engine swap, has anyone done it?

I've read that a few people are asking about doing engine swaps but has anyone done it yet? I have a 1992 2.2L and I was wondering if I should swap to :

a 2.2 ecotec - is it really worth it?
a 2.4L - same as above
or a 3.1 v6 :naughty:

I'm favoring the v6 right now. '94 on down had the v6 option so if I do swap to the v6 will the current tranny work? Will I need new engine mounts?

lastly, does anyone know where I can get the engine in the Dayton/Cinci Ohio area?

Thanks!

2.2 no, not worth it. I have a 98 Cavy with the 2.2(weak!!.) 2.4 well, more horses. But, not enough to make it worth it. V6, more money. But, more performance. But, it depends on the year of the 3.1. If it's older and rebuilt, it might not have the power of the 2.4. I say 3.8 if it's feasible.

thanks, I've had others tell me to go with the 3.8 also. I'm thinking any six would be best. I've heard of people getting sixes to smoke a v8. I think it could very well be done. I've got some time to think until I get enough money!

im thinkin about puttin a 305 in my cavy but im not sure yet, either that or a 3.8 s/c... which do u guys think would be best?

3.8 s/c, that would be more than enough power.

first the 2.2 is the ECOTEC not the old 2.2 so it has just 10 HP less than the 2.4. For his application the easiest swap would be to a V6, but I would recommend the 3.4 as is has the same basic design and size as the 3.1, but more power, the 3.8 is nice but there is much fabrication required. the easiest thing to do is find someone nearby who has done it, and work with them. you can get a wreckerd Z with the 3.1 and do a swap, and having the donor vehicle there gets you ALL the little parts and bracket you never think about....

very nice suggestion, that really sounds like a hooked idea there. thanks a lot!

speaking of which... anyone have 3.1 cavy they wanna get rid of for dirt? (Dayton, (South West) Ohio area)

first the 2.2 is the ECOTEC not the old 2.2 so it has just 10 HP less than the 2.4. For his application the easiest swap would be to a V6, but I would recommend the 3.4 as is has the same basic design and size as the 3.1, but more power, the 3.8 is nice but there is much fabrication required. the easiest thing to do is find someone nearby who has done it, and work with them. you can get a wreckerd Z with the 3.1 and do a swap, and having the donor vehicle there gets you ALL the little parts and bracket you never think about....
The Ecotec has 10 less horsepower than the 2.4??? I thought the 2.4 has 150 horses. Well, I could be wrong. I know I'll be quickly corrected if that's the case. I looked up my cars specs 98 cavy 115 horses. Very weak, but it gets me from point a-b.

Yep, the eco has 140. Realize the differnce between a 2.2 and an eco is great, only the displacement is similar....

The Ecotec has 10 less horsepower than the 2.4??? I thought the 2.4 has 150 horses. Well, I could be wrong. I know I'll be quickly corrected if that's the case. I looked up my cars specs 98 cavy 115 horses. Very weak, but it gets me from point a-b.



You seem to be confusing the 2.2 ecotec (L61) and the 2.2L 2200. these two engines are totaly different. the 2200 makes 115hp-120hp and the ecotec makes 140. the ecotec is more like the old 2.4L Twin Cam or the even older 2.3L Quad 4.

If you get the 3.8, make sure you check the head gaskets every once and a while for leaks, the 3.8L has a huge habit of blowing head gaskets for no reason..

You seem to be confusing the 2.2 ecotec (L61) and the 2.2L 2200. these two engines are totaly different. the 2200 makes 115hp-120hp and the ecotec makes 140. the ecotec is more like the old 2.4L Twin Cam or the even older 2.3L Quad 4.
Thanks. So I have the 2200= 115-120hp. Sorry, I was mistaken. I thought the Z24 was a 2.4. So, they are both 2.2 ???

u can put the engine of a buick regal GS (1999), which is a 3.8 liter series II 240-horsepower, supercharged V6. (O-60 mph in about 6.6 secs!) My friend swapped his stock for this one. He also got a 5-speed manual tranny getrac muncie from a 2000 cavalier (his is a 98), a custom aluminum flywheel (9.5lbs) and a custom Bully clutch package... IT RUNS GREAT!!
talking about the engine... he had to make a new sub-frame to hold everything in place. Lots of measurements!! The Battery had to be relocated to the trunk to make more room under the hood. A lot of work but it is worth it!

just my 2C but about 9 mths ago i had the engine out of a 97 Corsica put into my 94 Cavalier-same engine basically, all depends on what u want out of it. my swap was out of necessity cuz 2 of my 4 cylinders went out. Yes they are possible, u just have to know what ur dealing with

ok i got a 96 cav 2.2L could i drop a 2.2L Ecotec in that?

sure can

sure can

ok now how much work and money we talking here...i know its not going to be a walk in the park but i need a idea

ok now how much work and money we talking here...i know its not going to be a walk in the park but i need a idea

Not an overnight swap. But its much easier swap then into a 2nd gen. could probally complete it in about 72 strait hours. Id say between 2k and 10k depending on how much you get things for, but boy the eco is worth it. Check www.jbody.org or for a v6 swap www.v6z24.com