https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/pts/d/forest-grove-pontiac-astre/7188247246.html Not bad for the year, cost, condition etc.
IMO this is an attractive little wagon but cannot imagine anyone spending any time on the original drivetrain. Wonder if a Mustang eco boost 4 would fit ?
Antifa special. With the rag in the gas tank it’s a perfect rolling big M cocktail and it’s already in Portland. Seriously for 7 bills it is a cute little maker if that cars your bag.
Its that odd bit of history gap between Vega and Citaion/Cavalier. I was never fond of the Monza's, although it was an interesting swap with a small block chevy though. But I think for the money its a decent start of a project. Yes, I though Ecoboost myself, but I recon you could do an old Quad 4 Conversion just the same.
A Quad 4 would make an interesting swap, but I don't recall any GM vehicles that had a Quad 4 in a north/south orientation. They were all FWD.
There was a company that was heavy into conversion kits, Quad 4 Rods if I remember, tried to look them up but they may be gone now. You can get bell housings etc for just about anything these days. Sure it might be old tech, like the old Ford 2.3 Turbos, but still worth the look sometimes. Those engines should be pretty cheap by this time if you can find them.