What would the hive do with a Solstice engine/trans-Page 3| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

wspohn HalfDork
10/18/15 9:27 a.m.

The Ecotec is an excellent engine - the turbo LNF version is the highest output per liter engine GM has ever produced. The LE5 used in the NA cars is more mundane with average output - the only easy way to an significant additional power is turbo or supercharging - the latter would look very vintage in something like a Locost.

Like any modern engine, these last a long time if regularly serviced. Ignore maintenance and they can be visiting the shop as often as any other neglected engine.

Mine gets 375 bhp and over 30 mpg (when off boost). No complaints here. And yeah, a 4 cylinder, even with balance shafts will never be as smooth nor sound as good as engines with more cylinders.

novaderrik UltimaDork
10/18/15 12:18 p.m.

Knurled wrote:
NickD wrote: In reply to Zomby Woof: Me? No, I work at a GM dealership. And there is at least one 2.4L in every week getting timing chains and/or pistons and rings. There's even bulletins out about the oil consumption.
The only time I see that is with people who forget to to get oil changes done. Typically if the engine is over 5k since the last oil change, the oil filter is collapsed in on itself, wasp-waisted. Change the damn oil regularly and they go 200k easily without opening the engine. 5k+ service intervals are wasteful in that they make good cars get scrapped before their time.

if you put in an oil filter that comes in an orange box and is available at places like Wal Mart, there is a good chance that the filter collapses the instant you start the engine with the new filter in it..

Zomby Woof PowerDork
10/18/15 4:17 p.m.

The Miata swap guys are using these motors and getting 200/200 with only a tune. The oil burning thing was a couple of year problem, and is a 2.4, but not the LE5. Never seen a chain need to be replaced after the first few years of the Eco.

NickD Reader
10/19/15 5:52 a.m.

Zomby Woof wrote: The Miata swap guys are using these motors and getting 200/200 with only a tune. The oil burning thing was a couple of year problem, and is a 2.4, but not the LE5. Never seen a chain need to be replaced after the first few years of the Eco.

The oil-burning is still an issue on 2.4Ls in Equinoxs and Terrains (#15285: Special Coverage Adjustment - Excessive Engine Oil Consumption). Timing chains are also still an issue. GM even released a special coverage extending the warranty for that to 10 years/150,000 miles because the problem is so prevalent. And this occurs on cars where the customer follows GM's recommended maintenance intervals to a T (3,000 miles on 5W-30 on pre 2011 engines, 6,000 miles on GM Dexos semi-synthetic 5W-30 on '11+ vehicles.)

slefain UberDork
10/19/15 9:16 a.m.

Find a C4 Corvette with a blown motor and swap in the turbo 4. That should piss off a BUNCH of people.

mattmacklind UltimaDork
10/19/15 10:00 a.m.

Love the Chevette idea, but it has to have the Vauxhall front end.

GSmith HalfDork
10/19/15 10:46 a.m.

rustysteel wrote: Ironically I took pictures and drove this today: <a href="">Solstice I found it pretty rough and coarse but fun to drive. Had nice turn-in when taking the on-ramps onto the highway. After an hour of driving my leg was cramping up and couldn't find a comfortable position. Too bad, I was hoping to like this more.

I really wanted to love a Solstice/Sky, but have an hour+ commute. The driving position / large tranny tunnel was a killer, but the NC Miata I tried next fit great.

Same reason I don't care for the new Camaros. I don't want to sit sideways and look straight ahead.