engine swap for 96 SL2

[SilverCloudR/T]

Will a newer ecotec engine fit in a 96 SL2 without much fuss? What engines will fit?

[Cat Fuzz]

Only another Saturn engine will fit without major mods.

[PlayStation3]

only any saturn s series can perfectly fit with out modding. but someone has tried an ecotec engine in it but could only get it to be half ecotec

[Cat Fuzz]

What the heck is half ecotec?

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by Cat Fuzz

What the heck is half ecotec?

i was wondering that myself.

it will fit only with a major fuss, i have heard rumors of a compuny that will do the swap, but have no info.

[SilverCloudR/T]

So what years of the S series would fit? Do they make one that is bigger than a 1.9L? Isn't there a 2.2L, or is that one of the Ecotec ones? I don't much about Saturns, but I have an SL2 now and was just wondering about options that are possible. Thanks.

[sierrap615]

all S-series, 91-02 came with a 1.9 liter engine, the engine came with a single overhead cam (SOHC) or dual overhead cam(DOHC) varitents. the SOHC being the economy tuned engine and the DOHC being the performance tuned engine. an SL2 has the DOHC engine. thru the years several tweaks and changes with both engines but all still based on the same design. The DOHC stayied at 124 HP rated for its life(except the first year was rated at 123 HP, but i can't figure out what they changed for the next year). the orginal Ecotec engine was 2.2 liters, but now 2.4 and 2.0 s/c verisons are availible, with more on the way.

now, are you looking to replace a dead engine or to tune to engine to your need?(economy/performance/other?)

[SilverCloudR/T]

No, it's not dead, but I'd like a little more from it. It's got 86K and it's doing pretty good for it's age. I was just curious about the fitment of an ecotec if it was possible. If I do anything performance-wise, it will probably just be bolt-ons.

[sierrap615]

with all the standard bolt-ons you will peak at about 25 more horses, most of which can be found at SPSwebpage.com

[saturnspeed_12]

you can get any s-series to fit, but a variety of other things need to be accounted for. i would link you to a site for help, but im a bit too lazy right now.

now ecotecs have been transplanted into s-series. it takes alot of work but it has been done a few times that i know. if you go through all the trouble, and not mod the engine, might as well opt for a LSJ ecotec (supercharged 2.0).


but your 96 dohc is one of the better motors. 99+ BLAH! the good part about a 99+ is the crank. it has more counterbalances to smooth things out, of course heavier. use an older crank then 99, get half the balances but have the rotating assembly balanced out and their you go.

of course thats if you build an engine, oh yeah bolt ons on an s-series doesnt do much. i made 116hp 112ft/lbs on the dyno with full exhaust (header back), intake, flywheel, and some other goodies. i dropped a bit of torque with the flywheel, but gained quicker revs. now fuel tuning will net you pretty well. your bolt ons could add like 10whp, but fuel tuning could probably net you the same amount or more with the bolt ons.

thats why the guys who are serious with saturns find right away after their bolt ons, that that is where the power isnt found. i found the hard way as many have, but newby thing to saturns. now ive been building my turbo kit and my project car. $2000 custom turbo kit can get like 200-250whp on a stock motor and tooling around town, that is MORE then enough from the car. traction is an issue on quick spooling ones though.