i bought a 96 sunfire over the weekend, and less than 2 days later, it died. unfortunately, it needs a new motor and tranny. and since it was a private sale, im stuck with it, anyways, i found a 2.2 engine with 180 k for 100 bucks, and im wondering about an engine swap. i can just swap it in, or i can get a rebuilt kit and while its out already, take the chance to rebuild it and replace all the seals etc. not sure how long im looking at either, anyone who has done this have any advice?

How much did you pay for the sunfire? I wouldnt go through the trouble of swapping out for an engine with 180k. Any you pulls near you? You might find a low mileage engine/tran setup with alot less miles. Find an ecotech if thats possible. Good luck and post updates on your project. It sounds like a good springtime endevour.

paid 600 for it, mint frame and body, so im not breaking the bank too much, needs brake work too, no you pulls, but i can keep hunting around. im thinking of buying a rebuild kit, just clean everything up, and go from there, this car doesnt need to last me forever, id be happy with til the end of summer, the kicker is i just sold my cavvy frame and engine/tranny for 100 i couldve swapped it out, but that engine also had 305 k, so im not too upset. i can buy the 180k motor/tranny for 100 bucks, seems like a decent price and a swap could be a good project. its only one model year off so should be direct bolt in, no ecu swaps (97 engine, 96 car) the problem with the engine i have now is a crank journal or a connecting rod, something is loose, and im also losing power to the wheels like crazy, wont do speed limit, dont know if theyre connected or not. but either way, replacing the engine.

hate to bring up an old post, but need help. badly. im swapping the engine in, i need it running as soon as possible. i just wanted to know how much work im in for? i got an engine thats a direct bolt in, so just move the old one out and put the new one in and hook it up, i have access to a hoist, some hydraulic jacks, no engine lifts, and a full shop of tools. how many hours will this take?

i dont know about pulling the motor, but i just had to pull the head on my 2000 sunfire, and it took a good 8-10 hours with two of us. your prolly looking at 15-20 man hours for that, but, a complete engine swap might actually be eisier, so i dont know.

Ide rebuil it if it is nice, and solid. This way you know what what and dont need to worry about high miles.


Fireboy153
Brady Fire Co. - Station 150
Long Live The Sunflower! (yea its not so "cool")