A History of the Holden Family II Engines

[Ming]

Holden Family II engines are used worldwide by several manufacturers. Recently a Motor Week Road Test of the Suzuki Reno (similar to Forenza, also known as the Chevrolet Optra in Canada and the Daewoo Lacetti in Korea) had this to say about one version of this family of engines:

"The 2.0-liter dual-overhead-cam 4-cylinder delivers a modest 126 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. This willing 4-cylinder exhibits a pleasing, smooth character, good mid-range pull, and not too much thrashing at the redline. =EPA fuel mileage ratings are 22 city/30 highway. Our mixed test loop delivered a disappointing 23 miles per gallon. Maybe we drive too fast."

The Holden range includes 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 litre double overhead cam engines and 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2 litre single overhead cam engines. Flexible manufacturing processes allow Holden to produce its four cylinder engines in 94 variations to suit individual export customer requirements. Holden Engine Operations (HEO) is based at Fishermens Bend, Victoria, and combines engine assembly and testing, foundry casting facilities and precision manufacture of key engine components.

The Family II is a straight-4 piston engine that was originally developed by Adam Opel A.G. in late 1970s for use in the Opel Kadett D. Over time, the engine block has evolved to include many modern featurs such as DOHC and fuel injection. Many General Motors subsidaries, including Holden, GM do Brasil and recently GM Powertrain have adopted this design.

Plans for a new Family II four-cylinder engine plant were an-
nounced in 1978, and in 1982 engine exports reached 250,000 units.
In 1985, General Motors-Holdens Limited reorganised into two GM sub-
sidiary companies – Holden’s Motor Company and Holden’s Engine Com-
pany (HEC). 1987 saw the creation of United Australian Automotive Indus-
tries, controlling company for a Holden-Toyota joint venture, the GM arm of
which was called General Motors Holden’s Automotive (GMHA).
The millionth Family II engine was exported in 1988 and Holden continued
to demonstrate leadership with the introduction of an exciting range of
models incorporating significant design, engineering and safety innovations.

1 9 8 1: A new era of engine exports with the commissioning of a $300 million engine plant at Port Melbourne. Family II four-cylinder engines produced there were shipped to the UK and Germany

1 9 8 6 - 9 0: Engine exports continued to dominate. 209,846 Family II four cylinder engines were exported in 1987. More than 100,000 of these were shipped to Daewoo Motor (South Korea).

1 9 9 2: HEC Family II engines powered a range of vehicles in a variety of markets: the Vauxhall Carlton, Cavalier and Astra (UK), Opel Omega, Vectra and Astra (Germany) and several models for Daewoo (South Korea).

1 9 9 4: HEC produced the two millionth Family II four-cylinder export engine. Its operations generated more than $1 million in export revenue each working day.

1 9 9 9: Production of three millionth Family II export engine – a 2.0 litre four-cylinder double overhead cam Family II engine shipped to Opel, Germany. Other markets included South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, UK, Poland, US, Belgium, Egypt and South Africa.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Family_II_engine
http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/A_51...wsarticle.html
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2414a.shtml

[JoeT]

Good article Ming. I've learned a lot reading that.
I've never really read much about the Family II engine.
When I think of them, I think of the good 'ol Camira.

[Ming]

Thanks Joe - I think DmitryKo is our resident expert on these engines, and I wanted to do a little digging since I test drove one in a Suzuki Forenza Wagon recently. Smooth, if not a powerhouse.

Camira? I found a wagon photo:

[DanCBJMS1988]

Great article Ming.

As for the Camira, I found a picture of the Isuzu Aska, which was what the NZ Holden Camira was. I don't know if this is the right one, because there were four generations of Aska: the J-Car version, the rebadged Subaru Legacy versions, and two versions that are rebadged Honda Accords.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by DanCBJMS1988

Great article Ming.

As for the Camira, I found a picture of the Isuzu Aska, which was what the NZ Holden Camira was. I don't know if this is the right one, because there were four generations of Aska: the J-Car version, the rebadged Subaru Legacy versions, and two versions that are rebadged Honda Accords.

The Aussie Holden Camira was a J-Car.

[Ming]

You know and I was going to ask if it was your version of the Cavalier, since the engine would seem to be the right size.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by Ming

You know and I was going to ask if it was your version of the Cavalier, since the engine would seem to be the right size.

