I am extremely new to the ecotec, (I was a honda fanatic), and cobalt, but am wondering if the longblock of the new ecotec is the same as the ecotec in a jbod. I'm trying to gather info in regards for engine building purposes. I saw a built head offered by RSM for the cav ecotec, but not the cobalt as well as the intake mani. I know this is a new car, but any help would be appreciated. Also could anyone tell me what the model is for the auto trans, and list a reputable shop that can build those to withstand a bit more power. Thanks

 

You should check out the gm performance build book. It has all that information and more. You can find it on www.ecotecperformance.com among many other places.

 

Search my posts. I am working on this stuff right now. The 2.2L ecotec is designated the L61. As long as any parts (engine parts) you are trying to find say L61 or 2.2L, you will be fine. The auto trans is the GM 4T45E. It can handle 220ft/lbs of torque. After market modifications have promised over 400 ft/lbs. My trans is being shipped (as we speak) to IPT transmission. They have a web site, do a search. Many auto trans performance shops do jobs on the 4T65 do to its greater popularity. The Phase 5 Cobalt uses a 4T65 with a custom bell housing mount. But if you call them and ask, they can usually do a job for the 4T45 as well.

 

You could also reference the links I have posted here:

GM Tuning Guides

I'm not sure if they're exactly what you're looking for though but it could be some help. The page itself may also provide more information about the Ecotec to bring you up to speed on it.

And btw, welcome to the GM world ! Nice to see some people making the change over and seeing the potential in their engines and products.

Permafried-

 

Oh, heh, good job permafried, I didn't realize that you had them linked around here. Two thumbs up to the people who are on the ball!!!

 

im new to ecotec as well... does the name ecotec mean anything?

 

I must say, the responses and links were very helpful for building purposes, and it seems as though support for this forum is very good as well. I'm going for the same or around the same idea as halfcent, I bought an auto, just to make this build a little harder, and my wife couldn't drive my previous car due to the manual. As well as I'm trying to start with a fresh platform, hince the cobalt. I've talked briefly to Speed Mafia, and will be waiting for the kit to come out for the cobalt, and have also started speaking with IPT. The only question that I still cant figure out is in regards to the head. I was told a mixture of opinions on whether it is the same, but I guess the final answer will come from the dealer. I will post as soon as I find out if it is the same, or not. If so, anyone with the 2.2 at least will have a jump on headwork. Thanks again.

 

Here is what I know about the heads. The SS head has sodium filled exhaust valves. They help with heat. Otherwise, I know of NO OTHER DIFFERENCE between the L61 and the LSJ (2.2 / 2.0) heads.

In the new GM build book for this engine there is a reference to Bates Engineering valve springs. I spoke with Bates over the phone and had a great conversation with him. He said the exhaust valve issue is a small one and there is really no need to change them. Hahn racecraft said the same thing.

Bates did sell me on his valve spring kit however, which allows you to raise the RPM red line to 7500. I then informed IPT of the improvement and they will be adjusting my auto trans shift points to take advantage of the new engine speeds. Hope that helps.

 

Your research is amazing on how far in depth you've went with your choice of engine/trans. If I can ask, how much is the upgraded valve spring kit, and what is the contact's website, if any? Thanks again, I'll be awaiting updates because Im going in the same direction as you. Also IPT never gave me a quote would you mind shooting me a pm with pricing and upgrade specs.

 

Bates engineering doesn't have a web site, you have to call them. The number is in the build book which I don't have with me at the moment. The set cost about $170 if I remember correctly. Not bad at all. He will also sell you on an improved timing chain tensioner.

IPT qouted me about 2500. The LSD and high stall converter added about another 1000.

 

The LSJ does use sodium filled exhaust valves as pointed out, but there are numerous other differences between it and the L61. Some very significant.
The LSJ uses a superior casting for the cylinder head, a different(shorter stroke) crank, different(stronger) rods, a different oil pan casting and many other smaller changes differentiate it from the base 2.2L.

 

Thanks Maven. I knew those things, but I was just talking about the cylinder head. The only difference in the HEAD that I know of is the exhaust valve. I didn't know about the different casting mold.

