Has anyone here looked into doing this? As I'm looking at the parts I need to refresh on my 2.3t Lima I am watching the cost rise on a 30 year old engine that's known for blowing headgaskets..
It looks like LTG engines (from the ATS 2.0T and the Camaro) are available on Car-Part for ~$1500 with 20k miles or fewer, and controller kits are available from GM.
It seems to be difficult to track down a matching manual transmission, but otherwise the prices on all of this aren't bad for a 275hp out of the box all aluminum 4 cylinder turbo.
I'd already have to swap gas pedals for my engine swap (to a throttle cable from linkage), and I haven't made any "permanent" or non-alterable changes to the courier body.
The trans tunnel has already been sliced some, and could easily be sliced more.
I do see that it's a rear sump oil pan, which means that if there isn't a front sump available I would have to tuck it behind the current crossmember, which would mean I would likely need to slice into and notch out some of my firewall as well.
When I get home today I'll measure the engine bay compared to the specs on the engine to see what I'd be working with, but I've been mulling it over today and can't kick myself past it. Thoughts from the group?
For those us who didn't know, this is an LTG engine: https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines/ltg-four-cylinder/rear-wheel-drive
The '67 Nova they show as a recipient of the engine looks pretty cool.
I wonder what kind of mods they need for a bit more power.
Is look more into thinning the horizontal section of the crossmember versus slicing the firewall.
Having just stuffed a fwd gmv6 in a miata, we had to section the pan and notch the crossmember. Also, these new engines are taller than youd think.
The used camaro manual transmissions aren't all that expensive either. I think I figured I'd be about $4k in using the gm performance standalone engine management system. Engines can come from the fwd Malibu too.
It's probably going to be my next big Opel project putting the works into a Manta.
Where have you looked that you've been able to find the transmission? For some reason that's about all that my google-fu hasn't brought up. I did find that it's limited to 332lbft of torque though, so any modifications to the engine would have to be done carefully..
I think this swap would be cool and I hope to see it become popular. That said I did some looking a couple years ago, and it didn’t make sense to me versus an 8 cylinder alternative unless it was for a specific racing class.
Isn't that what loosecannon has in the PinkPanther "jag v12 MG" autocross car?
pushrod36 said:
I think this swap would be cool and I hope to see it become popular. That said I did some looking a couple years ago, and it didn’t make sense to me versus an 8 cylinder alternative unless it was for a specific racing class.
I like the idea of both fitment and weight of the 4 cylinder vs a V8. Not sure how much of a weight difference there really is, but still nice to think about.
It's also rated at 272hp/295tq, with 260ftlbs from 1700rpm on. I'm trying to compare the reliability/how likely I would be to drive the courier hard (and often) with the ltg vs the like, and it sounds much better to think of a 30 year newer engine as a mount and drive vs the tuning and unknowns of the lima.
It might be time to start seeing what I could sell off my Lima parts for..
In reply to AngryCorvair :
I think he's using an LHU, but awfully closely related.
It says max boost: 20psi
Is that what they run from the factory?
Interesting, same bore and stroke as a 2jz.
In reply to TheV8Kid :
20psi is not uncommon nowadays. Welcome to the wonderful world of direct injection.
Turns out there isn't a ton of real information on doing engine swaps with these online. I'm utilizing my resources now to see if the controller kit will work with any old engine or if it's only meant to run the crate engine. That would make or break the potential in my book. I'm also only finding one manual transmission for sale nationwide, which has to mean I'm not looking for the right part. Still keeping my eyes out and exploring the options on this one - the dimensions are pretty similar to the 2.3t I already have, except a little bit of height difference and uncertainty about the Rear Sump oil pan.
GM will sell you a brand new RWD transmission through their motorsports division if money doesn't matter so much.
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/transmissions/ltg
You might also look for a gearbox out of a solstice, colorado, canyon, or an ATS. I seem to recall that they are also close to something that was in dodge dakota and maybe some toyotas? I may be totally mistake about all of this, though.
If you are not brand loyal you might consider a turbo miata driveline, or an ecoboost mustang driveline.
In reply to classicJackets :
i have friends at GMPP. I will point them to this thread.
AngryCorvair said:
In reply to classicJackets :
i have friends at GMPP. I will point them to this thread.
I think I've found the resource and information I need. Setting up a meeting for the next few weeks to get the full scoop, but it looks like the GMPP Harness with controller kit (https://paceperformance.com/i-22326117-19328839-cpp-ltg-rwd-controller-kit-contains-pre-programmed-ecu-harness-sensors.html) would work with any engine, with a few sensor changes.
Budget on transmission would definitely still be key. I'll keep looking around.
pushrod36 said:
GM will sell you a brand new RWD transmission through their motorsports division if money doesn't matter so much.
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/transmissions/ltg
You might also look for a gearbox out of a solstice, colorado, canyon, or an ATS. I seem to recall that they are also close to something that was in dodge dakota and maybe some toyotas? I may be totally mistake about all of this, though.
If you are not brand loyal you might consider a turbo miata driveline, or an ecoboost mustang driveline.
The ecoboost mustang engine looks to be about twice the cost of an LTG, surprisingly. This one is partially coming from brand loyalty as well
Classicjackets
Did you verify that the GM standalone harness and ECU will work with other 2.0 LTG'S and not just their crate motor? I have made a deal on a low mile 2016 LTG in a Chevy Malibu.
Thanks
Eddie.
Was googling Ecotec 2.0t’s, and this thread was in the search results. Anybody know the info about the stand-alone controller?
Had missed these responses. The answer I got is that the standalone harness and computer must be used together (no harness from a donor, controller from GM type of mixing). Some sensor differences may need to be accounted for (not info I have all of, but I think proper MAF setup will be one of them.), and maybe a little bit more wiring. Otherwise, should even be fairly minor differences between FWD and RWD, although they are not the same.
