New User hello with a motor and trans question

Hello,

Tha name's Dave, Just found this site searching for some motor info on my car. Looks like a nice site for info about my charriot. A pict of it is at my site...

http://www.toeotr.net/dknyte/Resources/img1283.jpeg

It's an '89 Chevy Cavalier with the original 2.0 motor with auto trans (4-speed I believe [3-speed with lock-up TC]). I'm thinking of upgrading my tired motor and tranny in the next few months and I've got a couple/few questions...

1: Will a 2.2Liter motor from a '92-ish straight swap the original 2.0L? Will the same starter and water pump work with the 2.2L as they are new and I'd like to swap those to the new motor? Not to mension the PCM/ECU, should it be able to handle the 2.2L (it's new too)?

2: Will the transmissions from a 2.0L fit to the 2.2L? I'm guessing that the only sig difference with the blocks is bore size? Flywheel the same? Pilot bushing, etc.?

3: Along with the motor/tranny, would I need to replace the CV axles because of length differences?

I know that putting a standard in will require a pedal and shifter assy. Salvage yard.

Thanks for your input in advance. I put a lot of work in getting the car to it's current state and will probably keep it for years to come.
:smile:

-Dk

Welcome to tha site. Nice 2nd gen by the way, very well maintained. If your looking to swap motors, i am not too sure about the earlier models and the differences in the trannys, so i would say try to get the tranny to come with the engine. Like for 3rd gens for people wanting to swap from the 2.2 to the LD9, it physically will bolt up, but the starter is in the wrong position. G'luck with the swap.

If memory serves, it should all more or less bolt right up. I'd not reccomend going with another 4 popper, though. If you're going through with an engine swap, try going for a 3.1, you can find those in plenty of cavaliers and you'll get plenty more power.

Although if you're going to swap in a standard, you'll need a lot more than just a pedal. You'll need the tranny (obviously), all the wiring, the lines, the pedal, the center console, and all the linkages. Not worth it, IMHO, but if it floats your boat, the Muncie/Getrag 5-speed is a solid performer. Then again, the TH125 is built like a tank.

Thx guys,

It's a tough call. Kelly Blue Book puts the car at about $1500 if it's in cherry condition. So far about $2k's been dropped into it and not including my time.

Yeah, there's gonna be more than a pedal and a stick as you mensioned. Not only those but preferable a cluster with a tach. The automatic just sucks with gas milage.

For now, it runs great and shifts fine. If/when the time comes that the motor or trans fails, then I'll decide what I'll do. When one of them goes, both of them will be taken care of. Luckily where I work they allow use of the shop equipment for side projects, can you say High Lift? :bigthumb:

I'm open to more feedback if there's some out there. Thx again. :cool:

-Dk

I dont' get where you're saying that the auto sucks with gas mileage, it makes no sense. They differ by about 1-2 mpg tops. That is, of course, assuming you're not dumb enough to kill the TCC Lockup and thereby kill what is basically your fourth gear.

TCC's been fixed long ago. It had that common problem of sticking.

I should clarify I'm using the term 'sucks' loosly. What I mean is a stickshift usualy gets better milage what with overdrive in 5th. Not to mension better motor-to-pavement control.

If it's only a couple of mpg's over I may be better off rebuilding the existing tranny when it dies. I noticed the KBB was a tad higher with an auto tranny. Like I said, I'll wait 'til something goes PBFFFT then decide on what I'll do.

BTW, can the tranny by yanked w/o dropping the sub frame? Looks like it might be easier to pull the motor and trans out in one sha-bang.

I havn't actually calculated what milage I get presently. What do you get so I may compare?

-Dk

Mine's terrible without the TCC :D

where did you get your rims. i also have an 89 cav but mine has a 2.8.

Got the rims from a buddy of mine moving to Canada. He wanted $400 but I talked him down to $300 cash. Cost included tires with 9/32nds tread on 'em. Only extra stuff to buy was the lugs and 4 centering rings, no biggie. I <i>think</i> they're Enkies.

These 17's really fill the fender-wells nicely. The overall diameter was the same as the stock steelies with tires with the addition of being wider and going to the fender edge. No rubbing on full turns either. Added mud flaps all around to prevent rocks from chippin the new paint job.

-Dk