What engine will work 4a 95 GASE

[gmcman101]

I recently had a major malfunction in my engine and was wondering if anyone could tell me what engine I could use to replace my 95' 2.3 DOHC. What I'm asking is what years was this available so I know what to look for in a donor. There's a lot of parts cars available here and they'll sell them but I don't want to buy anything that won't fit. Thanks for the input.

[gmcman101]

Would a 3.1 work? If so what would all be involed in making it work right?

[gmcman101]

OK, lets try this. What all would I have to change to make a 3.1 work. (wiring harness, sensors? ) I found one (3.1) and I need to get this car running. Any input would be appreciated.

[gmcman101]

Well after furthur surfing, I think a 3.1 is out of the question. I called a few junk yards and nobody has a 2.3 DOHC for a 95 grand am? Can someone tell me why they said it HAS to be for that year only? I drive 60 miles a day to work and back, so my 97 GMC truck is taking it's toll on my wallet. I really need to get this car fixed. Advise please.

[xeroinfinity]

To go from the 4 cyl to the v6 requires different engine mounts, new wire harness'ss, you'll have to get the ECM reprogramed to operate with the new engine etc etc.

Not worth the troubles unless you already have the parts on hand.

Best bet is to find the exact engine, I forget exactly what years they ran the 2.3 but I know 94-96 should be the same. Thier in N body cars, Grand Am/Achieva/Calais/Skylark/Somerset and I think some Olds had the 2.3L.

Check these guys for an engine.
http://www.cherry-auto.com/

Good Hunting!

[dlwdkh]

Dont fool with trying to do a different engine swap. Too much involved. Find a 2.3L and hope you dont end up with problems like I have with a 97 GA 3.1 swap! www.car-parts.com search found about 500 listings across the country. Surely one is close to you!

[gmcman101]

Thanks guys. I'm not really sure but I think they went to a 2.4 in 96', could someone clarify this?

[skibum1111]

96 was a 2.4. If you have a 95 dohc motor, you can only use a motor from a 95 . Any earlier than that and you run into issues with the cooling system, plus the transmissions are different. Good luck, might have to search for that one for a little bit. Plus, its not a fun job to swap the motor in one of these cars unless you have lift access and a couple of days to do the job. The last swap I did on one of these, we dropped the motor and trans as one unit out the bottom of the car, there isn't enough room to get it out the top.

[gmcman101]

Thanks skibum 1111.

[gmcman101]

One more thing, if I can only use a motor from a 95' can it be from a olds or buick? I read somewhere that an achieva or skylark motor should work.
Thanks again.

[dlwdkh]

Those engines should work fine in that car. You may have to swap out minor parts like the alternator or the accessories may have minor position and bracket changes.

[gmcman101]

Thanks, dlwdkh. Would you happen to know if it HAS to be a 95' engine?

[xeroinfinity]

Yes gmcman101, a 2.3 DOHC from pontiac or olds/buick(achieva) should work.
(Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Malibu, Oldsmobile Achieva, Oldsmobile Cutlass)

The top engine choice from 1992 to 1995 was a 2.3 L 16-valve High Output Quad-4 which produced 170-180 hp (130 kW) at 6200 rpm and 155-160 ft·lbf (210 N·m) at 5200 rpm depending on year.

[skibum1111]

Originally Posted by gmcman101

Thanks, dlwdkh. Would you happen to know if it HAS to be a 95' engine?

Manual transmission is different. The Isuzu manual transmission was used for that year only. Cooling lines are different 1993 and earlier models. I believe the bolt pattern on the block for the transmission is the same, but you would have to measure it first. I do know the clutches are different with the different transmissions, so that eliminates using that as a reference. Also, the 1995 dohc motor had balance shafts, earlier years did not. If you go with the vin code A motor, you will need to do some computer work to make it run right. It's doable, but its going to take some work. I changed the cams in my 95 to the W41 cams, and had to get a chip made for it. As for part interchange between years, external parts (alternator, ac compressor etc.) mostly are interchangable, but in 1995 the power steering pump ran directly off the intake cam, whereas 1994 and earlier had a pulley driven off the intake cam. If you use an older motor, you will need the power steering pump from that particular year, as well as the hoses for it.

[gmcman101]

Thanks again guys.