2.2L opposed to a 2.4L

I was looking into a Pontiac G5 (yes g5, same thing as a cobalt)

And was wondering if i should bother with the 2.2L if i plan to build it up or just save up and go for the 2.4L.

I don't know what they're capable of or anything so any input would be good


G5:
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/2248000-2248999/2248332_16_full.jpg

The more cubes the better.
The 2.2 engines that I know of (unless Chevy has updated the later 2.2 engines) have been an 8 valve design w/push rods. The 2.4 is dual cam w/16 valves. Way more performance and better durability w/the 2.4. I have seen some 2.2s that developed oil pressure issues and ended up wiping out the cranks. Then again, just to change a water pump on a 2.4 is a pain-in-the-ass job. The water pump runs off the cam chain, so the timing cover has to come off and the chain has to be removed ($35 water pump, $350 labor).

If I had a choice, I'd get the 2.4. If you're looking to do some performance mods, there are performance cams available through GM Performance. You could also do the Ricer trick and install a turbo kit. I know it's big $$$$$s, but it would sure fly. It would be a waste of time/money to mod a 2.2 anyway.

Yeah, i see what you're saying. I just wish they didn't cost $17,000.

But if i were to buy one i'd probably either build it up NA, or Fab my own turbo setup, being the kits always seem to be restricted and whatnot, plus the $$$ is insane on the kit compared to a build.

Thanks though.

But what's this i hear about it not being directly fuel injected, is it then at the throttle body? Is there a reason, or a way to make it a directly injected engine?

Any explanation as to why the valve covers look vastly different between the Cobalt and G5 would help too. The G5 has a '2.4L VVT Ecotec' which i read puts out 173hp and 163 ft-lbs torque. Whats with those tall black things sticking out from the top?
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/2248000-2248999/2248332_17_full.jpg

As much as I can remember, Chevy hasn't used throttle body injection since 1993/1994. Everything since then has been port injected. You can see the end of the fuel rail sticking out from under the little black shield, between the valve cover and the super charger on the Cobalt engine. I'll have to research the differences in the cylinder heads to see why the valve covers are different. Most likely differences in ignition systems and VVT. The new 2.2 has been updated. It's now dual cam, 16 valves.
The LS1 was designed w/an individual coil for each cylinder, 4-cylinder engines now use the same concept. The black connectors sticking up from the valve cover are the ignition coils.
Diesel engines are now direct injected (the fuel is shot in directly on top of the piston), it's different than port injection. Volkswagen (and other German companies) have been developing direct injection for gasoline engines and should be on the market soon. BMW went a step farther developing electronic valve control as a means of regulating engine rpm. The intake manifold is an open plenum, so the intake valves have taken the place of the throttle units.

Have you test driven a G5 or a Cobalt? There was a Cobalt running around the neighborhood for a while, but I don't know what happend to it (him). It sounded pretty peppy.
Test drive both of them and see how they compare. If you plan on modding them later on, see what a pulley swap/K&N/exhaust would run for the super charged 2.2. I've heard that it's no slouch.
If you plan on doing mods soon after purchase, you always get more performance from a turbo. So then the 2.4 would be a good choice.

It's a tough one. What does your gut tell you do?

the 2.2 is the ecotec 145hp dohc engine. the old 2.2 used in cavy's was a ohv or something and made a shitty 110hp. the ecotec is the new version of the quad 4. used in fwd gm vehicles such as grand ams,cavy's and achievas. check out cobaltss.net. the 2.2 will see the least amount of gains do to it's smaller size. the 2.4 vvt and especially the 2.0 SC engines will give the bigger gains. a fully moded cobalt with a 2.2 will maybe see high 14's at the track NA, the 2.4 SS could reach 13's when the aftermarket picks up more, and the 2.0 has the most potential cause it can make big gains with bolt ons. now there are turbo kits for the 2.2 which on low boost would really wake things up and you can be running deep 13's. let me put it this way. turbo setups are better then supercharger set ups for 4 bangers, and forced induction is your only option for real speed in a 4 banger.

Also, if you have a civic si why bother with a cobalt. your car has 8 times the potential. buy a turbo kit and boost that thing you'll be much happier. my two best friends have boosted hondas. ones a GSR that makes 400whp, and my other buddy has a crx with a d16 in it running 8psi with a custom turbo kit. he took the motor out of my 91 civic si and put it in his crx and then turbo'd it.

Yeah, i see what you're saying. I just wish they didn't cost $17,000.

