Anyone know much about 2.2L S10's ?

[Mars]

Can you bolt on a NP207 T case to a 1994-2003 2.2L T5 trans? What is required ? I'm hoping it's a matter of getting a 4X4 S10 truck Tcase, bolting it to the T5 and running the factory driveshaft from the 4X4....

I want to build a small, light mud racing truck and am looking for ideas.

So far, thinking Rotrex blower 3400 T5 NP207 with a solid front axle swap into a 94-03 S10 2.2L.

Should be easy enough to do ??

I had a kid cut me off today and smashed my cavalier pretty good... It was very lame. car is likely a write off.

[WrathOfSocrus]

I checked around and it looks like the 2.2 with T5 only came in 2WD. I think from 96+ they used a different transmission. Doing a search on car-part for a MT 4x4 2.8 (punched in 88 for year just to get an idea) looking up the transfer case, it has the NP207 and NP231 listed. Everything I am seeing says the NP231 is stronger, which makes sense as they replaced the NP207 and came in many makes and models.

The 207C has a 1" chain, splash lubrication, and 2.60 low range.
The 231C has a 1.25" chain, pressure lubrication, and 2.72 low range.
The 231J (Jeep) only has a 1" chain
The 231 can be beefed up using 241 parts.

Apparently The Jeep guys will take the guts out of the 231C to get the 1.25" chain. Since these parts are interchangeable, and Jeep guys are notorious for making crazy rigs then going out and destroying them, there is a huge aftermarket for replacement/upgrade parts.

You would have to get one from an S series truck with a T5 in order to get the proper input shaft and tail housing. The Jeeps like the Cherokee with its unibody had the transfer case mounted so the front output shaft was lower to clear the body. The internals should be the same though.

If you submerge the transfer case in water you should change the fluid. It has a large drain bolt something like 36mm but not positive on the size. When mud mixes with the fluid it will look like chocolate milk. Replace it with ATF, you might want to search around to see if it needs any type in particular. Whatever you do don't use gear oil, it will blow up like a grenade on the highway, witnessed it in person on my friend's Cherokee.

It's a pretty stout T-case that holds up well to mileage and has come behind V8's so I'm sure it will last. You can change out parts with other models and at the very least I would look into replacing the chain on a used one, or buy the extended warranty and put it through its paces. You really can't go wrong with either T-case but the 231 is probably more widely available and easy to rebuilt once you have one with the right case, input, and output shafts for your application.

Also as far as the T5 goes, I believe the 94-95 2.2 bellhousing has dual starter pockets so you can use that bellhousing on an older 4x4 T5 and mount up a 3X00. Because of the shifter placement and 4x4 I don't think any other T5 will work except one from a 2.8 S10. Using what came stock for the older S10's will make life much easier when it comes to the mounts and driveshafts since everything will be in the stock location. It wouldn't be hard to get everything in even if the truck you start out with has nothing in common other than being 4x4. Hope this helps.

[SappySE107]

cavalier is done?!!! NOOOOOO!!!!!!

[pocket-rocket]

That really sucks

Did you take it out on his face?

[95SleeperAcheiva]

I have a 1996 2.2L stick 4x2, S-10 I recently blew the head on. I've been doing tons of research on the S-10 since I'm forcing in a 455 Olds and a TH-400 in her. The stock rear-ends are only a 7.5" ring gear and fragile as hell. The S-10 forums that specialize in doing v-8 swaps all state to go to a 8.5" or 8.6" rear end. You may not be putting in a v-8, but I've seen your v-6's! You need a 8.5. they sell for around $200 used and most come with a decent gear.

They also have tons of info on putting in a ford explorer 8.8" rear, running disc brakes and comes factory with posi. They have a bunch of articles on how to shorten the driver's axle tube 3 inchs and running 2 passenger side axles to re-center the pumpkin.

On my own research I found 1999 s-10 blazers come with 8.5/8.6" rears and if you go for 2000 or newer can get disc brakes and still retain all GM and easy bolt-in. Posi is a bitch to find from what I hear, I'm going with a detroit locker carrier. I also found 4-link bolt ins that bolt to spring perch and where the front shackle mount of the leaf spring and they have a 6-link add on for it. It has a bracket you weld to the crossmember just in fornt of the diff and that gives you your upper "control arm" for the 3rd and 4th link. This will then either allow you to weld in spring perchs for coil springs, coil over shocks in stock location or air bags like I'm doing. The link kit is under $600. My air bag rear will get a lincoln town car rear air bags, compressor, and ride height sensor from strutmasters. I'm still using mine to tow my achieva with. I heard alot of the front end pieces swap with G body GM too, you may consider that when looking for front spring for different spring rates.

lastly, 1986 corvette radiator pops right in and works awesome! For 350 chevy and smaller. I had to have a custom 4-core copper made to cool my monster. I have a radiator shop nearby, they made me one for $225. Add along with dual pusher fans and mount the radiator in front of my core-support. I haven't figured out how to get my a/c condensor to fit yet. I purchased a 1965 mustang fuel tank, it fits between the frame rails nicely where the spare tire used to sit under the bed. This way I can run dual exhaust. Oh i have to use hood locks, no room for the hood latch anymore. But that's my monster, you shouldnt have to make that much front room.

[pocket-rocket]

They also have tons of info on putting in a ford explorer 8.8" rear, running disc brakes and comes factory with posi.

Not all Exploder rears come with posi. When looking at the tag bolted to the cover, it should have an L in the gearing number. The one on my truck reads 3L73, which is 3.73 gearing with limited slip.

[95SleeperAcheiva]

Not all Exploder rears come with posi. When looking at the tag bolted to the cover, it should have an L in the gearing number. The one on my truck reads 3L73, which is 3.73 gearing with limited slip.

Those are the ones that also say SYN on them right? To require synthetic fluid that already has the friction modifier in it?

[pocket-rocket]

Those are the ones that also say SYN on them right? To require synthetic fluid that already has the friction modifier in it?

That I'm not sure about.

TRS is an awesome resource when it comes to Ranger/Explorer/Bronco II stuff.

Here's the link to the tech library on Ranger rear ends (which does include some on Exploders):

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

Tech library index:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.php