99 SC2 Engine Swap

[dcc81187]

I'm looking to get another engine for my 99 Saturn sc2 and i'm wondering what all motors will fit. I may get another tranny also.

[RC1488]

'99-'02 DOHC are plug and play engines.

Anything '93-'98 requires new manifolds among other modifications.

Tranny :
Auto: '98 -'02 DOHC tranny is plug and play
Man: 91-02 are plug and play however they do change gear ratios through out the years.

[Ruley73]

Originally Posted by RC1488

'99-'02 DOHC are plug and play engines.

Anything '93-'98 requires new manifolds among other modifications.

Tranny :
Auto: '98 -'02 DOHC tranny is plug and play
Man: 91-02 are plug and play however they do change gear ratios through out the years.

This is only partially correct. The catch is that both the old and new style DOHC engines were installed in 1999 model year Saturns so you will need to first determine which one you have.

For the most part it is easiest to distinguish the two by looking at the intake manifold. The older style DOHC engines have a visible aluminum intake manifold with the throttlebody air inlet facing the drivers side and use a 5-bolt exhaust manifold. The newer style DOHC engines have a hidden plastic intake manifold with the throttlebody air inlet facing the top and use a 9-bolt exhaust manifold

The one exception to this is that a few 1999 DOHC engines have a cylinder head that uses the old aluminum intake manifold along with the newer style 9-bolt exhaust manifold (instead of the older 5-bolt exaust manifold). Hopefully you don't have one of these in your car right now. If by chance you do, I would look for a 1998 DOHC engine and exhaust manifold and that should be pretty much plug and play. The newer style engine would require more effort to implement.

If you have the older style DOHC, any 1998 engine would be a direct swap since they also have the returnless fuel system (1997 and older do not).

If you have the newer style DOHC, any 2000-2002 engine will work if you reuse your original exhaust manifold. Some 2000 (w/California emissions) and all 2001-2002 have the A.I.R. emission management. This is why you would need to reuse your original exhaust manifold.

Hope this helps and good luck.

- Mike

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by Ruley73

This is only partially correct. The catch is that both the old and new style DOHC engines were installed in 1999 model year Saturns so you will need to first determine which one you have.

For the most part it is easiest to distinguish the two by looking at the intake manifold. The older style DOHC engines have a visible aluminum intake manifold with the throttlebody air inlet facing the drivers side and use a 5-bolt exhaust manifold. The newer style DOHC engines have a hidden plastic intake manifold with the throttlebody air inlet facing the top and use a 9-bolt exhaust manifold

The one exception to this is that a few 1999 DOHC engines have a cylinder head that uses the old aluminum intake manifold along with the newer style 9-bolt exhaust manifold (instead of the older 5-bolt exaust manifold). Hopefully you don't have one of these in your car right now. If by chance you do, I would look for a 1998 DOHC engine and exhaust manifold and that should be pretty much plug and play. The newer style engine would require more effort to implement.

If you have the older style DOHC, any 1998 engine would be a direct swap since they also have the returnless fuel system (1997 and older do not).

If you have the newer style DOHC, any 2000-2002 engine will work if you reuse your original exhaust manifold. Some 2000 (w/California emissions) and all 2001-2002 have the A.I.R. emission management. This is why you would need to reuse your original exhaust manifold.

Hope this helps and good luck.

- Mike

There are only a few '99A engines out there. HIghly unlikely it has the old bolt pattern.

The plastic manifolds (TB facing up) were not used untill the 3rd generation.

The '98+ fuel rail will fit the 2nd gen intake manifold

Really as long as the manifolds match the head, any engine from '95+ will work

[Ruley73]

Originally Posted by RC1488

There are only a few '99A engines out there. HIghly unlikely it has the old bolt pattern.

That's what I was thinking too, but I figured it was noteworthy. Cuz you never know .

[dcc81187]

Thanks. I'm also going to try to make the engine as fuel efficient as possible. Any suggestions?

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by dcc81187

Thanks. I'm also going to try to make the engine as fuel efficient as possible. Any suggestions?

Change the oil on time, keep the air pressure in the tires at the proper amount, get Michelin radial X's (Fantastic tires that can boost up to 2mpg), change your ECTS to brass, keep the throttle body clean, keep the air filter clean.

[dcc81187]

I have a short ram air intake and i change the oil every 3000 and run my tires at 40psi.