Can i put a lumina motor in a cavalier?

Young Chuck D · 07-20-2006, 05:00 PM

i am hearing that a Lumina engine would fit in my 89. its a 3.1 MPFI i think. i also hear that its an aluminum block and extra sensitive to heat. now if i were to make that swap i'd probably rig my fan to be on always or by a switch controlled by me. also would check my cooling system weekly. but i was wondering if theres a 3.1 chevy block i could put in thats not aluminum? or should i even want that? is 550 a good price? is my transmission gonna co-operate with it?

tblake · 07-22-2006, 12:23 PM

As my mom alwyas said, "where there's a will, there's a way." If you put your mond to it you can accomplish anything. I dont think the new vin j's would bolt up, buy an older vin t 3.1 might. You will have tp get all the computers and sensors and everything, and probably even the trans axel from the donor car. I think some of those older cav's came with a 3.1 why not look for one from one of those?

tblake · 07-22-2006, 12:25 PM

and as for the aluminum block.... NO, lumina's have cast blocks and aluminum heads. Which is why there are so many gasket faulures and such. I would just leave the fans alone and let the computer do its job.