Motor Swap

[nwoods29321]

What would be the best motor to replace a locked up 2.8L?

[godenm]

3.1,depending on what year cavi,should be easy drop-in

[nwoods29321]

Originally Posted by godenm

3.1,depending on what year cavi,should be easy drop-in

It's an 88 Z24 with a 5 spd tranny

[godenm]

yeah,should be an easy drop in,bolt up &drive,you may have to get a ecu for a 3.1 5-speed too (you can usually get them w/engine)

[nwoods29321]

Originally Posted by godenm

yeah,should be an easy drop in,bolt up &drive,you may have to get a ecu for a 3.1 5-speed too (you can usually get them w/engine)

Both the 2.8 and 3.1 use the same ecu, manifolds, and numerous other parts. The only real difference in the 2.8 and 3.1 is the 3.1 has a little longer stroke, and the main differences in the 3.1 and 3.4 are the 3.4 uses seperate injectors in the manifold while the 3.1 is still a throttlebody type of injection and the 3.4 has a 10 thousandths larger bore which also means diff heads, valves, lifter, ect.

[4dr92cavi4cyl]

I'm the only one that voted?

[93_R/T_TT_Stealth]

i would stay away from the 3.1 not a really good choice if u ask me - i would either rebuild/another 2.8 or get a 3.4 ecu ect... the 3.1's are usually what they put in base beretta's an the shitty corsica's lol not bashin the engine but they are not really that powerful kinda dog compared to the 2.8 - the only thing about the 3.1's is they are very easy an require little taking car for them to run - i know 3 people with them one in a 89 cav on an 2 in corsica's they basically beat the shit outa the cars an like never do basic repairs an the damn cars still run ... lol i would take a cowl induc. 2.8 over both or them anyday --- even tho the 3.4 in the lumina's are pretty peppy

[noshun]

2.8 Strong Strong Motor. My dad has an 88 Z24 2.8 junker and everything else has fallen off of this thing and the latest problem is that the drivers door latch is rotting out where it's attached but it still pulls like a charm and still embarrasses people at the lights in all kinds of cars even with the engine mounts creaking! This car is f**ked but the engine top notch, oh it also had it's first oil change in 4 years 3 weeks ago!! It's value was Doubled!!!!!

[godenm]

oh hell,get a supercharged 3800 drop it in & start hunting v8 mustangs,haha

[noshun]

Or squeeze a small block V8 under there with some inner wheel well work run it with say a camaro rear axle, add a blower and then go vette/viper hunting that'll give the old guys in them something to think about

[godenm]

[nwoods29321]

Originally Posted by noshun

Or squeeze a small block V8 under there with some inner wheel well work run it with say a camaro rear axle, add a blower and then go vette/viper hunting that'll give the old guys in them something to think about

Sounds nice but.... mine is front wheel drive.

[nwoods29321]

Originally Posted by godenm

oh hell,get a supercharged 3800 drop it in & start hunting v8 mustangs,haha

Thats an exellent idea. Other then the engine, ecu, engine mounts, exhaust, wiring harness and possably tranny... what all would I have to do to the car in order to make it work?

[noshun]

Originally Posted by nwoods29321

Sounds nice but.... mine is front wheel drive.

It was actually a joke. I know the car is FWD that's why I suggested the Camaro axle as there isn't a Cavalier rear axle for RWD and it would have good availability. To be honest 2.8 would be my recommendation but it's your call.

[godenm]

Originally Posted by nwoods29321

Thats an exellent idea. Other then the engine, ecu, engine mounts, exhaust, wiring harness and possably tranny... what all would I have to do to the car in order to make it work?

this motor swap has actually been done.im not exactly sure what all needs to be done,but i know you have to reinforce the frame in the front,change a lot of wireing,& fabricate mounts.i also know that its not really easy to find one of these 3800 s.c. engines. there is a guy at car domain that has all the pics & directions on how he did this i will see if i can find it for you.