Chevrolet Performance is the industry leader in crate motor sales, selling pretty much every Small Block under the sun through its annual catalog as well as its website. But many have been asking: where’s the love for the four-cylinder engines?
Answer: it will begin in January 2015, when the 2.0L turbocharged LTG four-cylinder Ecotec engine will become available. However, buyers can order it now (part no. 19328837). First seen in the Cadillac ATS 2.0T, the LTG in crate form boosts a max of 20 psi and is rated at 272 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. And more importantly, it’s for longitudinal, manual transmission applications only. AKA rear-wheel-drive. Yes, you can now turbo-four your F-body… or your Toyota FT86/Scion FR-S.
The engine will be offered as either a standalone unit or coupled with a six-speed manual transmission to go with it. Other stipulations include the fact that fabrication is required to incorporate a charge cooler for air-to-air intercooling. And a high-pressure fuel pump is also required for the integrated direct injection system. The engine carries a 24-month or 50,000-mile/80,000-kilometer limited warranty.
Comments
This would make a neat engine swap motor. I would imagine it would be easy to mod as my LNF.
Imagine how well the old S-series trucks would respond to that swap. Gear it correctly and it would be the ultimate sleeper while still delivering north of 30mpg. I’d imagine its pretty pricey though.
It should come with a fuel pump. And be set up for front wheel drive. There are millions of gm fwd cars that could use this. If you have rwd it makes me think of the LT1 for a engine swap.
Millions of fwd cars that would torque-steer right off freeway on ramps with this engine under the hood.
Really is that what a Malibu and regal do?
I have more HP and Torque than this with mine and I keep it on the road just fine. Most newer FWD cars have their suspensions tune well to deal with this. While not eliminated torque steer is well controlled.
My on ramps at 23 PSI are straight and true.
This is awesome news, Im curious to see if there be a transverse setup avaiable, perhaps we could see alot of turbo 4 fiero swaps coming? just wondering.
According to Chevrolet’s website this is going to be a $9000.00 proposition. More than some of the Hi-Po SBC’s and BBC’s. I know this is a hot little motor, but that’s a little pricey for a LUV, S10, Fiero, 80’s Camaro or even a light weight 30’s model Hot Rod engine swap. I could see this price being reasonable if it was just about turn key, but it’s not even close. Now, they just need to add a few V6’s to the mix and hopefully not break the bank as much as the little engine that could does.
While the price here is high there is a ton of these ending up in salvage yards daily with accidents etc.
This engine has the ability to be the next 3800 SC only with much more room for growth with power. There is a lot you can do to his engine and GM has not even started with it yet.
I own a Fiero and some folks are already working on the swap. The real issue will be dealing with heat in the back as you need to control heat. I was around the PPG Fiero’s back in the 80’s and they had a V6 Turbo set up. The heat could be a real issue as they could see oil temps to 300 degrees or more and that is not good. In doing the swap one much address the air flow and not disrupt the factory flow as it would make things even worse.
I have considered the Turbo in a S10 as this would make it a monster. If you can get it hooked up it would be very fast.
I also have a guy here with a glass 32 Ford coupe with near 500 HP with a Eco Turbo. The owner has a new Z06 and said this coupe make the Z06 feel slow.
The key to these engines are the torque and the flat curve it has. In my own car I have set the traction control light off on the SS at over 50 MPH. The first time it happened I thought I broke something as the power cut and the wastegate opened with lights on the dash flashing on. I looked and it was the traction control kicking in.
Folks this is the Small Block of the future as time goes on as they will be great in numbers and will be easy and cheap to make power in the future. As the V8 engines become more scarce and the prices go up it will be a good alterative for many builders. They may not come from GM but the salvage yards will be busy.
For $9000 we could invest in the LNF,LSJ,LE5,LCV,LDK,LD9,LE8,LHU…and any of them with that amount of $$ invested in them would be pretty badass. Then in a couple years the price will come down. I’m not saying it isn’t worth that…but any of these other Ecotec engines are very adequate…and well worth the investment…
I looked into this engine to put into my 84 fiero. But since its rear wheel drive only and my engine is in the rear I would need a fwd conversion
Want one for a 1978 Pontiac Formula Sunbird. Replace the iron Duke.