The GM Ecotec engine, also known by its codename L850, is a family of inline-four engines, displacing between 2.0 and 2.5 litres. Confusingly, the Ecotec name was also applied to both the Buick V6 Engine when used in Holden Vehicles, as well as the final DOHC derivatives of the previous GM Family II engine; the architecture was substantially re-engineered for this new Ecotec application produced since 2000. This engine family replaced the GM Family II engine, the GM 122 engine, the Saab H engine, and the Quad 4 engine. It is manufactured in multiple locations, to include Spring Hill Manufacturing, in Spring Hill, Tennessee, with engine blocks and cylinder heads cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Saginaw, Michigan.
Generation I
The "Ecotec" name was adopted in 1994 for the new generation of Family II engines (2000 in North America) . The name was already used for the Opel GM Family II engine, Family 1 and Family 0 ranges. GM intended this new Ecotec to become its global 4-cylinder, and it has already fully replaced their OHV I4 line.
The Ecotec engine is a DOHC 4-valve design with a lost foam cast aluminium block and head (L850 for 86 mm bore applications, and L880 for 88 mm bore), designed for displacements from 1.8 to 2.4 L. Development began in 1994, by an international team of engineers and technicians from Opel's International Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, GM Powertrain in Pontiac, Michigan, and Saab in Södertälje, Sweden. Much of the development work on this project was carried out by Lotus Engineering, Hethel, United Kingdom. The engine uses aluminium pistons and cast iron cylinder liners. Vibration is reduced with twin balance shafts.
The first engine in the Ecotec Gen I line-up was Ecotec 2.2 L61, introduced in May 1999.
The current Ecotec line is manufactured in Tonawanda, New York.
2.0 LK9
This engine is also known as B207 when used by Saab and Z20NET by Opel for use in the Vectra C and Signum.
LK9 is a turbocharged version of the L850 (86 mm bore) series Ecotec utilizing an all-new reinforced sand cast aluminium cylinder head and upgraded internal components. The engine features a five-bearing forged steel crankshaft, strengthened connecting rods, redesigned pistons, piston oil cooling jets, reprofiled camshafts and an integrated oil cooler. The exhaust valves are liquid sodium-cooled. All vehicles using this engine feature Saab's Trionic 8 (T8) engine management system as well as a revised valve train. The timing chain and timing gears are also new, along with Saab's Direct Ignition system. The reinforcements, turbocharging, intercooling, internals, dual overhead camshaft, and such were developed by GM Powertrain Sweden (Saab Automobile Powertrain). It features an bore and stroke and a 9.5:1 compression ratio. Maximum power is at 5300 rpm and of torque at 2500 rpm. Maximum boost is .
Applications: 2003–2014 Saab 9-3 – B207E, B207L, B207R 2003–2008 Opel Vectra – Z20NET (rebadged B207L) 2003–2008 Opel Signum – Z20NET (rebadged B207L) 2006–2010 Cadillac BLS – B207L, B207R
Model Years Power Torque Turbocharger Boost Pressure 1.8t (B207E) 2003–2006 @ 5500 rpm @ 2000–3500 rpm 2006–2012 2.0t (B207L) 2003–2006 @ 5500 rpm @ 2500–4000 rpm 2006–2012 2.0T (B207R) 2003–2014 @ 5300 rpm @ 2500–4000 rpm
LSJ
The LSJ is a supercharged version of the LK9 Ecotec with an Eaton M62 Roots-type supercharger and air-to-liquid intercooler. The LSJ shares many of its components with the LK9 such as: piston cooling jets, oil cooler, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, oil pan, sodium-filled exhaust valves and cylinder head. It is rated at at 5600 rpm and at 4400 rpm with a compression ratio of 9.5:1 and a 6450 rpm redline. With the end of the Chevy Cobalt S/C SS and Saturn Ion Red Line, the LSJ was discontinued after 2007. In late 2005 Brammo Motorsports struck a deal with GM for the Supercharged 2.0 L Ecotec for their Ariel Atom. The engine came in various ratings from to .
The LSJ was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2006.
