The Gn's and t-types were 3.8 buick v6's .....3800's
Yet another turbo'd car that could, with the right driver, outrun the Vettes of their day in a straight line. But what would you rather be seen cruisin in, a GN or a Vette with the top down? Oops, that's right, no convertible GNs:t:L.
The big 3 are starting to catch on to the small engine, big performance bug.
T Jay,
You're more right than you realize.
Here are two recent GM press releases regarding the J-bodies and the ecotec 4-bangers in them:
GM Performance Parts Announces New Race Parts For ECOTEC Engine
Long Beach, Calif. - General Motors announced today that GM Performance Parts is offering consumers new race parts for the ECOTEC Engine.
Four new race parts are now available for consumers who race their Chevrolet Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires with ECOTEC engines. The four parts now available are both intake and exhaust camshaft blanks, an adjustable cam gear set, a head gasket and O-ring kit, and a neutral balance shaft set. An additional ten parts are in the pipeline and will be available later this year. Bill Fitzgerald, GM Performance Parts manager, said GM Racing has put a year of development into this drag-race engine. "They've had great success, and now we want to share that success with the public for the do-it-yourself racer."
Fitzgerald added, "We've decided to sell what we race and race what we sell." The intake and exhaust camshaft blanks are stock cam blanks with finished journals and unfinished lobes. Engine builders can grind their favorite cam profiles on them.
The adjustable cam gear set allows valve timing to be advanced or retarded up to 16 degrees of crankshaft rotation. It includes both intake and exhaust camshaft gears.
The head gasket and O-ring set will reduce cylinder bore distortion and improve cylinder sealing at high horsepower or boost levels. Instructions are included for special machining to head and block required for installation. The kit includes a soft copper head gasket and four one-piece stainless steel O-rings.
The neutral balance shaft set is used to replace the stock balance shafts in a high-speed performance engine. It includes two balance shafts. Consumers can purchase the new performance parts from any GM Performance Parts dealer. To locate your closest dealer, call 1-800-GM USE US or visit
www.Goodwrench.com.
GM Performance Parts Announces New Supercharger Kit
Long Beach, Calif. - General Motors announced today that GM Performance Parts is offering consumers a new 2.4L Twin Cam supercharger kit for Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire to maximize their horsepower and torque.
"We've seen an explosion of new parts for past model imports all aimed at performance. GM is seizing the opportunity to utilize the talent of both GM Racing and GM Performance Parts engineers to make our small cars go even faster on the track," said Bill Fitzgerald, GM Performance Parts manager.
Dan Garrison, GM Performance Parts product specialist explained the performance of small cars has been improving over the past few years. "With each new model year, manufacturers are one-upping each other with more power, better brakes and bigger tires: all this in a segment of the market that was once classified as economy minded and not sporty transportation," he said.
This integral "roots-type" supercharger and manifold design was developed to maximize both engine horsepower and torque without sacrificing durability. "The integral design gives the supercharger a [clean] factory look and is [GM] factory engineered making it the only supercharger available that meets GM engineering standards," Fitzgerald said.
The supercharger also has its own unique Vehicle Control Module calibration ensuring performance and driveability. And, the GM Performance Parts supercharger adds over 40 lb/ft of torque and 190 horsepower. The end result is a reliable, compact powertrain that has more power than many V-6 engines.
The supercharger kit contains all the hardware required for a complete installation in one box. All mounting brackets, fasteners, air ducts, adapters, PCV hoses, baffle and tubes are included. A Gen II MAP sensor, 4 spark plugs, accessory drive belt and 4 fuel injectors also are included and required for a complete installation. The cost of re-calibration of the Vehicle Control Module also is included in the kit but must be performed at an authorized GM dealership.
Installation requires only normal technician hand tools, with the exception of re-calibration of the on-board Vehicle Control Module. The VCM must be done at an authorized GM dealership. Although no official "book time" exists for this kit, experienced technicians have completed an entire installation within a single day.
The 2.4L Twin Cam supercharger kit carries a product warranty covering the complete kit for defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12 months or 12,000 miles from date of installation. In addition to the product warranty, this supercharger kit will cover the powertrain (internally lubricated engine and transmission components) for the length of the original factory powertrain warranty. If the vehicle is already out of factory warranty, the additional powertrain warranty still applies depending on the age and actual mileage of the vehicle at time of installation.
Consumers can purchase the new 2.4L Twin Cam supercharger kit from any GM Performance Parts dealer. To locate your closest dealer, call 1-800-GM USE US or visit
www.Goodwrench.com.
SPO, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Mich., markets automotive replacement parts and accessories worldwide under the GM and ACDelco brand names. For more information, visit the GM Goodwrench Service Plus web site at
www.Goodwrench.com or visit your local GM Dealer.
GM News Release 4/18/02
Go Bowtie!
- Eric
:laugh
Compliments of the AWD mostly, but I gotta say, I think my Ty is much better in the twisties than my '81 Vette. But again, much of that is 11 years of technology advances.
