cobalt-alero transplant....

[BLK03GXS]

Hey guys looked around here didnt see anything specificly about this... just kinda wanting to doubble check some details.

I have 2 cars currently a 03alero 2.2 5spd, and a 07 cobalt 2.2 5spd. My gf just crashed my cobalt, im allmost 100% sure it will be a write off, and i will have the chance to buy it for salvage. The alero is in need of both engine and tranny, according to the ecofacts sticky in this forum the same m86 tranny was used in both cars, so this should make it a relativly direct swap? (i m assuming)

Both engines are the l61 however i have noticed that they are somewhat differant as the cobalt lacks a ps pump and a/c and has only an alternator, and the cobalt has a electric tb, the alero has teh old fashion cable style, im assuming i could swap the tb or at worst case the intake to get back to the cable type. my only serious concerns are concering the engine mounts and accesory mounts for the ps pump and ac...


The alero is compleate except the engine is tired, all the parts are still there, and the tranny is there but 3rd gear is fuxed so i *should* have everything i need to swap?

anyways i digress, any personal experances or suggestions would be welcome.

[Spilner521]

Yes they are the same engine, but you'd be best off swapping just the engine and transmission and none of the accesories. I doubt there's any difference in manifolds, but incase there is, just keep your Alero's intake manifold with the cable driven throttle body and the exhaust manifold, they'll both bolt up no problem. The power steering should be the same (driven off the intake cam), but I'm not positive. The A/C you can do without, if you don't mind not having A/C. You'll need to use the Alero's axles and engine/transmission mounts too.

[CactusWill]

That alero shouldn't have a traditional belt drive ps pump either, its camshaft driven off the top of the engine. Does that cobalt not have the same?

[BLK03GXS]

THanks Spliner, the cobalt does not have a ps pump that i could see. if its not electric maybe its run off of engine oil press... but thats unlikely.
id like to keep the ac as that was one of my regrets with buying the cobalt without it... its 25-45 deg celsus here in the summer all the time so it would nice. Thanks for the imput guys i will let you know how it go's when it happens

[super white alero1]

If you don't see a ps pump for the cobalt. Try looking under the dash. If there's a big black electric motor, then it it does not use hydraulic. There are the same as the new malibu. The engine is the same, There should be a block off cap where the ps pump sits. Try to see if the cap is removable or not. I recommend taking the valve cover off first to see if the cam has a cut off for the ps pump first before thinking of the swap.

[BLK03GXS]

yea good thinking, im mostlikely putting it all back together with a hahn turbokit and some kind of fuel management.... not sure what yet so if i have too i will change the cams for something else, most likely allready going to need to change the rods pistons, head, clutch, flywheel, add an lsd etc etc etc to handle the awsomea powera... so if i have to change the cam it wont be too much of a dissapointment... lol

[leoalero]

Hey guys i would like to know if someone could tell me where to get solid axles for the alero that fit in the ecotec 5 speeds tranny,i dont understand why i cant find it!!

[BLK03GXS]

solid axles? you want to like but a "live axle" under it? what do you mean?

[Spilner521]

Originally Posted by super white alero1

I recommend taking the valve cover off first to see if the cam has a cut off for the ps pump first before thinking of the swap.

He can just swap the Alero's cams and valve cover onto the new engine. It's the same engine and will bolt right on no problem.

[super white alero1]

I know I just meant if there is on block off cap then it would be pointless to attempt even the swap. Like if the head is cast without the hole.

[Jibbs.]

could you swap the cobalt SS supercharger engine into the alero with the 5spd?

[heineck]

The LSJ, u could but itd be a pain in the ass, just get an mp62 and s/c an L61

[Jibbs.]

well i have a 3400 i want a manual so bad, but i dono i have heard that the getrag from the cavy would go in but how much work, could it be done in a home garage with simple tools

[worknprog.99]

Originally Posted by Jibbs.

well i have a 3400 i want a manual so bad, but i dono i have heard that the getrag from the cavy would go in but how much work, could it be done in a home garage with simple tools

the guy you want to ask would kwhauk.....but i would say no...at least not with "simple tools" a screw driver and ratchet set wont cut it i wouldnt think

but dont take my word for it

[AbHeLlRaZoR]

Originally Posted by heineck

The LSJ, u could but itd be a pain in the ass, just get an mp62 and s/c an L61

if you have the L61 you can use the 2.0L LSJ supercharger setup on the L61 theres a list iof whats required to do it on jbody.org the biggest issues is the throttle body mounting because the L61 is cable and not electric like the Cobalt and having a pcm reflash. I think the set up in the gm kit for the jbodies would be the easiest route to being supercharged.

[heineck]

Yea but theres a few more things tho, like he said the pcm would have to be tuned cuz it cant read boost, and then the s/c pulley is 5 rib while the belt is 6, and theres the fact its hard to find because its discontinued

[Merlyn]

Originally Posted by heineck

...its hard to find because its discontinued

No Kidding, they're tough to find. I went to every Dealership around here and hounded the guys to make special inquiries for it...Never heard a peep...

[AbHeLlRaZoR]

I seen one a few weeks back on ebay I've been checking back every now and then.

[heineck]

i saw a full kit on ebay for like 750, i woulda got it if i had the money but usually its 400 for a remanufactured one with a 300 core charge so its 700 for just the charger, try the yards u might find sumthin

[AbHeLlRaZoR]

I guess you could always post want to buy adds on different sites. but $750 that's likely the one I saw. I just checked and there's nothing but those funny fans that are claimed to work like a supercharger but don't do nothing.