This is from a GM press release

GM is also showcasing a new Ecotec 2.4-liter variant, which brings both larger displacement and variable valve timing to the Ecotec modular family. The Ecotec 2.4-liter, with 170 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque, will debut on the all-new 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt.

 

Considering that the Cobalt SS is supposed to have some sort of FI, I guess this is the base Cobalt engine. Not bad at all for a base plant. I wonder how much of that 170lbs./ft of torque is made at lower revs...

 

enough i'd bet. it does say there's VVT.

 

It's about time that the Ecotec gets VVT. 170HP should make the Cobalt a very competative car. I wonder if the Cobalt SS will get the S/C 2.0L like the Ion or a S/C 2.4L

 

Wow... I'm suprised. GM make a 4 Cyl that actually has power. Anyone know how much the Cobalt will weigh in at? 170 ft/lbs will take a Civic SI and eat it for lunch. Honda's B16 has nothing compared to that... I believe 116 ft/lbs.

 

Pretty impressive 4 banger. Good job GM.

 

you're comparing a brand new GM engine to a 5 yearold Honda 4 banger with half the displacement? the new 2.0L Honda makes ~140 peak torque (with enough of it below 3k rpm) and 160-200 hp. that's with a displacement deficit.

this new Ecotech is a move in the right direction. it will clobber most new 4 bangers on the road today (EXCEPT Honda).

 

90% of 2.4L Ecotec will be available from 2800 RPM to 4xxx something, I don't remember the exact figures.

 

On the other hand, Nissan's 2.5L 4 cyl engine has 175 HP and 181 lb/ft of torque, if I'm not mistaken, and has been released for 2 years already. Impressive indeed, looks like Ecotec is playing catch-up.

 

The Honda 2.4L only puts out 160HP @ 5500 and 161tq @ 4500

Civic has a 110HP 1.6L, 127HP 1.6L and the Si (baby Lumina APV) has a 160HP/132tq 2.0L

 

about time.....looks like a good move in the right direction. Thats a very good torque figure for a small car.
Think the 2.2L will be the base motor though.

 

I know I'm comparing an older motor vs a new one. The B16 is actually over 10 years old(used in the 99-00 Si) , depending on which variant your speaking of. Now they use the K20 which is also used in the RSX. Then you have the B18's and the LS/B20 engines people make. I haven't heard of this Honda 2.4L, is it a H series engine or a K? Doesn't makes sense if it is, since both the F and H have versions better than that. Though judging by the numbers.. it seems GM has actually made a 4 cyl with comparable displacement per Liter, to that of Honda.

All I'm focusing on is that GM might actually make a 4 cyl with power and potential, and actually use it in their small car for once. I personally and looking into buying an H22 for the civic I have now... since I can't get rid of it anyhow.

Goal....high 13(not riced or anything) second civic parked next to my new camaro(or GTO) once it is out.

 

you're talking about the 2.4 in the Accord. that's true. this new Ecotec beats that one.

the 2.0 is rated for 160hp/140tq in the RSX though. not that it really matters. it would be interesting to see if the Type-S 200hp RSX could be taken with this Ecotec. or at least run with it. i think that's happening.

 

All I know is, this is the first competitive "performance" 4 cylinder GM has had since the old-school Quad 4s. The 2.2 Ecotec in anything close to a Grand Am size is horrid...I know, I almost bought an '02 Grand Am SE 5 speed...ick...

Sad however, is the fact that GM had a 180hp 2.3 Quad 4 in 1991!!! So gee, 14 years later we have 10 less HP? What progress...I remember when it seemed like GM had the highest power per class, no matter what the car line. Sure, the Ecotec will not crack heads or blow head gaskets left and right, and will not loosen fillings when wound to the redline (although I always thought that was part of the H.O. Q4s charm...I have a soft spot in my heart for those motors )....but we should have something around 2.3 liters with 200hp, N/A, from the General by now.

170 is getting there, but c'mon...we had 180 in '91....

 

Actually there were OBD-1 (pre '96) versions of the B16 so its even older than 5 years. I know the Integra GS-R had the B18 (just a 1.8 liter B16) making 170hp as early as '94, so the motors architecture is atleast 10 years old. I agree the new ecotec is a move in teh right direction, but its nothing revolutionary or super powerful.

Look at nissans 4 banger in the Altima and Sentra SE-R. The power output is very similar but the SE-R is no where near the front of the pack in terms of accerlation when compared to its competiton.

I guess time will tell with the Cobalt however. To be impressed, I'd want to see a quartermile time at 15 flat. Unfortunately, I really dont expect to see that.