jtb

OK, so it's not a Cobalt, but it is GM.

I have an Opel GT (the old one, not the new one) currently running a rotary RX7 engine, but I would like to swap in an LE5 or even a 2.2

Am I better to find an entire wrecked car to get all the sensors/modules/pcm/wiring harness, or are components interchangeable enough that I can piece something together?

Is it worth finding an LE5 or can the 2.2 be easily/cheaply built up to equivalent HP/torque?

Sorry for the newbie questions.

FYI, the Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky is an Opel GT in Europe.

Thanks in advance!

jtb

rockstar014

well if ur asking would would be easier to put in a le5 or l61(2.2) the l61 would prolly be easier

_UnLiMiTeD_

why would that be?

HunterKiller89

iTrader: (1)

i'd go with the L61. much better aftermarket. How much are 2.2 rods? and how much are 2.4 rods? lol
there wont be a noticeable power difference between the two if your building them both anyways.

jtb

Thanks for the replies!
If I were putting in the 2.4, I don't think I would need to alter it from stock. The Opel is a very small car, should be lots of jam in stock form. I was wondering about building the 2.2 up so that its HP and Torque would be equivalent to the 2.4
Am I right in assuming the physical dimensions of the 2.2 L61 and the 2.4 LE5 are the same or very similar? Is the 2.4 a larger bore and stroke in the same block? Same head or different?

Thanks again,

jtb

pat_07ss

go with the LE5
you would have VVT

plus it's easier to find; it's a global engine
they use it in many models
it's even used as an on-board engine in boats

no
it compares more to the LSJ if I'm correct

rockstar014

bc it would seem a lot more difficult to install a 2.4

HunterKiller89

iTrader: (1)

VVT doesnt provide any great power gain..so thats kind of a moot point. the L61 is a more widespread motor than the LE5, so it would be easier to get a hold of (check out wikipedia to find which euro cars use the L61). The external dimensions are exactly the same. the LE5 is a stroked and very slightly bored L61. Its biggest advantage is that it runs 10.4:1 CR instead of the L61's 10.0:1 CR

for comparison:
the LSJ (and all 2.0l ecotecs) have bore x stroke of 86mm x 86mm
the L61 (and all 2.2l ecotecs) have bore x stroke of 86mm x 94.6mm
the LE5 (and all 2.4l ecotecs) have bore x stroke of 88mm x 98mm

If you wanted to keep it NA and stock, a LE5 would make more power, but an L61 can easily make comparable power with higher CR pistons. Additionally, the L61's shorter stroke makes it much safer to over-rev the engine, so a cam swap, balance shaft delete, and stronger valve springs will allow 8,000rpm redlines. Additionally, both blocks can be fitted with the supercharger and intake manifold on the LSJ if you wanna really step up the power.

Its all up to you now

_UnLiMiTeD_

The LE5 can handle more boost without having to rip into the internals, been shown that, u would have to make over 350 whp before thinkin about doing internal work. Where as the L61 gets questionable above 250 whp.

Also theres more tuning available for the LE5

rockstar014

the le5 i think is a sick block lol

_UnLiMiTeD_

it deffinately has a ton of potential to be a hell of a motor

rockstar014

agreed

jtb

Great info, thanks!
I seem to see a lot more L61's available then LE5's in wrecks.
I don't think I can physically fit a supercharger. A turbo might be possible, but I'm happy to keep it NA. The existing rotary is about 180HP, but not a lot of torque (don't have a number) and it has enough pep for me - I'm not looking for a 400RWHP monster.

So, if it is the same block, then the Aisin tranny used behind the LE5 in the Solstice/sky/Canyon will bolt up to a L61 block?
Any ballpark figure for upgrading the L61 w
ith pistons, cam, and springs as mentioned? (Or just tell me I'm lazy and to go do my own damned research).

I have looked at wikipedia, very useful so far. It also mentions that the ecotecs are all derived from an Opel engine, so there's my tie-in!

