I was just wondering does anybody know anything about this engine, is it possible to swap? It puts out 200hp, and that's all I know about it.

little I have found out
saturn uses a simmilar motor with only one TB
SAAB uses an other version with a turbo rated at 240hp on low boost in newer big SAAb
caddy uses twin TB
is this a JR version of olds 3.5 alloy v-6 [shortstar]?? allso used in Iusuz trucks???? or a new different motor???

I'm pretty sure it's a different design made by Opel. If it was already available in the 3.5 variant, they wouldn't have bothered to develop a 3.2L version.

If you wanted to swap it, I guess the easiest way to go is to use the FWD Saturn version and check the Saturn websites to see if they can tune more HP out of it.

OK time to clear it up. Opel made the engine in the catera, which is a car from opel that they couldn't sell because it is poorly built. The engine is a disaster, it uses a timing belt and if it breaks, oops there goes all the valves. It bends them all. Saturn uses the Opel motor because GM owns both companies so there is some motor swapping to save money.

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86 Fiero GT , soon to be N*ed and worked over.

quote Originally posted by 86 FIERO GT: OK time to clear it up. Opel made the engine in the catera, which is a car from opel that they couldn't sell because it is poorly built. The engine is a disaster, it uses a timing belt and if it breaks, oops there goes all the valves. It bends them all. Saturn uses the Opel motor because GM owns both companies so there is some motor swapping to save money.

So you don't think this engine would be woth it, I would probably go with the double tb caddy, or the turbo saab.If it is a belt most euro and jap V6s are I think, and how hard would it be to change it to a chain.

On Mustange they change the belt to a cog set up, and on funny cars that have a zillion horsepower use big ass belts as well? So I don't know... hmmm

The catera engine SUCKS!!! Do not put this in a fiero. aside from not bolting up because it isnt a GM engine, the Harmonic balancer tends to want to come off the engine. On older models anyways. I was a mechanic at a Cadi dealer for about a year. In that time i replace about a dozen of these engines myself for this reason. The HB comes off and all goes to hell after that. valves bend and break, cams fall apart. you get the picture.

Here in europe the Catera is a Opel Omega.
Considered as a 'el cheapo' car low building quality and it rusts.
Why GM wants to call it a Cadillac is a mystery to me as Cadillacs are regarded as upmarket cars over here.
Regarding the engine what I know it is a GM design and SAAB uses a heavily modyfied version of it.

Jhonny

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Jhonny Sokura
Vadstena, Östergötland Sweden

Pontiac Fiero GT -87 , V6 5spd

quote Originally posted by Jhonny: Here in europe the Catera is a Opel Omega. Considered as a 'el cheapo' car low building quality and it rusts. Why GM wants to call it a Cadillac is a mystery to me as Cadillacs are regarded as upmarket cars over here. Regarding the engine what I know it is a GM design and SAAB uses a heavily modyfied version of it. Jhonny

Would you sa ythe saab variant is much better? Does it use a chain instead of a belt?

THere is NOTHING wrong with using bets. You can spin a belt faster, and you get WAY less internal friction and valve-train resonance.

90% of imported engines use timing belts AND interference engines. It's not something specific to this car.

Usually the belts are "dry" and don't get much of an oil supply, so a chain would melt down pretty quick.

But I know little else about this specific engine