Ok so it looks like my motor might be starting to go. I can't blame it, I have drove it hard over the past year (35,000 miles in 12 months) with only about 6 oil changes....... go ahead bash me i know...... anyways i've got a 98 2.2 sunfire while my tranny only has about 80,000 miles on it, my motor has 135,000 on it and is slowly starting to go. what my question is looking at the price of a new car it would be cheaper to put a new motor in my baby especially with the love i have for it.

how much is it going to be to upgrade to the 2.4 litre motor? what all will i have to change? i know people have done this before so i expect very detailed input. also is it worth it to do this? or just drop another 2.2 in it? of course i'll have to replace the tranny and all but can other of my current under the hood parts bolt onto the new motor; i.e. alternator starter, will the radiator still fit, axle, everything or will i be completely changing everything out?

one last thing i have put thought into a crate motor and just starting brand new 0 miles on it rather than the good ol' junk yard motors, where is the best place to get a good crate motor from? now i'm not really looking for too much performance here i just want my car to run good again, but at the same time i'd like a little boost, which is why i'm interested in the 24 motor...

ALLLLL comments are needed and appreciated

Ok...its gonna run you about 2 days labour to get a motor in and running....

2.2 is fairly cheep...and you have all the necessary wiring ect.
2.4 is a bit pricey...you have to change trans., mounts, wiring harness, pcm,
You may be able to use some things...alt/starter should be the same
axles are ok and rad should be fine.

Crate motor:
Eco. your looking at $1500-2000 for the engine...than you need a trans, wiring, pcm, ect.
2.4. only ones I've seen are on JBP...$3300CDN after core refund
2.2 same place...only the bottom end with a bunch of goodies $2900CDN after core
refund.


Have you thought about doing a good ol fashioned rebuild??

i've thought about a rebuild, BUT i almost bought the GT when i bought this one, and am kicking myself for not buying it and have wanted the 24 motor since i got into my car. i guess that's my only reasoning behind wanting the 24 motor and not a 22.... plus it gives me a good reason to be stuck in a garage for a couple of days..... especially when you do that ol' take the 6 pack in the garage to work on the car trick that always doubles your time with your car

but thanks for the advice so far..... anyone else that has done this please please please give me input