97 sunfire needs engine

I have a 97 sunfire that needs an engine. It is a 2.2L with auto trans and I would like to just buy a motor and drop it in, so I am looking for another 2.2l with low miles. I need to know though what year sunfires or possibly cavaliers will bolt right into my car. Or if newer engines are close, could i swap intakes or mounts or whatever to bolt the engine in. I would like to use the stock pcm and harness for the car as well. Can anyone help?

If I remeber correctly, you should be able to put in any newer J-body motor into the car with little or no modifications.

If you're looking for ease...then a 2.2 swap (espically an ecotec) will do fine...but if you want power...either the 2.4 or the 2.3 HO...those (definatly the 2.3) are some powerful engines.

I believe Hotbug is the expert on the 2.3

97 sunfire with a 2.2L auto, you can just drop in any GM 2.2L from 96-98(If I remember correctly) with no problems. 2200 might be a few mods (98-2002 IIRC), and the older 2.2L will be other challenges.

OK on to the other motors mentioned... the 2.2L ecotec...the hardest of all the swaps, you would need the motor mounts, the tranny, the computer, the COMPLETE wire harness, the gauges, and several other parts to make it happen.
The 2.4L... ready... the tranny, the computer, and some other stuffs (could be some more, but I'm not too sure)
The 2.3L...the tranny, the computer, wiring, and a few other things. it's best to go with a manual trans with the quad, then go OBD1.

Some other choices...3X00 series GM V6 motors, namely the 3400. yes a V6 will fit, it is capable of high HP numbers, in stock form it makes as much as the HO Quad4 (2.3L 4cylinder). you need to do, or have, major work to make on fit. motor mounts and what not, and computer with wiring.

check around for a motor, Pace performance ( www.paceperformance.com ) has rebuilt motors and crate engines. also, there are several places to get parts and rebuild your current motor. go to www.J-body.org and look around.

I'm around, so If I find out more I'll post up, or if you got questions.

Thanks for the information, what I am looking for though is just a bolt in 2.2L engine, they are relatively cheap on ebay, I was just curious on what years are a direct bolt in or very little modification. I'd like to just use the stock harness that came with the car as well as pcm, so it sounds like I need a 96-98 engine from a cavalier or sunfire. Correct me if I am wrong or if there is anything else you would like to have. Again thanks for the information

You can just find one either on Ebay or a junkyard. Find a 2.2 (2200) and rip it out of the shell...doing it that way could save you a lot of money. Just make sure that the damage is in the back of the car ;)

it has to be a 2.2L, a 2200 will have "2200" on it. the 2200 is a little different than what you have. make sure it's out of an auto car, but it can be from a manual if you are going to use your current motor for parts that might be transmission specific on the motor.

this is to be able to just "drop in" the motor like you want.

Be Warned, Ebay has some good sellers, but it's best to go to a local and get your motor, JUST IN CASE. at a junk yard, it's usually 30 days, ebay is usually AS-IS.