Hi, I have a 1997 Cavalier RS (2.2 liter ohv, auto) with a blown engine (rod knocking bad) and i would like to put a 2.4 liter (twin cam) from a z24 into it. I was just wondering how hard this would be and if there was a better engine to put into it. I went to 2 local junkyards and they want about 600-700 for the motor.

You/re going to need the transmission from the 2.4 since the 2.2 won't bolt on. And, since all the 2.4's have the 4-speed auto, you'll need the shifter as well (if your 2.2 is a 3-speed). And, you'll need the ECM and wiring from the 2.4 and the complexity varies with the year of the engine. In short, it's not as easy as you might think. Your best bet is a donor car that you can get everything out of. There are other engines you can use, but none will be any easier except another 2.2 from another '97.

Thanks. Am i correct in thinking there was an SOHC 2.2? that OHV was a piece of crap.

Could I use an olds achieva for the donor car (tranny, ecm, etc.) ?

You really need to search...

Yes you could use an Achieva. But you might as well just get another car with the 2.4 or just replace the 2.2 ohv.

I tried searching, i couldn't find any threads where people were talking about the 2.2ohv to 2.4 dohc swap. sorry, im not familiar with fuel injection, both my bike and my other car are carburated.