Hi there I tried to post this thread before but it might've flopped.

So I found an Ion 2.4L engine to mate up with my manual transmission inside my 2006 Cobalt SS LE5.

Is the ION engine and head a straight up swap for the LE5 2.4L in the Cobalt SS?

The parts yard has assured me it's a straight up swap - is this true? I don't have the tech manuals for the 2.4L engine but if anyone wants to I'm willing to buy.

 

I think all 2.4L when Saturn was around was the LE5; what year Ion though? Only thing that may need attention is if you're running the factory oil/water cooler in your car. This is a block-of-stacked-plates looking contraption behind the oil filter casting. See what you got here on the car and replacement engine and report back. If this detail is the same between them, it should be a direct swap assuming you can unbolt things from the old block to install on the new block.

You'd be surprised how compatible Ecotec stuff can be across many years; example I am building an LE5 using a lower mile 2015 Equinox LEA block. The oil pan and front cover are the same part number, along with the timing set and valve train parts. I could probably use the crankshaft, but I'll stick with the 2006 forged one.

 

Ions and cobalts share the same 2.4.

 

Ok thank you very much - GM says I should keep all sensors etc from the engine in the car - no aftermarket, which is fine. And I can use a header apparently so long as it has an O2 bung.

Since I'm not replacing the gearbox - transaxle, I think I'm going to have to take off the short block from the gearbox, and then lift the engine out from the top. I know the usual tactic is to lower the engine and pull it out from underneath, but I don't think I'll have that luxury and it'll come out from the top, then lowered. I've read that it can be done both ways depending on whether we have the hoists and tools needed.

 

You can take it out from the top but the harmonic balancer and timing cover have to be removed for clearance and even then it BARELY fits.

 

Ok so the harmonic balancer pictures I've found are notched, so they're only going back on one way.

I'll be willing to remove it from the bottom if it gets to hairy doing it from the top.

 

It should fit, we put a 2012 Malibu 2.4 in my brother's 2008 g5 gt and everything was the same except for the injectors which were flexfuel on the malibu

 

Yes thanks!



Engine now installed

The car cost $550, parts $1000, install $1500 - engine has 100,000 km.