Vortec 2200 swap?

[454cid]

No small car is going to feel like a GM B-body, or even a G-body. I don't think a small car has to be a tinny econobox, Though. I liked driving my Saturn SL2 until it got annoyingly loud on the freeway due to a bad wheel bearing, and things breaking/rusting started to accumulate. It had fully independent suspection all the way around, and handled well. It also took bumpy I-69 a lot better than my truck, and cost way less in gas. It also did not feel tinny when I closed the doors.

I've considered buying a Subaru for the awd system, and was quite suprised that the Subaru Impreza WRX I looked at felt very tinny.

 

[someotherguy]

Don't buy a Subaru unless you get one still under full warranty, then sell it before the warranty expires. To someone you don't like.

Richard

 

[TreeGeared]

I learn something new every day. Thanks for the info on the Latin American models.

 

[0xDEADBEEF]

I had an idea, to test this ...

Unplug 4 injectors and go test your gas mileage. It won't be as efficient as a real 4 cylinder would be, but it will probably be illustrative.

 

[User_name]

That engine will struggle to move a full size truck. You won't get better fuel economy.

That engine struggles to move the s10. Trust me I know

 

[DerekTheGreat]

The one part of the equation that is missing, and somewhat difficult to quantify as it's purely subjective: the pleasure of driving something you enjoy, vs. a regular commuter beater car. I hate driving little tin can econoboxes. I've never owned one, but have been in a situation where I've been in one here or there (rentals, borrowed car, etc.) and HATE.. H A T E driving that stuff for any length of time. I can't imagine what it would be like driving one to/from work every day.. I feel like it would sour my mood even before asshats in traffic could.

Richard

This. The first car I ever registered was a 1994 Grand AM SE with a 2.3 single cam QUAD. 35mpg. The only thing I miss about that car are the memories I made with it as a teenager.

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Mexico got the 4100 MPFI as well. Have seen 3 of them here in Texas and I have driven one.

That must've been interesting! I've seen a few trucks up here with the Mexican Chevy grille but never got to look at them closely.

 

[Pinger]

That engine struggles to move the s10. Trust me I know

And, because of that, wont any engine that turns up for this proposed transplant be ripe for a rebuild - additional expense.

 

[someotherguy]

This. The first car I ever registered was a 1994 Grand AM SE with a 2.3 single cam QUAD. 35mpg. The only thing I miss about that car are the memories I made with it as a teenager.

My first was a '65 Impala SS (clone) 396/4 speed. It was sold to me as a 427 but I was a dumb teenager and believed them. Car was cheap so it didn't matter when I discovered later it was "only" a 396, that was still capable of easily pulling that car off a dead stop in 3rd gear and still not lug the engine. I was practically born not knowing what MPG meant, and that has stayed with me to this day.

That must've been interesting! I've seen a few trucks up here with the Mexican Chevy grille but never got to look at them closely.

I know those engines existed (some of them anyway) but so far, all the Mexico 400's I've seen here have SBC's. Several years of them are still TBI (in the Vortec era for U.S. trucks) but have Vortec style accessory drives. Also, a lot of people are buying that Mexico grille and swapping it onto U.S. 400's, just because it's different.

Richard

 

[Intragration]

What I have wondered is if the 4200 vortec from a trailblazer would be a mileage friendly option. Very torquey which would be good for a truck. Not sure I have ever seen an inline 6 stuffed in a 400's engine bay.

I would have suggested it, but my daily driver is a Trailblazer. Great motor and good match for the Trailblazer platform, but it gets about 14 MPG and makes less torque than an L05 305. (Correction: L03 305, thanks Peter)