I am glad I now have a 2.2 without VVT. I have better mpg and the cost for replacing the timing kit is less expensive. I don't understand why some ecotec have VVT.

 

They did that because the VVT gave better abilities for flex fuel! I miss my 2007 2.2 non VVT , better fuel mileage and it had remote start! Nothing to do with VVT but , I do miss that feature! Thanks Hertz rent a car, fleet delete !

 

 

The only reason a timing set would cost more is if you replace the VVT actuators (phasers) for reasons of your own; they don't wear out normally. Money grubbing shops don't even recommend that routinely.

 

If nothing else, for CAFE. It let them bump the HP without hurting mileage.

I've had both. For an older car used for grocery gettin', all other things being equal, just for the simplicity, I too would prefer non-VVT, especially if gas stays cheap.. At the price of complexity, VVT can provide more HP, greater fuel efficiency, and the ability to adapt to various types and grades of fuel. I think neither "Flex Fuel" 2009 and later nor the prodigious performance of the LNF in SS would have happened without VVT.