2G 97 camshaft sensor on a 96

[Condemned]

I have a 1997 gst. I recently put a 1996 gst engine on it but it doesn't want to start up. Can I just put the 97 camshaft sensor on the 96 head without having to tap the cam? Please help. Many people have different opinions on this matter. Whats the easiest way?

 

[delta448]

It should be a mostly bolt on affair. The aluminum 97 sensor housing replaces the rubber coated plug on the end of the head. The only issue is if it has a stock 95-96 intake cam which will not have the bolt hole for the 97 sensor's cup fitting. The locating slot will be there but the cam will have to be drilled and tapped for 8mm x 1.25 thread. Or, just borrow over the 97 head's intake cam with the sensor cup and retime the engine.

 

[Condemned]

It should be a mostly bolt on affair. The aluminum 97 sensor housing replaces the rubber coated plug on the end of the head. The only issue is if it has a stock 95-96 intake cam which will not have the bolt hole for the 97 sensor's cup fitting. The locating slot will be there but the cam will have to be drilled and tapped for 8mm x 1.25 thread. Or, just borrow over the 97 head's intake cam with the sensor cup and retime the engine.

Unfortunately it is a stock cam from the 96. Do I have to remove the metal plate from the 96 cam gear after putting the 97 cam sensor on or can it stay on there?

 

[delta448]

The plate for the 2Ga sensor can stay on the sprocket, you could even leave the 2Ga sensor under there as well if you wanted.

 

[Condemned]

The plate for the 2Ga sensor can stay on the sprocket, you could even leave the 2Ga sensor under there as well if you wanted.

Thanks you very much! I will get the camshaft tapped and go from there. Very much appreciated!

 

[motomattx]

You could swap the plug wires over and it would probably start for you, the 95'-96' uses an inverted cam signal, the 97' ecu wont play well with it in stock form, you could use a 95'-96' ecu and that could work also.

 

[Condemned]

You could swap the plug wires over and it would probably start for you, the 95'-96' uses an inverted cam signal, the 97' ecu wont play well with it in stock form, you could use a 95'-96' ecu and that could work also.

Swap the plug wires? Please explain. I read on an older thread too about having to fix the firing order and injectors.

 

[miguelmcv]

You could swap the plug wires over and it would probably start for you, the 95'-96' uses an inverted cam signal, the 97' ecu wont play well with it in stock form, you could use a 95'-96' ecu and that could work also.

That requires rewiring the cam sensor

 

[miguelmcv]

Swap the plug wires? Please explain. I read on an older thread too about having to fix the firing order and injectors.

Wire in the the 96 sensor which is under the intake cam gear and swap the firing order and it should fire up, you don’t need to swap the injectors, just the plugs and you will be set.

 

[motomattx]

That requires rewiring the cam sensor

Yeah, now that I think about it he would have to splice the three wires for the cas, but thats not a bad price to pay instead of pulling a motor mount, timing belt tensioner, tensioner pulleys and timing belt and then re-assemble it all in the car!

 

[delta448]

I should have mentioned all these options instead of just answering your question literally. If it were me, I'd either use a 95 Eprom ECU or I'd swap to the 1G CAS, but if you just want to get it running, swapping the plug wires from coil to coil should work fine. Kudos to @motomattx, @miguelmcv and @007jimmy for reading between the lines.

 

[Condemned]

I tapped the 96 cam to use the 97 cam sensor but now there is no spark. Sometimes one or two give a little spark but that's it. I got new spark plug wires and coils but it won't start. No codes come up when I plugged up the scanner. Any suggestions?