This engine is used in:
Year(s) Model Power Torque 2004–2007 Saturn Ion Red Line @ 5600 rpm @ 4400 rpm 2005–2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe
2.2 L61
The basic Family II architecture was substantially re-engineered in 2000 to become the Ecotec Gen I. Unlike its notably harsh predecessor, the engine was designed for smoothness. Dual in-block balance shafts were integral to the design, the power-steering pump was mounted directly to the cylinder head and driven by the intake camshaft, the water-pump housing was cast into the block, and the A/C compressor and alternator were mounted directly on the block without brackets. The oil filter housing was cast into the block with a removable cover and replaceable paper element. It did not use an EGR valve. The Ecotec line is manufactured in Tonawanda, New York, and Kaiserslautern, Germany, and was also manufactured for Saturn in Spring Hill, Tennessee, until Saturn's discontinuation. In North America, this engine replaced both the Quad-4 and the GM 122 engines and first appeared in the 2000 Saturn L-Series.
The L61 is a version with a lost-foam cast aluminium cylinder head and block; it features an bore and stroke and either a 9.5:1 compression ratio or a 10.0:1. The engine is in length, in width, in height and approximately .
The Ecotec 2.2, model L61 first appeared in the 2000 Saturn LS1; the L61-powered Saturn Ion also replaced the Saturn-powered Saturn S-Series.
There are a few variations to the standard L61. The 2001-2003 Saturn L-Series got a more aggressive cam and retune that decreased horsepower slightly and added more low end torque. The 2004 Saturn L-Series has a higher output version with a higher (10.0:1) compression and the more aggressive camshaft. The 2004–2008 Chevrolet Malibu uses a version with electronic throttle control and a special unitized exhaust manifold and catalytic converter. The Malibu and Saturn versions also use return-less fuel injection. The 2002 Saturn VUE was the first North American variant of the L61 to be equipped with electronic throttle control, whereas other applications did not arise until 2005 in the Saturn ION and Chevrolet Cobalt. For 2007, introduced an updated version of the L61 based on the Gen II design.
The supercharger and inlet manifold from the 2.0 Ecotec LSJ engine can be purchased as an official kit from GM and along with modified software in the ECM, can create a 2.2 supercharged version of this engine.
The L61 was used in the following cars:
Year(s) Model Power Torque Compression ratio2000Saturn L-Series @ 5800 rpm @ 4400 rpm9.5:1 |10.0:12001–2003 @ 5200 rpm @ 4400 rpm2004 @ 5600 rpm @ 4000 rpm2000–2003Opel/Vauxhall Astra @ 5800 rpm2000–2003Opel/Vauxhall Zafira2001–2005Opel Speedster/Vauxhall VX2202001–2002Opel/Vauxhall Vectra2001–2006Holden Astra (TS)2002–2005Saturn Vue @ 5400 rpm @ 4000 rpm10.0:12006 @ 5600 rpm2007 @ 5600 rpm 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac Grand Am, Pontiac Sunfire @ 5600 rpm @ 4400 rpm 2003–2005 @ 4000 rpm2002–2004Oldsmobile Alero2003–2006Saturn Ion @ 5800 rpm @ 4400 rpm 2005–2006 Chevrolet Cobalt @ 5600 rpm @ 4000 rpm 2004 Chevrolet Malibu 2005–2006 @ 5600 rpm 2005–2006 Pontiac Pursuit/G5 @ 5600 rpm2006Chevrolet HHR @ 5600 rpm @ 4000 rpm
This engine also powered the Japanese-market Subaru Traviq, a badge-engineered Opel Zafira A.
Following the GM–Fiat agreement, the 2.2 L engine is also used in: Fiat Croma unmodified Alfa Romeo 159 heavy modified with Gasoline direct injection
Z22YH
A direct injection version of the Ecotec features of power at 5600 rpm and of torque at 3800 rpm with a compression ratio of 12.0:1, and has been available in: 2003 Opel/Vauxhall Vectra 2003 Opel/Vauxhall Signum 2005 Opel/Vauxhall Zafira 2006–2009 Holden Astra (Australia and New Zealand only)
L42 The Ecotec 2.2, model L42 is a version of the Ecotec 2.2 designed to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). It delivers and . It is used in the 2003–2004 Chevrolet Cavalier.
