deveous9
deveous9 New Reader
9/20/09 11:37 p.m.

Just wondering if cnverting an efi Solstice to carburator is possible? I want to buy a wrecked Solstice with an ecotec 2.4 engine and not have to worry about sesors or check engine lights when i transplant the engine into my TE72 Corolla. Tips anyone?

thatsnowinnebago
thatsnowinnebago GRM+ Memberand Dork
9/21/09 12:40 a.m.

Megasquirt?

deveous9
deveous9 New Reader
9/21/09 3:42 a.m.

Isn't that technically an efi system?

ErinS
ErinS New Reader
9/21/09 3:54 a.m.

Megasquirt is /exactly/ an EFI system. It solves all your problems (should, if setup correctly) and is better than carburation.

NOHOME
NOHOME New Reader
9/21/09 6:28 a.m.

I think the issue is the variable valve timing and direct injection. Not sure that megasquirt can handle either of these.

Must be some way to run these since they do show up with some high power track versions.

NOHOME
NOHOME Reader
9/21/09 6:28 a.m.

I think the issue is the variable valve timing and direct injection. Not sure that megasquirt can handle either of these.

Must be some way to run these since they do show up with some high power track versions.

John Brown
John Brown GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
9/21/09 7:15 a.m.

How is the VVT controlled? If it is a voltage stepped motor than you COULD use a voltage controller (like a multiple stage nitrous controller) but it will be a simple rpm window switch. It will not be smooth.

As far as DI, why can't MS control it? The injectors still have an electrical connection don't they? Isn't the difference that the injector goes directly into the cylinder?

Tighe
Tighe New Reader
9/21/09 7:22 a.m.

The 2.4 L isn't direct injection.

ErinS
ErinS New Reader
9/21/09 8:43 a.m.

Won't megasquirt 3 be able to handle VVT?

pres589
pres589 Reader
9/21/09 9:39 a.m.

In reply to John Brown:

I think the problem with DI would be how precise the timing of the injection pulses vs. piston position and such needs to be. I haven't looked into the DI systems that GM is starting to use but that's my take on the situation. Kind of like a diesel, you need a shot of fuel when you need it and not just run a percentage of full voltage like your average gasoline FI setup.

deveous9
deveous9 New Reader
9/21/09 12:29 p.m.

I am not sure but I think that the VVT is run partially by the intake manifold and its runners. Switching to a carburetor setup would eliminate the VVT completely. I truthfully do not care for the VVT if I were to run the dual Weber carbs. I researched this online and found that the Ford's Zetec engine is capable of running a carb with little modifications but I was unable to figure out if it is possible on the Ecotec 2.4.

Photobucket

Photobucket

deveous9
deveous9 New Reader
9/21/09 12:33 p.m.

The top picture is a Gm Ecotec 2.4 engine with independent throttle bodies but I didn't find any captions anywhere so I am not sure what kind of setup it is running.

The bottom picture is a Ford Zetec engine and the caption said: "Here's a T5 connected to a Zetec engine using a Quad 4 Rods bellhousing. Note also the twin carburetors. If you don't fancy the idea of injection and all that computer malarkey, Quad 4 Rods can hook you up with a manifold to bolt a pair of sidedraft Webers to your Zetec, for that good old-fashioned induction roar!"

Nashco
Nashco SuperDork
9/21/09 12:39 p.m.

Why would you bother with the latest NA 2.4 Ecotec if you didn't want the gee whiz that it comes with? Why not get an older, more simple, more commonly available engine? I, too, am looking for an NA RWD Ecotec (from Sky/Solstice) for my old RWD car (the Volvo) but I WANT all the gee whiz features as that's the whole appeal of a modern powertrain. If you want carburetors and such, there are old engines that make that a much cheaper, easier proposition.

If you're interested in GM, what about the ol' Quad 4? In stock trim, the W41 version put out 190 hp and there are aftermarket manifolds readily available. They also look VERY sexy (IMO) with the cam covers exposed, an old school look to them.

Bryce

DILYSI Dave
DILYSI Dave SuperDork
9/21/09 12:55 p.m.

Wanting to pull all of the late model EFI from an Ecotec would be like hooking up with Megan Fox, but only if she had a mastectomy first.

andrave
andrave Reader
9/21/09 1:04 p.m.

my mom had a mastectomy. what are you saying?

m4ff3w
m4ff3w GRM+ Memberand Dork
9/21/09 2:04 p.m.
andrave wrote: my mom had a mastectomy. what are you saying?

That Megan Fox is much more desirable with boobage than without.

Fosters
Fosters Reader
9/21/09 2:41 p.m.

I would think a GReddy MSS could trigger the VVT. I used one on my NX to run Nissan's variable cam system. They are very small and easy to setup. Then run Megasquirt for the injectors, etc.

Josh

deveous9
deveous9 New Reader
9/21/09 5:18 p.m.

HOW HARD IS IT TO WIRE UP A MEGASQUIRT SYSTEM ON THE ECOTEC? HAS ANYONE EVER INSTALLED ONE?

Nashco
Nashco SuperDork
9/21/09 5:55 p.m.

In short, yes.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=ecotec+megasquirt&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1

The long answer...it depends. The 2.4 from a Solstice has some doo-dads that older Ecotecs don't have, like VVT. The MS isn't powerful enough for the GM style VVT, but I'm pretty sure the latest MSII should be powerful enough to use the stock crank sensor, coils, etc. So if you lock out the VVT, you probably could. Still, seems like a hell of a lot of work to do if you buy a wrecked car. The beauty of buying a wrecked car is that you have, literally, every single part you need to make the powertrain work...from fuel pump and lines to airboxes and exhuast.

I see you're in L.A. How about you let me buy the Solstice wreck for my Volvo project so you can use an older engine?

Oh yeah, and "how hard" really depends on the person. If you're afraid of injection, putting MS on this particular 2.4 Ecotec is probably really, really hard.

Bryce

deveous9
deveous9 New Reader
9/21/09 8:38 p.m.

OK people I have officially scrapped my ecotec project because of the cost and time factor.

Xceler8x
Xceler8x GRM+ Memberand Dork
9/21/09 8:41 p.m.
deveous9 wrote: HOW HARD IS IT TO WIRE UP A MEGASQUIRT SYSTEM ON THE ECOTEC? HAS ANYONE EVER INSTALLED ONE?

WHY ARE YOU YELLING! I'M RIGHT HERE!

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