Can I Put A Small Block Chevy Engine In An 1989 Cavalier?

[Young Chuck D]

TELL ME STRAIGHT UP: Can it BE DONE?

then tell me the pros, cons, megatrons and so on.

money isn't a HUGE item but i'm not quite rich..........

[Cold_Silence]

Anything can be done with enough money.. That would be a sleeper and a half!

[OverAllComa]

You sure can.

Pros - Fast

Cons - You'll be broke afterwards, assuming you have the tools and knowledge to even pull it off as you'll have to convert to RWD. LOTS of fabrication involved. You're gonna need all kinds of ingenuity.

Hopefully you don't have emissions testing.


But strictly speaking to your question, the motor will fit in the engine bay, sure.

[my99cavy]

Originally Posted by OverAllComa

You sure can.

Pros - Fast

Cons - You'll be broke afterwards, assuming you have the tools and knowledge to even pull it off as you'll have to convert to RWD. LOTS of fabrication involved. You're gonna need all kinds of ingenuity.

Hopefully you don't have emissions testing.


But strictly speaking to your question, the motor will fit in the engine bay, sure.

very well put my friend lol

[millrtime]

u might have problems w/ clearance if the small block isnt fuel injected. might be kinda tight w/ a carbeurator, but an aftermarket hood can fix that. i hope its not ur daily driver cuz its gonna be outa comission for a WHILE if u decide to go w/ it. good luck though cuz ur gonna need it

[my99cavy]

you tell me...............thanks to the post by lances133

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by my99cavy

you tell me...............thanks to the post by lances133

but this is an 89........ and clearly not in the best of shape...

shit i broke 2 studs today..... and i bet others are close to snapping.

anyway, thats a picture of it in my signature.

[94VL]

Just think of the work building a rollcage,front subframe,new coil-over front suspension,tubbing the rear end,moving the gas tank,mounting a rear drive axle and locating it straight.....plus this isnt going to handle anymore with all that extra weight in it.Sorta like the difference between a 340 Cuda and a Hemi Cuda,the Hemi doesnt handle for beans because it weighs SO much more than the small block.If they can make a Fiero take a 350,and keep it transverse layout,you could probably keep FWD in the Cavalier (??),but it still isnt going to handle plus the car was never meant for more than 140 hp.

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by 94VL

Just think of the work building a rollcage,front subframe,new coil-over front suspension,tubbing the rear end,moving the gas tank,mounting a rear drive axle and locating it straight.....plus this isnt going to handle anymore with all that extra weight in it.Sorta like the difference between a 340 Cuda and a Hemi Cuda,the Hemi doesnt handle for beans because it weighs SO much more than the small block.If they can make a Fiero take a 350,and keep it transverse layout,you could probably keep FWD in the Cavalier (??),but it still isnt going to handle plus the car was never meant for more than 140 hp.

ok you're right... *gives up the dream for the ultimate sleeper*

[dkjones96]

you don't exactly have to keep the transverse mounting and can still keep the fwd if you can get a toronado or eldorado driveline to fit but you might run outta room. i think the cheaper and better route is to get a 60deg all aluminum fwd v6 frontend form another car and swap it in.