I have a thread on here about trying to do an engine swap on my '98 OB. "engine swap"

 

I have called several shops in Colorado Springs and no one will do a 2.2 in a 2.5. I am getting a couple quotes on a straight swap but would rather do what everyone is suggesting. It's just that no shop will do it. Also, there aren't many engines out there 2.2 or 2.5.

 

Can any of you CO folks give me some advice? Also-- who do you trust to do work on your car? Would prefer C/S cause I don't want to tow.

Thanks!

so no one in town will drop a 2.2 shorty into your car? Why not?

 

Also, Why do you want this done, Why not just keep the 2.5 and have new HGs loaded into it?

Why not just keep the 2.5 and have new HGs loaded into it?

paying someone else to do it and done their homework? 2.5's are way more expensive, then more money to replace HG, and are less reliable. more money, less reliable, for 20 hp. not worth it for most people. for those that have to pay to replace a blown head gasket or rod bearing out of pocket then cheaper + more reliable may be a better fit.

 

FYI - one dealer i get parts from charges the same price to replace the HG in the car or out of the car. i asked in case i ever felt like bringing one of my EJ25's in. think i'll pass!

I think it's a matter of inexperience or not wanting to deal with possible problems down the road. I have been surprised that no one has been doing this in the shops. I still don't even know FOR SURE that it's a rod knock. It did drive from IL to CO but makes a real racket. 3 said rod, 1 said tensioner rod. I tell ya, I am thoroughly confused.

I still don't even know FOR SURE that it's a rod knock.

hmm, that makes it interesting. could be piston slap too? if it's piston slap it's not harmful....and EJ25's are known more for that than EJ22's also, forgot about that one. tensioner rod - as in the timing belt? that would be a cheap/easy fix.

 

maybe you should start a thread in the New Gen forum to help you diagnose what this sound is. might be able to help figure it out?

OK-- the car has been towed and hopefully I will have answers to all my questions soon! A-AAction Mobile is going to do the swap if needed, but with a 2.5. He says they do the HG with a stronger one now and he had 3 engines sitting on a shelf so he could give me a better deal. He will look it over first to make sure that is what it is. I will keep my fingers crossed. Ar least I don't have to look at it every time I leave the house!

 

I'll let you know what the verdict is.

A tow to Denver is around $200 at the most if there is somebody up here you like better. The 2.2 swap is definately worth doing.

No love for the two five:confused:

 

If you search pirates, you can obtain then for about $400 or so... for a long block. I bought mine at that, and was offered another a few months ago at the same.. BTW, last time I checked the 2.2-2.5 was a 35 HP difference...

 

I said HGs because I didn't know he had a knock;)

you can obtain then for about $400 BTW,

i wouldn't consider that the "going rate" and i wonder what kind of warranty they have. CO junk yards list a core with rod knock for $500 and running ones with warranty for $1,500+. $1,000 is the going rate around here and on ebay. completed items on ebay - there are dozens sold for $850+. and even still they're the same old problematic head gaskets, piston slap prone, and less reliability than an EJ22. EJ22's just seem like a better fit for most people...but certainly not everyone.

 

BTW, last time I checked the 2.2-2.5 was a 35 HP difference...

depends which engines you're comparing, but it's generally 30hp or less for a swap if you want to be a bean counter. the EJ25's are nicer in that regard but the difference is minimal in my opinion, they're still not fast.

I don't know where everyone is finding these engines, but everyone I called was pretty high. I have to rely on a shop to do the work and I'm sure they add their cut. There is a 6 mo. warrantee on this engine. Yes, it is a 2.5 but I didn't have much choice here. As long as I could get it done for under $2000 I was happy. The wrist pins were broken, BTW.

if money isn't an issue then ignore this. but i hope you're not installing another used engine? i'd hate to see you have head gasket, piston slap or bearing issues in a year.

 

you never found someone to do the EJ22 swap?

Sorry to say it is a used engine. I did not find anyone in C/S to do a swap. I will keep my fingers crossed that I don't get screwed.

Sorry to say it is a used engine. I did not find anyone in C/S to do a swap. I will keep my fingers crossed that I don't get screwed.

it's not that big of a deal, but in general an EJ22 is a better fit. the EJ25 should treat you fine.

Wrist pins!?!? Probably the toughest internal part in the shortblock. I have never seen one break...torn down tons of cores and watched even more.....so I would ask for the old engine parts back so you can look at what happened.