Compatible engines

[Ami2oldisit2l8]

I don't know anything about cars, but I am trying to do my dad a favor. He has a 99 Malibu that needs an engine, but he has heard that there's a lot of problems with the Malibu. He has also heard that the Corsica engine is compatible with the Malibu, but he doesn't know for sure. So I am hoping to find out whether that is true or not, and I figured this would be my best place to start.

[Stealthee]

I moved your thread to the Malibu section and corrected your post so it makes sense here.

[silicon212]

Depends on what engine. Chances are it's a 3.4 L and yes the engines should be a direct swap so long as it's the same year. However, the Corsica was not in production in 1999.

[wpbharry]

I know the Corsica had a 3100 V-6 at some point, so that could work. I think it also had the 2.2 4-cylinder so that would work too. There was never a 3400 in the Corsica or that gen-Malibu, so don't worry about that. The bigger question is: why bother with an ancient POS? Time for the junkyard, IMO.

[brcidd]

For engine swaps, I always use car-part.com plus you'll find what they cost and who has them--

I do know a 99 Malibu used only the 3.1L or 2.4L (POS) engine. And it is always best (plug and play) to put the OEM style engine back in.

[wpbharry]

Right, that gen Malibu did use the 2.4; the next gen ('04-'07) switched to the smaller 2.2 which I found really scary in a rental I once had. Great low-end, horrible once you got up to speed.

If your Dad is a dyed-in-the-wool Chevy guy and doesn't want to spend $ on a new car, maybe you can find an '04-'07 Malibu with many less miles than the '99. The 3500 V-6 engine is excellent; I know, I still have one.