I know we've kinda beat around this topic a couple times but I havn't seen an exact answer to this question.

I plan on keeping my cav for a long time so I'm gonna completely build a whole new motor with all performance parts, Yes I'm well aware that this is gonna run me over $10k and I already know it's gonna take me a LONG time. So I need somewhere to begin and that start point is what motor to use? Should I build another 2.4l or do a swap with a 2.2eco? I would want to do the eco, but I plan on going all out and adding an intercooled turbo with nitrous, and cryo2. And with that in mind...the eco's aluminum block. That's what worries me about that. With a turbo and n02 in mind should I use the 2.4l motor or do they make more solid blocks for the eco somewhere?

there's going to be a lot of other people in here that have more knowledge on this subject, but I'm going to add my 2 cents in.
I have the 2.4 now. I like it a lot, but GM doesn't make that motor anymore, and the parts are getting to be expensive (like the lifters). I'd do the eco swap, since there's a larger market for it, and more part availability. I plan on doing an eco swap hopefully in a couple months.



Desert Tuners

“When you come across a big kettle of crazy, it’s best not to stir it.”

eco's are a strong block very strong with just the addition of two additional headbolts Gm themselves had the block over 1700hp thats right one thousand seven hundred. the internals were far from stock with one exception... the crank so to say the block looks weak I'd say you are mistaken.



"Racing is life Everything else is just waiting"
Phil

I never said it was weak, I've heard stories about it blowing because of either the turbo or too much n02, i cant remember.

The ecotec will take you further IMHO if you want all out. Although the 2.4 cant def. handle power if done right but the oilingsystem needs attention. Of course I am biased to the Ecotec but I believe it is a better platform to go "all out" on. But the 2.4 isnt weak either. It's up to you.

I say Eco swap, rods pistons head and cams and boom theres 350 whp reliably, of course you need a great tune.


but for ease because you have the motor already you could also do the 2,4. but if you do, swap in the 2.3 oil pump and such



LE61T PTE6262 Powered

ecotec

cutting edge technology... new product support... 2.4 is falling further into the past and further from the minds of sport compact owners

How would I go about putting an eco in a twin cam engine bay? Would I have to cut off the old mounts and weld on eco mounts? The mounting is def. a grey area for me.

no, the upper mount for the eco will bolt directly into the place of the old Z24 mount. I know some of us were actually using an upper z24 mount before they offered solid upper moutns for us, and the lower mount is the same, its the tranny mounts you will need to weld in



LE61T PTE6262 Powered

My father in law tells me there's no substitute for cubic inches. It depends on you. Now with so much support for the Ecotec it might be a little cheaper. If I didn't have so much money into my LD9 I would do a 2.4 Ecotec swap. Don't get me wrong though, I love my 2.4 and wouldn't trade it or my car for anything right now!!!

The eco is the new "in" motor. Like how Dodge is using the new Hemi in everything,
GM is using it in as many vehicles as possible aswell. It's newer technology, and has
factory support. While the 2.4L is loosing factory support, parts are harder to come by,
and are getting more and more expensive.

Since the Eco is being used so extensively, aftermarket parts will be be even more
available in the future, aswell since the demand would be there prices should be lower imo for parts.

I'd use the eco. Not because it's a better motor now (which is debateable) but, who knows
what will be available for it in the future. There is already the GM charger available, tuner programs,
and a slew of aftermarket goodies that is only going to increase in numbers.

Personally I'd be interested in swapping in the 2.4L eco. Not only because of the extra displacement, but
because of the variable cams. GM is using that motor in afew cars right now, and is planning on adding
it to upcoming models. I'd expect that motor will recieve quite afew tuning options in the near future.

I hear ya on the 2.4l being dead technology, it's just the complete engine swap of a different motor into the 2.4l engine bay. Intimidates me lol

And I guess the 2.4Eco is drive by wire? So i guess that would be extremly hard to pull off?

Todd Nixon wrote:My father in law tells me there's no substitute for cubic inches. It depends on you. Now with so much support for the Ecotec it might be a little cheaper. If I didn't have so much money into my LD9 I would do a 2.4 Ecotec swap. Don't get me wrong though, I love my 2.4 and wouldn't trade it or my car for anything right now!!!

your father in doesnt watch much nopi does he. displacment is old news. it helps but there are plenty of hughe horse power b18's out there.


