Swapping a 1997 DOHC into a 2000 SW2
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 221
From: Pennsultucky
Good job Jamnar, those pesky ECT's can be a PIA! My daughters 2000 SW cooling fan never shut off.............repaired the connection w/a spare ECT pigtail I cut out of a car in a junkyard along w/every sensor connector under the hood!! I never leave without grabbing relays too!
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 330
From: Virginia, USA
Just a minor update.
Car is still running great, starts easy, trans shifts the way it's supposed to.
It's getting good gas mileage too. I haven't checked to see what it is exactly but I've spent about $100 less on gas this past month.
Still no check engine light!
No more problems with the temp gauge but I suspect the thermostat is at least partly stuck open. Car never really runs warm unless I'm stationary and idling for at least 15min. I'll be replacing that and probably get even better mileage.
The exhaust is still holding together (despite my very crude patch job).
It turns out the alternator is just fine. I switched to the battery that came with the '97 and I've had no more dead battery issues.
So much is working good now that I'm noticing all the little annoyances I had been ignoring because of the more serious ones it had before.
The front seats are really worn out. The radio and especially the speakers are about done for. It would be nice to listen to some tunes instead of constantly being on high alert for scary engine/tranny noises.
I had forgotten how bad the sun visors had gotten - cover just hanging in shreds. I still have to fix the flaky rear wiper switch and the crazy door locks.
I could probably fix a lot of that with parts salvaged from the '97. I did pull the doors, seats, rear hatch, visors, window switches and wheels.
I also plan on pulling from the '97 the air bags, ecu, security box, and anything else that might be useful to a Gen 2 owner. I'll make them available when I find the time.
Car is still running great, starts easy, trans shifts the way it's supposed to.
It's getting good gas mileage too. I haven't checked to see what it is exactly but I've spent about $100 less on gas this past month.
Still no check engine light!
No more problems with the temp gauge but I suspect the thermostat is at least partly stuck open. Car never really runs warm unless I'm stationary and idling for at least 15min. I'll be replacing that and probably get even better mileage.
The exhaust is still holding together (despite my very crude patch job).
It turns out the alternator is just fine. I switched to the battery that came with the '97 and I've had no more dead battery issues.
So much is working good now that I'm noticing all the little annoyances I had been ignoring because of the more serious ones it had before.
The front seats are really worn out. The radio and especially the speakers are about done for. It would be nice to listen to some tunes instead of constantly being on high alert for scary engine/tranny noises.
I had forgotten how bad the sun visors had gotten - cover just hanging in shreds. I still have to fix the flaky rear wiper switch and the crazy door locks.
I could probably fix a lot of that with parts salvaged from the '97. I did pull the doors, seats, rear hatch, visors, window switches and wheels.
I also plan on pulling from the '97 the air bags, ecu, security box, and anything else that might be useful to a Gen 2 owner. I'll make them available when I find the time.
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 330
From: Virginia, USA
For 1997 DOHC SW2 into 2000 DOHC SW2
(would be same for SL and possibly SC series)
Needed to change:
Downstream O2 sensor (97 plug is male, 2000 plug is female)
Solution: Swap - same mounting
Knock sensor (Parts different - one wire vs two wire, location and mounting thread different)
Solution: fabbed adapter from 97 knock sensor and put 2000 knock sensor where 97 was.
EGR valve (different part numbers)
Solution: swap - same mounting and wire connection.
MAP sensor (different part, wire connection, mounting)
Solution: 2000 sensor will actually fit port on 97 intake and tightly enough it doesn't require mounting bolts to stay put. If it ever does come loose then mounting holes could be drilled/tapped in intake to match.
TPS (different part and mounting)
Solution: use 1999 SOHC throttle body (solves throttle cable mismatch too) and use 2000 TPS.
Vac port connection on throttle body - the 2000 fits the 99 SOHC throttle body but the vacuum lines had to be rerouted to make work (cut, bent, spliced).
Hose - heater core to intake manifold (different routing)
Solution: cut and reroute. May need to eventually replace it since it might kink over time.
Returnless fuel system and pressure regulator built into fuel filter on 2000, return type and regulator attached to rail on 1997.
Solution: block off the rail mounted one.
Vapor canister purge valve - different construction.
Solution: Swap
Exhaust - used entire 1997 from manifold to just past resonator
Same as:
Upstream O2 sensor
Idle Air Control
Crankshaft Position Sensor
Air Intake / Charge Temperature Sensor
Alternator (1997 was supposed to be different, wasn't)
Speed Sensor
Starter Motor
Neutral Safety switch (swap for better condition one from 2000)
Oil Pressure Switch
CV Axles
ECTS
Thermostat (housing)
Water Pump
(would be same for SL and possibly SC series)
Needed to change:
Downstream O2 sensor (97 plug is male, 2000 plug is female)
Solution: Swap - same mounting
Knock sensor (Parts different - one wire vs two wire, location and mounting thread different)
Solution: fabbed adapter from 97 knock sensor and put 2000 knock sensor where 97 was.
EGR valve (different part numbers)
Solution: swap - same mounting and wire connection.
MAP sensor (different part, wire connection, mounting)
Solution: 2000 sensor will actually fit port on 97 intake and tightly enough it doesn't require mounting bolts to stay put. If it ever does come loose then mounting holes could be drilled/tapped in intake to match.
TPS (different part and mounting)
Solution: use 1999 SOHC throttle body (solves throttle cable mismatch too) and use 2000 TPS.
Vac port connection on throttle body - the 2000 fits the 99 SOHC throttle body but the vacuum lines had to be rerouted to make work (cut, bent, spliced).
Hose - heater core to intake manifold (different routing)
Solution: cut and reroute. May need to eventually replace it since it might kink over time.
Returnless fuel system and pressure regulator built into fuel filter on 2000, return type and regulator attached to rail on 1997.
Solution: block off the rail mounted one.
Vapor canister purge valve - different construction.
Solution: Swap
Exhaust - used entire 1997 from manifold to just past resonator
Same as:
Upstream O2 sensor
Idle Air Control
Crankshaft Position Sensor
Air Intake / Charge Temperature Sensor
Alternator (1997 was supposed to be different, wasn't)
Speed Sensor
Starter Motor
Neutral Safety switch (swap for better condition one from 2000)
Oil Pressure Switch
CV Axles
ECTS
Thermostat (housing)
Water Pump
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 221
From: Pennsultucky