But if i were to buy one i'd probably either build it up NA, or Fab my own turbo setup, being the kits always seem to be restricted and whatnot, plus the $$$ is insane on the kit compared to a build.

Thanks though.

But what's this i hear about it not being directly fuel injected, is it then at the throttle body? Is there a reason, or a way to make it a directly injected engine?

Any explanation as to why the valve covers look vastly different between the Cobalt and G5 would help too. The G5 has a '2.4L VVT Ecotec' which i read puts out 173hp and 163 ft-lbs torque. Whats with those tall black things sticking out from the top?



Um dude the cobalt engin your displaying is not a 2.4 or a 2.2 engin its the 2.0 supercharged engin and its waaaaaaay different from the others. That does not have VVT in it or anything like that its designed for the supercharger attached to it. lol actually there is some pretty cool stuff in that enging it has oil injectors to keep the pistons cool from the added heat and there are some other things that i cant think of at the moment. But as for modding the 2.0 would be cheap to mod because its supercharged already you can upgrade it to a stage 2 for 600 CAD plus labor wich will get you another 41 HP and change the intake, Pully and Flywheel for another 2000 maybe 2500 CAD plus labour ofcouse and that might get you upto about 280 or so maybe more... Then you could adjust the PSI on the supercharger by changing the pully size so you could get more HP little cost. Finally the most important thing is that the 2.0 has the option of LSD (Limited Slip Differential) witch is a major plus if you plan on racing and can be very expencive to install on a care that doesnt already have it.

Yeah that Cobalt motor is 2.0 SuperCharged, Not 2.2 Im new here so Im just sticking my 2 cents in..I have a 05 Chevy cobalt but its not SuperCharged and its not a 2.4 either, its 2.2 TurboCharged I just got installed, With that installed now I am around 230hp easily...Im not totally sure yet because I havent gotten it on Dyno yet but I also have larger intercooler, and now my Boost is up to 16psi, Same as the 05 WRX STI if Im not mistaken, but that car has 300hp stock turbo soooo I cant stay up with that yet lol

Yeah that Cobalt motor is 2.0 SuperCharged, Not 2.2 Im new here so Im just sticking my 2 cents in..I have a 05 Chevy cobalt but its not SuperCharged and its not a 2.4 either, its 2.2 TurboCharged I just got installed, With that installed now I am around 230hp easily...Im not totally sure yet because I havent gotten it on Dyno yet but I also have larger intercooler, and now my Boost is up to 16psi, Same as the 05 WRX STI if Im not mistaken, but that car has 300hp stock turbo soooo I cant stay up with that yet lol

pics or bullshit.

the best engine to mod serously will be the 2.4L with the VVT. VVT is GMs version of Vtec. The larger displacement is a huge help. BUt the engine runs a very high 10.5:1 compression, so boost is gonna be hard and low untill you replace the internals.

2.0 Supercharged Ecotec is a great engine for people who arent looking to go all out with it. Its got forged rods and pistons from the factory with the supercharger. Its not that hard to see high 12's with that engine.

Everyone has there opinion to what is (best) just like different people thinks what (looks) best, so I respect All

the black things on top of the G5 engine block are the coil packs.

Well first off it is physically impossible right now to be running a 2.2 turbo, especially with 16 psi boost. There is NO tuning out for the cobalt 2.2 right now so your turbo story is B.S. Not to mention the only 2.2's with turbo's are full race vehicles or prototypes.

As far as better engines. The 2.4 for now is a better engine due to its size. But as far as the 2.2 it is a dual overhead cam design. The Ecotec 2.2 has its own GM Build Book to make your car a race car. ITs souly based off the 2.2 and not 2.4 or 2.0. The 2.2 has more potential once tuning comes out (expect it by late spring). Turbo kits are ready for the 2.2 its all a matter of cracking the computer. If you goto www.gmtunersource.com you'll notice all the race motors for the drag cars are 2.2.

Well first off it is physically impossible right now to be running a 2.2 turbo, especially with 16 psi boost. There is NO tuning out for the cobalt 2.2 right now so your turbo story is B.S.

Turbo kits are ready for the 2.2


Tuning IS out for the 2.2 Ecotec. They even have it for the 2.4 VVT. And why did you contradict your self? There are PLENTY of Ecotecs running turbos.

Oie!! Got some news for you guys... Maximum Boost does have a turbo kit out for the 2.2 eco on the cobalt. As a matter of fact, it has stages 1 - 3. Check it out if you're interested. http://www.maximumboost.net/index.php?cPath=21_44_148_272&osCsid=685f8a03e9c39d967207571edb8f1f94