We've been working on this Ecotec-powered Street Sunfire for a few seasons now...it's a cooperative project between my son Adam and I. He drives it and works on it, I write the checks!

Seriously, though...it's been our objective as of late to get it into the 10-second range, where no Ecotec manual-trans street car has ever gone before. This last Tuesday evening, we hit paydirt...BIG TIME!

Video of 10-second pass

Video of 606 WHP dyno run

The car has been an ongoing testbed of high-performance Ecotec development for us, and actually is still powered by a 2.2L L61 engine, albeit destroked to 2.0L now.

Adam has recently joined the Air Force, so I dedicated myself to working with him to achieve our dream for this unique 'father-son' Eco-car before he begins his journey to serve our nation. Time has been short, so we've been working hard on it for the last few weeks. We are now very proud of the car...and the best part is, there's way more left on the table!

We're going to do a full feature on our website soon on this fascinating car. Originally prepared as a SEMA show car back in 2002 (hence the flamboyant paint!), this current iteration was conceived to show that Ecotec power can result in impressive times while staying within the budget constraints of the average enthusiast. GM Racing has built 'street' cars of considerably more performance than this, but they've always featured megabuck engines and very altered drivelines built around a conversion to the 4T65 automatic transaxle.

We set out to prove that a stock transmission and engine location can also get the job done nicely, and with a fraction of the budget GM Racing lavished on their cars. I must emphasize that this is not meant to take anything away from what GM Racing has accomplished, for they've done an outstanding job of showing the Ecotec engine's capabilities. This car is instead a 'bridge' from those well-financed efforts to the average Joe!

Overall, the car weighs 2475 pounds, and still sports a complete interior, stock window glass, stock body panels, and is street legal and plated (well, we DO put different wheels on for the street!).

I must take a moment to thank the companies who have helped out with this effort. They all support the Ecotec mission faithfully, and are worthy of your patronage!

ClutchMasters
The DriveShaft Shop
ACCEL-DFI
Random Technologies
Keizer Wheels
Competition Cams
Wiseco Pistons
AllEcotec.com

 

thats amazing man!!!

 

wow good job

 

Here's the timeslip numbers:

60': 1.712
330': 4.665
1/8 ET: 6.982
1/8 MPH: 109.39
1000': 8.954
1/4 ET: 10.583
1/4 MPH: 139.23

 

hey man that is crazy!

you guys want to bring your stuff to a big cobalt meet in Racine on OCT 25?

 

That sounds awesome! And close to home too

Please PM me with details.

 

 

 

Pmed ya

 

Congrats on your Son joining the AF...i just got out a few months back and it was a great opportunity that i had.

And damn i must say seeing those L61 Vids is simply jaw dropping and very exciting. Hopefully soon i can have my build back rolling!

 

Very impressive, nice work.

 

niCe

 

whats the scoop on the car in the other lane?

nice work though

 

That was a tube-chassis big-block V8 drag car...it went 9.62 @ 138.24. We meet up with all kinds of stuff in the Test and Tune sessions at Rt. 66 Raceway

Thanks!

 

you've never seen fast cars before?? lol

 

WOW congrats on that.

 

Congrats man, I knew that thing would be hitting 10's soon. 11.04 before wasn't very far off, but almost a 1/2 second pickup.... that's awesome.

 

Thanks! Yeah, when we spoke last, the 11.0 was the best so far. Adam and I had been working on so many aspects simultaneously that I suspected the first 10 would be deep in like this...if it all came together on one pass. And it did! On the vid, you can see the car get small...FAST...once he hits 2nd gear. I knew he was on a boomer then!

 

can't wait to check out the vid when I get home from this hell hole lol.
btw hitting the track again myself on the 17th.... aiming for low 12's this time now that everything actually works

 

nice

 

gotta love the ecotec!

 

just nasty....

 

what is you so doing in the AF? congrats on the gnarly fast pass.

 

Thanks! He tested well, so they want him in Engineering. It will suit him

 

Congrats!

Badass car.....hideous paintjob though, lol.