I keep noticing how Honda is trying to get more TQ outta the VTECH engines they currently use..yet no one has noticed that GM's low tech supercharged Ecotech can match Honda up to 240 HP with a better TQ curve and comparable gas milage.

Of course I don't see anyone giving GM the credit they deserve...

Man how come it don't have a turbo yo?

 

Sometime I wonder if it even matters.

"VTEC" sounds cooler than "Ecotech"... most of the time, I think that is all that matters with some (not all) of the buyers in this segment.

 

GM Powertrain division along with the new Cadillac are the 2 divisions at General Motors that have/are truly doing some incredible things, and deserve a whole lot of kudos.

 

The Ecotech is a great motor and I think the import crowd knows however its the car attached to the motor most don't like....

 

Ecotec cars are still not as smooth as VTEC cars, so not yet. It's good to be proud of your car's manufacturer but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

You don't understand ricer mentaility. They live and die by the "Hp per Lt" rule. That 240hp from a supercharged engine isn't impressive to them when honda's making 4 bangers that do that in N/A trim. Forget powerband, tq curve, price of the car the engine is going into, and anything of significant importance. What matters to them is that their Honda makes 120hp/lt and 240hp N/A.

They'll be saying the same thing some of the guys here were saying about the 03 Cobra, "Wait till i strap on a S/c on my Honda too".

 

Honda built a 160 HP 1.6L inline-4 back in '88, and now we're supposed to bow down to a company that currently has a fierce 140 HP inline-4? I don't think so - street cred is not built that fast, especially with the underpants stain that is GM's small-engine reputation. The current Ecotech produces only 10% more torque and HP per unit displacement than the 4.8 L truck motor; in other words, it's a dog. Oh, yea, and it's available in cars that pretty much represent the best 1980s technology currently available in showrooms.

I agree that the SC version of the Ecotech sure looks tasty, but maybe it doesn't have a killer reputation because it hasn't even been released yet!

 

Did I miss something? Which GM dealer to I go to to buy a 240 HP RWD Ecotec powered car?

 

No. The ecotec needs a supercharger to get power to the levels of N/A Honda engines. Show me a 200hp N/A ecotec and a 300hp supercharged or turbo'ed ecotec and I'll be impressed.

 

They may not be getting street credit yet, but the pro sport compact series are feeling the ECOTEC's wrath. It won't be long until GM totally dominates that series too. If there's one area GM doesn't lack in, it's professional motorsports.

 

I am quite sure that GM could make an Ecotech have over 200 hp in NA trim but why spend the money on cylinder heads and cams and trying to squeeze a few hp here and there to get it up to higher levels when it is more cost effective to bolt on a blower.

Also, don't forget that the 240 hp motor is in Honda's flagship performance car that is over 30k and not in a sub 20k entry level vehicle.

 

Is GM beating Honda at it's own game, Hmmm. Excuse me while I head downtown to take a test drive of this new god of the highway.
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I can't seem to find any of these cars anywhere. So my conclusion is GM isn't even in the game. They are still outside the stadium looking for change in the cupholder so they can buy a ticket.

 

I don't know that I'd call a VTEC Honda Civic a "God of the Highway"...

 

I agree with Sneaky. Im sure GM COULD build an Ecotec pumping out 200hp in N/A trim but why waste the money when u can just slap a blower on it and make 240hp quick and easy? And about the smoothness part, this is getting a little picky because ive driven a 2002 cavy with an eco and ive also driven a friend's 2001 civic and smoothness is about the same, in both cars its hard to tell theres a motor underneath the hood!

Honda still dominates the 4cyl game with motors and street credit but GM is def. catching up IMO.

 

Hrrmmm...wasn't the Quad 4 making 180+HP in the late 80's???

Sure it was a buzzy engine..but the 1980's Honda engine makes up for it in being gutless.


Also what no one looks at is in terms of standard economy engines the Ecotech is pretty powerful at 140 HP.

Argue what you want but you can get a base Cavalier south of $10,000 (witha $4k rebate) with 140 HP.

A base Civic sedan costs $13K and only has 115hp

A base Corolla starts at $14K and has 130 HP

The Focus has a mix of 110 HP engines and 130 hp engines. Ford's website is misleading so I won't go any further.


either way offering 140Hp in a base engine leads the segment regardless of the POS it's attached too. IMO a Cavalier witha $4K rebate is worth the price. Either way the Ecotech is a competent engine in base form..they just need the supercharged versions to take on the higher end....