Son wants a 1999 Chev Cavalier Z24

[Mom needs help]

OK, be gentle with me guys, I know nothing about cars.

My son has picked out a 1999 Chev Cavalier Z24. It's a 2.4 DOHC. He is not very mechanincally inclined, so I'd like to get something reliable or at least that we can get someone to work on. I was just told today the 2.4's run great when they are running, but they tend to have problems with the head gaskets and the timing chains and that they are a bugger to work on.
So, looking ahead, my question is, is the 2.2 better than the 2.4? And if the 2.2 is a better/more reliable engine, can we swap the engine and trannie from a 2.2 into the Z24 if need be? Will the trannie match up or will you need to swap the trannie and the engine both? Will the 2.2 motor and trannie match up with the drive train in the Z24?
He just fell in love with this car and doesn't want a plain jane Cavalier. What do I do?
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Thanks for any input you can give!
Marsha

[JStumpalump150]

well im 17 now and i picked out a 1998 z24 for my first car last year when i first got my licence and was the same way not wanting a plain cavy that everyone and there brother owns and it has shown me nuthin but love. i now have 100,000 miles on it and it still runs strong.

these cars are easy to work on and you learn the ins and outs as you own it, as i did. he's a teenager i assume like me and i dont have a ton of money but i like to modify my car and the cavalier lets me do that on a budget.

bottom line is that they are a great car and i would get it, hope this helps.

oh and once he has it show him this forum, its helped me a lot with small problems and has giving me suggestions for mods and helping me get those mods done.

[Ronnie_1981]

Ok i am going to try to answer all you questions to the best of my knowledge in a manner in a hope you can understand.

To my knowledge they are NOT hard on head gaskets and timing belts. The major flaw with the 2.4 is the #3 rod bearing. If they get low on oil they will go easy.
What you are hearing about the timing belt is more then likey got to do with the water pump. They have an internal water pump, so you have to remove the timing belt to change them. If you check your owners manual you should change the belt ever 60K miles anyways so that is also a good time to change the pump (this goes for any car with any engine)
To swap in the 2.2 or 2200 you will have to change the wiring harness, ecu, engine mounts, tranny.
All and all the 2.4 is a really good reliable engine as long as it is well maintained. It will be a great car for someone just getting into the car world and especially if he is going to be into modifing. Also these are easy cars to work on. I would recommend getting a chiltons manual or a GM service manual . Now is a good time for him to start working on cars. the more you know the less you have to pay a mechanic.
if i can help you anymore I would be more then happy to.

[DeadBlade89]

To answer your question on to which one is more reliable. The 2.2 is overall more reliable, but not to to the point where a swap is needed. If you take very good care of the 2.4, it should be just as reliable.

[OverAllComa]

Experience has taught me that nothing will make a young kid be a lot more careful then when he has money invested in his car. 2.4's are cheap to mod, to an extent, and are pretty nice cars for the cost.

Besides, the Twin Cam motors, while not as common as the 2.2OHV, are still pretty easy to come by if you need to do a motor swap.

[yhandor]

Watch out for 2.4. My car has 162,400 KMs on it, I'm from Canada, so less for you guys, and I have gone through 3 2.4 engines.....everytime is rod #3 bearing.....I keep my oil checked and changed every 5000KMs or less, add Lucas Oil Stabalizer once and a while, run fuel cleaner, and they still blow, I am going to see how this one goes, if I hear clicking starting again, I know what it is and it will be sold before it completely goes again and I will buy a Honda Civic. Watch out, if he is going to be speeding or racing around, it will go even faster.

[Ronnie_1981]

Originally Posted by yhandor

Watch out for 2.4. My car has 162,400 KMs on it, I'm from Canada, so less for you guys, and I have gone through 3 2.4 engines.....everytime is rod #3 bearing.....I keep my oil checked and changed every 5000KMs or less, add Lucas Oil Stabalizer once and a while, run fuel cleaner, and they still blow, I am going to see how this one goes, if I hear clicking starting again, I know what it is and it will be sold before it completely goes again and I will buy a Honda Civic. Watch out, if he is going to be speeding or racing around, it will go even faster.

