Why Did Chevy Use a 2.0L Engine in the SS...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 07-10-2010
Posts: 56
From: SoCal
Why Did Chevy Use a 2.0L Engine in the SS...
...instead of the 2.2 or 2.4L motor?
Seems ironic that their most powerful motor is also the smallest of the three.
I would guess part of it has to do with being able to squeeze a lot of HP out of a smaller engine, while still being able to have good gas mileage?
Seems ironic that their most powerful motor is also the smallest of the three.
I would guess part of it has to do with being able to squeeze a lot of HP out of a smaller engine, while still being able to have good gas mileage?
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
Well the 2.0 is based on the Saab 2.0 Turbo. While all three are Ecotec engines the 2.0 is change a lot from the others.
THe casting of the block and head is different. Not only in the casting methoed but also in the strength. One used the lost foam and the Saab used sand cast. It make for a stonger part. THe racers were using the Saab head.
The Valves are sodium filled for cooling like on the ZR1.
Oiling is imporved and other features for more power and strength were added.
The bottom line is the 2.0 makes for a thicker cylinder wall for more strenght. THe turbo make up for the less displacment. Even the ZR1 Supercharged engine is smaller than the Z06 NA engine.
While the 2.0 is based on the Saab engine is it not the same engine. Note it also was given to Lotus and they did a lot of engineering on it.
THis is only the first of many new Turbo engines from GM. THe 1.4 will be out this year and a new 2.0 will be out next year.
GM has invested a lot of money in the Ecotec this year to make it smaller and lighter. It will be used in many GM cars very soon.
Note too the DOHC V6 will see a twin Turbo soon and is already offered in the SRX Cadillac with a turbo. It too was based on the Saab engine.
GM offers a build up book for the Ecotech engine. The older version is available on the GM perfromance web site under down loads. Take some time to read it as it lets you know how really good this engine is. The 290 HP is only a fraction of what most of the factory parts can hold. Read the back as they has HP break downs on what HP most major parts will take before needing to be replaced.
When it first came out John Lingenfelter the fame engine builder and racer was building these engines using stock blocks and heads. He was seeing over 1500HP out of them before he would break the Saab head. I was lucky to be able to sit with John and speak to him on things several times and he was very impressed with this engine. Too bad we lost him as I wonder what we would have seen in the future. He did some work on the TT V6 and was well over 2,000 HP in a Cobalt import drag car. Think Prostock car with a V6.
THe casting of the block and head is different. Not only in the casting methoed but also in the strength. One used the lost foam and the Saab used sand cast. It make for a stonger part. THe racers were using the Saab head.
The Valves are sodium filled for cooling like on the ZR1.
Oiling is imporved and other features for more power and strength were added.
The bottom line is the 2.0 makes for a thicker cylinder wall for more strenght. THe turbo make up for the less displacment. Even the ZR1 Supercharged engine is smaller than the Z06 NA engine.
While the 2.0 is based on the Saab engine is it not the same engine. Note it also was given to Lotus and they did a lot of engineering on it.
THis is only the first of many new Turbo engines from GM. THe 1.4 will be out this year and a new 2.0 will be out next year.
GM has invested a lot of money in the Ecotec this year to make it smaller and lighter. It will be used in many GM cars very soon.
Note too the DOHC V6 will see a twin Turbo soon and is already offered in the SRX Cadillac with a turbo. It too was based on the Saab engine.
GM offers a build up book for the Ecotech engine. The older version is available on the GM perfromance web site under down loads. Take some time to read it as it lets you know how really good this engine is. The 290 HP is only a fraction of what most of the factory parts can hold. Read the back as they has HP break downs on what HP most major parts will take before needing to be replaced.
When it first came out John Lingenfelter the fame engine builder and racer was building these engines using stock blocks and heads. He was seeing over 1500HP out of them before he would break the Saab head. I was lucky to be able to sit with John and speak to him on things several times and he was very impressed with this engine. Too bad we lost him as I wonder what we would have seen in the future. He did some work on the TT V6 and was well over 2,000 HP in a Cobalt import drag car. Think Prostock car with a V6.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
It is nothing more than what they did with the ZR1 engine when they added the supercharger. They wanted a stonger cylinder for the boost and that is what they did when they cust the bore size.
It is the less is more way to build an engine.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-05-2008
Posts: 5,464
From: Akron Ohio
No Forges pistons Forged rods yes.
The oil sprayers are more to cool the piston as most cars have oil to the pins. Other wise they would just not last long.
The stock rods and pistons are good to 400 HP with no issues.
