I have the opportunity to get an 88 5 speed for a stupidly low price. It has a bad engine in it. What engine or engine/transmission combo could I use to replace it that is a direct bolt in.

Well, you could always replace the four cylinder.
Or you can install a V-6---2.8, 3.1, 3.4 will bolt up and you can retain the use of the 5-speed tranny in the car.
Or you can spend more $$$$ for any of the conversions out there!

GO AND BUY IT!

IRG

yep, already bought mine and brought it home. You should know that the '88 4cyl is a different engine. It has a balancer and special oil pump. Mine has a bad oil pump ($200 for the part). The guy had a replacement engine (pull n save, don't know mileage) that won't work. I'm still figuring on what I will do... I am leaning toward the Cad 4.9. The clutch and exhaust are a couple of big expenses... The rest of the car is only ok, not good.

Is the engine realy bad or did it do something like puke up timing gears.... Timing gear failure is repairable.

I think you can also use Vin U L4 to replace Vin R motors... I still haven't been able to fully research this one. Vin U is used in a bunch of cars as was R.

I beleive you can also replace a balancer R motor with a non balancer R. Other than not having the crank balancer they are the same as far as I can see. I'm still checking this one too.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

YEAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! THEOGRE!!!!!!

NEVER SEEN A TRIPLE POST BEFORE!!!!!!!!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

Phil

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GTDude
25 years GM experience

a 87 vin r will work. my brother has a 88, I have a 84 and we have a 87 parts car. compared the 87 with thje 88 and the ony differance is the balancer assembly and oil pan/filters.-B-

3... That was cute...