I am looking for help that I am sure someone here can provide. I recently acquired a 1990 Sunbird convertible with a worn-out Brazilian 2.0 ohc, non-turbo engine. I have a wrecked, low-mileage 1990 Cavalier with the Chevrolet 2.0 engine. I would like to use the Cavalier set-up in the Sunbird, since it is excellent shape, and I already have it. Has anyone here tried such a swap? I am planning to swap the entire driveline, engine cradle, struts, etc. My main concerns are with wiring, if it can be made to run when finished. I can use the Cavalier harness, but am not sure about under dash and computer issues. Any help before I ruin two cars would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike.
Do it. I put a 2.8 Berretta engine in an Oldsmobile Calais (had a 3.0). Just be prepared to do some trouble shooting and you may never get rid of the CEL. I would also imagine that all you would have to change is the engine...but if you say the engine in there is worn out...I imagine everything else is to.
As for wiring...take it all. When you pull the engine out take the whole harness with it. And don't forget the PCM.
What wrong with the Brazilan motor?
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I had been told that the trans bolt pattern was different, and both had to be changed. Plus the 100,000 less miles on the Cavalier parts, and ease of dropping everything out the bottom sounded like a good idea. The wrecked Cavalier isn't worth fixing, so it would be a goog use for the parts. I would rather have a direct swap engine, bit they seem hard to find, and I have been told that they are different for auto & stick trans.
Jimmy,
The Brazilian engine recently had the head replaced, and now it knocks when cold and smokes (oil) all the time. The repair was done by previous owner, so I have no idea what the original problem was, but the short-block is probably toast. I didn't want to stick a bunch of money in fixing it, since I already have the Cavalier.
Thanks, Mike.
Those Brazilian motors were made by Opel. I had a 1983 J Car with the 1.8L OHC. Nice engine but I blew the head gasket in it too.
my 2.0 has had the head gasket blown for about two years now. Not worth the money to fix it so I've just been saying I drive it untill it blows up. Oddly I only put about 1 gallon of anitfreeze in per year. It know has 180,000 on it. Crazy but I'm not complaning however I do have to put an o2 in about every year.
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