2.2 to 3.1 swap..is it worth it?

[ebritt]

Just wondering if it would be worth the trouble to swap.....

[Aaron_taz7]

I was told that the 3.1 engine was the crappiest motor that Chevrolet ever built. I was thinking about doing the same thing, but then it occured to me that it would be easier to just get a 2.4 ecotech engine, with more horsepower than the V-6, and with that, you probally wouldn't have to change your suspension or anything, so I would say it may not be worth it. The 2.4 is easily upgradable, unless you're looking for the sound that comes out of the 3.1. But hey, that's just my opinion.

[ebritt]

I had a 91 cutlass with 3.1 they are ok if you dont screw up adding coolant...you have to open the bleeders or it with get air pockets in the coolant flow and make it overheat...one time hot..motor is poopoo.

never thought about 2.4...is it hard to come by?

[Aaron_taz7]

From what I hear, the 2.4 ecotech engine is pretty good. For the fact that it has the same hp as the 3.1, and if you are into to rebuilding engines, you can most likely find one at a junk yard. Other than that, they aren't hard to come by. I am probally going to put a 2.4 in my 93. Only thing, if you are looking for sound, the 3.1 would sound pretty good. I heard one that sounds like a camaro. If hooked up a 2.4 may sound like a 4-banger if you decide to hook it up, though it is a 4. Could be cheaper on oil and gas too.

[thecommi]

the 3.1 is not that bad of a motor if you take care of it.... yes they do have their problems a.k.a. intake manifold gasket problems, but if you replace it before you drop it in you should not have to worry about it for years to come. its definately cheaper then buying a Echotech motor, just more easy to come by. you can get one from a boneyard and rebuild the thing in a few hours. you can get stroker kits for the thing from JCwhitney.com. just port and polishing the heads and intake increase the HP on it by almost 20. the lower ends are prettymuch rock solid. as for the initial question, its going to be alot of work to get a 3.1l in your car, lots of stuff will need to be changed. you may be better off finding a z24 for sale with good miles. doesnt have to be in the best shape outside just swap body parts if you need to. the decission is yours.

[Jpasta]

Originally Posted by ebritt

I had a 91 cutlass with 3.1 they are ok if you dont screw up adding coolant...you have to open the bleeders or it with get air pockets in the coolant flow and make it overheat...one time hot..motor is poopoo.

never thought about 2.4...is it hard to come by?

sounds like a Camero?
i have a 3.1, please explain wut i do to get that sound out of mine
only thing i have is a K&n air fliter, and a flowmaster 50 series

[ebritt]

well i dont know about soinds like a camaro but my cutlass did sound excellent (my dad drives it now) it had the stock exhaust single pipe and cat that split to two pipes and mufflers in the back with twin tips on each side.

anybody tell me how hard a 2.4 swap would be? will stock 91 3 speed auto tranny work, wires, fuel, computer etc.........

[Aaron_taz7]

To get it to sound like a camaro, you are most likely going to have to do a complete exhaust system, all the way from the headers, and get some larger pipes, like a 2.5 or 3. It'll sound really good.

As far as I know for a 2.4 swap, it should be easy because the engine compartments for 2nd and 3rd gens are pretty much the same, so shouldn't give you much problems. Trans for the 2.4 is a 4 spd automatic, but I'm not sure if that should matter.

[urweak]

What is a 2.4 ecotec, and what are the specs on it?? Ive seen a jbody with a 3400 in it.

[Aaron_taz7]

Originally Posted by urweak

What is a 2.4 ecotec, and what are the specs on it?? Ive seen a jbody with a 3400 in it.

It's the engine now used in the cavalier and I also think it's in the suhfire GT. It is a 4 cylinder with 150 hp, which is more than 3.1 v-6. It's a 2.4 twin cam, max speed at 6500 rpm, cast iron engine with aluminum cylinders, displacement is 146 cu at 2400 cc, 150 hp at 5600 rpm, and 155 lb-ft at 4400 rpm. DOHC at 4 valves per cylinder. Fuel injected

[ahspatch43]

the 2.4L ecotec hasn't even come out yet. it will be an engine offered in the 2005 chevy cobalt. the 2.4L twin cam you're referring to is the one used in my 96 Z24 and it isnt an ecotec. they were first used in the 2001(?) Saturn Ions and then used as an option in the 2002 cavaliers.

[EC0T3C]

The 2.4 and the 2.2 ecotec is not worth it swapping into a second gen, too manythings and too complicated. You could swap a 3400 v6 in there, you would have about 170hp and 180ftlbs of tq. It wont be an easy swap but its possible. It will run you approximately 1500-2000 or more depending on your experiance. www.v6z24.com and www.jbody.org will be your friends if you need help.

[C_Sephiroth]

Why not just put a Grand am Quad 4 HO in there Has 180 HP and 155 TQ

[Ozzy96]

My best friend has a 1996 Lumina with the 3.1 and he has replaced it twice. He is currently replacing the head on the newest motor. So I guess my opinion would be to avoid the 3.1

[Maverick123w]

I have my old 95' lumina I don't drive anymore. 260,000 original miles. The only problems I've had with the 3.1 are leaky gaskets