I think this might be a case of user error. Never herd of someone with that much trouble out of any car.
[rant]And Civics are junk, my J-bodies run fine. The civic, stays broke more then it runs. Junky honda[/rant]

[Android_Gimpy6456]

(To the guys)
HELLO!!! You guy's are talking to a mother here, she probly doesen't want to know about "mods" or here that her son that JUST GOT HIS LICENSE probly about a few mnths ago is going to be makin his car faster DAAHH.

(To the mother)
As a guy who just a few yrs ago was as old as your son. A cavailer is a very reliable car for a starting driver. Small, easy to operate and is plenty simple for a "more than likely" first time owner and driver. As you are getting a new car for him, see if you can find a reliable friend or family member that knows mechanics and take the car for a test drive and let them look at it. If that isn't an option go to your local GM dealership and talk to a salesman or woman if you prefer, and let them know your situation and that your a concened mother looking for a car, or just to the service section and let them know he's a newer driver and that you want to make sure the car is completely safe. Have them do a full inspection to make sure your car is good, clean, and full taken care of. If you get a bad feeling for any reason go to another dealership (preferably one who's been in bussiness for 30 or more yrs,) but thats just a base figure family dealerships are the best and they'll usually tell you when there a family dealership.
Lastly since he's not real car savy don't worry about (mods) or moderations that these guys talk about. These guys more than likely are car savy and have been around them a while and what them are talking about, about 5% of teens actually do, most just drive there cars for the reason they were intended; as transportion nothing more, nothing less. Hope it was helpfull and enjoy the experience not mater how nerve racking it may be.

[Lances133]

Originally Posted by yhandor

Watch out for 2.4. My car has 162,400 KMs on it, I'm from Canada, so less for you guys, and I have gone through 3 2.4 engines.....everytime is rod #3 bearing.....I keep my oil checked and changed every 5000KMs or less, add Lucas Oil Stabalizer once and a while, run fuel cleaner, and they still blow, I am going to see how this one goes, if I hear clicking starting again, I know what it is and it will be sold before it completely goes again and I will buy a Honda Civic. Watch out, if he is going to be speeding or racing around, it will go even faster.

That's because you buy replacement engines that are already on their death bed!

[Classicrocjunkie]

Originally Posted by Lances133

That's because you buy replacement engines that are already on their death bed!

Replacement engine 500-600 bucks?

Built, balanced and blueprinted for 18+psi and a 100-shot of nitrous



$4,000. For parts, machine shop time, Head put on a flow-jet, and we assembly it at our shop.


Not everyone has the funds, time, patience or know how to do something like that lance. For those who do.... Anyone know a good tranny shop because we're not sure how long out 4t-40e is going to hold up with drive shaft shop stage 3 axles and the LSD.

[Lances133]

What the hell? lol You just came outta left field. The thread poster's asking about 2.4L's for her son...so what are you trying to prove posting a turbo'd 2200?

[JStumpalump150]

Originally Posted by Android_Gimpy6456

These guys more than likely are car savy and have been around them a while and what them are talking about, about 5% of teens actually do, most just drive there cars for the reason they were intended.

haha i guess im part of that 5%, lol but there are other mods that are not performance related, such as painting the interior or puting in aftermarket projector headlights just to name a couple

[Android_Gimpy6456]

True; you say tomato I say toma'to.....

[Classicrocjunkie]

Originally Posted by Lances133

What the hell? lol You just came outta left field. The thread poster's asking about 2.4L's for her son...so what are you trying to prove posting a turbo'd 2200?

People don't spend the money to rebuild an engine, and rather cheap out like you said and buy one on their last legs. Our turbo'd 2200 took a dump when the oil pump crapped out. Instead of throwing our spare stock 2200 engine in there we have, we have a brand new one meant for what we are doing.

I was rolling off with what you said prior.

[Lances133]

Ohh alright I gotcha. I see what your saying but regardless buying a motor with over 100k miles is just dumb and a waste of $. Just gonna end up in the same situation shortly down the road.