Just curious if anyone has a new Ecotec... I just got a new Grand Am with one, and so far, it seems to be pretty good. It only had about 300 miles on it though, so I havent pounded it at all yet. Any experiences with these? Also, I saw the oil filter, and it is only the element, no canister at all. I have never changed the oil on this type of engine before, I am used to my Camaro. Anyone know where the filter is located or the procedure for it?
Thanks...

 

I have yet to see one in at work for repairs. I can't remember where the filter is. It maybe to the right of you intake manifold looks like a big plastic cap and has a hex on top for a socket but, I could be thinking of another 4 banger

 

What the hell is an Ecotech? someone fill me in!

 

its the newer 4 banger that is used by gm.

 

Its a nice 2.2L 4-cylinder GM engine.
http://www.phobia.net/~snapb1/SSecotec.html

 

I hear the Ecotec's are pretty good motors..havent heard anything bad about them. Hate to bash, but..I HAVE to do it..Boham: 5.7 TBI? Uhm...unless you dropped, say, a carbed 5.7 in and converted it to TBI..the only V8 motor RS's came with is a TBI 5.0....

 

I think the chevy trailblazer has an ecotec engine, Is it a six cylinder version?

 

Now thats a mouth full!

All aluminium must help with heat dissapation though.

 

You have a Vortec 6 cylinder either 4.3L V-6 or 4.2L inline 6, not an Ecotec.

 

I do not own a trailblazer, i heard about a new engine they were putting in them. I just checked their web site and the new engine is a 270hp vortec inline six.

 

I work on the Ecotec motor everyday. They first came in the Saturn L series. The motor is the L61. The oil filter is one the top on the right side of the intake if you are standing in front of the car. The cap has a 32mm head on it. When changing your oil make sure you get the right filter! There are a couple other cars on the market that have a similar filter and I have had several come in to the shop locked up from using the wrong one. The other thing to remember is to be very careful removing and re-installing the filter cap. It cracks easily and you don't put it on very tight at all. The Ecotec is a very good motor. I have seen very few problems with it that weren't customer induced. BTW last I heard GM had one making over 500 hp reliably sp?

 

Yeah, and probably with a "whopping" 110 ft/lb of torque. The Chevy 209" V-8 was making 800+ HP back in '90-91, but with a peak torque of only around 280 ft/lb. It was all in the high RPM.

I get a little chuckle every time I see an advert for some econobox advertising XX HP.

Let's tear one apart and see, the Madza 6S. They cleverly forget to mention the conspicuous lack of torque. The Mazda 6 is advertising 220 HP from their 3.0L V-6. They forget to tell you that it makes 190ft/lb at 5,000 RPM, and peak HP at 6,300 RPM. You're going to eat a lot of clutches trying to get that thing moving from a dead stop. I also enjoy the fact that they were only able to massage 19/27 MPG from the little FWD box. My '96 Impala SS was EPA rated at 17/27 MPH, and I could park the little Mini-Lexus in the trunk of the SS. So much for their "technology". Plus, with only the advertised 260HP, it can blow down the road at 155+ in stock trim. Who's smiling now?

No, thanks. I'll keep my "old" V-8. It sill still be running long after the high-revving, low displacement engine has eaten itself to scrap.

Maybe is this were a Fart Pipe board, I'd have a different opinion. - maybe.

EDIT: Oh, but I forgot. The Mazda must be fast - It has "Zoom-Zoom". I didn't get that option with my V-8.

 

Nice.. hadn't seen that before.. thanks for the link!

Do you have the part number for the filter? I looked it up quick during my last trip to the parts store just to see what it looked like, but they only had fram filters in stock I think, which I wouldnt use anyway. Is there an AC Delco number?

Bash me???? why do that? just ask and I'll tell you what I have in it. Its not like a 350 TBI swap is unheard of. In fact, as far as I know, its pretty common. And, no I did not drop a "carbed 5.7" in and convert anything to TBI. I got a new crate motor, new 350 injectors, knock sensor, and chip and swapped it all right in. Very simple swap, everything works perfectly, its brand new and much more power then the wimpy 305. The 350, with full exhaust, 3.42 posi rear and a vette converter surprises a bunch of Mustang (and other) drivers around here, I guess because they think like you... RS's only came with the 5.0. haha

 

The GM part number is 24460713 made by Purflux. Sorry, I don't know where to get one as ours are ordered through Saturn. BTW, I know the motor produces no torque but for a daily driver its not bad. My point was it appears to be a very durable engine and should last a long time with very few problems if maintained.

 

Never mind, I found it. Actually found it in a service bulliten highlighting the changes they have made so it is not possible to use the wrong filter anymore. Exactly the problem you were mentioning, Todd. But, it looks like there is only one filter that will work in the 2002 Ecotecs...

http://www.wixconnect.com/assets/Saturnwix.pdf

As for the lack of torque, yes that is true. But I bought the car to be my daily driver, and it sounds like it will do a great job at that. The 5 speed probably helps out in the drivability considering the lack of torque, and its a lot of fun to drive. Makes me appreciate all the torque of the Camaro even more

 

we havn't had any come in our dealership with problems either. seems to be a good engine. I'm not much for the FWD racers but Linginfelter has one making close to 1000hp and has set the record in the *****'s class in IHRA. (of course it also sent him to the hospital with a broken neck once it smacked the wall). At least GM came out and showed the ricers they can play with them if they want to. Now maybe they'll go back to v8's.

