SwaintaN

Ok I might have to possibly swap my engine out, due to other problems, at this rate might be cheaper to do a swap then fix.

So here is the start 2007 LS 2.2 /w auto trans..

I will be looking for help, tips, dos and donts.

I searched a bit and find some answers already, but im going to just double check on them..

1. 2.2/at can not be replaced with 2.4 or 2.0ss because of wiring harnesses and tons of other reasons... so exchange motor for 2.2 if 2.2 and so forth.

2. It does not have to come from a HHR. From what I rear it could also be from Pontiac Pursuit, G5, Cobalt and Ion. as long as same year. Do no go older as in 2006 cause of different wiring harness.

anything else?

843de

You've pretty much answered you own questions through research.

When it comes to replacing HHR engines, the easiest way to do it is "like for like", find a 2007 L-61 Ecotec with good miles and snap it up if your current engine is terminal.

Unfortunately, we do not have an engine swap "How To" thread as of yet, but someday we might.

SwaintaN

my biggest concerns was the cars that it can come from. that i was hoping i did right research on.. is there any like "upgrades" i should do while its out.. like intake.. tb... etc... im hoping i can pull from 07 to like 09

843de

Obviously the easiest swap would be finding an engine from another '07 HHR, that would slot right in lickety split.

Some folks believe, and there was a fad/trend a few years back involving swapping 2.4 exhaust manifolds onto 2.2's. Never did see any actual dyno pulls supporting the supposed horsepower gains.

Some L-61 engines have exhaust manifolds drilled for a gadget called an "A.I.R. Pump", which was an added emissions control device. If your old engine doesn't have a manifold drilled and tapped for the pump, but the replacement engine does, you just swap the manifolds around.

Basically there aren't many things I'd recommend doing to a used replacement engine that don't fall under routine preventative maintenance. New plugs, new air filter, new serpentine belt and tenshioner, fresh oil and a filter, etc.

SwaintaN

i figured if we did pull another motor i would do the normal basics to know they were done such as things u listed. Oil n filter. plugs (by the way what are the best plugs for this car). doing an antifreeze flush.. thought about going green.. thought on that?

i remember a while back about reading that a ss tb would fit onto the 2.2 and allow more air flow?

843de

AC Delco 41-103 Iridium Plugs are the only plugs to use in the 2.2 & 2.4 Ecotec engines.

You could go to the trouble, and I mean trouble, of going to a conventional coolant over Dexcool, but the entire system has to be scrupulously flushed out. Dexcool doesn't "play well with others" and when it mixes with the Green stuff it makes a real mess, like clogged heater cores, plugged radiators, etc.

I don't recall the deal with using an SS throttle body on an L-61, but you have to keep in mind the old rule, more airflow in must be balanced by more exhaust flow out.

One of our 2.0 experts will probably weigh in with whether swapping to an SS throttle body is even practical.

SwaintaN

it was just something i heard mumbled up, cause i thought about doing a better exhaust on the car as well if i gotta go through all this. same with maybe swaping the motor mount with a ttr motor mount.

donbrew

The junkyard guys know all the right questions when it comes to replacing the motor. They will find you one that is right.

SwaintaN

i know i wont be going to local one... for umm certain reasons.. but we have a well known salvage yard hour away motors come with 6 month to 3 year warranty depending on what you want to pay.

SwaintaN

is there certain years that are the same? like 07-09 having a harder time then i thought finding a motor...