GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

For those who are unfamiliar with it, the Ecotec is the new engine GM is trying to push which is supposed to be the new age version of the small block V8 (Except that it's a 4 cyl.) which means they'll have loads of AM parts for it. The engine is used in the Saturn Ion Redline, new Saabs, the new Chevy Cobalt, and other cars. If it would fit properly (The Vibe is a Toyota, even through it's wrapped in Pontiac symbols) it would allow the Vibe to be a heck of a tuner car. It'd most likely be able to do 0-60 in 5 secs if built with the right components.Any thoughts?

From what I have heard, the Ecotec line has not been as reliable as could be. I have a buddy with a Z24 with a Ecotec in it and regrets everyday he has the car.Inder

I'm not a huge fan on Cavaliers myself, or a Saturn fan for that matter. But I can't deny the potential that the Saturn Ion Redline has, 0-60 in 5.9 seconds. GM did a 309 mph run on the salt flats with a 4 cylinder Ecotec engine built from parts that are available (or will shortly be) from GM Goodwrench Parts. Even if it it wouldn't be the best idea for a swap, it may still make a good discussion point and bring up some better potentials (Since it's a toyota, what about the VVT-i Lexus engines?)

Ecotec isn't very new...it was one of the engine options when I was shopping for my Sunfire back in 01...

Just consider this, Celicas run the exact same engines we do and tey get modded to hell! Pick up any tuner mad and you will find at least 1 Celica in there. I saw a GTS in a mag I got the other day with the 2ZZ with a A'PEX turbo! Guess what that means?!? Should work with the GT?!? I'm sure other Celica GT's have been done as well so there has to be stuff out there, but finding it under VIBE is not a likely place to look. Maybe we should start searching for Celica parts and see what we come up with. I know some are fitted to the car itself, but that is just a matter of spacing a such. It's gotta be worth a try!

Well, for internal work. You could go to http://www.monkeywrenchracing.com . They have many parts for internals for the 2zz and the 1zz. I think it would wise to check these out as well.Inder

Celica's still have some differences in them, even though the Celica GT-s engine is the 1.8l VVTL-i engine found in the Vibe GT and Matrix XRS. I beliece their computer is different, for one thing, although if you had your computer custom programmed by Jim Wolfe, that area wouldn't be a problem at all.

Yeah, I love the 2.2L Ecotec in my in-law's Cavalier LS. That thing sucks, especially next to the 2001 Grand Am SE, which I know puts out around 130 Hp, and it's a smaller engine, if I remember correctly..

Well, again it's a cavalier Anyone test-rode in an Ion Redline yet? Or in one of the 2.0 DOHC Turbo engines putting out 210 hp? They're pretty responsive for being stock.

Are they runnin a cable throttle? If they're runnin a cable, they should be quite nice. Electronic, I wouldn't recommend it.Inder

I owned a 2002 Cavalier LS Sport, 5 spd that had the Ecotec, for about 15000 miles. I thought it was a pretty solid engine. 140 HP, 150 FT/LB of torque. It wasn't the quickest thing in the world. I loved the oil filter location. It was on TOP of the engine! Made for very easy oil changes. The best part is that on one trip from Southwest Michigan to Columbus, OH and back, I got 41 mpg! Chris

Quote, originally posted by clwcrw »I loved the oil filter location. It was on TOP of the engine! Made for very easy oil changes.That's freakin cool! If you unscrewed the filter, wouldn't oil spill all over the engine though?

No, there was a cap with a small diameter spring that put pressure on the filter element. There was a ressed (spelling?) area built into the block where the filter element rested. There would be a small pool of oil in the bottom of the ressessed area, but no oil that would run out. By far the coolest thing I have ever seen on a motor!As a bit of trivia, the Ecotec first appeared in the Saturn brand, as far back as 2000. Chris