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another awesome project

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by TxMan, Jul 18, 2012.

  1. TxMan

    TxMan Hearse driver

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    Other Non-Hybrid
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    GM 1.4 liter ecotec engine into a '92 geo.



    [​IMG]

    I was at the commercial salvage yard the other day looking for a grill-piece for my programmer with the station wagon, when I came across a gem-a 2012 chevy cruze, with serious rear damage-but a fully intact ecotec motor.

    now, with a $199 any-engine price, I just had to-

    I took it home, and threw it in the corner of my shop.

    today I was at the salvage yard my friend owns (one where I did all my Hearse buisness) and I told him about it, and he suggested swapping it into a Geo Storm with a bad head gasket that he had in the back of the yard.

    so here it is, a 1.4 liter turbocharged modern engine into a 20 year old econobox.

    now. unlike the Hearse, or any other project I have ever done, this is a logistical nightmare. the Geo, although GM, is an isuzu-so chances are nothing will bolt up, I want a manual trans, (turbo+manual=SO MUCH FUN) but I think I need a modern trans for this, and that probably won't bolt up to anything I have either. so its probably going to be a trans out of a newer cobalt, or a cruze if I can find one.

    I won't be as attatched to this project as I was with the Hearse, but I will try to keep this updated. the final product should be VERY interesting-the cruze gets 40 mpg, and it weighs 3100 lbs. the geo weighs in at 2400, and the one in the yard has been stripped...so probably 2200 lbs.

    the geo originally came with a 1.5 liter 4 cyl isuzu motor, making 130 hp and 102 lb/ft
    the ecotec, 1.4 liter, makes surprisingly similar hp-138, but much more torque-148. the power curve also favors the lower RPM compared to the isuzu motor. (these figures are before the programmer gets ahold of this thing)

    this thing should be stupid fast, and get stupid high MPG's, it should be an interesting build. this is not nearly as high priority as my Hearse, this is a bunch of gearheads bored on the weekend...not a working man throwing money at people in need of a car.
     
    #1 TxMan, Jul 18, 2012
    bwilson4web likes this.
  2. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    I'm told the ecotecs aren't too hard to build so that they'll take massive boost. That car would probably spin over 250-300hp though (unless you do something truly crazy, like a MR swap.
     
    #2 a_gray_prius, Jul 19, 2012
  3. TxMan

    TxMan Hearse driver

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2012
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    Location:
    The Matrix
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    Other Non-Hybrid
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    someone offered us 2k for the engine, and we sold it. besides, a 3.8 fiaro is quicker/handles better/more fun.
     
    #3 TxMan, Sep 4, 2012
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