difference between Z24 and 2.2

What is the difference between the Z24 and the base model cavaliers. I have a 2003 with a 2.2 ecotech is there a way I can make it into a z24, cuz my cousin had a z24 and it was way quicker than mine.

Different engine. And anything is possible with enough money

Different suspension and different final drive ratio. It is geared for quicker acceleration in the Z24.

Ok.. its ECOTEC... not ecotech.... and yes you can swap an LD9 into your car but personally i'd keep the ecotec. With a few bolts ons she's be pretty quick. Boosted ecotec's are up to 240Hp range right now and higher.


Hmm.... a z24 have a different suspenion. I think not, all J-bodys have the same damn suspenions stock. Why do you think all j-body stuff is interchangeable? And gearing... i think not also... They have the 4t40e auto or isuzu or getrag trannys. All 2.2's and 2.4's were geared the same but only differences were the location of the starters on the bell housings. I have a 4t40e in my 2.2... The LD9 is just a larger engine with more displacement and is DOHC instead of OHV....thus she is quicker..... please don't post mis-information.

Of course they are interchangable, what I am saying is the suspension is setup to handle better in the Z24. The anti-roll bars are a bit bigger, the spring rates are stiffer, etc. And when GM has a sportier version they do change final drive ratios. Example: In a GM car with the regular 3.8 (Grand Prix SE, Impala LS, Regal LS, Park Avenue) they have different final drive ratios than the same cars (Grand Prix GTP, Impala SS, Regal GS, Park Avenue Ultra) with the supercharged 3.8. They all have the same transmission a 4T65E, but a different ratio. Same with the Grand Am, the regular SE model 3.4 had a different ratio than the GT Ram Air 3.4, again same trans 4T60E, just different ratios. Same goes for the suspension setup in those cars. Also the Cadillac SLS with the 275 HP Northstar and 4T65E has a different fianl drive ratio as the 300 HP STSwith the same transmission, also the suspension is firmer in the STS. I am not talking about the 1st through 4th gear ratios, just the final drive ratio. Of course you can interchange suspension parts as well.

Alrighty, nicely re-worded. I'm not going to get into a nit pick and argue about things... lol.

Im going to keep the ecotec in my car , however what can I do to make it quicker like cold air intake....what else. Also I have a question about the tranny is there a way to check the fluid, what type of fluid does it take, and when I take the red cap off to fill it I can see a crank plate or whatever you want to call it but It wiggles a little, bit is that bad. I had a bit of trouble with my tranny so I replaced the IAT sensor and it was leaking where the coolant line goes into the radiator so tightened the bolt that seems to help but sometimes when I give it a lot of gas at once it seems like it doesnt want to shift. Should I put more fluid in it or what????

Just for some extra power I would get an intake and exhaust systems. If you have deep pockets, I would build the engine and get some boost. Nitrous is also an option. As far as checking fluid levels, I think I just have a dipstick under the hood labeled "Transmission Fluid" and if its low, I would just put more in.

I would just check the fluid with a dipstick like I have many times before with many other cars however the 2003 cavalier that I now own does not have a transmission dipstick. These are the sealed transmissions that have a red cap on top of the tranny, just to fill it but nothing to check the fluid level. That is what I meant when I asked how to check it. Any help would be appreciated