Secret Cams from 2.4

[93GAseV6]

Will the secret cams from the 2.4L fit into the 2.3L head? or better yet will the 2.4L head fit onto a 2.3L block? I am use to working with honda's so i am use to alot of interchangable parts, so if it doenst work this way with the quad4 let me know so i can stop my rambling.

[Bentley813]

Secret cams go from your car INTO to 2.4

[Silversmok3]

Will the secret cams from the 2.4L fit into the 2.3L head? or better yet will the 2.4L head fit onto a 2.3L block? I am use to working with honda's so i am use to alot of interchangable parts, so if it doenst work this way with the quad4 let me know so i can stop my rambling.


Correct me if I am wrong, but your 2.3L SE will be a SOHC type quad. The first mod for your motor will be to swap to DOHC 2.3 heads.The 2.3L DOHC quad heads are somewhat better than the 2.4 head, so stick with that type of top end. Im not indepth with that kind of top-end swap,but thats the first and best move.

Second will be to swap cams. The secret cam swap is meant to change the stock 2.4 intake and exhaust cams to higher-performance 2.3 type cams: Since the swap is meant for 2.4, I don't know what cams will work with the 2.3 motor to achieve the same results.

[93GAseV6]

I have the DOHC 2.3 quad 4, i am not stuck with the SOHC, I have the Bastard year Grand am the year before the 2.4L and OBD-II.

[Silversmok3]

I have the DOHC 2.3 quad 4, i am not stuck with the SOHC, I have the Bastard year Grand am the year before the 2.4L and OBD-II.

Then in a manner of speaking you already have the secret cams.
I cant think of any mods to a 1995 DOHC 2.3's, as that motor to my knowlege was the motor to avoid in GA's due to its ,ahem, unique charachteristics.

[93GAseV6]

Ya, I am probably going to just do an intake and exhaust on the car and thats about it. I will eventually build a 2.4L to swap into my grand am, but that wont be for a while.

[Silversmok3]

Ya, I am probably going to just do an intake and exhaust on the car and thats about it. I will eventually build a 2.4L to swap into my grand am, but that wont be for a while.

hit up Matt95GT for some advice on mods. He has a supercharger on his 2.3, and he's knowledgeable about 2.3 engine mods.

[93GAseV6]

Thanks, I will talk to him, That is my ideal outcome with this car, total sleeper.

[Ralph]

the 95 is a difficult engine to build up due to it being a transition year for many things. First of all some are OBD I and some are OBD II. The 95 is the only year of quad 4s that have balance shafts which rob roughly 20whp from the motor. You have half of the secret cam swap already you can add on a 90-94 exhaust came to get a little more out of the motor. Really you not going to make a crazy amount of power out of a 95 motor and if yours is also an automatic that will hold you back big time. 2.4 I wouldn't mess with if you want to have some fun with your car drop in a 90-94 Quad 4 high output motor the brief time I had mine running was a blast and i'm sure when i fix it again it will be even more fun.

[93GAseV6]

I am stuck with the auto due to health reasons, I have arthritis in my left ankle and knee. I will also be having build a trans for me, They built one for my last project and it was priced reasonable~$3400 for a complete build to withstand ~600whp. I will also be having custom Driveshaft shop axles made as well.

[Ralph]

I wouldn't worry about the axels right away we have 500hp quad 4s still on stock axels. If a transmission was properly built then it could handle the quad 4 HO and above I just hope your car came with a 4 speed electronic and not the 3 speed vacuum based one because it will be a better base to build off of.

[93GAseV6]

it has the 4 speed electric. and i am going to stay basic with the trans for now and just get an upgraded Tq converter, and valve body.

[Matt95GT]

You already have those cams. The "secret" cam swap is for 2.4 owners... they uses the 2.3 LD2 cams... which you already have.

You don't want to use the 2.4 head... the 2.3 head is more desirable for performance anyway.

Correct me if I am wrong, but your 2.3L SE will be a SOHC type quad.


All 95's are DOHC.


I cant think of any mods to a 1995 DOHC 2.3's, as that motor to my knowlege was the motor to avoid in GA's due to its ,ahem, unique charachteristics.

Um, no. If it weren't for it's transitional characteristics, the blower wouldn't have happened on mine. It is no worse than any other 2.3/2.4 when trying to pep up with bolt-ons either.


the 95 is a difficult engine to build up due to it being a transition year for many things. First of all some are OBD I and some are OBD II. The 95 is the only year of quad 4s that have balance shafts which rob roughly 20whp from the motor.

The 94's are just as bad w/ OBD 1.5.

