92 an 96 engine differences?

[PulledOverAgain]

My little brother got a 96 Saturn (SL i think is what it is) with the DOHC engine for his first car. Shortly afterwards the engine has now tied up in it. And any attempt to break it free has been unsuccessful. The car is in decent shape and we'd like to if possible change the engine. There is a junk yard close by that has the 1.9 DOHC from a 92. It says it has auto, but i'm sure the flywheel/clutch can just be swapped over and it'll be fine.

What's the differences between the 96 and the 92? I'm sure we're looking at the normal OBD-II and probably SFI things for the 96. Things like your cam sensor and crap like that that isnt there on the 92? Basically, looking at the posibility of swapping the 92 engine in. Since we do have an engine with pleanty of parts to source off of it. Head, cams, accessories... all that good stuff?

Anyone know?

[DeCaff2006]

First of all, DOHC means SL2.

Next, I can tell you for sure that even with one being an auto and the other being a manual, YES, you can just take out the flex plate (that's what it's called on an auto) and put the flywheel from the manual in it's place. No harm done there.

Also you must realize that you're going from a second gen engine to a first gen engine. The basics like the block, head, and engine mounts are all in the same place. If you were trying to put a 91 engine in there, I can tell you that WON'T fit. The wiring harness is going to be a pain to swap out because:

1. You're trying to put an auto engine in a manual car.
2. First gen was OBD-I, whereas IIRC, second gen is OBD-II

Furthermore, your cam cover will be different on the donor engine. That shouldn't be a problem though. You MAY have to fabricate a way to connect the PCV valve to the donor cam cover, as the vaccuum hose length is different, and the PCV valve itself is positioned in the cam cover at a different angle (I'm pretty sure on that one... working from memory here), then again that may only be a difference between the coupes and sedans.

Lastly, there is one thing you are definitely going to want to do and that's pull the engine AND the transaxle at the SAME TIME, otherwise, you're going to be in for a major PITA when trying to put the donor engine back in the engine bay. Some say it's easier to drop the engine out the bottom of the car... yet still others say it's best to take the hood off and just pull the engine/transaxle as one unit.

I think you are better off to keep shopping for the same year engine but if you REALLY wan't to try the 92 engine:

You can find some really nice walkthoughs on www.saturnfans.com and there are even some external links there as well. If this is your first time pulling an engine, take your time and do it right the first time. It's a true morale killer to swap an engine on your first try, then turn the key and nothing happens.

[saturnspeed_12]

dohc does not mean sl2. dohc brings up the 2 in the model line. if its a sedan, its a SL. if its a coupe, its a SC. if its a wagon, its a SW.


now the 91-92 had a different crank sensor/crank. it wont work because of that one thing. there are other things that are different like the egr valve is electric on the 96 while the 95 back had a vacuum, and there are 2 coolant sensors on the earlier heads (although that doesnt matter), different knock sensors, different oil pressure sensors, but things can be swapped out. overall just for a quick engine swap nothing more, no.

oh yeah and for later reference, there is no cam sensor on the saturn.

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by saturnspeed_12

now the 91-92 had a different crank sensor/crank. it wont work because of that one thing. there are other things that are different like the egr valve is electric on the 96 while the 95 back had a vacuum, and there are 2 coolant sensors on the earlier heads (although that doesnt matter), different knock sensors, different oil pressure sensors, but things can be swapped out. overall just for a quick engine swap nothing more, no.

^^^correct^^^

no simple swap, it can only be done if the 92 PCM and wiring are used which brings up another issue, you would be converting from OBD-II to OBD-I, which is a no-no due to emission laws(federial, not state)

[PulledOverAgain]

Originally Posted by sierrap615

^^^correct^^^

no simple swap, it can only be done if the 92 PCM and wiring are used which brings up another issue, you would be converting from OBD-II to OBD-I, which is a no-no due to emission laws(federial, not state)

Well, crap. From the sounds of what i'm reading the crank and the CPS is going to be the main thing to cause a problem. It could probably be swapped over i'm sure, but due to the fact that the engine ran without oil pressure long enough to lock it up for whatever reason, my guess is that the crank would be no good.

Emmissions isnt a problem. In Ohio, or the county that i'm in at least, they dont do any testing. From what i've learned OBD-II to OBD-I isnt that bad really, though converting the ECM wasnt really the idea. Except for the factor of things like functional gauges and stuff. Just as long as you have the stuff that goes with the OBD-I system, you're usually ok as far as engine controls (functional yes, emmissions legal.. probably not)

Here's my little toy. Base model 97 Cavalier. Even came with unpainted bumpers. Gots a little suprise under the hood for the kiddies with the basic I/H/E on whatever they've selected to drive.

[saturnspeed_12]

well in ohio, for the most part, doesnt matter. some counties do check though. and its more of a federal law that you cant change an obd2 vehicle to obd1.

but where you from in ohio? i know many saturn people in ohio, as im part of the saturn tuners club of ohio. i make the meets. i also help people out quite a bit. have a couple turbo saturns in ohio, mine is in the works.

haha, 3.4 cavy sway. what a sleeper. ive got to see that. oh yeah, is your or your brothers name josh?

[PulledOverAgain]

I live abbout 37 miles south of Toledo. In Findlay.

No niether of our names are Josh.

[saturnspeed_12]

ah i was going to say i knew someone in findlay with a saturn named josh. im just down the road from you in lima