Thanks!

jtb

HunterKiller89

iTrader: (1)

There's a member on here named Sharkey who would be our expert of figuring out which transmission will bolt to which car. I don't believe the L61 will bolt up to the RWD trannies, and I dont believe the LE5 will either, unless the LE5 was pulled from a car that already had RWD (like a solstice or sky, as you mentioned) I can't recall why, and i may be wrong, but like i said, Sharkey would be able to give you an in depth answer as to why. I would PM him for more information.

As for the parts, pistons are usually around $500, cams are about $500 from Comp Cams, and springs tend to be just shy of $400, though GM sells a kit of springs, retainers, seats, and stem seals for $650. Though theyre not needed for an NA build, rods are around $250-$300, and I would recomend them as the stock ones are only rated for 250bhp (though i've seen as high as about 300bhp). Its one of those things I would do while the motor's already taken apart, because if you do both pistons and rods, your motor will be able to take around 500whp no problem.

You should note also, that every time you take the head off the block to do an install on engine work, you will need new head studs and a new head gasket, which are $140 and $95 respectively.

These prices are all from turbotechracing.com and allecotec.com
allecotec also has free shipping, so take that into account, though im sure they'll charge you some shipping fee for international shipping.

Chuck

There are alot of pros and cons...
The LE5 make more power stock to stock.. atleast a good 20-25HP over a L61.
There more aftermarket parts are made for the L61.
Stock to stock I think the reliability is about the same.
LE5 has alittle higher compression ratio and VVT. Down sided is that higher octane fuel is recommended for the LE5.
Physically the motors are about the same size.. the LSJ is alittle bigger due the supercharger and larger intake manifold..plus you would need more room for the accessories the superchargered motor would require.. (heat exchanger, coolant pump, etc)
Most likely you would easily find a 2.2 L61 in a salvage yard.. the LE5 and LSJ will be a harder find..lol

shabodah

If you're going to do a swap like that, you'd really be better off swapping the whole powertrain. It's probably easist to find the solstice LE5/Aisin 5-speed combination than any other front engine/rear wheel drive GM four cylinder.

toolman

Good luck with the swap. That's a fun little car you have there! If you haven't already, you might want to get the HD torque tube bushings from OGTS. If you still have the original 4 speed, you probably will want to either get the upgraded Getrag 5 speed and an adapter plate to mate with the LE5 or use the tranny from the Solstice/Sky. The L61/LE5 might be a little taller than the 1.9L that was originally in your car, so you might need to get an aftermarket hood.

I had a 1970 Opel GT. The headlights were so fun to turn over.

jtb

Thanks for the info, everyone!

I have emailed Sharkey, we'll see what he says about the tranny. He just happens to live less than an hour from me, it's nice to see some locals on a forum.
With regard to parts ordering, I live 15 minutes from the border, so I can get stuff shipped to the States and pick it up myself from there.

Thanks, but my car has no Opel drivetrain parts left in it! Mazda engine and trans, BMW rear end. I do plan on using the Aisin tranny.

The car is very small! The original engine was a 1.9 litre inline 4, some people build them up to 2.4 litres. I think the engine will fit under the hood height-wise, though the oil pan will be fairly low (as long as it is above the bottom of the rims, right?) Engine bay width is very limited, so running a supercharger or even a turbo is questionable. But as I've said, I'm happy with less than 200HP, this is a street car that will venture out for autocross or solo racing.

Cheers,

jtb

shabodah

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PONTI...Q5fAccessories

jtb

Thanks!

I checked out the ebay ad, Spalding auto parts - I've looked at their ads before, Spokane is a reasonable driving distance from Vancouver.

BTW, the word back from Sharkey is that the bellhousing from a FWD or a RWD ecotec should fit the Aisin transmission, to the best of his knowledge. He also mentioned the availability of an aftermarket bellhousing to hook up a T5 to an ecotec.

The things I'm learning... it's great!

jtb

shabodah

I do believe you can hook up a t56 with it as well if you have the right one- LT1 style, I do believe (not LS1).