Not a Jbody, but it will be getting a Jbody heart and legs! lol

About a week ago, I decided whether to build my 1.9 DOHC that I swapped into my SC1 or buy a new powerplant. To build a forged/cammed motor for nitrous with the parts I wanted was going to run me a little over $3,000 just for the motor. Of course I would want to replace the diff with a Quaife and that alone was $1,100. So, I started brainstorming. The end result was me buying a complete LNF dropout from a very reputable seller on ebay. 2008 Cobalt SS When I say complete, I mean complete turnkey motor, pcm, bcm, uncut wiring harness, gas pedal, 5spd transmission, axles, shifter, cables, and more. only 58k miles on the clock- and I nabbed it for less than my original motor/differential plan. I had the dropout shipped to my good friends at Fusion Fab here in New Jersey. At first, I was going to mount it up front like normal fwd cars, but then I threw the idea of a RWD setup at my buddy who will be doing the fabrication there. The motor/trans would be mounted in the back (which would be exceptional for traction) After I get the car over there, we will begin looking at our options. I'm not the type to pay someone to do all of the work while I wait at home- (obviously I'll let the professional handle the fab work lol) But I'll be in there wrenching away during the build and tuning it after it's up and running. I know what some of you might be thinking, "oh here goes another crazy swap plan" Well let me reassure you, this isn't some pipe dream like you might read about from some people. I don't see myself driving this down the track before the end of the 2013 race season; However, I do see myself making some passes at the beginning of the 2014 season. I'll update with pics once I get the car there. So best case scenario, I have a potentially one-off, rear mounted, LNF powered/RWD Saturn. Worst case, it's a bad ass LNF powered, front engine/FWD Saturn I'm shooting for 300-350 whp and somewhere around a 2200-2300lb raceweight (that's including my 200lb self in the driver seat)




2000 Cavalier Z24 5spd CRM
Eibach Anti Roll kit, Poly motor/trans mounts, custom made CAI, Header, cutout, tuned by me with HPtuners
14.81 @ 91.09 mph 2.06 60'
97 Saturn SC1 with DOHC swap. 13.7@98mph on motor. +75 shot 12.8 @107mph

I dont know why I have a smiley thats laughing. I meant to use a smiley with a big grin lol


2000 Cavalier Z24 5spd CRM
Eibach Anti Roll kit, Poly motor/trans mounts, custom made CAI, Header, cutout, tuned by me with HPtuners
14.81 @ 91.09 mph 2.06 60'
97 Saturn SC1 with DOHC swap. 13.7@98mph on motor. +75 shot 12.8 @107mph

Not so much a j-body heart as none featured the LNF, but either way, solid swap choice!

I'd personally keep it feasible and by that I mean FWD. While your idea is great, just don't see the whole concept panning out and being reasonable.

300+hp is easily achievable on stock turbo, some great torque figures, and with the weight will make for a fun car.

Good luck!

Thanks for the correction. I assumed it was a jbody since the cobalt was the cavalier's successor. Learned something new lol. Speaking of which, I need to learn how to edit my above post so I don't sound like a noob lol


2000 Cavalier Z24 5spd CRM
Eibach Anti Roll kit, Poly motor/trans mounts, custom made CAI, Header, cutout, tuned by me with HPtuners
14.81 @ 91.09 mph 2.06 60'
97 Saturn SC1 with DOHC swap. 13.7@98mph on motor. +75 shot 12.8 @107mph

It's okay - it's a 4th gen Jbody

As mentioned, 300whp and high 300s wtq is easily achievable on the stock K04 turbo, and at that weight the thing is gonna fly!

oldskool wrote:It's okay - it's a 4th gen Jbody

As mentioned, 300whp and high 300s wtq is easily achievable on the stock K04 turbo, and at that weight the thing is gonna fly!

Thanks I like the sound of that!

here are some pics. Just some basic pictures of the motor removed, on the trailer before it went to Fusion Fab. We should be pulling it in their shop this week, pending 2 other projects get completed.

ready to be removed


engine gone


loaded up and ready to go


My new powerplant Can't wait til' we start on it (and complete it of course)



2000 Cavalier Z24 5spd CRM
Eibach Anti Roll kit, Poly motor/trans mounts, custom made CAI, Header, cutout, tuned by me with HPtuners
14.81 @ 91.09 mph 2.06 60'
97 Saturn SC1 with DOHC swap. 13.7@98mph on motor. +75 shot 12.8 @107mph

Just a little update - I'm currently looking at a 1987 toyota MR 2 to swap the LNF into since it's already set up for a MR drivetrain and weighs less than a Saturn lol . I can put my sohc motor/trans in the sc1 and sell that.


2000 Cavalier Z24 5spd CRM
Eibach Anti Roll kit, Poly motor/trans mounts, custom made CAI, Header, cutout, tuned by me with HPtuners
14.81 @ 91.09 mph 2.06 60'
97 Saturn SC1 with DOHC swap. 13.7@98mph on motor. +75 shot 12.8 @107mph

It's too easy, but being there's been Eco-swapped Fiero's already I figure I'd throw that out there.

No matter which platform you swap keep us posted. I like this

A guy I know is currently swapping a LNF into a Optra, god only knows why...but he is doing it.

Only thing left to do is wire it.

So if thats possible, anything is I guess...lol