Ecotec Tuning Made Easy

[eb110americana]

I'm unsure of how recent this is, and it may even be a repost, but I was searching for information on modifying Ecotecs and I came across something that deserves exposure. The quality of images and detailing of the instructions are second-to-none and all direct from GM.



Primarily the focus is on souping up the Supercharged 2.0L Ecotec LSJ engine found in the Cobalt SS Supercharged and the Saturn Ion Red Line.

ECOTEC 2.0 L LSJ Power Manual - Chapters 1 & 2
ECOTEC 2.0 L LSJ Power Manual - Chapters 3 & 4
ECOTEC 2.0 L LSJ Power Manual - Chapters 5 & 6

Source:
http://www.gmperformancedivision.com..._articles.aspx

Check out the above main page for more on...
-Building a 300 HP Stage 3 race Cobalt SS Supercharged
-Putting a roll cage in the Cobalt
-Build up of the HHR Bonneville Salt Flat Racer
-Behind the scenes on all the custom work GM did for the Hot Rod Magazine Solstice LS7 project that you won't read about in the magazine.
-Ecotec records like the 246.849 mph(!) G/BFALT class (G Class/Blown Fuel Altered Coupe) Bonneville Salt Flats Cobalt



And finally there is an older but pretty sweet write up on how GM developed the 2.2 based Ecotec drag motor.

[Ming]

Also see this site: http://www.gm.com/company/gmtunersource/html/home.htm

[eb110americana]

Cool, thanks Ming! Kudos for being quick on the draw too. Less than 2 minutes and you've already got my post up. You must be dangerous at the drag strip

[Ming]

Originally Posted by eb110americana

Cool, thanks Ming! Kudos for being quick on the draw too. Less than 2 minutes and you've already got my post up. You must be dangerous at the drag strip

Haha, I wish. Maybe when I get a Zeta to replace my aging Bonnie in a few years (keeping her for now).

[ZRock]

I'd love to get my hands on a RWD Ecotec setup, either from a wrecked Solstice/Sky (or one that someone's pulled for a V8 swap), or a crate version.
I have a '71 Volvo 1800E that has a somewhat tired 130hp 4cyl (hey you'd be tired too if you had around a half a million miles on you!). It would really be nice with a modern drivetrain (170hp would be plenty, let alone the DI GXP/RL version with 260!)

[Delta2.2]

nice right up man

[Randiglio]

It's amazing that any components whatsoever designed for a stock 140 hp 2.2-liter Ecotec would survive on an extreme power plant making more than six times its power. However the stock Ecotec block and main/girdle structure did survive to 750 hp, as did the stock sleeves. The stock main bearings survived. The stock stamped roller finger-followers were effective to at least 9700 rpm, as were the hydraulic lifters. The oil passages remained stock to 800 hp. The stock chains, guides, tensioners and water pump worked all the way to heaven. The stock head survived with minor strengthening and massive breathing modifications. Many other components were good for two to four times stock power (see chart). GM Powertrain engineers designed a base engine with many stock components that were above and beyond what was needed for stock performance. "The crank support structure of the Ecotec is unbelievably strong," says Bothwell. "We detected no core shifting under the most extreme conditions."
.

That is amazing how tough that little motor is. Good thing it's "unrefined".

[Gm786]

Looks cool! I love Ecotec engines. They are reliable, powerful and highly modifiable engines.

[01cavalier]

I remember reading stuff from GM about modifying these enines a couple years ago. The Ecotec was designed with this in mind.

[Chevy Ryan]

Awesome stuff, makes me love my Cobalt LT coupe even more!

[GotAWD]

a friend of mine was asking me yesterday about a car he could take to the race track for leirsure time on the weekends. i told him about the Cobalt SS and the Solstice GXP. so i sent him the link about the EcoTec just now. so if he likes it he can tune it to make more power is he wants to.

good work EB110Americana and Ming

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by ZRock

I'd love to get my hands on a RWD Ecotec setup, either from a wrecked Solstice/Sky (or one that someone's pulled for a V8 swap), or a crate version.
I have a '71 Volvo 1800E that has a somewhat tired 130hp 4cyl (hey you'd be tired too if you had around a half a million miles on you!). It would really be nice with a modern drivetrain (170hp would be plenty, let alone the DI GXP/RL version with 260!)

Heres an even better idea, get a Fiero, and drop in a LSJ/LNF. They are available as crate engines. Even the 171 2.4 Ecotec is availale as a crate engine. But if you really wanna get creative, the 4.4 SC Northstar is available for implantation too.

[ZRock]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Heres an even better idea, get a Fiero, and drop in a LSJ/LNF. They are available as crate engines. Even the 171 2.4 Ecotec is availale as a crate engine. But if you really wanna get creative, the 4.4 SC Northstar is available for implantation too.

Yeah, I looked into Fieros a couple of years ago. V8archie and all that. But I already have the Volvo (been in Wife's family since new, etc), and I'm in the process of fixing it up. Started on the body work, just had the head redone-valve job, etc, and it got me to thinking about "upgrades". The B20E is a sturdy little motor, but doesn't breathe all that well.

[Darc Requiem]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Heres an even better idea, get a Fiero, and drop in a LSJ/LNF. They are available as crate engines. Even the 171 2.4 Ecotec is availale as a crate engine. But if you really wanna get creative, the 4.4 SC Northstar is available for implantation too.

Although it will probably never happen. I'd love to get my hands on a Fiero and drop a modified power train in it. Maybe its the engine placement but I've always had a soft spot for the Fiero.

[ZRock]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Heres an even better idea, get a Fiero, and drop in a LSJ/LNF. They are available as crate engines. Even the 171 2.4 Ecotec is availale as a crate engine. But if you really wanna get creative, the 4.4 SC Northstar is available for implantation too.

Hmm, I only see the 2.2 (L61) and 2.0+SC (LSJ) on the GMPP website. I have to imagine the LNF (turbo version from the Solstice GXP/Sky RL) would be really expensive. Any idea where to find info about the LE5 (2.4 170hp) crate motor?