 

BINGO! It's ALWAYS about the maintenance. Even a POS car can run reliably if maintained properly. Read the Honda story, and discover why they have a good durability reputation.

Back in the '80s, Honda provided free regular maintenance to owners for an extended period. This simple step cost them a few bucks up front, but assured that the vehicles at least got a periodic inspection, and any defects were discovered and corrected long before serious problems arose. Most owners tend to neglect maintenance, and Honda knew that. That single practice of Honda was solely responsible for developing their reliability reputation. They aren't really built better than anything else, but most of the sheep out there in the motoring public (including, or especially, auto magazine editors) don't realize that, and are simply basing their shallow opinions on the apparent results. This is just as Honda execs planned many years ago, and they are still riding that same horse. That's one thing I have to give the Japanese business culture - they seem to have a longer-term view of their businesses, and don't divert much. It's gotten them into deep trouble lately, but in the long haul, they'll still be there.

 

I would agree with you on most aspects of your statement, but a service plan is not the only reason Honda has a good reputation. Hondas tolerances are a third less than the industry standard and they tend to use forged internals where most companies use cast. I am not a fan of Honda, or a fan of any company more than another. I wouldn't trade my IROC for anything though. BTW We offer a very similar maintaince plan. It doesn't help us any.

 

AMEN.

I hate it when all these pencil pushing *******s in the EPA call V8's gas hogs. I squeezed 29 mpg highway out of my brothers '01 Z28 one time. Where's all the 320 hp 30 mpg "economy" cars now?

 

I got my friend to take his Grand Am out to the track a while back. It is a 4 door auto with the ecotec.
This was his first time racing, not that it takes much to launch that thing, but....
he ran a best of 17.0 @ 80. On a colder night with everthing right I could see it go 16.5 around 83 stock.
they pull pretty good up high, surprised me!
However my vote for a badass little engine is the Olds 3.5 v6, that thing screams!!

 

Todd,

Yes, the service limits might be fairly loose on some domestic cars, but if you do a little research, I think you might find that since the early '90s the production tolerances on domestic vehicle parts have been diminished to a lot less than they used to be. ISO and QS9000 have had something to do with that, but even before that the GM Q145 program started the ball rolling.

When doing R&D on the Ford Romeo project, their case tolerances were at worst ±0.0008" (0.02mm),and that was in the longest dimensions, like deck height and cylinder sleeve length. That was 1993. And, at over 110K miles, my '94 LT1 had only .0004" taper and out-of round from the production specification. And I'm guessing it wasn't bored too small. (Incidentally, the NIST certification on the inside mic was current.)

Honda may have started with a tighter engine back in the '80s, but they aren't alone any more. The world endurance record is still held by a Chevrolet the last time I checked.

 

Boham...my bad...I just get a little jumpy when I see things like that... I'm a little too ready for an argument I guess...probably because I have to argue with friends/idiots on an almost daily basis about cars.... Well then..TBI 350...that's news to me, didn't know GM made TBI 350 crate motors...did they improve them since the 3rd gens? I know the problem with the 3rd gen 305's was lack of hp...but then again, they DID produce a sh*tload of torque, which is always admirable! (My little V6 is like that...I'm guesstimating it to be, based on ***** math and my ET/trap speed, between 150 and 155 horses and 190-195 ft lbs.)

 

Wow.. this thread blossomed into a bunch of discussions

Nixon - No problem.. 350 TBI's did come in Early 90's Caprices with the engine code LO5. They used the same throttle body as the LO3 in Camaros, with larger injectors. The crate I got is the LO5, which unfortunately has the swirl port heads, but I upgraded to an LT1 cam, and for a brand new engine, the price was right. Heads can always be changed later. I wasnt about to pour money into a 305 when the 350 swap makes more sense, more power and is completely brand new. And, it runs great.

 

How much did ya pick the motor up for, if you don't mind me asking?

 

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...id=128&pid=105

This is the motor I ordered, with the addition of an LT1 cam. It was a little cheaper when I got it last year, the prices were raised shortly after I got it.

 

Wow..not bad....

 

Well we've got a 2002 Ecotec Cavy and like it a lot. We used to call it "The Hot Rod", because of the chrome wheels, yellow paint, and surprisingly quick acceleration (In it's compact-car class ). Since we've gotten the Z28 though the cavy is getting a break (dad likes to keep the mileage down, not to mention yellow gets filthy after a single outing on the road). Yea the filter threw us off when it came time to change the oil, it's a cartridge. The only gripe is it's cost, but hey it isn't that bad, considering the alternative...blown motor! As for that Grand Am's et. up there, that's pretty encouraging, especially for a four door.
Since this engine is going to be GM's "world engine" or whatever, in about a decade or less, parts should start getting cheap.
I can't really gripe with the Ecotec yet, at least until I get any re-call notices in the mail!