The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop swap a olds 4cyl to a 4 cyl s 10

have a 91 olds 2.3 quad 4 want to know if i can swap to a 85 chevy s 10. i have the complete olds but the problem will be changing a front wheel drive configuration to rwd ,motor moumts,trans etc. has anyone tried to do such a thing?

I read somewhere that this swap was doable-I think it was an old Hot Rod Magazine. I'm pretty sure they said the bellhousing to engine block and clutch to flywheel were bolt on. It actually makes sense when you consider that both engines (quad4 and 2.5 Iron Duke) were available in the Grand Am. I can't see GM using a different transaxle if they could make do with one type for both engines. This would just leave you to fabricate side engine mounts to mate to the frame mounts in the truck. Don't forget to swap in the ECM, sensors and harness. Oh yeah, then there's fabbing up an exhaust. Good Luck and let us know how it works out if you go for it Wingnut!

Wannabe

There's a company that had bellhousings and distributors to replace orig on Quad 4 for use in midget cars or something. Pretty expensive for parts. Don't remember if they had diff mounts for it. It turned it for rear drive set-up and no 'puter. Quad 4's were lots of trouble in early ones and later went to single cam. Think it's a GOOD idea? Why not another "iron Duke"? Plenty of those around. I have one out of an Pontiac Grand-am you can have, but front drive, about 86. Some had mount areas for both styles on blocks, don't know what this one has. Why not rebuild? It's one of the BEST engines GM ever made. Usually the cam gears were noisy with miles on them and sounded like a Diesel when idling.

i was told one of the reasons GM didn't put a Q4 in an s-10 was not enough torque production.....

also, i don't think the oil pan would be anywhere's close to fitting....

head/head gasket problems are common...

timing chain upgrades, too.

why not go with "super duty" stuff from GM on your 2.5?

hello wing nut. the may 2002 issue of STREET RODDER MAGAZINE has a great article on this engine. hope this helps. good luck

I've always heard that Quad 4's were one of the worst engines GM ever made? Their head gaskets weren't up to the power the engine was putting out and the heads cracked really easy. I drive a 2.5 in our delivery vehicle and I can't stand it...no power, noisy, etc. Why not stuff a 4.3 in? They're decent engines, albeit the noise.

Chad