why did pontiac put such a small motor in such a big car?

[99`_grand_am]

why did pontiac put a 4 cylinder motor in that big car? u have to admit the 4 door pontiacs are considerably larger than most 4 cylinders, not to mention much heavier, i know they have the 3.4 v6, but what about the 2.2 eco? and it just seems kinda weird because the pontiac seems more of a sporty car, the 2.2 seems like it would be in a cavalier, or a geo prism or something, but not a car that huge, maybe im imagining things, but if anyone has any good guesses it would be nice to hear 'em.

[roboticgod]

probley some executive from GM thinks the 2.2 gets better fuel economey. But if you think about it, that little motor has to bust ass to pull the car. When if they put a 300hp V6 in the damn things the motor would just pull the car like it was nothing at all.
Only other reson I can think of is they have 100's of thousands of 4 baggers lying around everwhere. the are cheaper to make .

[GTP Dad]

Actually most cars of this class have a 4 cyl as their base engine. It is a way that GM can keep their fuel economy ratings with the EPA where they want them to be. I agree that a 2.2 is small but it does have some fuel economy positives that a lot of people look for. Most of the people who purchase the smaller engine cars don't want nor do they intend to go fast.

A 3.8 would be even better for the Grand Am but then I am not a GM exec.

[nighttraincp]

the drawback of the 3800 engine is the tranny. i race my 3400 ga and i beat up on 3800 grand prix gtz and impalaz. and i run .1 slower then the stock monte carlo ss at the track. the grand am has a hell of alot better tranny, but as im finding out, it cant really handle over 220hp at the crank. just like y did the put a 2.4 in the solstus??? y couldnt i get my 3400 in a stick? y do ppl put fart packs on there honda civics and then have the nerve to try and race them??? the world may never no

[Mr. Luos]

Originally Posted by nighttraincp

just like y did the put a 2.4 in the solstus??? y couldnt i get my 3400 in a stick? y do ppl put fart packs on there honda civics and then have the nerve to try and race them??? the world may never no

1. Solstice doesn't weigh much. For what it is, it is decently quick. Although that isn't what it was designed for. It was supposed to carve corners.
2. 3400 in a stick? GM wasn't able to find a good tranny to mate to the 3400. Clutch wear issues and some other things.
3. Melon launchers. Those rule. I love it most when one of the little shits in the neighborhood wakes me up at 3 AM. Little shits won't even consider revving at me on the street but man do they like to rev up when I am sleeping.


And by the way....I feel the tranny in the Grand Am 3400 is a POS. Requires a fluid change damn near every 15,000 miles. Should be double that. Plus it can barely handle the stock power.

[cficare68]

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

And by the way....I feel the tranny in the Grand Am 3400 is a POS. Requires a fluid change damn near every 15,000 miles. Should be double that. Plus it can barely handle the stock power.

I highly agree with you on that. That's why I don't own my GAGT anymore the tranny went on me.

Also the 2.2 Echotec is in the Cavalier, Sunfire, Alero, and some of the Saturns. I know someone that has an Alero with one in it and from what they told me it has pretty good get up and go for being a four cyclinder.

[Gooman18]

I have an 04 GA with the 2.2 Ecotec and 5 spd manual tranny. I love it. Its not the fastest car ive ever driven but for how heavy the car actually is, its suprisingly quick. 1st and 2nd gear are suprisingly fast for all the work they do gettin that 2400+ lbs. up to speed but i find it fun and have had no problems with the transmission after 21000+ miles.

Just my $0.02.

[Mr. Luos]

Only 2400 pounds???

DAMN!! I would love it if my GA weighed that much. I am pretty sure my 2001 GT weighs in around 3000.

[nighttraincp]

with me in my 04 se1, itz 3200lbs. i race mine at the track and on the street, so my tranny takez alot of abuse. itz supose 2 only b able 2 handle 220hp. im pushing 222 at the crank. lol. im great at killing trannyz. i killed 2 im my 2.0 focus b4 i traded it in.

[roboticgod]

4 doors weigh 3300lbs. A car with a real frame from the 70's, like the old GA's or GP's, they weighed about the same thing. "about" the same. what a weight reduction.