The J-Car of the 80's was the Opel Ascona, Vauxhall Cavalier, Chevrolet Cavalier, Isuzu Aska and Holden Camira. In the US, I think it was also the Pontiac J2000 / 2000 Sunbird, Cadillac Cimarron, Oldsmobile Firenza and Buick Skyhawk. Plus Chevrolet Monza in Brazil.

[Butz]

they should kill this engine, it is pointless to still have a 30 years old design.. the Ecotec is much better..

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by Butz

they should kill this engine, it is pointless to still have a 30 years old design.. the Ecotec is much better..

Whats the dfference between a dohc family 2 and an ecotec?

[DmitryKo]

Holden's timeline, with relevant keywords highlighted (I can't find the referring page, but you can also download the complete PDF by the link at the top of the page).
http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache...n.com.au&hl=en

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

Whats the dfference between a dohc family 2 and an ecotec?

Anyone?
Our engines have ecotec written on the cam cover too...........

As an aside I owned a 1985 Camira SL/E 1800 multipoint EI with 5speed manual. The first cats eye model before they were detuned for unleaded, SL/E being the top of the range model. What a nice car - until I smashed it, never the same after that.

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

Whats the dfference between a dohc family 2 and an ecotec?

Family II engines went through various minor upgrades over years. Current versions of Family II include variants made by

Holden - E-TEC/D-TEC DOHC, 1.8 to 2.4 L;
Ecotec 2.0 to 2.4 L - GM Powertrain Europe (previously Opel Powertrain, part of Fiat-GM Powertrain) and GM Powertrain (USA);
GM do Brasil - 1.8 to 2.0 L.


They differ in the following aspects:

1. US and European Ecotecs feature all-aluminum engine block. Other versions (as well as Family 1 and Family 0 engines) still use cast-iron cylinder block with aluminum cylinder head.

2. US and European Ecotecs feature DOHC valvetrains with timing chain. Holden and GM do Brazil are using timing belts for both DOHC and SOHC configurations.

3. US and European versions employ roller rocker arms.

4. Europeans only get 2.0 Turbo and 2.2 Gasoline Direct Injection, while Holden rebadged versions get 2.2 L multi-point.

5. Engine control systems are different - Delphi for Holden and GM Powertrain (USA), Siemens for GM Europe and GM do Brasil (?!!).

6. Brazillian versions can run on pure ethanol, pure gasoline or mixtures such as E85 (FlexPower technology).



There are also two other families.

Family 1 - newer more compact block developed by Opel in 1990s. Currently used by:

GM Daewoo - D-TEC/E-TEC/Twin-TEC 1.4, 1.6 L, DOHC, toothed belt, 9.5:1 compression, variable intake geometry
GM Europe - Ecotec 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 L; Ecotec TwinPort (variable geometry) 1.4 and 1.6 L - with lighter block, timing chain and roller cams; recent 1.8 L DCVCP (VVT); knock-sout sensors, 10.5:1
GM do Brazil - 1.0 to 1.8 L, SOHC, toothed belt, FlexPower, 9.5:1, SFI


Family 0 - Opel, Ecotec TwinPort 1.0 (3-cyl) and 1.2, chain, rollers, 10.5:1

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

Our engines have ecotec written on the cam cover too...........

Opel/Vauxhal-sourced models (Barina, Tigra, Astra, Zafira, vectra) use European engines, with addition of some older or original variants like 1.4 and 1.6 non-Twinport or 2.2 non-GDI.

Ecotec name was also used for Holden-made 3800 Series II V6, now being replaced by global High Feature V6 aka Alloytec.

[RedVee8]

Thank you. So the 2.2 in the Aussie Zafira and superceded Astra SRi had the zz engine with the timing chain, I'd guess then that the Aussie Vectra 2.2 would be the same engine (claims exactly the same kws and nms as the other 2) ? with the timing chain? i hope so as my missus wants one and I have a philosophical problem with timing belts!

[Ming]

Originally Posted by DmitryKo

Ecotec name was also used for Holden-made 3800 Series II V6, now being replaced by global High Feature V6 aka Alloytec.

I remember thinking that was odd when I first saw it. However I've read some complaints from Aussies who felt that the Alloytec was not a big enough leap forward considering the efficient fuel useage of the older 3800, refined through 16 years (in their case) of engineering.

Reminds me of my initial reaction to the Cadillac CTS engine when it arrived as compared to my Bonneville's supercharged 3800.