"boobs now with Riboflabin"

Well, I wanted to buy a different part every now and then from the block up but i dunno. And I also wanted to put it together myself but I'm thinking I'm just going to save up and buy a crate engine from J Body Performance even tho they're based in Canada and shipping will probly be horendous. I still don't understand the "core charge" tho, does that mean I have to ship them an eco engine first? Wtf is a core charge? lol

Todd Nixon wrote:My father in law tells me there's no substitute for cubic inches. It depends on you. Now with so much support for the Ecotec it might be a little cheaper. If I didn't have so much money into my LD9 I would do a 2.4 Ecotec swap. Don't get me wrong though, I love my 2.4 and wouldn't trade it or my car for anything right now!!!

does your father want to race a friend of mine with an integra? He'll teach you all about displacement



2007 GM Tuner Bash...HELL YEA
PA,MD,NJ,DE,NY and all states north caravan

save your money with the swap. you said that you're going to fully build either motor with all performance parts, so unless you plan on running 1700hp, stick with the 2.4.



Nope, it ain't stock.

Boardorgohome wrote:

Todd Nixon wrote:My father in law tells me there's no substitute for cubic inches. It depends on you. Now with so much support for the Ecotec it might be a little cheaper. If I didn't have so much money into my LD9 I would do a 2.4 Ecotec swap. Don't get me wrong though, I love my 2.4 and wouldn't trade it or my car for anything right now!!!

does your father want to race a friend of mine with an integra? He'll teach you all about displacement

Why you trying to start stuff with people you don't even know? He knows plenty and I think his Euro spec Benz would give the Integra a challenge!!!
Maybe not off the line but on the highway.....yes.

Boardorgohome can also teach you a thing or two about stealing people's money from the classifieds...@!#$.

the core charge is basically what it costs them to get a stock starting point.

So if you send them a stock motor then your only paying for the cost of the new parts and the work they do to engine.

If you don't send a core they charge you the full price.


-Chris

Oh, so either way I have to send them the core charge, so if i send them a stock part I get the money for the core back, right?

Go eco, there's far more aftermarket support, they are in lots of cars so core's will get cheaper as time goes on, they are stronger stock, and an aluminum block so they weigh about 100 lbs less than the 2.4, and don't have a known oiling system issue so you don't need to worry about running high revs day in and day out (essential to make NA power). The 2.4 is a good motor, but the eco is better in almost every way.


15.3 @ 89.97mph, 14's on the way?

Okay, I've decided to go Eco!

Now the question is, do I buy a complete new engine from Jbp and NOT get my core charge refunded, or do I try and find an ecotec engine, buy that, and then pay the shipping to ship the motor all the way to Canada and get my core charge back?

Lance Sharpe wrote:Okay, I've decided to go Eco!

Now the question is, do I buy a complete new engine from Jbp and NOT get my core charge refunded, or do I try and find an ecotec engine, buy that, and then pay the shipping to ship the motor all the way to Canada and get my core charge back?

now THAT is an excellent question, I'm with you all the way onthis project, bc time to tackle my swap is coming soon.

For all of those who are bragging about this B18 or that integra or whatever consider this, all of those engines have turbos and make 1000 - 1700 hp and cost $50000.
What happens when they run across an american V8 with twins turbos which make between 1500 - 3000 hp, they are going to get their a$$e$ cracked wide open by the car with more displacement and power. My point is if you spend enough money in anything you can make it fast however it's easier to make big power with more displacement.

I'm in the process of building a 2.4 twincam with an 086 HO head & intake with a new stock crank, Eagle forged rods, Wiesco forged pistons, 60-1 turbo fmic, custom cams etc which I expect to make 500hp at the flywheel and 400 - 460 at the front wheels. Maybe someday I'll do a complete engine swap when I can no longer find parts for the 2.4 but I like the challange of making power with something that lots of other people scorn or say is a waste of time. I don't think I'll spend more than $6000 total for parts & labor to build it either.


2000 Z24 5spd header & catback for now.