Engine swap Did an engine swap from a Cavalier I believe 97? Into a 95 Corsica. Corsica was an obd1 the Cav engine is an obd2. Should the computers be switched as well? Before the other engine crapped out I was getting roughly 300+ miles to the tank, now I fill up every two days and I that's not even 200 miles a tank. It idles like it's suffocating, or choking, gotta mash the gas to get it going. I didn't do the car being I'm mechanically challenged, but who did is telling me to just start dumping money into parts to randomly replace. It's got a check engine light that comes on, but it's not letting the codes be read?!
Cars & Trucks - Chevrolet - Corsica
Answers & Comments
Yes, the computer and engine harness should stay with the engine.
Your old computer is showing that: runs like ****, and won't read codes-as it is, dumping money into parts is very bad advice.
Your quickie engine swap could have used a little planning in advance, a little research. Your mechanic is also a little challenged, if he thought a swap and some minor parts would fix it right up.
If you want the engine to run right, you have to get the engine management computer hooked up right with the right sensors (inputs) and controllers (outputs).
Swappers who do this will refer extensively to a wiring diagram, will often lay out the two engine harnesses and other applicable wiring harnesses (like the computer)-out on the floor, side by side, and then go through them, picking and choosing what they need, the wiring, the electrical connectors, everything they need to make up the right harness that matches the engine and computer. See what I mean by planning?
You will have to start with the computer and engine harness for the new engine. Get the computer wiring harness and connectors, too. Your car's computer and the connectors for it will not work with the new computer. Doesn't sound like your mechanic will be much help, if he is even interested. Don't know what to tell you, Matthew. If you do it your self, better do some research.
A better idea, less time consuming: find out from a salvager through his interchange style="display:none;">A better idea, less time consuming: find out from a salvager through his interchange database, what years and other models have your identical engine that could be swapped into your corsica, with no or very little (very little!) modifications. Then sell the cav engine and buy that engine (or buy a '97 cav needing an engine-?), ...least amount of trouble swapping: identical engine, and for the most trouble free swap- identical year-then all the electrical connectors and part locations will match up sweet, and no wiring mods to freak out over.
Okay, further, I could be challenged myself in my assumption that your two engines, even though identical in size, can interchange-check with an interchange manual for that. There were so many modifications required for the obd 2 systems, I'm not sure. If you need any further advice about taking all advice over the internet with a grain of salt, just ask, lol. No, but check if your '97 is a direct interchange, a candidate for a direct swap.
Asuming both engines were the same capacity 1.6?1.4? and all parts from first engine were used like air intake/airflow meter etc then original ecu can be used,if all the cavelier parts were used then ecu from donor could be kept with wiring loom etc.poor running could the ecu be running "get u home"mode needs reseting then codes read.if wiring loom from corsa kept are all the sensor wires connected to correct parts of engine?oil temp/water temp/flywheel sensor/oxygen sensor/etc even speedometer all needed for ecu to adj correct fuel air mix for smooth running.was the donor engine running ok b4 its transfer?if u havent already go join an online corsa.org type website where multiple vauxhall experts will be found to help
Kev, this Corsica and Cavalier in the US both had a 2.2 L engine, base engine for most Chev. cars in US from about 1990 on for a decade, at least. Good answer, though, correct otherwise. Merry Holidays.