Another Ecotec swap done!

72Pstroke · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 5:29 pm Post subject: Another Ecotec swap done!

Yesterday I put the finishing touches on the Ecotec/ daily driver swap and took it for a drive. I had a few small glitches I had to work out, but today I took it to Spokane and back.
For those of you thinking about doing it, go for it! It has lots of power, runs smooth, seems like it is going to be a great swap. I have had stock 1600 up to 2 lilter air cooled power and 1 Corvair powered Baja, and I think this is the best so far.
I even put a heater in the car! (It is only about 38* today)
E-bay engine $400
Wiring harness and reflash $545
Adapter and clutch kit $600
Radiator, fuel pump, etc....$450 or so.
Let me know if you have any questions. It looks like there are a lot of these swaps going on. I will try to get some pics this weekend.
Thaks for all the info on here!
Tim

wrinkles66 · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:08 pm Post subject:

wat exactly is a ecotec? iv never heard of that engine

ZARJDR · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:36 pm Post subject:

GM DOHC multivalve four banger. Early on they were called quad fours.
_________________
2006 RAM 1500 HEMI 4X4 92 LT250
06 Raptor DP1776 Sandrail
02 HONDA 400EX
03 YAMAHA WR450F 74 BAJA

wrinkles66 · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:56 pm Post subject:

wat are thay out of?

tanner_122 · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:04 pm Post subject:

69_67VWBug · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:39 pm Post subject:

And Chevy cavalier, Pontiac sunfire, chevy malibu, olds alero. I'm using one out of a malibu, they have around 150 horse stock, all aluminum, weigh only about 60 or so more pounds than a vw motor and just a little longer. To me, with the weight and power they have there one of the best swaps you could do. I'm putting one on a rail.
_________________
New VW Rail project(traded for the bug/pickup)
1967 VW baja bug (get it goin one of these days)
1970 VW bug (Another Free One)
1970 VW baja bug (got for free, original 1500 sp)
1972 VW sandrail (1835 gettin it done)
ORIGINAL 1967 Meyers Manx dune buggy (needs to be redone)
1973 VW Bug

Ken48442 · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:54 pm Post subject:

Can you post some pictures? I have been going back and forth trying to decide between bulding up an air cooled or swaping to ecotec. Where did you buy your parts?

72Pstroke · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 11:37 am Post subject: Some pictures finally!

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

So far I am very happy with the swap. I want to raise the rear of the car back up a bit, maybe an inch or so. I will have the front and rear bumpers powder coated this week, and that will pretty well finish the car.
Tim

Mr. Unpopular · Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:10 pm Post subject:

Adrenaline Junky · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject:

Tucked in there quite nicely!! Good work. Fun isn't it?

72Pstroke · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:36 pm Post subject:

I love it so far!
And it has HEAT!!!
Tim

Ken48442 · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 12:06 pm Post subject:

What trans are you running with the ecotec motor?

don't_bug_me · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:15 pm Post subject:

I'd also be curious as to what trans and clutch setup, not a engine removal job I'd want to do to often. Has anyone figured out how to use the oem motor's trans, say like a mid engine mount, or is it a hell of a lot more fabrication.
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70 Street Baja http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=566113

"Necessity is the mother of invention"

72Pstroke · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:13 pm Post subject:

I'm still running the stock type 1 tranny. I don't do holeshots, so far it has held up.
I have probably put 15 or 20,000 miles on it.
Tim

takotruckin · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:09 pm Post subject:

ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 5:03 am Post subject:

Just to clarify the differences between quad 4's and ecotechs that were vaguely described earlier. The Ecotech is an aluminum engine while the has an iron block meaning heavier. The Ecotech shares a lot of similar architecture since it was the replacement for the quad 4, but thats it. Their not the same at all but their not that different either. If your going for weight choose the Eco, if you want longevity go for the Quad. I went with the LD9 Quad. We have tons of them in the junkyards. Most quad4's put out around 150hp stock. I bought a whole car for $400. Of course if I had found an Ecotech first I would have gone that direction just as easily. Great little motors. Very torquey.
_________________
Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~

Mr. Unpopular · Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 2:23 pm Post subject:

takotruckin · Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:44 pm Post subject:

ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:26 am Post subject:

that's way too wide if you ask me. I can't imagine the stick is any narrower than the auto and the auto I have is way to wide and bulky to get realistic travel. I wouldn't think the OEM axles between the stick and auto would be much different lengths due to geometry constraints. Maybe I'm wrong I haven't actually seen a stick yet.
_________________
Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~

ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:29 am Post subject:

btw isn't that housing half in the picture upside down too? Then there's always the question of where you'll find axles to match the trans and the VW hubs together.
_________________
Brian H.
I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~


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