Engine Swap 2001 2.3L SC with 2.5L?

[duffner]

2001 2.3L SC, 97K miles, Mint...

Like many of you, I've been through the challenges of a SC'd car; replaced it, coil packs, solenoids, plugs/wires, etc.... I do get emissions related codes popping up about 1x/month but reset them as they are not impacting accelleration, performance, mileage, etc... The car is beautiful and I'd like to invest a little more time/$$.

My question is this>>>> Since the car is almost at 100K miles and the pre-cats are probably getting close to junk, I would like to get a replacement engine, but a 2.5L, not the same 2.3SC. I'd like rebuild it, remove the pre-cats (or high perf/flow ones) and get it ready so when the codes become more frequent, I can swap the engine. I'm not sure if the 2.3 can be swapped with the 2.5.

Any thoughts?

[bigb]

I still have the original cats at 265k KM. Not sure what that is in miles, but probably waaaay over 100k miles.

as long as your car is well maintained and was not running rich, I dont think you need to worry about the cats.

[yel-low]

Swapping motors isn't a physical problem but more of a logistical one. Everything fits but wiring harness, pcm, ecm, axles, exhaust...... all that has to go. It can be done but its going to take a bit of time. All the little stuff tends to get to you in the end. Everything from radiator fans to tons off little relays all need to go to.

[Kutcht1]

My thoughts are that you would be best to find a donor car in decent shape from somebody needing to dump it and do what's necessary for the swap. Donor may need a head gasket set for example, easier to do out of the car.
TomK