Need Some Pointers

[seth..]

Hey guys. im new to aleromod.com but this is what ive been searching for i need help with my two door 02 alero gls with the 2.2L Ecotec engine with an auto tranny . I just need some pointers or tips for a couple hps and some gas mileage types. Thanks a lot for giving me a hand.

[Valley olds]

Just look through the old threads in the 2.2 section. There are plenty of threads about this. Also this link may help a little more.

http://sites.google.com/site/aleromodupgrades/

For the gas mileage, check this link out. Most will depend on your driving habits.

http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27150

[heineck]

welcome and look at ecotecforum.com lots of help for sprucing up the L61. and ions gotta do somethin about the ecotec page on there, a billion things for the LD9 and under the L61 he lists Nitrous lol

[Valley olds]

There isnt much for the Eco on the page, but there is a little on the tranny, which will help the car run better.

[seth..]

thanks guys i'll give these places a look. any problems i should know about the ecotec engine?

[CactusWill]

The early ones have poor oil circulation to the timing chain area, so keep your oil changed often. I sold my 02 eco with 142k and never had a problem, but I always knew when it was time to change the oil because it would take a split second more for the engine to start up once the oil started to get dirty. On fresh oil and healthy ignition, an eco should fire instantly.

[seth..]

i changed my oil about 2000k ago and its already black i ran sea foam in it before i changed it? possible problems?

[CactusWill]

Most likely just sludge that broke loose from the seafoam, change it right away and then see what happens to the new oil.

[seth..]

ok thanks ill change it as soon as possible

[undersc0re]

If you have the same experience I did, you will change it only to change it again in a short time, but after that it gets back to normal. I guess it loosens up the carbon and sludge everywhere. If I do it again I will use cheap oil 2 times after I do it again, maybe its the fact that I wait 100,000 km to do it....I know its clean in there now anyways, thats all you need is a passage way to a crank or rod bearing blocked...lol

[seth..]

hahah that is true
im thinking of doing internals new pistons, rods the whole 10 yards. just not sure if its a smart idea with only 116k on the car

[CactusWill]

hahah that is true
im thinking of doing internals new pistons, rods the whole 10 yards. just not sure if its a smart idea with only 116k on the car


116k on a good running ecotec is just a baby, barely broken in. The question is whether the car itself is worth it. But if you're going to do it, make sure you put in the updated timing chain kit, that will bulletproof the motor, IF done correctly.

[Nate's Alero]

116k on a good running ecotec is just a baby, barely broken in. The question is whether the car itself is worth it. But if you're going to do it, make sure you put in the updated timing chain kit, that will bulletproof the motor, IF done correctly.

im scared of messing with the timing of an engine

[leoalero]

Welcome to the site,your engine is a beast,so it can be boosted with no problem for the HP question but will not necessary be good on the MPG if u boost,or u can just change your intake and put a good exhaust system on it to deliver some horsepowers,but can a GLS have an ECOTEC in?!?

[bdyman]

dude the aftermarket is big for the ecotec, lingenfleter made a 1,000plus ecotec block, check out j-body.org and the other forum mention above
my car has the ecotec it sat for 3 yrs, tuned it up, and the only problem i have is a p0402 code no biggie and not to bad, one of the strongest 4 bangers built by GM

[seth..]

ive got an aftermarket magnaflow muffler with stock exhaust. what kind of exhaust should i go with? and also whats the best brand for a WAI for the ecotec

[leoalero]

theres no really best brand for an intake(I think),unless u can plug your sensor in(you have to reach the colder air under the engine bay),its good,theres cheap CAI on ebay,some say its not good some say its nice,your choice,on mine I have the whole pacesetter system and sounds good,gives also some more power!!

[seth..]

how much does the full pacesetter set up cost. ive heard bad things about their headers?

[Cliff8928]

but can a GLS have an ECOTEC in?!?

Nope, they only models with the Ecotec would be a GX with auto or manual, GL1 with auto only, or a GL2 with manual only for '02.

Canada is slightly different, but still all the GLS models were V6s.

[seth..]

i was never really sure what type it was haha. always thought it was a gls haha. and man do i wish i had the 3400

[colonel6632]

why... my ecotec 5 speed is just as fast as a 3400... and gets better mileage...

[leoalero]

whats done on yours,cause my stock 3400 is way faster than my modded ecotec!

[leoalero]

how much does the full pacesetter set up cost. ive heard bad things about their headers?

I bought mine around 300$,and its an easy install(its a double dual,4 exits)lol and i dunno about the headers but my exhaust was perfect and dont leak anywhere!!

[seth..]

where from i live in canada and mot of this stuff comes from the u.s. DAMN CUSTOMS

[colonel6632]

i have an k&n drop in filter... thats it... went to the track and another stock grand am se ran 16.9... was a 3400

[leoalero]

where from i live in canada and mot of this stuff comes from the u.s. DAMN CUSTOMS

i know,customs are the problem,im in canada too and i had no choice if i wanted this one,but you could go at a local midas(or any welding garage) and ask them ,look at Ion's dual exhaust ,I think its made by them,its a 2.5'' exhaust line!

