How do you feel about your eco?

BeyondTheLimits+01Alero · 03-10-2009, 10:48 PM

I hear good things about them but I want to know first hand.. My friend thinks I should swap for a eco.. but I don't know jack shit about that. Im posting in the eco thread because I want to know about your performance, how you feel, all that.

Nate's Alero · 03-10-2009, 10:51 PM

stick with the 3400, take care of it, and it will last a while

GET YOUR NAME SHORTENED

BeyondTheLimits+01Alero · 03-10-2009, 10:53 PM

jesus christ lol enough with the name stuff! I said it can be changed I didn't care. You don't think 3.4 to eco is worth it? Even if I plan boost?

Misuseofyou · 03-10-2009, 10:53 PM

I like my 2.2 Alero better than a v6 Impala. Not sure what to tell you, it's peppy and gets the job done. You aren't going to be doing any burn outs though.

Nate's Alero · 03-10-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeyondTheLimits+01Alero

jesus christ lol enough with the name stuff! I said it can be changed I didn't care. You don't think 3.4 to eco is worth it? Even if I plan boost?

boost the 3.4 (have fun finding one)

TheEdgeofSanity · 03-10-2009, 11:01 PM

stick with the 3400, don't bother with a swap. if anything, find another alero with an ecotec. think of it this way, you can boost a 140hp stock ecotec and get maybe 180 hp with it or you can stick with your 3400 with 170 stock hp and add a CAI and chip and have 180 hp. take your choice =] i think the 3400 choice is much cheaper.

BeyondTheLimits+01Alero · 03-10-2009, 11:03 PM

yeh I guess so. I just hear alot about how much you can do with an eco and how everyone loves them. I wanted to know how the owners feel about them. But I guess ill look into boosting the 3400... that wont be fun finding it

Midgear · 03-10-2009, 11:05 PM

intake and a "chip" isn't going to net you 10 horses with the 3400.. unless your stock intake tubing has a family of rodents living inside of it.

if you have the money for an ecotec swap, do it, but keep in mind.. you dont just rip the old engine out and plop the new one in and start driving.. you have all the wiring and shit to redo.

I personally like my 3400, modding it vs a little 4 banger (that'd whip my ass if the same amount of money was put into it) just seems different. Plus I like how my V6 sounds vs a 4 banger lol

aaaand.. there is A LOT of aftermarket redily available for the ecotec. where as the 3400, you gotta hunt around and build your own shit, like for instance if you want to turbocharge it.. you gotta piece together your own turbo system. get your own shit welded and made to fit, custom fabrication.. unless milzy motorsports comes out with a kit lol

BeyondTheLimits+01Alero · 03-10-2009, 11:15 PM

I know you cant just drop it in lol. and I wish they would come out with a kit ><

econewb22 · 03-10-2009, 11:17 PM

i really like my eco but id like a 3400 in it just because i like SPEED

my .02...

comanche · 03-10-2009, 11:22 PM

I really like my Ecotec...

No worries, fuel mileage is great, I know it's bulletproof, plenty of power (5 spd), doesn't run as smooth as the 3400 though, but you really can't kill it from what I've heard from all kinds of people. No maintenance problems at all, whereas the 3400 will need LIMG and Water pump at some point, and possibly head gaskets in future if DEXCOOL isn't taken care of....

Just check how much an eco costs compared to a 3400.... you will spend twice as much for a 3400, and they have been around longer... Ecotecs are cheap because they don't break down often.

Ecotec is a great engine, a little rough, a little noisy, but easily moddable (j-body.org) and much better on fuel as well.

I would much rather have the Ecotec for long-term use.

CactusWill · 03-10-2009, 11:28 PM

Yeah don't even think about swapping drivetrains when its alot cheaper and easier to just buy the car that already came the way you want it from the factory.

Now, if you're looking to buy a car that already has an ecotec, you shouldn't be disappointed. Its not perfect or anything, but I'll take an eco over a 3.4 anyday. Its got decent power AND torque, which most 4 cyls do not have. With awesome fuel economy.

bdyman · 03-10-2009, 11:38 PM

mine sat for 3 yrs and neglected to start it, did a tune up and it fired right up, and no problems since

AbHeLlRaZoR · 03-11-2009, 01:12 AM

I Love my ecotec its great on gas and easy to maintain. with plenty of mods available for it. I would rather have the LA1 instead just cause its putting out 170 hp stock hp and sound alot more beefy.

CactusWill · 03-11-2009, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comanche

I really like my Ecotec...

Ecotec is a great engine, a little rough, a little noisy,

Another awesome thing is, the whirring of ecotec gears. Its like, beautiful music and stuff. Nothing like a late nite cruise with the windows down to prove it

AbHeLlRaZoR · 03-11-2009, 03:00 AM

one of the best things about the ecotec engine is there reputation of putting out sweet numbers when boosted.

Noseminer · 03-11-2009, 04:14 AM

I've read alot of stuff on different sites that say an eco can handle up to 250-270 hp boosted. thats on a mostly stock engine, with a tune, injectors turbo. There is also alot of aftermarket stuff for the eco, and bolt on turbo kits depending on the application.

AbHeLlRaZoR · 03-11-2009, 03:02 PM

at about 250hp is where the connecting rods start breaking from what I've read but that's a very debatable subject.

Noseminer · 03-11-2009, 03:22 PM

Ya but I do like my eco, but really I can't compare because I don't own a LA1.

Valley olds · 03-11-2009, 06:25 PM

Unless you plan on boosting the ECO, I wouldnt bother with the swap. The ECO make 30 hp less than the 3400, so unless you put some kind of heavy mods you will be better off with the 3400.