so i still have this car ive had for a few years now. the thing is, i now have the money to spend on her. as far as i know, the 2.2 is the only engine that will bolt right in with no bs. im looking to buy a brand new or at least rebuilt engine for this sunfire. any suggestions would be great ASAP. this cash is burning a whole in my pocket, but i want it to be right. new to the j body bit. i was wondering what it would take to swap the 2.3 HO? looking to generate the most HP i can, but want bang for my buck. and i have noticed so much good stuff out there for the 2.2's. LET ME KNOW GUYS. THANKS.
it realyy depends on how much work you're willing to do. you can swap another ln2, or a ld9, or an eco, even a small v6. it depends on your wallet, ability, and overall, what YOU want for your car.
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as far as i know, a 2.3 will swap right into a 95. you can use the same ecu (chippable obd1) and you can use the same tranny.
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cool. thx. so i was plannin on goin 2.3 because i pretty much have one at my disposal. new cam, valves etc etc. and its good as new. got a pretty beasty machine shop down the highway, so thats no prob either. REALLY wanted to make sure tranny, wiring harness etc. wouldnt be a problem when swapping 2.3 HO. so my options are this now i guess- rebuild a 2.3 while driving my car to work. later in summer, wheel out the cherry picker? PLEASE HELP ME BE CERTAIN IF I BUY OR START BUILDIN 2.3 that tranny etc wont be a problem. LOVE THE SITE AND FORUMS, THX GUYS. HIT ME BACK.
i really hate to be the one to bust the bubble..especially since im the guy thats always all for a 2.3 swap( since i think its the better performance engine) but not only do you have a 2.2 now but your an automatic..a 2.3 HO isnt the best engine to mate to an automatic..nor will the 2.2 auto bolt up anyway
so your looking at getting another tranny at the very least..converting to manual at the most..in MY opinion youll be happier just upgrading your 2.2..since you said you wanted bang for your buck..it would probably be cheaper and less work to just boost it...the 2.3HO swap is preferable for 2.4 manual equipped cars..and while 2.2 cars can still do the swap fairly easy it reallyyy helps to have a manual already,since the transmission helps utilize the engine more...you wont get all the power out of the 2.3 with an auto......im sorry
^^ so a 2.2 manual transmission will bolt right up to a 2.3 motor? i have a 5 sp. and i've also been thinkin about doin this swap.
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i dont believe the 2.2 manual tranny will bolt up either..the only trannys that are compatable are the ones that come with twin cams..since they are the same bolt pattern..but since you have a manual car already its ALOT easier to do the swap..you still need the 5speed getrag that came with the HO but they arnt expensive..ive seen NEW ones go for 700 on ebay..i got mine from a yard for 275 with 60k on it..the engines are getting harder to find but theyre still plenty out there
i just test drove a 1995 sunfire with the 2.3L motor auto with 105K on it. and it didnt really feel much faster then my 2.2. my 2.2 def had better pick up. the 2.3 idk it just didnt feel fast i got it onto the highway and nailed it and it took off but didnt feel anything like i thought it would. but there was 2 other people in the car with me so that might be why.
OK you do know where talking about 2 differnt engines here right? the 2.3 in the 95 is a LOW OUTPUT ..makes about the same power as a 2.4 twin cam..but it felt sluggish cus you drove the auto...the 2.3 HIGH OUTPUT made 180-190 hp stock depending on the year and version ..once you drive a cavalier that has an HO in it you will NOT be able to compare it to anything else
you can find the engine in the 1990-1994 grand am gt ..beretta gtz..olds calais ..and the w41 version was in the achieva scx ..8th digit of the vin will be an "A" ..the BEST versions of the engine your going to find are from 1990-92..since those made more power and came with the better head..however..you dont want the tranny from those years...the tranny you want to go with your HO and work well in your Jbody will be from the 92-94 quad equiped cars..for it had both tranny mounts and better gear ratios..although if you have a twin cam right now you wont NEED the tranny..but its always a better upgrade...all youll need to make this work in your car is the pcm and engine bay wiring harness from a 1995 manual z24 or GT jbody...its probably one the easier swaps for 95-99 Jbodies since none of the mounts need modified