[seth..]

i wanna stick with the single i dont like the duals on the alero no offence.

[leoalero]

theres one on ebay too!!

[seth..]

i was also thinking of going turbo. my friend has a 16 g turbo off an eagle talon just rebuilt all i need is a manifold and all the goodies

[bdyman]

i have the rk sport header into 2.5 inch pipe into a glass pack, the only problem with the header is when it is installed the rear of the engine cradle i had to bend it down to accomidate the flange, no biggie, it sounds great

i have the rk sport warm air intake, i love it!! sounds like a vegas whore sucking on a friday night, also aem makes on for the ecotec, k&n too, fujita makes one,

dude skys the limit really, you could do stage 1-2 cams and heads, different intake manifold, turbo, supercharger, crank, pistons, connecting rods, you name it you can do it with the ecotec

but if your asking for gas mileage, then dont drag race everytime from a red light, keep your oil changed, keep an eye on your routine maintance, you should be good to go,

google search google and j-body.org

[Nate's Alero]

whats done on yours,cause my stock 3400 is way faster than my modded ecotec!
got that right... 3400 haul!

[seth..]

thanks bdyman. looks like im gonna have to do deeper into this cause im wanting to push maybe 300whp by the time im done this. also is there any twincharged L61's

[[ion] C2]

twincharging isn't worth it, there's only 2-3 twincharged LD9s and the same deal can be had for cheaper and more efficiently via a single turbo setup.

whats done on yours,cause my stock 3400 is way faster than my modded ecotec!
to tell the difference in "fast" between 2 cars that run within .5 sec of each other is hard to do via the butt dyno. my friend's neon "felt" faster than my car due to the rough ride but it's significantly slower.

[CactusWill]

thanks bdyman. looks like im gonna have to do deeper into this cause im wanting to push maybe 300whp by the time im done this.


Getting that kind of power isn't the problem, its that the stock 4T40E tranny you have is only designed to handle up to 275hp or so, according to gm. If you get it up to a reliable and good running 250whp I think you'd be pretty happy with that.

[[ion] C2]

325 tq

transmissions deal with torque, and that's the "known" rated capability, but a few have surpassed that no prob

[seth..]

i'll need to do a couple tranny upgrades first, then go with a turbo. is it hard finding a manifold for the ecotec?

[colonel6632]

i dont think so... from what ive been reading sounds like the turbo cobalts manifold should fit.
i'm a newb so i could be mistaken

[heineck]

u can some one fleabay for under 200 shipped or vulcan turbo makes manifold but they want 325

[seth..]

is it true the cobalts manifold will work?

[[ion] C2]

yep.

and you don't need to do any transmission upgrades before boosting.

195,000 here, supercharged since 173,000, turbocharged since 194,000.

[seth..]

well ill have to grba one from somewhere for cheap then. which engine though i thought you turbo cobalts were 2 litres

[[ion] C2]

All exhaust manifolds fit between ALL Ecotec engines, regardless of displacement.

[heineck]

is that intake manis too? i know the LE5 manifold works on the L61

[seth..]

well thats good news well thanks ion. ill have to go grab one and turbo. But would it be a bad idea to bypass the intercooler on this engine. my friend has an 87 supra pushing 600 rwhp and he doesnt run an intercooler. bad or good idea?

[[ion] C2]

Most likely. I know 95% of the entire supercharger setup bolts onto the Alero's L61.

I highly doubt your friend is making 600 whp without using an intercooler. The temperatures would be ridiculous, knock all over, greatly reduced power... there's just no way. For the low cost ($100ish CXRacing) and high gain (lower temps, low/no knock, more power, looks sweet), there's absolutely no reason not to have an intercooler.

[seth..]

ive seen the car and taken it apart and theres no intercooler no BOV either. CXRacing makes an intercooler that'll fit on the alero. how hard is it to get off the bumper and everything?

[[ion] C2]

Doesn't make 600 whp then.

It's just held on by a bunch of plastic body panel clips and a few screws, easy to rip off.

[PappaSmurf]

Not hard at all!
All you need is a "little" C4, a detonation cap, primer cord, and 2 AA batteries and BAM (literally) your front bumper comes off. ROTFLMAO
-Smurf-

[seth..]

wow pappa i like your way sounds a lot more efficient and less time consuming! but im gonna look around what would eb the best turbo to go with though. i was thinking a 16g turbo off a talon?

[Valley olds]

Here are a link to a turbo kit. Cliff8928 posted it on a thread I made about wanting to turbo the Eco.

http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/products/turbo_kits/ChevroletCobalt.htm

[seth..]

thanks guy! but how much do you usually spend on turboing your cars just so i know a price range of how much i'll need

[KenshinZero]

thanks guy! but how much do you usually spend on turboing your cars just so i know a price range of how much i'll need

When you pull off you front bumper, dont pull a me and break 3 clips :lol:

[meadus101]

What part of Canada?

[seth..]

saskatchewan