Engine swap from a 2.4L to a JDM is it possible?

[Sleek GA]

Okay, before anyone starts getting on me about the title, let me first give some input. I have a 2001 2.4L GASE, currently installed on it is a Iceman Air Intake, Flowmaster Performance Catback exhaust with a 2.5 pipe, and Bosch Plat 4's. I want to pull more power from this little engine, and I figure a Port and Polish could be done, along with new headers. But then I am limited to either a custom turbo, or the supercharger.

The reason for the JDM engine conversion, is because I would like to pull faster than a high 14, or mid 15's in the 1/4. That and because I would like to compete with some of the imports on the road today. No one would ever suspect the GA to be running say a twin turbo fully moded JDM under the hood.

I also know that the weight of the GASE is ungodly heavy, weighing in at 3000+ pounds, the car is a rock. I figure with severe weight reductions, I could probably get it down to around 2500 but thats without sound system, removal of the back seats, spare tire, going with a light weight material for the glass, removal of the passenger seat, and so on..

I'm not looking to be able to run down the streets at 130-150+ because that is just stupidity, it not only would flag me to any cop going in the opposite direction, but any other countless things could happen. I want to be able to keep it street legal, and be able to pull around low to mid 12's. Sure its a dream, but one I want.

Now some of you are probably wondering why I don't just go for the import, and why am I sticking around with a GA, well.. I like the body style, and I like what I have poured into it as well. I like the wideness of the car. Hell, I like everything about it but the little engine.

So if anyone could possibly help in this matter, on what would mount in right, what wiring harness's I'll need to match everything up, and any other possible info that I would need to do this, it would be much appreciated. If it cannot be done, I'll take my dream and wait a couple more years and see what comes out. Thanks for reading.

[urweak]

So let me get this straight, you want to put a JDM engine in a GA? And you want it to be street legal? Well then you just cant do it. Now, your only option is to make your LD9 more powerful. You can go FI and get the GM charger, or go with a turbo setup www.exploitedracing.com sells them for the cavi. or you can run some nitrous from zex, NX, NOS and so on. or you could go N/A and run JE or Ross pistons port your head HO mani swap header exhuast bla bla bla. most any of these mods will put you in the low 15s even high 14s and with some more work with whatever setup you pick im sure you can find 13s. So pick what setup you want to go with and im sure me or someone else can help you out.

[insane4speed]

it all depends on how big of an import motor u want

[mthegodfather]

You could hit 12s for alot less money with the 2.4 your car already has.

[Sleek GA]

Originally posted by mthegodfather
You could hit 12s for alot less money with the 2.4 your car already has.

Okay, you have my attention now :)

[bryson]

If you've got the 2.4 engine -- eliminate the balance shafts, put the 086 2.3L head, drop the compression, and turbocharge it. It will cost you a good bit of time and money, but I think it will be far less than making a JDM engine work in the car (electronics and all -- including gauges), and besides, you would probably have to mod most JDM engines that would fit to get your car in the 12s. Good luck!
--Bryson

[92CamaroRS]

if you want to run 12s with a street car that is still extreamly street able your gonna need a V8. i don't care what you say i will trust a SBC over any 4cyl. especially when both are running 12s in the 1/4

[urweak]

I think everyone is forgetting that most JDM engines are not going to pass emmisions.

[Sleek GA]

Originally posted by urweak
I think everyone is forgetting that most JDM engines are not going to pass emmisions.

I have figured for that, my current home of record is New Mexico, and with the way military is, I can continue to keep my car registered there. Luckily there are no emissions there.

On the subject of the V8, wouldn't I have to redo the entire drive train? To my knowledge there has been no fwd v8's, although I think if I pulled up to something running an 8, and it was spinning its front tires I would be a little scared.

[92CamaroRS]

no i meant as in getting a difffernt car. any swap other than what was a possible motor option for a car would be a ROYAL PITA.

[95-GT]

I agree. There is more to it then just dropping a motor in. You need to get it all mounted, on the transmission and motor side. Then you will need to have custom halfshafts fabricated up. Have an exhaust custom made. Then you get into the wiring. You will need the ecm/pcm for the motor and transmission, along with the wiring harness for it. You will then need to remake the whole fuse panel, or a seperate one for that wiring setup. Then you will need yo look at your gauge cluster, you will need to either go completly aftermarket (like autometer), or somehow wire it into the wiring for the new motor.

All in all, you will be looking to spend over $6,000, just as a baseline number, and up to $20,000. If you really want to do something, bore and stroke your 2.4 to a 2.6, build the motor up,, turbocharge it, run a direct port nitrous system, stand alone engine managment, do some drivetrain work along with motor mounts and you should be easilly into the low 12's, for a fraction of the cost.