Engine swaps

[daveshapellSVT]

Hey i have a 2002 sl1 and i'm wondering what other engines, other than the DOHC 1.9, can i swap in there? have ppl done any twin cam motor swaps or 3800 motors? be cool to throw in a 3800 it's been done in cavaliers

[sierrap615]

i have seen one blurry pic of what i think is a 3800 in a S-series but have not found any more info about it. no other engine besides the DOHC 1.9 is a direct swap, anything else would require extencive custom fab.

[saturnspeed_12]

yeah it will take some major mods to do any other swap then the 1.9 dohc. the only other engine i know people like to do, and may have, is the ecotec. preferably i like the 2.2 ecotec, but anyways if you really have the money and want to slap in an entire new engine and transmission and everything else, go with an ecotec. a 3.8 would be a bit too heavy for the front end of a s-series to be good to drive everyday.

also is there a reason why you dont want to do the easy dohc swap? the dohc s-series engines are very powerful little things and when modded(to a certain extent), can give you alot of pickup with not so much power. the s-series dohc doesnt seem like much, but the platform is great which not very many people notice since they buy hondas. the engine and transmission dont need major mods to make loads of power, engine needs forged pistons and rods, transmission needs the differential pin welded or something to keep it from breaking loose, also be good to have a limited slip.

[daveshapellSVT]

the dohc 1.9 isn't terrible i just want some real power. plus engines like the ecotec start at 140 horse and theres a billion parts for them. 3800 woulda been sweet in a little light car like that with the big super charger potential.

[saturnspeed_12]

but power to weight ratio kicks in and how fast the engine can rev. that 3.8 would be very overwhelming. the ecotec is a great power plant, i even have a book right next to me telling me all thats needed for practically any horsepower range you want. you want 300hp? its in the book. you want 2000hp? its in this book. see the 1.9 dohc will be your cheapest easiest and best route. i sticking to my 1.9 dohc for a boosted project. they may not have much power but its built for the low end. the engine is great and isnt too bad for a project since really all you need is forged pistons and rods and you can weld the differential pin so it doesnt fly out upon some burnouts. from there its pretty much ready for power, meaning those items are done for well over 200whp. there are guys using that stock engine for their projects, no internal mods, for around 200hp.

if you want the cheapest, easiest, best way to go, stick with a 1.9 dohc swap. otherwise if you have the money and time go for the ecotec, and you can get the supercharged ecotec or even the new ecotec used in the sky and solstice, which is rated at like 175hp at the crank.

[daveshapellSVT]

yea i'd probably go with a 1.9 dohc just for price. how much do they go for? you know any sites or places that sell them used or remanufactured?

[saturnspeed_12]

well now really you dont need to do a complete swap. you can just swap the heads and some pieces here and there and the pcm. the wiring is the same. the only difference in the bottom end is the pistons. i know of guys just doing the head swap, pcm, timing and just leave the sohc pistons in. you loose a little compression that way but its probably the cheapest way to go. now as of places online the only i know of is http://www.6thplanetusedparts.com/ . now some people have had issues with them but they back up everything they sell so i dont see what would be wrong. also if you have any more questions about the swap and what would be best you can just ask them if you feel like something is missing or if you what to know if the complete engine swap would be better then the head swap. i dont know exactly what they would say, id say the head swap would be easier yet the piston thing is the only downside but nothing bad. now they might be a little more expensive too then hitting up a junkyard. now if your also looking for new parts online check out www.saturnparts.net or www.saturnparts.com . now for remanufactured you will probably just have to do a search, but i know jasper engines are really good replacement engines with 3 year 75,000 mile warranty. but i think it might be better to go used since you still have to get a pcm and if you do just the head swap then a timing set and i do believe everything else is fine.

[daveshapellSVT]

actually that would be a good idea cause i would want lower compression with a turbo kit. plus maybe while i'm swapping the head i can throw in a block gaurd.

[molded]

i have a 96 dohc engine here that i wanna get rid. trying to give it away for free the otherday but nobody wants it. oh and the crankshaft and rod bearings were toasted but the head is still good.

[saturnspeed_12]

block guard? if you are talking about one of those sleeve spacers, a.k.a sleeve savers, you dont need one and wont be able to find one or put it on. saturn blocks are almost completely closed off. there are no problems with the sleeves shaking or expanding under high rpms or high power.

but damn, i want your 96 motor!!!!! haha im kinda stalled on my project since i dont have all the parts needed. but hey if he wants it let him have it. but the only problem with it is spun rod bearings? if so thats what my 01 block i bought had so i really dont need a bottom end, i just need top and everything around it like timing cover, $180 at dealer! but the rest of the engine is fine right? how many miles are on it?

[daveshapellSVT]

i think if anything i'll just rebuild the sohc engine with lower compression and just run a crap load of boost.