General Motors Ecotec engines?

Question

Do you have any experience with the General Motors ecotec engines?

I'd like to replace the gas hog V8 I have with something more ecomomical. The ecotec 2.4 sure seems like a a good engine. Double overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinger, fuel injection, all aluminum, with a 5 speed automatic tranny.

My main concern is, how difficult would it be to get the computer and all the sensors working properly?

Answer 1

Unless you enjoy doing a project like this, I would suggest you take the money you'd spend on the engine swap and purchase an older economy car. There are quite a few available at the auction/sale websites for around $1200. Some of the old Hondas, for example, get up into the low 30s for gas mileage. If you do that, you can either keep your V8 car for pleasure driving, or sell it.
As for the difficulty of getting the computer and sensors working if you did the swap, you'd need to replace the computer with one for the new engine. Also, the wiring harness would need to be adapted to the new system, or changed completely.
Overall, I would not recommend doing the swap. I enjoy doing thins to my cars, but this is way too much work. Not to mention that it will adversely affect the value of the car.

Answer 2

You know there are complete cars Colbalt, HHR and others that come complete with that engine. Yet you want to tear apart two cars for months to get a few more miles a gallon. Besides all the curent ECOTECH engine applications happen to be front wheel drive transverse mounted engine transmission.