Expert: Mike Evans - 9/8/2009

Question
I have a 2000 cavalier with a bad engine and i have a 1998 cavalier that has a good engine. Can i put the 98 in the 2000? i know the 98 has an egr valve and the 2000 doesn't but, i can switch the intake. I was just wondering if there was anything else that is different?

Answer
    Aside from the EGR, they are the same.  But, the EGR is built into the cylinder head, and therefore the head is different.  You could use the short block (everything below the head) and use your head.  If your head is too messed up, you could get it reconditioned for a couple of hundred bucks.  You could probably use the '98 and just not hook up the EGR, provided that everything else was there and worked.  I have run cars with the EGR disconnected and it really doesn't seem to affect the running, although it might affect the emissions.