care of and the previous owners had it since new. I talked to them as I was curious on the maintenance, and it was well maintained, including a antifreeze flush and change every 50K, and I found the front struts were recently replaced.

I did pick up intake gaskets for the motor, cost about $85 for all the required gaskets. I will change them wednesday or thursday and post pictures.

Anyone know if there is a difference in the fuel pumps between the 93 and the 97? I seen the fuel line are different where they connect to the fuel rails and I may end up swapping them all the way back to the tank.

Mike

For the fuel pump, I've seen on here that the pumps are good enough for nearly twice the initial horsepower of the supercharged engine they fuel.

I love those few pictures so far. Please take some more. Great work on removing the engine so quickly. Check the throttle body and see if you should take it off and clean it. When I got my car, the plate was so sticky that I couldn't move it. A bit of cleaning made it like new. You will need another gasket, though.

As for Dex, I didn't know it becomes acidic. It seems to be of a pretty good color in my 2001 Alero, but the warning on the coolant overflow reservoir does state I should change the fluids every 5 years or however many miles. Good warning.