The conversion from LH 2.2 to LH 2.4 is a huge project, and when you are done it is less reliable as LH 2.4 than as LH 2.2. It is quite easy to used a LH 2.4 engine in a LH 2.2 chassis. Use the original engine wiring harness, throttle body, Idle Air Controller and fuel injectors.

If it were me, I would not try to do an ignition swap. Your biggest problem will be with the crank sensor, since the '89 trans bellhousing has a notch for it and your '88 trans does not.

However, in my opinion, most of the ignition parts are not worth buying used anyway. Things like sensors, fuel pressure regulators, injectors, etc should only be bought new if needed.

If you need a parts car to replace sheet metal or interior parts, buying an '89 might make sense. But for strictly doing an ignition swap, it doesn't make much sense to me.

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Matt L. -- Cary, NC -- '91 740 wagon

Don't bother; the 88 with 2.2 was better, just not self-diagnostic. Computers were less reliable. Comparatively, they were MUCH less reliable.

Aside from other logistics like different parts & distributor, it still wouldn't be a good choice. You can buy a new EFI module for your car from between $10 and $50. The 2.4 computers are a lot more.

I know in the later production run, 86-90, the GLs were all automatics. The 86 is questionable, but the 87-92s were usually autoboxes. You might have been able to spec a 5-speed at one time or another in that production run, but it is "generally accepted" that the GL versions were automatics (later years). The earlier GLs were definitely available with M46 transmissions.

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Chris Herbst, in Wisconsin.