2006 Vue Engine swap?
 

Hello, New be here. I bought a 2006 Vue a little over a month ago. After spending 900 bucks to have 3 broken exhaust manifold studs and a water pump replaced it was running fine. This last weekend I thought it was lacking power a bit when pulling a hill. When I came out from work yesterday The car started running really rough and lacked power big time. Would kind of act like it wanted to come out of it when I would push it but never really did.
In short I`m thinking the motor may be done as it has 185000 miles.
Now I know some of you may think that it would be best just to dump the car and eat my losses but number one I like the car. Number two I have to much money in it already just to junk it .
So My question is about engine swaps. I have the 2.2. will the 3.5 drop in without any mods.? Or what other engine would be an easy swap?
I`m going to have it gone over by my mechanic just to be sure but from past experience I`m guessing I`ll need to replace the motor.
Thanks so much for any help. Please feel free to email me.

Sounds like possible clogged cat con.

Service engine soon light on? Any codes?

I agree with derf about the catalytic converter possibly being clogged. If you can, remove the upper 02 sensor and see if it runs any better without it. OR, just get under it with a rubber mallet and tap the cat con. If you hear a bunch of rattling sounds coming from it, you'll need to replace it. Or if you live somewhere without emissions testing, just remove it a put in a "test" pipe. But to answer your question, NO, a 3.5 replacement would NOT be an easy task. You'd have to have the transmission and wiring harness from the donor vehicle too and I'm sure there's a lot of other stuff that I can't think of right now.

Yes, The service engine light comes on then goes out then will come on again.

Thanks so much! I`ll check the Cat. out.

I wonder if the fuel filter has ever been replaced?

Dropped it off at the shop today. I just don`t have the time to deal with it right now. We`ll see what happens...