Let us know when you get this beast together. Try to spend a few dollars and run the engine in on a dyno. We want to hear that sweet song of a 3.25-inch stroke.
Shove VetteQ I have an '85 Chevette. Yes, a "SHE-Vette," not a Corvette, that I drive daily and have done some nice mods to. I'd like to swap in a TH200-R4 transmission. Will it work behind the stock 1.6L engine? I have the TH 180 trans now and thought the swap would be better on gas mileage and performance. How about the Ecotec 2.2L crate engine from Chevy? Will that work with the TH200-R4? Thanks.Tim HeckmanScott AFB, IL
A The Chevette brings back some nasty memories! I was a heavy line mechanic for a couple of years back in the late '70s. I had a deal with the other guy that he would do all the work on Vans, Vegas, and Monzas. That left me with the Chevettes, LUV trucks, and the dreaded Olds diesel trucks and Montes. I hated Vans and Vegas, but sometimes I think the other mechanic got the better deal. The Chevettes had a very noisy rearend, and the torque-arm arrangement GM designed for these cars transferred all the rearend noise into the interior of the vehicle. No matter how you tried to set up the ring and pinion on these cars, they would always have some noise. GM even started to put a cartoon in the manuals stating, "Some noise is OK!" Well, enough of ancient history and lets get back to your question.
The original 1.6L four-bangers will not accept the TH200-R4 bellhousing. It was unique unto itself. Can you swap in an Ecotec 2.2L? Sure. However, the TH200-R4 won't fit that block flange, either. If you want to build a killer car, slip in the new 2.0L Ecotec that's in the '07 Saturn Sky Red Line! The nasty turbocharged direct-fuel-injected engine produces 260 hp and 260 lb-ft! It's the most powerful engine GM is producing, at 2.1 hp/ci. This, with the five-speed gearbox mated behind it, would be a real kick in your SHE-Vette. Enjoy!