So. I have a 97 5 speed cav, and was wondering wat would be a cheap swap. some of the guys i kno say that and eco swap is expensive and not worth it. so i have come to the experts lol. any info would be great. thanks.
Cheap? Ha ha... if you can do it yourself, it's cheap. If not... get $$$ ready!
I did an 03 Eco swap (with Getrag trans) into a 98 Cav for $800... but I did all the work.
It depends on what you can do yourself, and what you spend on the motor. I got an entire 2000 Grandam for my 3400 swap for $400 and a 97 cavalier for $200 to use the transmission. That being said if I sold parts from those cars, I could make back what I paid and the swap would only cost me a couple hundred bucks for things like gaskets, fluids, sparkplugs, filters etc.
However, I paid someone to make my harness, bought my mounts, bought a TG LSD, plan on spening about $1000 building the engine. I'm still debating if I want to build up the trans aswell, or just put the LSD in it hope for the best. Then theres the new clutch, aftermarket gauges (~$300, already purchased, but plan on adding a wideband and oil pressure still), full exhaust and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things.
So basically what I am saying is, it CAN be done cheap but it can be expensive depending on how far you go with it. All said and done, my swap will probably end up costing me about $4000. Which seems rediculous to be spending that on a cavalier, but thats just a matter of oppinion. I'm definetely spending alot more money than I need to, but it doesn't bother me because I'm having fun doing it.
thats all that matters. if your having fun building a j. i live in wv bout 30 mins from pittsburgh and all the honda and other tools bag on ppl all day for havin a j or something other than wat they have. it gets real annoying at times. thanks for the info guys very appreciated
