replacing 2.8L in 1988 z24 with 3.1L from 1990 z24

capn_dave · 08-16-2001, 05:46 PM

I have a 1988 Z24 Cavalier 2.8L MFI and a 1990 Z24 Cavalier 3.1L MFI.
The 90 has been wrecked but the engine has just been rebuilt. I want to replace the 88's engine and trans with the 90's. is this possible? My mechanic says he can do it. The nearby Chevy dealers service mamager says he doesn't know (and apparently didn't wat to check either.) Please help.

deftonez24 · 08-17-2001, 12:23 AM

I say, if you trust your mechanic and he's sure he can, go for it. I'm not sure right off hand but I think it can be done. If you dont get any other help here, try going to www.j-body.org thats where i came from and those guys will know definately if it can be done or not.

DDFresh · 08-20-2001, 04:12 PM

I have a 91 Z24 3.1L

I'm pretty sure it can.. The only thing you would have to look out for is if the Tranny would fit with the biger engin. I know that the mounts would be ok.. but you might have to put the other tranny in there to.

In the end.. You can get it in there :-)

capn_dave · 10-30-2001, 12:10 AM

My guy got the 3.1L MFI in my 88 cav to replace the 2.8L. Its hot now.:flash: He put the engine/trans/and exhaust from my crashed 90 Z24 in it. I like it better there than in the 90

DDFresh · 11-13-2001, 01:32 PM

Congrats.. Great to hear that it worked ;-)

Enjoy it ;-) They are fun fun cars

DD

Pikachoo · 01-08-2002, 01:23 PM

I thought that the only real difference between the 2.8 and 3.1 was the cam, and the 3.1 had a shortened stroke?? (basically the same motor) I have no clue really, that's just what someone told me.

PugsleyPPugford · 05-25-2004, 08:30 AM

I was wondering, what part of your 1990 Z24 (3.1L) was damaged in the accident? Do you still have it? (Am willing to pay shipping.) I am searching for the front clip of a 1990 Z24, because mine was damaged in an accident by a none driving 16 year old. I found a 1989 (2.8L) for a reasonable price, but it is in Indiana and I am in Alaska. I am also wondering if the hood, the fan assembly, and the air filter assembly on the 2.8L are interchangable with the 3.1L.

twiztid420 · 05-26-2004, 11:04 AM

I have a 87 z24 hatchback and i recently blew up the stock 2.8 motor
and so me and my dad had a 3.1 laying around that had some bad heads so we rebuilding the 3.1 to drop it in my 87 hatch

so far we havent got the motor rebuilt yet but i know the motor will fit in the car prolly gonna have to change the computer and soe other wiring stuff may need changed

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