New Head Unit in a 98: Reset computer?

[sandman133]

I feel in such hostile territory here... A Ford guy in a chev world!

Anyway, this is my question. My Girlfriend has a 98 Cavi (2.2 SOHC) and she wants to put in an aftermarket deck. Now, she heard from a friend of hers who has a Cav (I don't know the year) that he had to reset the computer to have this done. Now, being a Ford guy, if she wanted to put it into a ZX2 or a Stang I could tell her if it's the same for her year or not, but being that this is a Chev, I figure I should refer to the experts on this. What do you guys think? Does this need to be done on a 98? I have heard newer ones (2000+) need to keep the factory deck in the trunk to keep the airbags/chimes/etc working. Does this apply to a 98 as well, or is it a direct swap?

Thanks!

PS: I do admire your guys' aftermarket support.... wish ZX2s had the same!

[RidgeRunner]

As far as I know, the '98 would be just a normal install.

By the way, the '98 2.2 is OHV, not SOHC.

Oh, you think the ZX2 aftermarket is bad? I doubt it's as bad as it is for the 1st and 2nd gen J bodies. Just the 3rd gens seem popular for modding, yet I like the older ones better.

[sandman133]

Oh, the aftermarket for the Z is excellent compared to the first and second gens, although the second gen GT has a fair bit of aftermaket support due to the Mazda engine

As for the Z, we tend to have to adapt stuff off of the focus for our cars, they have a very similar Zetec in them (bolt patterns for the intake and exhaust manifolds are different, and the Focus doesn't have the VCT). Internals all work, except exhaust cams (due to VCT), and turbos and superchargers off the Focus are out too due to the different bolt patterns. You guys have a good supercharger out, don't you? We only have one turbo kit from Gude, and it's not supposed to be great.

And the 2.2 is not OHC? Then it's cam-in-block? With push-rods and everything? Or do you just mean it is still cam-in-head, but uses lifters and rocker arms? (I still consider that OHC)

But anyway, great, thanks for the info. I'll probably just get the harnesses and install it myself for her then, so she doesn't have to pay for it to get done. Maybe I'll hang around here a bit, seems like a good forum, and I can get to learn something about my G/Fs car, which I know nothing about...

[RidgeRunner]

Yep, the Cavalier's 2.2 (later called the 2200) is cam in block with pushrods and rockers. The other GM J bodies got an OHC as their base engine til the 3rd generation redesign, at which point the only other remaining J body (Sunbird/fire) also got the pushrod 2.2 L4. (Not to be confused with the 2002+ Ecotec 2.2, which is DOHC)

As to the boost kits, there is a GM supercharger kit for the 2000-2002 2.4 DOHC and a few aftermarket turbo kits. First and second generation Js, there's not much. One company offers kits, but their kits cost 2-3 times what the whole car is worth. Far cheaper to start from scratch, or build an NA motor.

[Sniper0860]

The proccess in installing an aftermarket deck into that year of cavalier doesn't involve the computer being reset. Its just a standard install, but just to let you know, be very careful that you remove all of the screws while taking off the dash. I know a lot of people who have broken the plastic peice that goes around the heater controls and radio and those aren't cheap.

[sandman133]

Thx for the info, that's awesome.

I won't be doing the install anyway, she suckered the sales guy into giving her a free install... I told her not to tell me how she managed that, I may not want to know! (I'm thinking low-cut shirt....)