Ecotec Swap

[Sisko99]

So....I was doing some searching yesterday and basically found that no one's discussed the GM Ecotec engines seriously since about this time back in 06. I recall from that thread that at least up till that point, no one had done one. Is that still the case? Seems like it would be a very good option.....or is there a reason for not doing it that I'm not aware of?

[Alvin]

awesome swap...stock Cobalts are making 260hp now in turbocharged form?
Did you find a way to mate it to a rwd transmission, that's the only uncertainty I can think of.
Do you have a roadster yet, or just thinking out loud?

[Roadsterx]

The Solstice/Sky are RWD, so the trannies are out there for a RWD application.

Mike

[Alvin]

The Solstice/Sky are RWD, so the trannies are out there for a RWD application.

Mike

wow i totally forgot! How much are drivetrains running?

[Alvin]

Here's one on EBay for $4k, plenty of pictures too!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Ac ... 06.c0.m245" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

First thing I noticed was that the exhaust is on the wrong side, but beyond that looks like a kiler swap!

[Sisko99]

I was mostly just thinking out loud. Seems like it's a solid platform....especially given the weight of the Roadster. 260HP in a 2000lb car would be incredibly fast.

Getting the engine and transmission out of a wrecked car is about the only way to go. I went looking for crate engines and GM is not building any extra LNF engines at the moment.

[dbrick]

It sounds ideal, power, weight and ease of replacment parts and tuning options. Even the auto trans in the picture might fit the tunnel. Not quite the normal "sports car transmission" but 260 hp and an automatic would make it a rocket on the street.

From a fast look at the photo, the only stumbling block I could see would be the width of the engine at the very front. My Rover v8 project is on hold now because the oil pump and the crossmember just behind the idler arm interfere, and I can't see cutting it. There are ther oil pump options, but I'd have to go from the 4.0 to the 4.6 liter.

[Sisko99]

It sounds ideal, power, weight and ease of replacment parts and tuning options. Even the auto trans in the picture might fit the tunnel. Not quite the normal "sports car transmission" but 260 hp and an automatic would make it a rocket on the street.

Getting the engine is the hard part. Being that it's a GM engine, there are a thousand different transmission options that would probably just bolt right on.

From a fast look at the photo, the only stumbling block I could see would be the width of the engine at the very front. My Rover v8 project is on hold now because the oil pump and the crossmember just behind the idler arm interfere, and I can't see cutting it. There are ther oil pump options, but I'd have to go from the 4.0 to the 4.6 liter.

And as for fitment....I'd be willing to bet that you wouldn't have any issue selling the engine on a Sky/Solstice forum if some major issue with putting it into a Roadster was discovered.

What's also nice about this engine is that even though you'd have to pull it from a wreck, chances are you'd get an engine that was in much better condition than any of the SR20's you could bring over from Japan. Seriously though....given the aftermarket for the engine, you'd think Nissan would see the opportunity and start producing them as crate engines. Of course, it's possible that the market isn't really there enough to make it worth doing. You'd also think that perhaps they'd update the thing and use it in a new car.

[TurboRagtop]

First thing I noticed was that the exhaust is on the wrong side, but beyond that looks like a kiler swap!

Alvin,
What's wrong with the exhaust being on the passenger side? I know, the most obvious reaction is there are no holes thru the frame on the pass. side, but think about it: a turbo motor making 260 HP is *NOT* going to be blowing the hot stuff out a single 2 inch exhaust pipe anyway. So you are going to make some serious modifications to the frame for the exh. pipe. Therefore, for an Ecotec swap, the creative engine swapper has to forget the stock holes thru the X-member and devise a better solution on the passenger side to accomodate at least a 3" downpipe to support that many HP.
That's what I did.

I could be wrong, and I know several swappers have done the exh. pipe thru the frame, enlarging the holes, etc. but I'm just saying, on balance, the rework is not that much more hassle on the passenger side vs. the driver side. Don't let that dissuade any serious effort. I have always thought the Ecotec would be a killer engine to make the swap into a roadster.
Peace.

[Alvin]

hey I'm just stating that it's one more thing to be wary of.
A quick solution would to be to just drop it between the body/frame a la BRE header...problem solved.

EDIT: I get it now Karl, you're 2.3 has the exhaust on the passenger side. How/where do you route it from the turbo? Can you still run a pipe along the passenger side out the back with the hand brake linkage, torque rod, and gas tank in the way?

[GoldHawg]

OK guys...someone step up to the plate. Here is an extremely nice engine/tranny combo for $2500 to begin with.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... &viewitem=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I've also seen Schram's on ebay w/ best offer feature, and seen them go as low as $2100. But this is exceptionally clean.

Have at it, and post your results!

[spl310]

Sounds like a good job for GoldHawg!

[dbrick]

OK guys...someone step up to the plate......Have at it, and post your results!

"OK guys, charge that machine gun, let me know how it goes!!!"

[GoldHawg]

Sounds like a good job for GoldHawg!

Alas, only two small problems, time and $$! Actually I'd love to do it. But my son has me scheduled to restore an 87 GN w/him next year. I'm only allowed the planning for a Datsun right now. So if somebody does it, then I'll have better plans!

Jeff's GN.jpg

My old roadster gets 2nd fiddle (and I'm casually looking for one w/less east coast rust) until the GN is done.

My Datsun.jpg

But lest SPL310 thinks I'm only a dreamer, I do eventually get around to things, and I think they're done right! That's precisely why I like to see things done and plan them out carefully. Here is my daily driver Cutlass. Features, among other things,

Jeff's Cutlass.jpg

an LT1/6 speed, w/05 GTO seats.

And just maybe there is someone on the board that will be as intrigued by that ecotec as me! If not, this post will go to the ether...

[Alvin]

wow!
old soul modern go!
Did you do the LT1 swap years ago?
pics of the engine bay?
Why not put the GTO(LSx) engine along with seats