Greetings, im just lookin for some info on swap options for an 89 cavalier. i already know i want to trade out the auto for mtx. i want to build up a nice sleeper car. i have an 89 4 dr cavalier sitting about, and am considering what might be possible with it. i want it to be a sub14 second car, and am willing to put some money into it to do so. i have an 04 SRT4 and am familiar with tinkering with turbocharged engines. just dont know much bout the chevy side, what fits in where. would a new Z24 engine fit into it and how do those motors take to turbocharging? thanks for any help

flaming

D M wrote:Greetings, im just lookin for some info on swap options for an 89 cavalier. i already know i want to trade out the auto for mtx. i want to build up a nice sleeper car. i have an 89 4 dr cavalier sitting about, and am considering what might be possible with it. i want it to be a sub14 second car, and am willing to put some money into it to do so. i have an 04 SRT4 and am familiar with tinkering with turbocharged engines. just dont know much bout the chevy side, what fits in where. would a new Z24 engine fit into it and how do those motors take to turbocharging? thanks for any help

flaming

yes they fit.... approx 220hp before you gotta change the rods/pistons, i'd know i'm doing one now.. but i'd suggest a 3X00 turbo'd simply because it would be easier and less $ in the long run.



watch for flying sparks!!!

the 3400-5 speed swap will get you into the low 14's easy, add 6 PSI of boost and you'll be in the mid 12's.

and that's on a bone stock 3400...

Superdave wrote:the 3400-5 speed swap will get you into the low 14's easy, add 6 PSI of boost and you'll be in the mid 12's.

and that's on a bone stock 3400...

And have around 280 - 300 horsepower too.


Rob
'91 Beretta, 3400 and 5 speed swapped
14.553 @ 94.01 mph.

so a 3400 swap would be the easiest? what all would i need, just motor, tranny, ecu and all wiring & harnesses? would i need to swap out the instrument cluster? and how do i go about fabricating motor mounts for it. not too sure what the gross weight is on the cavvy, but just the stock 3400 w/ 5spd in the 14s sounds great.
oh, i guess i would need a console, pedal assembly and such for the mtx swap.
i honestly dont know much of anything bout the jbody, so if there may be any huge obstacles someone feel free to chime in. how much can u pick up the motor/tranny for? or maybe a donor car would be the easiest route.

yea a 3400 and 5 speed stock should get you into the 14's without much trouble. Before attempting this or anything READ, READ when you think you know it READ some more. Tons of info on the 3400 swap at v6z24.com and a guide over at http://www.domesticcrew.com/660/installguide.htm .

^btw, how much did the entire swap cost you? (assuming you did most if not all work yourself)
and are the 3400s turbo friendly on stock internals w/ upgraded fuel system?

the swap vary in cost due to peope getting engines at different prices. I bought my 3400 with out accesories on it for 100 bucks and probably have about 200 all together now with getting the other parts. but I still have more to buy plus tearing my engine down for a rebuild

some people get whole complete engines with no rebuild needed for 500 bucks



Z24 Cardomain Site ll ZQ8 Car Domain Site

Find a junk sunbird turbo GT and do a 2.0 turbo and getrag swap.

I built and drove a P&P'd 3400 with headers and a few other misc things for about $1200.

all the V6 cavalier mounts work except for the front one but you can buy a pre-made one from JBP. Your best bet is to get a donor car so you have all the parts. 3400's come cheap if you look in the right place, i paid $60 for my first one and $300 for my 2nd one with 30K miles on it.

thanks for the adivce all, but after getting the cavvy out and off of blocks... my dad (about 1000 miles away from me) had a look at it after its 2 years of rest. it was discovered that the frame has suffered, fuel tank is rotted out (as is a lot of other things i dont wish to list). and the rust has grown exponentially. in short... the poor girl is dead. far much more needs repaired than i had initially thought. after 18 years (about 16 years on the road) of faithful service to my parents, and being my first car... its time for her to retire to the salvage yard, so that other cavaliers may take pieces of her, somehow allowing her to live on. im so sad