I'm working on a Wiki on Ecotecs, and the topic I'm currently working through is visually differentiating engines. The only ones I'm stuck on right now are telling the difference between the LAP, LE8, LE5, and LE9. (If you do not have the VIN or know what car the engine came from)

What I am asking for from you:
I need pictures of the face of the pistons used in the LAP/LE8(they use the same part number on RockAuto). I have been unable to find pictures online of the face of these pistons, or even a video of an LAP having the head removed. I need to know if the pistons on the LAP/LE8 have a simple dish(like the L61), or valve reliefs(like the LE5/LE9).
They are GM Part# 19180242, every picture online is of just the underside of the piston.

It doesn't really matter if you can tell the difference between an LAP and an LE8, or between an LE5 and an LE9(unless you're doing a big-boost build). The LAP and LE8 are physically swappable with no issues, same for the LE5 and LE9. The car would never know the difference, so long as the fuel system from the car is put on the new engine. But It is definitely important to be able to tell the difference between an LAP/LE8 and an LE5/LE9, due to the displacement difference.

On the outside so far the best visual indicators I have so far are

• throttle body bolts
  • LAP/LE8/LE5 have 5 bolts
  • LE9 has 4 bolts
• throttle body plug location
  • LAP/LE8/LE9 facing away from butterfly valve
  • LE5 facing towards
• throttle body bore size
  • LAP/LE8 ~58mm
  • LE5/LE9 ~65mm
• Fuel injector color and o-ring color on fuel rail side(using GM genuine parts)
  • LAP is black with orange o-ring
  • LE8/LE9 are grey with orange and green o-rings(excluding Polaris Slingshot)
  • LE5 is grey with only orange o-ring

These are so far the ONLY visual differences between the engines I have been able to verify via pictures of the engines, and part numbers/pictures on RockAuto. If you know any other identifiers, please let me know.

If the injectors and throttle body are gone, I have absolutely no idea how to tell these engines apart from one another, as they all have VVT and share valve covers.

I have also been unable to verify if the LE8 and LE9 have the updated and reinforced sand-cast block, or the foam cast block the LAP and LE5 have.
I'm not sure if GM changed the numbers stamped on the block in the sand-cast blocks.



Thank you very much.

 

Coming back with my findings from the junkyards:

L61, LAP, LE8 2.2L feature domed pistons.
LE5, LE9, LEA, LAF 2.4L feature flat top pistons

So if you have a bore-scope and the engine right in front of you you can put it in the spark plug hole and look at the top of the piston to determine displacement.

both have valve reliefs cut into them.

also no, the LE8, LE9, and LE5 were never sand-cast. Only the LEA, LAF, and LHU/LDK(LDK not sold in the US)

You can also use the codes stamped on the oil-filter housing(unless there was no code stamped) to determine exactly which engine it is.

Please refer to this thread for information:
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/2-0l...0/#post7760850