check and see if you are getting fuel ,spark and compreesion these are the three main things if you have all of these repost
if it tends to sputter and have no power i would suggest the fuel pump. it it is only after the car has warmed up, or a while after you start driving it might be the ignition module.
low fluid would cause this or the pump could be going out
Normal cause of a belt smoking is that one of the driven pulleys has siezed.
No
Yes it can.
timing off
lack of fuel
Never as the 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier does not have a belt, it has a chain that should last the life of the engine.
Vacuum leak
I would check the ignition timing and set it to the desired specifications. Next I would clean the throttle plate.
The right person to ask would be either someone who owns a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier or a mechanic at a Chevrolet dealership. This question is too complicated to answer in a simple manner.
Around 90-100 dollars