 

Yes the LSJ head is better and highly recommended over the L61 casting for max effort engines

 

GM performance parts offers a fully CNC machined head for the ecotec. I learned that you could use this head with a fully stock valve train if you wanted to. Many sources have told me that the stock valve train is pretty much bullet proof. Since I'm using forced induction, I'm depending on the turbo boost for the production of my additional power. I shouldn't need the additional flow (and expense) provided by a CNC head to achieve my horsepower goals.

However, If I want to continue to tinker with my engine after my turbo installation, the next weakest link in the chain is actually the induction manifold. The stock L61 head tested to 650 HP without problems. The manifold was only tested up to 350HP, but they had no problems with it. Beyond that number they switched to the aluminum welded manifold. Right now however, that is not a street legal part as described in the GM ecotec build book (the new one).

 

I love getting these types of replies from fellow members. My hp goal will be around 325-350 and torque around 250-300. I am taking the alternate route(as long as it comes out) and going s/c with the procharger, so hopefully those numbers aren't too out of the question. There's a shop here in STL that has done nothing but great work on my honda, so the head will probably go there. The block will hopefully need no machining by the time the internals are ordered. So hopefully my build won't be too terribly expensive. So with that being said, I'll buy a ecotec longblock from a j-bod, and start the build. Halfcent, and maven, is the tranny the same from a cav or sunfire also, cause I want as little downtime as possible, and if it is, I can pick one of those up as well. Thanks again.

 

This thread is going to be a huge help to me as well since I'm aiming to increase the horsepower and torque on my LS within reasonable limits. The build books helped quite a bit but I'm still relatively new to modifications, engine components, etc. and everything I've picked up has either been from TV shows (gotta love it ) or these forums.

I was looking into a turbocharger kit planned for the Cobalt's 2.2L Ecotec but I'm starting to wonder if the "bolt-on" S/C from GM would be a better idea since this would hopefully not void my warranty, and being a GM designed part should install nice and easy. I e-mailed the company they mentioned in the 250 - 400 hp manual for the turbo and they have not yet released their turbo kit but I'll keep an eye out for it and they said it's coming soon. My biggest concern is which modifications will and will not void my warranty which is making me lean overall towards GM parts.

Good luck with your mods...let us know how they work out because I'm incredibly curious . I was looking to boost mine up to 250 - 260 tops otherwise I have to start rebuilding too many components and my insurance will go through the roof...but the mods I have planned would likely push me well over that. One question though Edaddee (being the newb I am ) is ProCharger the name of the company who makes the S/C and if so where can I find information on this?

Thanks,

Permafried-

 

Procharger is yes, just the name of the particular s/c that I am heavily leaning towards. Speed mafia is the company that should be coming out with the procharger kit for the cobalt. There are a few diff companies that will be producing s/c kits for the cobalt, you have the procharger from speedmafia.com, or procharger.com; the vortech from rsmracing.com, and the gm. You could also be expecting hahn to do a turbo kit very soon as well @ hahnracecraft.com. Oh and about the warranty, the s/c from gm is warranted to a 12 month period, and the service/accessory tech's at the local chevy dealer have to install, and set all boost, and tuning to stay under warranty( at least thats what my dealer said). Good luck with your build as well, and I will keep you posted. I just need for other members like halfcent to keep me posted on any other good products/services to keep my tranny alive.

 

Good news ladies and gents....This past weekend at nopi in stl, I ran across the Kindle Racing team and there cobalt. Absolutely stunning, seeing the 535 hp monster upclose and personal...priceless. I didn't get to meet anyone other than the guy filling up the i/c with ice, but he was very helpful, and gave me a copy of the gmtunersource cobalt build book. I was extremely impressed with their courteousness and willingness to answer questions for me. I also witnessed the 7-8 second cobalt fly by at the track, and this gives even more hope for builds such as mine or halfcent( halfcents already got a head start). I also wanted to let everyone know that Hahn was there with the proto cobalt turbo kit, and for all those sedan lovers, yeah it was on a sedan with auto. Hopefully, everyone gets the same feeling that I do, and realizes that soon more and more parts will be coming out for the cobalt.