GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1996 🢒 Camaro 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 3.8L 🢒 Engine Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to

    Caution: Unless directed otherwise, the ignition and start switch must be in the OFF or LOCK position, and all electrical loads must be OFF before servicing any electrical component. Disconnect the negative battery cable to prevent an electrical spark should a tool or equipment come in contact with an exposed electrical terminal. Failure to follow these precautions may result in personal injury and/or damage to the vehicle or its components.

    in General Information.
  2. Disconnect the positive battery cable.
  3. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  4. Relieve the fuel pressure.
  5. Remove the A/C compressor and condenser hose from the accumulator. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  6. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle suitably. Refer to SECTION 0A.
  7. Remove the front tires and wheels. Refer to SECTION 3E.
  8. Drain the coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  9. Drain the engine oil.
  10. Remove the 3-way catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  11. For automatic transmissions, remove the transmission converter bolts.
  12. Remove the front fascia lower deflectors. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  13. Remove the stabilizer bar bushing bolts. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  14. Remove the radiator inlet hose from the radiator. Refer to Radiator Hose Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  15. For automatic transmissions, remove the transmission fluid oil cooler lines from the radiator.
  16. Remove the shift linkage from the transmission.
  17. Remove the propeller shaft. Refer to SECTION 4A.
  18. Remove the torque arm from the transmission. Refer to SECTION 3B.
  19. Remove the steering gear coupling shaft from the rack and pinion. Refer to SECTION 3F.
  20. Remove the electrical ground strap from the engine block.
  21. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  22. Remove the A/C compressor and condenser hose from the compressor and from the condenser. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  23. Remove the battery negative cable from the rear compressor bracket mounting stud.
  24. Remove the engine coolant heater cord from the block.
  25. Lower the vehicle.
  26. Remove the A/C compressor and condenser hose from the vehicle.
  27. Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  28. Remove the heater hoses from the drive belt tensioner. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  29. Remove the air cleaner outlet rear duct. Remove the resonator duct.
  30. Disconnect the fuel lines at the fuel rail.
  31. Disconnect the cruise control cable from the throttle body. Disconnect the accelerator control cable from the throttle body.
  32. Remove the radiator outlet hose from the thermostat housing. Refer to Engine Coolant Thermostat Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  33. Remove the brake booster vacuum hose. Refer to SECTION 5D1.
  34. Remove the brake lines from the ABS brake combination valve. Refer to SECTION 5.
  35. Remove the brake lines and the clips from the ABS hydraulic modulator. Refer to SECTION 5E1. For vehicles with traction control, refer to SECTION 5E2.
  36. Remove the right-hand body hinge pillar trim panel. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  37. Remove the 3 engine wiring harness connectors.
  38. Remove the forward lamp wiring harness connectors. Refer to SECTION 8B.
  39. Remove the powertrain control module (PCM) and the harness. Refer to PCM Replacement in Engine Controls.
  40. Place the PCM and the harness on top of the engine.
  41. Remove the engine wiring harness through the front of the dash.
  42. Place the harness on top of the engine.
  43. Disconnect the positive lead at the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  44. Remove the lower shock attachment nuts from the lower control arms. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  45. Remove the lower shock attachment bolts from the lower control arms. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  46. Remove the upper control arm ball stud from the steering knuckle. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  47. Use the upper control arm in order to secure the struts to the outboard.
  48. Remove the electrical connectors to the wheel speed sensors at the engine frame.
  49. Position the engine support table under the engine and frame.
  50. Remove the engine frame and transmission support bolts. Refer to SECTION 10-3.
  51. Raise the vehicle from the engine, the transmission and the engine frame.
  52. Remove the transmission.
  53. For manual transmissions, remove the clutch housing.
  54. For manual transmissions, remove the clutch.
  55. Remove the engine mount through bolts. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .
  56. Remove the engine from the engine frame.

Installation Procedure
  1. Install the engine to the engine frame.
  2. Install the engine mount through bolts. Refer to Engine Mount Replacement .
  3. For manual transmissions, install the clutch.
  4. For manual transmissions, install the clutch housing.
  5. Install the transmission.
  6. Position the engine lift table. Lower the vehicle to the crossmember in order to install the engine, the engine transmission, and the engine frame.
  7. Install the engine frame and transmission support bolts.
  8. Remove the engine lift table.
  9. Install the electrical connectors to the wheel speed sensors.
  10. Install the upper control arm ball stud to the steering knuckle. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  11. Install the lower shock attachment bolts to the lower control arm. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  12. Install the lower shock attachment nuts to the lower control arm. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  13. Install the positive lead at the generator. Refer to Generator Replacement in Engine Electrical.

    14. Important: When reinstalling the engine wiring harness through the front of the dash, the rubber grommet must be installed properly. Proper installment ensures correct sealing. Replace the grommet if the grommet is damaged.

  14. Install the engine wiring harness through the front of the dash.
  15. Install the powertrain control module (PCM). Install the PCM harness. Refer to PCM Replacement in Engine Controls.
  16. Install the forward lamp wiring harness connectors.
  17. Install the 3 engine wiring harness connectors.
  18. Install the right-hand body hinge trim panel. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  19. Install the brake lines and the clips to the ABS hydraulic modulator. Refer to SECTION 5E1. For vehicles with traction control, refer to SECTION 5E2.
  20. Install the brake lines to the ABS brake combination valve. Refer to SECTION 5.
  21. Install the brake booster vacuum hose. Refer to SECTION 5D1.
  22. Install the radiator outlet hose from the thermostat housing. Refer to Engine Coolant Thermostat Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  23. Connect the cruise control cable to the throttle body. Connect the accelerator control cable to the throttle body.
  24. Connect the fuel lines at the fuel rail.
  25. Install the air cleaner outlet rear duct and the resonator duct.
  26. Install the heater hoses to the drive belt tensioner. Refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement .
  27. Install the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement .
  28. Install the A/C compressor and condenser hose to the vehicle.
  29. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle suitably. Refer to SECTION 0A.
  30. Connect the engine coolant heater cord to the block. Refer to Radiator Hose Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  31. Connect the negative battery cable to the rear compressor bracket mounting stud.
  32. Install the A/C compressor and condenser hose to the compressor and to the condenser. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  33. Install the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement in Engine Electrical.
  34. Install the electrical ground strap to the engine block.
  35. Install the steering gear coupling shaft to the rack and pinion. Refer to SECTION 3F.
  36. Install the power steering gear inlet and outlet hoses to the steering gear. Refer to SECTION 3B.
  37. Install the torque arm to the transmission. Refer to SECTION 3D.
  38. Install the propeller shaft. Refer to SECTION 4A.
  39. Connect the shift linkage to the transmission.
  40. Install the radiator inlet hose to the radiator. Refer to SECTION 6B.
  41. For automatic transmission, connect the transmission fluid oil cooler lines to the radiator.
  42. Install the stabilizer bar bushing bolts. Refer to SECTION 3C.
  43. Install the front fascia lower deflectors. Refer to SECTION 10-5.
  44. For automatic transmissions, install the transmission converter bolts.
  45. Install the 3-way catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in Engine Exhaust.
  46. Install the front tires and wheels. Refer to SECTION 3E.
  47. Lower the vehicle.
  48. Refill with engine oil.
  49. Refill with engine coolant. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling in Engine Cooling.
  50. Connect the positive battery cable.
  51. Connect the negative battery cable.
  52. Bleed the brake system. Refer to SECTION 5E1. For vehicles with traction control, refer to SECTION 5E2.
  53. Charge the A/C system. Refer to SECTION 1B.
  54. Align the wheels. Refer to SECTION 3A.