2.3L engine?? educate me please!

Ok, lately I've been hearing a lot about a new 2.3L engine swap for cavaliers. I have a 95 2.2L, and I want the 2.4L DOHC, and a standard tranny. Can anybody tell me more about the 2.3L engine (which is supposedly faster than both the 2.2L, 2.2LEcotec, and 2.4L engines) Is the 2.3L DOCH or SOHC? What makes it so much better?


Thanks again!

well im not positive, but i think the 2.3 is a pontiac engine which is made by the the same GM as Chevy. Most of the sunfire parts can be swapped with Cavalier parts. Hope thats some help im not about the cams

The 2.3 is not faster than the 2.4 or the ecotec. They are all DOHC motors and all perform relatively equal. Ecotec 2.2 has slightly less horse then the 2.3/2.4.... 140hp as opposed to 150, but it only weighs 300 lbs because it's all aluminum and it's a lot quieter. Your best bet though is the 2.4 twin cam. It is the easiest to find as it has been used from 96-02 in several gm cars while the ecotec has been only used for the past year. The 2.3 is supposedly a grenade engine. I can't say for sure, but I have heard that they have problems. After all, chevy only used that version on the 2.3 for one year, 1995. That in itself is a warning. So get the 2.4. or if you can find one for a good price, get the ecotec. I can say from personal experience with the 2.4 that it is very dependable and has a roubust amount of power for a stock motor. More than enough to torch any civic si or base accord. Good luck.

once again, i'm agreeing w/ mdb25, 2.4L is better than the 2.3L. i wanna know who was goin through here spreading this hype about the 2.3L like it was the best engine in the world :chair:. and even if the 2.3 is a better engine than the 2.4L (which it's not), there is a very small aftermarket for parts for it. i don't know about others, but 150 hp isn't enough for me.

I have the `95 Cavalier with the 2.3 I am in the middle of doing an engine swap with it right now. There is more than one model of GM's 2.3l. The W41 HO model was put in a few of the early 90's Grand Ams and also the Olds Achieva I believe. It puts out around 180-190HP without any mods to it.

-Mark
markus755@hotmail.com

the 2.3L quad 4 was designed by oldsmobile way back in the 1980's...

the hottest version is the W41 model which was a limited production. if you go to http://mantapart.com you can pick one up...

W41 made 190hp... it's spotted by the logstyle intake and red IDI cover (type r man type r ;)) the IDI cover says OLDSMOBILE on it
the other version is the 2.3HO which is spotted by the HIGH OUTPUT 2.3 quad 4 cover... it came in 180hp and 185hp variants..

these were higher revving than your regular quad 4 motor, and were good times..

the OLDS achieva I think SCX model came w/ the W41.. I duno I need a quad 4 genius to talk to me so I can get this info down like a historian.. but there were models that had a 5spd tranny w/ a limited slip differential..

definately good times had by all.

The 2.3 L W41 was first used in the oldsmobile calais in 1991 they were used in SCCA road racing.The trans was a 5 speed manual getrad with a LSD differential and 3.94:1 final gear ratio.In 92 and 93 the 2.3l was used in the olds scx without the trans ,both had 190 hp ratings.Production on the 1991 W41 - "204" If theres any questions please email,Thanks MIKE

The 2.3 L W41 was first used in the oldsmobile calais in 1991 they were used in SCCA road racing.The trans was a 5 speed manual getrad with a LSD differential and 3.94:1 final gear ratio.In 92 and 93 the 2.3l was used in the olds scx without the trans ,both had 190 hp ratings.Production on the 1991 W41 - "204" If theres any questions please email,Thanks MIKE


This guy is the shit!!!!


Thank you ...

The 93 model W41s were detuned IIRC, all of 5hp down to 185hp.

It was also my understanding that the SCXs came with the same trans.

Production #s for the SCXs were considerably higher. Somewere around 2000 for 1992 but only 500 for 93. The SCXs were also slower than the 1991 Calais since the carried alot more weight.

If you are interested in specs on the 1991 W41 engine I have quite a few of them posted on my website.

http://notdadsw41.home.att.net

Well, well... The internet is such a small place! I run into you on yet another forum, CD. :)

Hey RR!

You do show up in all the cool places. Must be followin' me around. :evillol:

I have a 92 grand am 2.3l sohc block cast #24572927 and i was wondering if i can put dohc head and timing gears on ? And can i use my larger 60mm throttle body instead of the 54mm used on dohc ? And if so will there be any problems ?