Repair-It

From what I am reading, the 3900 uses the F40 Manual transmission. The 3900 would also need to be controlled by the 3900 computer, not the Z24's ECU.

Guess what else can connect to the F40. The LS4... This combo has a lot of documentation thanks to the Fiero guys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fko4f7fVbvI

In summary, the Z24 swap would likely be to a 3400 or 3500, for a relatively easy swap. If I was going to go 3900, I think I would just bite the bullet and go LS4 at that point.

I think as a beginner, I would start with the 3400 or 3500.

Found some engine weight sites:

http://www.team.net/sol/tech/engine.html

The 2.8 is about 350 lbs vs the LS4 at 478

http://www.gmtuners.com/LS4/index.htm
http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/engineweights.html

Here is a great detailed site, with swap kit available for a 3500. It also has pros and cons of alternatives. I would say the 3500 would make the most sense for this swap.
http://www.milzymotorsports.com/3500-swap/

Some funny stuff:

5 Reasons Why You Need a Cavalier Z24 Today
(But there are only 3 reasons...)
http://dustrunnersauto.com/z24-cavalier/

Also:
http://appleton.craigslist.org/cto/5686492401.html

Brownsville

Your pants after you step on the throttle.

Use in a sentence:
"Boy, my pants sure took a trip to Brownsville after I drove that Z24."

billgiacheri wrote: 5 Reasons Why You Need a Cavalier Z24 Today
(But there are only 3 reasons...)
http://dustrunnersauto.com/z24-cavalier/

The article describes the third gen Z24 not your coveted 2nd gen. Which reminds me: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/0 ... -barriers/

Depending on what generation Z24 you have, you’ll have between 120 to 150 horsepower. Sounds pretty slow right? Well, you have to remember that back in the 90’s 150 horsepower was actually a decent amount, Mustang’s and Camaro’s were at about 220 horsepower at the time.

Sure, the Mustang had the same performance from 1988 through 1997 or whatever (looking at 215-225) but the F-body was a different story. 275 hp starting in 1993 (which I assume you agree was "the 90s"), which coincides nicely with the third gen Z24 (1995).

Speaking of the third gen:

A GM Eaton M45 Supercharger kit was also offered for the Z24 trim as well. The supercharger kit was developed and tested by General Motors and could only be installed at a GM dealer. This upgrade increased performance considerably due to a pressure of 4.7 PSI which in turn added approximately 40 hp (30 kW) and 40 lb·ft (54 N·m) of torque increase; raising the Z24's ratings to approximately 190 hp (142 kW) and 195 lb·ft (264 N·m) of torque.

Remember we were saying you couldn't do anything with the 2nd gen? Well you could on the third gen. I am sure that put the car solidly into the 14s.

Yeah, but I am not excited about a supercharged 4 cyl...