2.2L Ecotec owners

[99BlkGT]

Hello everyone!!

I am looking at purchasing a 2002 - 2005 Grand Am with the 2.2L Ecotec engine. Could I please get some input on this engine (mileage, power, reliability, satisfaction). Also would you prefer the four speed auto, or the five speed manual.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance :usa2:

[lowrider2962]

well heres my 2 cents. the ecotec engine does pretty good on fuel millage, like 27 or so city, and 30-35 highway. when it comes to performance the ecotec doesnt have much chance showing off. if u take good care of it it will do u well but this isnt the type of engine ud take to the quater mile. there arent a whole lot of upgrades for the ecotec either. sometimes u have to look for ur parts on a different car. the chevy cavalier and cobalt both have ecotec(at least some models do) as well as the olds mobile alero. the alero is pretty similar to the ga so i always look for stuff they sell for the alero too. like i said the ecotec is not a performing engine. not without major modifications. incase ur wondering wat it looks like im gonna post a pic of mine on here. i cleaned it less then a week ago so its a pretty satisfying pic. as for the transmision, if ur goin for ecotec ur stuck with auto. auto and manual transmision options are usually a personal preferance. so all together the ecotec doesnt do tooo bad but it definetly doesnt have the potential some of the other GA engines do. if u have any other questions u can PM the to me or post them on here. i hope my opinion helps.

[lowrider2962]

forgot to post the pic...(P.S. all of the info above is just to the best of my knowledge, dont bet ur money on it). also i think i skipped one of ur questions. for reliability, the ecotec has never let me down. my car has been through A LOT. and still no problems after 72000 miles. u might also try looking under the Technical in the forum catagories. just click on the ENGINE SPESIFIC DISSCUTION, select ur engine. and read all about it.

[tenspeed]

The engine is good but in a GA, it could use some more power. The tranny choice depends on you're type of driving. I would not recommend a manual for mostly city driving.

Here's a link to a ecotec forum. (http://www.ecotecforum.com/forums/)

[lowrider2962]

WOW!!:omg: that engine is pimp. how do you get it to shine like that?? is there some kind of stuff u use to clean it that does that? i would really like to know. thanks

[lowrider2962]

Good God tenspeed.... u gotta teach me ur engine care techniques. i just got done looking at ur cardomain page, and ive just reallized....ive got some work to do. if u dont mind. i seriously would appriciate any tips or advice ur willing to share. if u have a AOL, Yahoo, or MSN screen name and u dont mind sharing it with me that would be awesome. Mine is JRG2008. im usually on. if u want u can PM ur screen name to me. thanks


(P.S. where did u get those custom headlights?

[Street Vandal]

well here is my little opinion...there is no replacement for displacement.as for the reliability part..i dunno

[tenspeed]

Originally posted by lowrider2962
WOW!! that engine is pimp. how do you get it to shine like that?? is there some kind of stuff u use to clean it that does that? i would really like to know. thanks

Not to hijack the thread but I saw that 99BlkGt showed up on the ecotec forum.

I usually give everything a good scrubbing and drying. The shine on most parts comes from Armor-all type stuff.

Originally posted by lowrider2962
Good God tenspeed.... u gotta teach me ur engine care techniques. i just got done looking at ur cardomain page, and ive just reallized....ive got some work to do. if u dont mind. i seriously would appriciate any tips or advice ur willing to share. if u have a AOL, Yahoo, or MSN screen name and u dont mind sharing it with me that would be awesome. Mine is JRG2008. im usually on. if u want u can PM ur screen name to me. thanks
(P.S. where did u get those custom headlights?

Everything is custom made except for the polished valve cover and the wire loom. The headlights have BMW angel eyes. The dipstick sports a piece of lexan. The caps have spun aluminum discs on them and the white rings are clear poly tubing with white wire inside.

[99BlkGT]

Thanks for the information everyone!!

[99blackSE]

Actually for most potential lowrider I would say the Ecotec probaly is top.

[lowrider2962]

Originally posted by 99blackSE
Actually for most potential lowrider I would say the Ecotec probaly is top.

to be honest. ive begun to notice that myself. when i beat my moms 04 pontiac boneville GXP equpied with the northstar v8. it finally hit me that maybe i wasnt so bad off afterall. my engine only needed more care and pampering. i made that post before i had done much. and now i kinda disagree with some of it. im gonna get new plugs for it cuz ive heard that will help (from other ecotec owners). maybe the ecotec doesnt have a ton of ponies but what it does have (when taken good care of) is response. i think thats something u loose with more cylinders. proly the only reason i beat my moms boneville. that and the fact that she does nothing but oilchanges to take care of her engine. so really the ecotec is acctually a gr8 engine. i love mine.

[SilverBane]

Originally posted by lowrider2962
to be honest. ive begun to notice that myself. when i beat my moms 04 pontiac boneville GXP equpied with the northstar v8. it finally hit me that maybe i wasnt so bad off afterall. my engine only needed more care and pampering. i made that post before i had done much. and now i kinda disagree with some of it. im gonna get new plugs for it cuz ive heard that will help (from other ecotec owners). maybe the ecotec doesnt have a ton of ponies but what it does have (when taken good care of) is response. i think thats something u loose with more cylinders. proly the only reason i beat my moms boneville. that and the fact that she does nothing but oilchanges to take care of her engine. so really the ecotec is acctually a gr8 engine. i love mine.

Yea, i agree, one of my favorite things is the torque this little engine produces. Just as a FYI, the eco was in the top 10 engines for the last 2 years. It is a very good engine and you can free up some ponies with some simple upgrades. It is not a powerhouse, but I walked all over a cavy z24 with the 2.4 the other day like it was standing still...

[GhettoSuperStar]

Originally posted by SilverBane
........... but I walked all over a cavy z24 with the 2.4 the other day like it was standing still...

That was me and I was parked and you still barely got me. :lol:

Just kidding. there are ECO's putting out over 1000 hp. Don't you guys ever watch Speed Channel or PowerBlock on Spike.