Compatability question

[slownlow43]

I have a 2002 Alero and my engine just took a crap on me. So does anyone one here know where I can find what engines/transmissions are compatible with my car?

Also, I found an engine and transmission out of an 04 Saturn Ion. Does anyone know if that would work in my car? It seems like I read there was a difference in the engines in 04+, but I'm not certain.

[Ttop191]

there are very slight differences with the 04 Ion engine, but not enough to matter, in 05 the Ion's switched to electronic throttle control, but you'll be fine with an 04

[AZFire316]

my '05 Cobalt also has electronic power steering which the Alero ecotecs do not, im not sure if the Ion in 04 has that similarity with the balt.

[Lucalare]

Sorry to thread steal, but does with electronic steering, wouldn't you lose steering if your car died?

[Ttop191]

^ you would lose power steering yes, its still a mechanical rack and pinion, just the power steering pump is electronically powered, as opposed belt driven. so really it's no different, if your car dies, your engine still isn't turning the power steering pulley either, now is it ;)

[Redog]

That electronic power steering sucks. My neighbor's car lost that unit 5 times, it was an 05 Pontaic G6

Could the manual power steering box and the cable TB just be put on the 05 motor?

[Ttop191]

I have heard of people switching to a cabled, TB on a few cobalts, as far as going back to a belt driven PS pump, i'm not sure

[AZFire316]

I think you just need to swap over your hydraulic PSP for it to work, not entirely sure if there's anything else you need to do, and yes there was a huge problem with the GM elecronic power steering systems, my car was recalled for the issue.

[slownlow43]

Damn, I was hoping it was going to be a little more simple than that. Thanks for all the info guys.

[Lucalare]

^ you would lose power steering yes, its still a mechanical rack and pinion, just the power steering pump is electronically powered, as opposed belt driven. so really it's no different, if your car dies, your engine still isn't turning the power steering pulley either, now is it ;)

no need to get mean about it, the newest thing my family owns is my Alero which is 03, and it has the engine driven PS pump.

[AZFire316]

Technically speaking the power steering sys in my cobalt could continue to operate even if the engine is no longer running. The older hydraulic systems physically can not.

sorry to the OP if I went a bit off topic, but Ill see what I can find as far as the Alero and Ion/Cobalt L61s and see if i can offer a little more info. Im sure its possible to use them as nothing major changed.

[Ttop191]

Technically speaking the power steering sys in my cobalt could continue to operate even if the engine is no longer running. The older hydraulic systems physically can not.

sorry to the OP if I went a bit off topic, but Ill see what I can find as far as the Alero and Ion/Cobalt L61s and see if i can offer a little more info. Im sure its possible to use them as nothing major changed.

^ that would be true if it wasn't receiving signal from the pcm which isn't on when the car is off ;)



no need to get mean about it, the newest thing my family owns is my Alero which is 03, and it has the engine driven PS pump.

^ wasn't meant to be mean, was just explaining it with a little fun :p

[AZFire316]

Well, the engine can be off while the key is still in the on position, ECM still on.

[[ion] C2]

I have a 2002 Alero and my engine just took a crap on me.
How so? How do you know it's beyond any reasonable repair? What exactly occurred that now you need an entirely new long block?

[AZFire316]

from what ive researched, the only thing you would need to swap over for it to work is the PSP, and throttle body, as ours are electronic, and yours is cable. and it can not be an 07+ no newer than an 06.