Engine swap

RICH BRAUN

MEMBER
1990 PONTIAC SUNBIRD
180,000 MILES

Is it possible to swap a distributor motor for an electronic ignition motor. Both are Pontiac 2L 1993 motor into a 1990 Sunbird?

Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 AT 3:33 PM

7 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

The problem being is the different computer engine wiring harness and possibly the engine itself being different.

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Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 AT 3:53 PM

RICH BRAUN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

The engines look identical except for the distributor and coil. Could I possibly convert the newer motor by swapping coils and distributor. Its an overhead cam and the distributor is horizontal off the end of the cam shaft. There is a cover plate where the distributor would be.

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Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 AT 4:42 PM

SATURNTECH9

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How is the engine harness not going to be different? Now you have a coil pack and crankshaft position sensor to plug in? Also the computer has to be different with the different wires? Hope you see what I am talking about now?

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Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 AT 5:09 PM

SATURNTECH9

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Also whats size motor is it? Give me that information and I have a source that should tell me if the engine will work.

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Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 AT 5:10 PM

RICH BRAUN

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4 POSTS

I have a 1990 Sunbird convertible with a motor plagued with problems. It has a 2L turbo. The car I found on Craig's list is a 1993 2L. Both are overhead cams. By what you are saying it sounds like I am biting off more than I can chew! Maybe I should keep looking.

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Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 AT 5:19 PM

SATURNTECH9

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I tried to look up the years and models engines that fit your car and it does not list them for your car on my information.

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Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 AT 8:52 PM

RICH BRAUN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thanks very much for trying, saved me from more grief than I already have. I may try to fix this one, temperature gun shows me 250+ degrees at one bearing real not the camshaft while the ones next to it are a 100 degrees cooler. Probably means a new camshaft and a warped head. To top it all off GM has pretty much discontinued everything. I will keep an eye out for a similar motor. At least I can still drive it out of my driveway. So I can get my bike out. CHEERS!

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