Proof of loss of 20 HP? A loss of 5 HP and 10 lb-ft is not 20 WHP. Where are you getting your numbers from? If the addition of the balance shafts rob 20 HP, then the 94 LD2 would have been rated at 170 HP.
95 = 150 hp @ 6000 rpm, 145 lbs-ft torque @ 4800 rpm
94 = 155 hp @ 6000 rpm, 155 lbs-ft torque @ 4800 rpm

...drop in a 90-94 Quad 4 high output motor the brief time I had mine running was a blast and i'm sure when i fix it again it will be even more fun.

HO + auto = bad idea. It will fall on its face each gear change as it drops out of its narrow powerband.

Plus yours is another example of one of the HO weakpoints... in comparison to the 95 LD2 or even the LD9's it isn't nearly as reliable in the long-term.

I wouldn't worry about the axels right away we have 500hp quad 4s still on stock axels.

I damaged a CV joint racing when my engine was stock. Another local owner with a 2.4 + Isuzu manual did too. Axles are something I worry about, as should anyone planning a major build.

it has the 4 speed electric. and i am going to stay basic with the trans for now and just get an upgraded Tq converter, and valve body.

Uh oh... there's also a pretty good chance you have the OBD 2.0 version. Depending on the route you take, that PCM will be more finicky about messing with fuel pressure and/or piggyback tuning. Unfortunately no support from any reflash/retune products either.

[Ralph]

Yea matt i agree with you with the 2.4s reliablity and the 95s but most of my HO problems are self inflicted :lol:

[93GAseV6]

Uh oh... there's also a pretty good chance you have the OBD 2.0 version. Depending on the route you take, that PCM will be more finicky about messing with fuel pressure and/or piggyback tuning. Unfortunately no support from any reflash/retune products either.

Hmm i will have to have my Friend look at it since he tunes obd-2 Gm cars, it has the obd-2 port, but it may still be obd-1.5 i am unsure. i will have to look at my build date. I may be able to get away with running a reflashed L67 computer, but that is a slim chance, and Matt i am eventually wanting to S/C my 2.3 just like yours.Do you have a write up on how you did it?

[Ralph]

Hmm i will have to have my Friend look at it since he tunes obd-2 Gm cars, it has the obd-2 port, but it may still be obd-1.5 i am unsure. i will have to look at my build date. I may be able to get away with running a reflashed L67 computer, but that is a slim chance, and Matt i am eventually wanting to S/C my 2.3 just like yours.Do you have a write up on how you did it?

OBD-II tuning with HP tuners didn't start till 97 and there is absolutly no way you would get a L67 ecu to work. Megasqurt FTW

[Matt95GT]

Hmm i will have to have my Friend look at it since he tunes obd-2 Gm cars, it has the obd-2 port, but it may still be obd-1.5 i am unsure. i will have to look at my build date. I may be able to get away with running a reflashed L67 computer, but that is a slim chance, and Matt i am eventually wanting to S/C my 2.3 just like yours.Do you have a write up on how you did it?

Check for the presence of a cam position sensor. If you have one, it is OBD 2.0. Here...
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=516055&postcount=9

As Ralph mentioned, HP Tuners doesn't not support anything older than 97. Considering the BCM is combined with the 97-98 LD9 PCM, that would be too much hassle. The L67 PCM isn't gonna happen.

Never did a write up, as there were dozens of little things I had to do in a short amount of time (out of state mod week at a friends garage) to make this setup work. This is as close as I have...
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39536

Be warned... it is a ton of work, and it will be frustrating. After some of my trial and error adventures, I'm not so sure I would recommend this setup to other 2.3 owners. The constant alternator problems alone have me at the end of my rope.

[93GAseV6]

I wonder if i can remove the AC compessor and make a bracket that would hold the alternator where the Ac compressor was. I want to boost this motor but i am unsure if turboing it would be the best route to go. I went from a 96 Volvo 850 turbo wagon to the grand am, so this is a big difference for me.

[Matt95GT]

I wonder if i can remove the AC compessor and make a bracket that would hold the alternator where the Ac compressor was. I want to boost this motor but i am unsure if turboing it would be the best route to go. I went from a 96 Volvo 850 turbo wagon to the grand am, so this is a big difference for me.

People have done that for custom M90 blower setups, but you'd have a hell of a time getting that setup to work with the GM LD9 SC kit.

[93GAseV6]

hmm i may just abandon the whole idea, i just need a relable DD and i am thinking just a drop and wheels with a few minor mods. IE CAI, and exhaust.

[Matt95GT]

Yea... for reliable daily driving, stay NA. Cat-back 2.25" exhaust is the first place to start... makes a huge difference. I wouldn't go up to 2.5" with automatic though. Intake would be my second mod.

[93GAseV6]

What muffler do you recomend? i have to get the exhaust replaced here soon anyway. I am not looking for a fart can.

[Matt95GT]

First choice... Borla ProXS
Second choice... Dynomax Superturbo or similar