Ok to start I know alot of stuff about alot of things, for instance, web development, programming, photography, etc...
I am a machinist / welder by trade. So I am sure I can handle the work. I just need the information.

So i bought a used 1998 Sunfire GT (2.4L Ecotec, Manual Transmission), it was written off because of hail damage. So I picked it up cheap and drove it for almost a year when one morning on my way to work It started making a horrible grinding sound. So I called the local garage for an oil change since it was due and asked them to look into the source of the noise. When they dropped the oil there were chunks of metal pouring out. The mechanic tells me that the whole lower end is gone.

The vehicle is parked in my garage at home. I would like to either repair or replace the engine, and drive it for myself or sell it. After all it was quite decent on fuel.

Would it be better and or cheaper to rebuild the engine or replace it. I can get a used replacement with no problem as there are alot available. If I purchase a used one, what do I look for and can a newer year model be swapped for the one I have.

Some answers would be great, I am not sure where to start.

Well sorry to tell you but you don't have a 2.4 Eco.Never came in a J,only in the SS Cobalt and other newer cars..More likely the 2.4Ld9 twin cam



Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Sunday, September 30, 2007 6:19 PM


15.2@89mph 2.171 60ft. 9.830 1/8 R.I.P. "LULU"

Sounds like the notorious spun rod bearing (common with these motors). If you have any performance aspirations with this car, you can rebuild the bottom end with forged rods and pistons. Otherwise, I would just go with another 2.4L ld9. There were two versions of the ld9. There is the 96-98 which has an EGR and the 99-02 motors do not. If you wanted to use one of the newer 99-02 motors, you can either disable the EGR with software, or you can swap over the head, intake manifold, and exhaust manifold from your old 98'


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"Youth in Asia"...I don't see anything wrong with that.

Thanx for the information, I read info at a few other places and had it referred to an Ecotec, I just assumed it was. Thanx for the clarification. Another Question. Is is possible to put one of the newer Ecotec motors in place of the blown out ld9?

Its been done, a bit of machine work though (then again I'm sure you could handle it). One question (out of curiosity), which eco would you go for, 2.0 s/c, 2.2, 2.4?

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Well considering I know almost nothing about engines, I would have started looking into the details of the 2.4. I would have check to see if it physically fits the dimensions of the car. The I would have stepped back and looked at all of the support systems and see if they would fit with what I have. Again I do not know if any one engine has a major benefit over another. Also my biggest concern is mainly electrical system/computer, would have have to swap this stuff out as well? As mar as mechanically mounting the engine, that for me would be quite easy as I have all the tools to make it happen.

I would think its cheaper to either rebuild what you have, or buy another car. Swapping motors isn't the easiest of tasks.

Today I thought to myself. All around the easiest is to just dump the car for scrap parts. But I don't like easy, and I like to learn. So I figure this is the best time to learn about engines. As this is not my daily driver i could comfortably drop the engine and completely strip it and rebuild it from the ground up. Learning in the process. And at the point I could decide to look into after market parts like different cams or so forth to give it a little more performance. Also I was thinking that since I already turn flywheels for customers at work. It would be in my best interests to check out my flywheel, clutch, pressure plate as well.

Also a quick question, on a straight rebuild, how long does it usually take an experienced person to complete the rebuild?

well you have a few options...

if you want to swap an eco the 2.2 is the way to go... I don't think anyone on this site has done a 2.0 or 2.4 eco.

Either way for what your doing its more effort then its worth to do a swap. Stick with the 2.4 you have now. Its not a bad motor. I'd say go with a stock rebuild with some Clevite 77 bearings and some ARP headstuds and what not and then get the GM supercharger... the GM supercharger for the 2.4 is cheap as hell now days.

As for a motor rebuild, it depends, you need to tear it down, inspect it all, machine the block and the head, check clearances and what not, measure and order bearings, reassemble. Theres alot of work in a full rebuild, time and price varies form shop to shop and how involved they get (just machine and rebuild or full balance and blueprint)