Generation II
2.0 LNF (Z20NHH Opel)
A turbocharged direct-injected (redubbed Spark Ignition Direct Injection) Ecotec was introduced in the 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Red Line. In these applications, the engine is mounted longitudinally. Displacement is with a square bore and stroke. Compression is 9.2:1 and maximum boost is , delivering at 5300 rpm and of torque from 2500 to 5250 rpm. Engine redline is at 6300 rpm and premium fuel is recommended.
The sodium filled exhaust valves were based on technology developed for the Corvette V8 powertrains. The sodium fuses and becomes a liquid at idle, which improves thermal conductivity and draws heat away from the valve face and valve guide towards the stem to be cooled by the engine oil circulating in this area. The camshaft-driven direct injection systems pressurizes the fuel to at idle, and up to at wide-open throttle. The "Gen II" block is similar to the 2.4 L and also features VVT technology. The Gen II block was developed using data from racing programs and computer simulations. The bore walls and bulkheads were strengthened with a weight increase of . The coolant jackets were expanded to improve heat transfer, resulting in a coolant capacity increase of 0.5 liters.
In December 2008, GM released a Turbo Upgrade Kit for the LNF engine which increases horsepower to and torque to up to , depending on the model. The kit retailed for $650 and includes remapped engine calibration and upgraded 3 MAP sensors. The kit is covered by the cars' existing GM warranties. Boost pressure was increased from .
Unique LNF features include: a twin-scroll turbocharger cam-driven high-pressure gasoline direct injection fuel system dual-camshaft continuously variable valve timing sodium-filled stainless steel Inconel exhaust valves low-friction cast aluminium pistons with oil squirters forged steel crankshaft forged steel connecting rods cast stainless steel exhaust manifold foam-cast Gen2 block Bosch injectors (0 261 500 055) or slightly larger (0 261 500 089) injectors in 2010 models
This engine is used in: Year(s) Model Power Torque 2007–2010 Opel GT @ 5300 rpm @ 2000 rpm 2007–2010 Pontiac Solstice GXP @ 5300 rpm @ 2000 rpm 2007–2010 Saturn Sky Red Line 2008–2010 Chevrolet HHR SS 2008–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2012 Fisker Karma 2009 Elfin T5 @ 5300 rpm @ 2000 rpm
2.0 LDK (A20NHT Opel)
An updated variant of the LNF (also with 9.2:1 compression ratio) was released in 2008, meeting the Euro 5 emission standard. This engine is also known as A20NHT by GM Powertrain Europe.
Unique LDK features include: a twin-scroll turbocharger cam-driven high-pressure gasoline direct injection fuel system dual camshaft continuously variable valve timing sodium-filled stainless steel Inconel exhaust valves low-friction cast aluminium pistons with oil squirters forged steel crankshaft cast stainless steel exhaust manifold foam-cast Gen2 block Bosch injectors (0 261 500 055)
This engine is used in: Year(s) Model Power Torque 2008–2013 Opel Insignia / Vauxhall Insignia @ 5300 rpm @ 2500 rpm 2009–2010 Buick Regal Turbo 2010–2013 Buick Regal GS (China Market)2010–2012Saab 9-5 2009–2010 Buick Regal Turbo (Hirsch Performance) @ 5400 rpm @ 3000–4000 rpm 2010–2013 Buick Regal GS (Hirsch Performance) 2011–2013 Cadillac SLS (China) @ 5300 rpm @ 2000–5000 rpm 2014–2017 Buick Regal GS (China Market) @ 5300 rpm @ 2000–5000 rpm
LHU (A20NFT Opel)
LHU adds E85 flex-fuel capability to the LDK. This engine is also known as A20NFT by GM Powertrain Europe. Maximum engine speed is listed at 6350 rpm.
Unique LHU features include: a twin-scroll turbocharger cam-driven high-pressure gasoline direct injection fuel system dual camshaft continuously variable valve timing sodium-filled stainless steel Inconel exhaust valves low-friction cast aluminium pistons with oil squirters forged steel crankshafts cast stainless steel exhaust manifold sand-cast Gen3 block