Question about larger motors and swapping

[Young Chuck D]

i am hearing that a Lumina engine would fit in my 89. its a 3.1 MPFI i think. i also hear that its an aluminum block and extra sensitive to heat. now if i were to make that swap i'd probably rig my fan to be on always or by a switch controlled by me. also would check my cooling system weekly. but i was wondering if theres a 3.1 chevy block i could put in thats not aluminum? or should i even want that? is 550 a good price? is my transmission gonna co-operate with it?

[Young Chuck D]

i don't know why i thought j-body heads would know about a lumina engine... i'll repost this in the nonspec..

[Young Chuck D]

seems like all people can be good for is help painting your interior or what kind of pipes to use or how to remove a fuckin dashboard... you people and your toy cars..

[jakegday]

you should know that by now..... and we can also tell you which exhaust setup to get

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by jakegday

you should know that by now..... and we can also tell you which exhaust setup to get

thats what i meant by pipes.

but damn, at least somebody point me in the right direction...

[MrR0b0t0]

I really dont think many people here have attempted engine swaps, especially with an '89.

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by MrR0b0t0

I really dont think many people here have attempted engine swaps, especially with an '89.

wasn't there a cavalier that came with a 3.1?

i know i've seen it before...

[Crazzzyj]

There are several long and short 3.1 blocks that aren't aluminum. The closest one I found to the year of your car ran for about $450. Being its GM, most parts should be interchangeable. Now, if there was a 3.1 in a Cavalier, I would have to say it must've been a Z24 in the years 87 - 89. It does sound familiar, and I strongly think some 88's had one but not for certain.

~Crazzzyj

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by Crazzzyj

There are several long and short 3.1 blocks that aren't aluminum. The closest one I found to the year of your car ran for about $450. Being its GM, most parts should be interchangeable. Now, if there was a 3.1 in a Cavalier, I would have to say it must've been a Z24 in the years 87 - 89. It does sound familiar, and I strongly think some 88's had one but not for certain.

~Crazzzyj

FOUND IT

1990 Cavalier Z24 V6 3.1 FI

*on a mission*

[Young Chuck D]

my God! SUCCESS!

Thank You Lord!

[Young Chuck D]

wow what a sig this would be:

[iron1951]

Young Chuck D, please let me(us) know how the swap goes. I have an 87 with a NFG 2.8, sounds like a spun bearing and was wondering about putting in a 3.1. Besides the tranny, I was also worried about the computer hookup, would I have to rewire or could it be just plug and play? But a 3.1 turbo, wow. Please keep posting on how it goes.

[OverAllComa]

The 3.1 Turbo from a TGP has been done before, but you'll run into trouble. The motor doesn't want to fit all the extra hardware into the engine bay of a j-body, but it can squeeze into a grand prix just fine.

3.1 Iron block, aluminum head was a 1990-94 thing. Before that was the 2.8 w/ iron head.

As for your lumina engine, it should fit just fit with the proper mounts, though it would be easier to just steal a Z24 motor and swap that. You'll know all the hardware will be matching up that way. And the biggest reason its kinda hard to give you a straight answer on the lumina was b/c I didn't see a year mentioned. Those things could have a 3.1 or a 3100, and while very VERY much the same motors, there are some differences.

If you still have various questions, consider doing a search on www.j-body.org in the 2nd gen forum. Most of this has already been covered.

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by iron1951

Young Chuck D, please let me(us) know how the swap goes. I have an 87 with a NFG 2.8, sounds like a spun bearing and was wondering about putting in a 3.1. Besides the tranny, I was also worried about the computer hookup, would I have to rewire or could it be just plug and play? But a 3.1 turbo, wow. Please keep posting on how it goes.

check back in a month and a half, i sorta got fired and re-hired and don't start working until early august and then will need to save up 2 paychecks and i'll get it going.

[Young Chuck D]

Originally Posted by OverAllComa

The 3.1 Turbo from a TGP has been done before, but you'll run into trouble. The motor doesn't want to fit all the extra hardware into the engine bay of a j-body, but it can squeeze into a grand prix just fine.

3.1 Iron block, aluminum head was a 1990-94 thing. Before that was the 2.8 w/ iron head.

As for your lumina engine, it should fit just fit with the proper mounts, though it would be easier to just steal a Z24 motor and swap that. You'll know all the hardware will be matching up that way. And the biggest reason its kinda hard to give you a straight answer on the lumina was b/c I didn't see a year mentioned. Those things could have a 3.1 or a 3100, and while very VERY much the same motors, there are some differences.

If you still have various questions, consider doing a search on www.j-body.org in the 2nd gen forum. Most of this has already been covered.

i thought 3100 and 3.1 were exactly the same? 3100 cubic centimeters and 3.1 liters are the same amounts in different measures