2.3L died, need advise on a replacement

[stang_hater]

Ok guys,
I am new to this forum and I need a little help. My '93 Grand Am died last week. It has a 2.3L Quad4 SOHC and apparently it needs an all new engine. I found a deal on a '96 2.3L Quad4 DOHC and I have no idea if it will fit or work at all. I need help, and the sooner the better. Does anyone know where I can get a nice replacement for it. If I can't find anything cheap enough, she is gone and I'll have to start looking for another car. I don't want to get rid of it cause it is in good condition other than the engine. Thanks.

[akalar32]

You might want to recheck that year, because the 2.3L Quad4 DOHC was only put into Grand Am's until 95. In 96, they switched over to a 2.4L.

[graden]

any thing your heart deseries will go in that engine compartment.
my 2.3 died as well so me and a bud went down to the junk yard today and pulled a 3300 out of a cutlass. Going to get it in to the basement tomarrow and start to rebuild. The most importand thing in looking for a different engine is, 1 get the engine. When you do first things first, make sure it turnes over. Grab a socket, get it on to the crank shaft and make sure it turnes over. look for sighns of damage, oil leaks and other related stuff. 2 you need the wire harness if you changing engine size and some times if you are changing years. 3 try to find engine mounts that will work for you so you dont spend too much time trying to fit the engine in you bay. 4 take your time doing it . do it right the first time. 5 try to stay away from quad 4 any thing...... I have really come to hate that little engine that could'int. lol:rolleyes: and if you are looking for ideas for what wil fit .....2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 3.1, 3.3,
and some engines i have not tryed but might fit 3.4, 3.8, and if you had cash and time get a fiero conversion kit and cram a chev 305 or chev 350 small block, im sure that would turn some heads:agree: :eek: ;)

[stang_hater]

Thanks for the help guys,
One of my biggest concerns is making it easy. I know the quad 4 isn't the greatest engine, but I'd like to stay with what I know will pull right out and go right back in. I would love to upgrade to a different, better engine. I just dont have the time/money/tools to be fidling around making something work.

I guess my biggest question is where can I find a complete 2.3L SOHC replacement?? Do you guys know any online places that specialize in engine replacements of this kind. I have a few numbers to scrap yards that have one, but I tend to be a little leery about pulling an engine from a wrecked car. Thanks for the help.

[p8ntman442]

Originally posted by stang_hater
I know the quad 4 isn't the greatest engine,


I guess my biggest question is where can I find a complete 2.3L SOHC replacement?? Do you guys know any online places that specialize in engine replacements of this kind. I have a few numbers to scrap yards that have one, but I tend to be a little leery about pulling an engine from a wrecked car. Thanks for the help.

Ok, first the quad 4 is the greatest engine, and second, DO NOT replace a sohc engine with another, put in a dohc, there is no reason no to do it. Find a dohc from 91-94 and swap it into your car, swap in the computer and the wiring harness as well.

[stang_hater]

I talked to the dealership about putting in a DOHC engine and they said they didn't make them before '94. Therefore he didn't know if it would fit. Of course he can't guarantee it will fit, but he said "the second cam takes up quite a bit of space." I just want to make sure that I swap in an engine that will fit with minimal or preferably no modifications. I am gonna keep looking for an engine and if I find a possible replacement, I'll run it by the forum here to see if you guys approve. Thanks.

[graden]

The second cam wont take up any more space then the block will.
he is just peddling you easy anwsers

[graden]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by p8ntman442
[B]Ok, first the quad 4 is the greatest engine, and second,

LOL :argue: I have a quad 4 engine you could work on that might just change your mind:P

[LargeFish]

They made them from '87 to '95!!!

Originally posted by stang_hater
I talked to the dealership about putting in a DOHC engine and they said they didn't make them before '94.

[stang_hater]

I guess that shows you how much my local dealership knows.

[NoAsianCars!]

what did the 94 GA's have? DOHC or SOHC? i've heard both and its been buggin the crap outta me and i wanna know. and i wouldnt know sohc from dohc just by lookin at the eingine either. i know jack sh*t bout newer cars.

[DominionTuner]

Originally posted by stang_hater
I talked to the dealership about putting in a DOHC engine and they said they didn't make them before '94. Therefore he didn't know if it would fit. Of course he can't guarantee it will fit, but he said "the second cam takes up quite a bit of space." I just want to make sure that I swap in an engine that will fit with minimal or preferably no modifications. I am gonna keep looking for an engine and if I find a possible replacement, I'll run it by the forum here to see if you guys approve. Thanks.


FYI the only thing ANY car dealer knows is how to lie to you and rip you off. Don't ever go there again for info. Seriously, don't do it.

[DominionTuner]

Originally posted by NoAsianCars!
what did the 94 GA's have? DOHC or SOHC? i've heard both and its been buggin the crap outta me and i wanna know. and i wouldnt know sohc from dohc just by lookin at the eingine either. i know jack sh*t bout newer cars.

Well you must be able to read because the Ignition cover says DOHC on the DOHC motors. And if it say's "High Output" then your in luck. And if it says W41 then tell me where you live because you will have a serious problem and I have a Quad that will work in your car and I can take the W41 off your hands because you don't want that motor if you can't tell Sohc from Dohc you will only cause drama for yourself but I'll get ya taken care of ;)

[NoAsianCars!]

hmmmm..... i get the feeling "high output" is a bad thing..... j/k. no i have a SOHC LO:( . i originally wanted to put like, a 3.8L in there or somethin, but then i decided to restore a camaro this fall so i'm savin up for that. but ya i have the crap motor. but this car is still hella faster than my old one ('97 Toyota Tercel). i hate asian cars. hence, the username.

[93sohcga]

check this out. go to a junkyard and pick up a 93 chevy baretta engine and computer.

[NoAsianCars!]

if i were to go tot a junkyard and buy, say a 3.1L engine taken outta a 94 GA GT/SE would i have to buy a new computer and all that crap too? or would it work since its the same model and year, just different engine? and what about a tranny?

[93sohcga]

if you do an engine swap with any other engine besides original, you will need a computer swap. all idle controls, mapping, and emissions are different on all different engines right? but i have a question. i am soon to swap my 2.3 sohc with a baretta. if i take my car thru emissions, will they smog it as a grand am or as a baretta?

[NoAsianCars!]

Originally posted by DominionTuner
... it says W41 then tell me where you live because you will have a serious problem and I have a Quad that will work in your car and I can take the W41 off your hands because you don't want that motor if you can't tell Sohc from Dohc you will only cause drama for yourself but I'll get ya taken care of ;)

well, my engine died on me today. when it runs, it sounds like popcorn in the engine. so if it is real expensive to fix, i just might have to put in a DOHC HO. But latley i've been leaning more towards the 3.1. but whats the W41? i hear lotta people talk bout it as awesome. ^

[LargeFish]

It's a 2.3 HO with special cams and a higher rev limit. 10-15 HP more than a standard DOHC HO.

Originally posted by NoAsianCars!
whats the W41? i hear lotta people talk bout it as awesome. ^