First post. ... I have a 1999 sl2, I also have a 2000 sl2 with less miles. Is this a direct swap or do I need to change anything?

 

This is not a direct swap.

99 is 2nd gen
00 is 3rd gen

1) 3rd gen has PCM +BCM (body control module); 2nd gen does not (BCM took over control of everything except engine and tranny).
2) the PCM was relocated by the battery and I believe the BCM took its physical space
3) To try this, I think there are two routes to explore

a) 2000 Eng + 2000 PCM + 2000 BCM + complete wiring harness for entire car into 99 body
b) 2000 Eng into 1999 body. Assuming all sensors fit the 99 wiring harness.
c) i think the dash may have underwent revision to electronic odometer. If this is true, then the 99 harness will of course work with it but the 00 dash will not

Read up on what changed when......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_S-Series

 

Thanks for the info. The only reason I was considering the swap is that the studs for the motor mount broke off in the timing chain cover on the 99. No one has one locally and it's a discontinued part at gm. Since I see pulling the motor as the easiest way to remove the cover, I thought I could just drop the motor in. Instead I will just use the good parts off the 2000. Thanks for your help.
My 99 has the digital odometer too.

 

NEW OEM GM

Saturn GM 99 02 SC2 Engine Timing Cover 21008229 | eBay


USED OEM GM
1999 2002 Saturn s Series DOHC Timing Cover XK1366 | eBay

listed as same OE part number as above; XK1366 is "stock #; part # in listing matches

USED OEM GM
99 00 01 02 Saturn s Series Sedan Timing Cover DOHC 339793 | eBay

Inventory # matches Interchange part # of 1st used listing above (confusing but listing parameters are not the same)

_____________

Three alternatives to dismantling your 2000

Proceed at your own risk

 

Thank you for the info.... the 2000 has a blown trans and hasn't been driven since 2014. I bought it as an organ donor.

 

if you do put the 2000 motor in the 99, swap over the 99s intake manifold to do away with the plastic manifold bs. give it a nice cleaning while its off. it will fit, because 99 was when they changed to the 9 bolt header (3rd gen head). if i remember right 99 had the 3rd gen head and the extra crankshaft balancer, they added the lower girdle plate, plastic intake manifold, and bcm/new style computer in 2000.

but yes all parts will be interchangable. I would say go check saturnwiki.net but that page must have gone down in the past year

 

Indeed, all the parts will fit, but as I described earlier, it will not be a plug n play swap (which you have already decided against.)
EDIT:
If you try to make the 1999 run like a 2000, you will need the 2000 PCM , BCM , and wiring harness.
If you simply swap in the engine, it Is believed (see below) that computer issues should not be encountered

 

If I use the intake and the exhaust manifolds off of the 99, what other sensors would be different? If the 2000 block is the same and all the accessories will fit, where will I run into the computer problem?

 

From my first response
______________
a) 2000 Eng + 2000 PCM + 2000 BCM + complete wiring harness for entire car into 99 body
b) 2000 Eng into 1999 body. Assuming all sensors fit the 99 wiring harness.
c) i think the dash may have underwent revision to electronic odometer. If this is true, then the 99 harness will of course work with it but the 00 dash will not
________
b) WAS included inn my first post as an option hat might be pursued, with the caveat that all (sensor) wiring fits in (matches the 99 harness.).


Octavious seems to believe it will. He has more experience than I do w r t swaps, so I will defer to him on sensor connections and the fitment of I/M and E/M


IF this works, then indeed it would be as straightforward a path as there is.
I was unclear on the sensor fitment issue; that is why I do not usually offer a hard yes or no to things , because I don't want any mistakes to cost anyone $$. I leave it up to the OP to decide.


My most recent post was made with my brain stuck in "make the 1999 run like a 2000". Since there are two options for how to swap this, I was only half right per my own initial analysis -- I will go back and clarify the statement.


And this is the beauty of our forum; working together towards the right answers without Octavious having to call me "thick", "dense", or a dumbass---I can reread what I typed and forgot about at the very beginning and do it for myself....

 

Derf, I mean, only if you want me to. lolol jk.

But to the motor swap. I would double check the sensors on the back of the block (Crank sensor and oil psi sender and evap purge) to make sure the connections are the same but I dont believe the engine side of the harness changed much. If they are different (which I dont believe they are) just swap from bad motor to good one. Injectors you wont need to worry about since they will stay on the Intake manifold from the 99. you can leave the exhaust manifold on the 2000,they are the same, sensor and all.

Sixthsphere Guides - Ultimate Swap Guide
that is a copied version of the saturn wiki swap guide, that has alot of useable information

Upon further research, (in regards to the exhaust manifold) double check that the 99 has the air pump going into the exhaust manifold. there should be a check valve above the AC condensor with a hose leading right to the manifold, if it has that, the manifolds are the same, if not, use 99 exhaust manifold. some of the pictures of 99s I pulled up didnt have the air pump under the hood (very early 99s i believe, since still 9 bolt head)

On another note, I did not realize how many low mile examples are still out there. And I also found one in black berry, black interior, power group, manual. So. Much. Want. If only there wasnt a bronco in the driveway. soon.......