How do I swap an Ecotec engine into my 95-99 J-body?
Basically, you gut the entire car down to the frame and swap everything over. Did I say everything? Yes, and I meant it.
One of the problems in crossing the 99 to 00 barrier, is that everything in the car (electronics-wise) changed between 1999 and 2000 model years. Sure, the cars might look similar, but most of the stuff inside it changed. Here's a short summary:
- 95-99 cars have a "convenience center" which controls some of the body functions, a cluster which controls the Passlock anti-theft system, and a receiver module (if applicable) which controls the keyless entry system. 00-05 cars have a "body control module" (or BCM) which replaces all those three modules (and more).
- 95-99 cars use switched 12 volt lines for most signalling within the car. The BCM speaks "Class 2 protocols" to everything in the car, from the PCM, to the cluster, to the radio. You can't install a BCM in a 95-99 car without swapping every single wire in the car, right down to the taillights.
- 95-99 cars have a different ABS system than 00-05 cars. The module changed, and there are external proportioning valves on the 00-05 brake lines. You can't swap them easily either. In fact, ABS isn't even standard on the 03-05 cars, so you might not even have ABS.
- 95-99 cars use different airbag modules than the 00-05 cars. Same with the airbags themselves. Swapping car wiring includes these parts, which are stupidly-expensive. Check Ebay for prices if you don't believe me.
- 95-99 cars use a larger metal fuel tank. 00-05 cars use a smaller plastic tank. Oh yeah, the fuel pumps and sender units are different too.
So, the difficult stuff aside... here's just some of the things you'll have to consider:
- Gutting the car
- Swapping the dash, or making the different size cluster fit
- Swapping the fuel tank
- Swapping airbags
- Changing or rebending the brake lines to fit the module
- Rewiring the front lights
- Welding in new transmission mounts to work with the Getrag transmission (assuming it's a 5 speed and you swap the trans as well).
So, haven't scared you off yet? Good. The swap is worthwhile, but it's no walk in the park. There isn't a how-to, but if you understand the challenge and you haven't been put off it reading this, you can probably figure it all out. Just make sure you have the donor car nearby, you'll need it!
