Expert: Mike Evans - 11/14/2009

Question
Hi. I have a 1999 grand am with a 2.4l 4 cyl engine and I would like to swap it with a 5.0l 8 cyl from an 89 Lincoln town car...pretty ambitious(or stupid) I know. What do you think about this? Is it reasonably possible? What's the biggest engine my ga could accept?
Thanks

Answer
    Well, let's start with the obvious, your Grand Am is a front-wheel-drive car and the Lincoln V8 will only work in a rear-wheel-drive car.  If you want a car about the size of yours, but with a V8, you sell the Pontiac and buy a Mustang or a Camaro.  The only way you're going to get a V8 in a Gand Am is if you buy a Funny Car and put a Grand Am plastic body on it.  Now, you could put an Ecotec with supercharger from a Cobalt SS in it, probably only have to do some welding and a little fabrication then swap out the ECM.  It would still be a big job.  Basically, if you want to go faster, sell the Pontiac and buy something fast.