GM Ecotec LSJ Information & Technical Specifications

The GM Ecotec engine, also known by its codename L850, is a family of all-aluminum inline-four engines, displacing between 1.4 and 2.5 liters. While these engines were based on the GM Family II engine, the architecture was substantially re-engineered for the 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 while the engine block and cylinder heads are cast at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations in Saginaw, Michigan.

 

GEN 1 LSJ 2.0

The LSJ is a supercharged version of the LK9 Ecotec 2.0 L (1,998 cc) 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. 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 LSJ was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2006. It is a very stout engine and does not complain holding up to 400whp numbers on the stock long block. While the blower is difficult to make much more power on, these engines respond extremely well with simple turbo solutions, such as our entry level kit.

Available in:

• 2004-2007 Saturn Ion Red Line
• 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe

Engine Type: Inline 4
Displacement: 2.0L (1,998cc)
Horsepower: 205 hp @ 5600 RPM
Torque: 200 ft/lb @ 4400 RPM
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Max RPM: 6,450
Induction: Supercharged
Cooling: Water-cooled
Injection: Port Injection
Valvetrain: Dual Overhead Camshafts
Valves: 16 Valve
Bore x Stroke:  86mm x 86mm (3.4in. x 3.4in.)
Timing Chain: Single Chain Configuration
Oiling System: Wet Sump
Engine Oil Spec: Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil 5w30
Engine Oil Capacity: 6.0 qt
Required Octane: Premium Unleaded (91+)
Engine Control Unit: Lotus / GM E12

 

GEN 1 LK9 / B207 2.0

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 2.0 L version of the L850 series Ecotec utilizing an all-new reinforced sand cast aluminum 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). boost is 12.3 psi (0.85 bar).

Available in:

• 2004-2014 Saab 9-3 (B207E, B207L, B207R)

Engine Type: Inline 4
Displacement: 2.0L (1,998cc)
Horsepower: 210 hp @ 5300 RPM
Torque: 221 ft/lb @ 2500 RPM
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Max RPM: 6,450
Induction: Turbocharged
Cooling: Water-cooled
Injection: Direct Injection
Valvetrain: Dual Overhead Camshafts
Valves: 16 Valve
Bore x Stroke:  86mm x 86mm (3.4in. x 3.4in.)
Timing Chain: Single Chain Configuration
Oiling System: Wet Sump
Engine Oil Spec: Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil 5w30
Engine Oil Capacity: 6.0 qt
Required Octane: Premium Unleaded (91+)
Engine Control Unit: Saab Trionic 8

 

GM LSJ ECOTEC COMMON PROBLEMS

The LSJ is one of GM’s best and most versatile engines for aftermarket, and still one of our favorites to support. Though they are tough and can take a healthy beating, there are a few shortcomings to watch out for and address, especially if you plan on driving it hard.

Intercooler Pump: The intercooler pump runs the superchargers cooling system and is more often seen not working than functioning properly. Some of these cars had them wired backwards from the factory, and the rest seem to just fail at a random time. We have a simple & affordable upgrade that we recommend to anyone with an LSJ.

Injectors: While they do not commonly fail (unless sitting for long times or running improper fuels) they came almost too small from the factory. We recommend getting these upgraded to match your set up and long-term goals for the car as soon as possible, with a tune, of course.

 

 

GM LSJ ECOTEC RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE

Again, these are very tough engines, but it is still a high-strung four cylinder so caution should be taken to make sure everything is very healthy. With scheduled maintenance and care, with a few of our recommendations, we see these engines running to 200k miles with mods no problem.

Proper Tune: The factory tune leaves more to be desired on the table, and we have an inexpensive 1.0 file with multiple tuning options if you want to get everything out of your stock car, or continue to mod and build it later on.

Oil Changes: Luckily, these 2.0’s came with plenty of room to run 6.0 qt’s of oil so we recommend that on any car that is driven spiritedly. However, there is a lot of heat in a small, boosted package so doing your regular oil and filter changes at 5k or less will keep your engine most happy. Check out our brand and capacity recommendations here.

Spark Plugs: If you are buying a used car, we always recommend changing out the plugs instantly no matter what the previous owner says. They’re cheap, and these cars get very pick on their brands and gaps. Check out our recommendations here.

Air Filter: Another item often overlooked on these older vehicles. We recommend at least replacing your drop in filter on any used vehicle. If you need an excuse for a mod too, this is a great time for a coil air intake.

Fuel Line: Especially on northern vehicles that have seen salt, the fuel line runs over the rear beam and has a fiberglass coating on it which loves to absorb moisture and salt and all sorts of bad grime that eats into the fuel line very quickly. There is a few ways to patch this but none are really recommended or long term solutions. We offer a full AN Line replacement for your filter and the line from the back to the engine here. This is something we do on our all of vehicles before we even get under them.

Cooling System: A supercharger system is only as efficient as it can handle the excessive heat a blower makes, so any cooling system refresh or upgrade will make your engine thank you. We recommend full coolant system flushes as often as you can for your engine AND your supercharger systems.

M62 Rebuild: People often forget that blowers have wear components, and these are only getting older. Firstly ,the coating on the rotor packs wears off and loses efficiency as it degrades. Unfortunately, there is not much of a solution to re-coating these packs so keep an eye out if you are getting a used blower. The snout rebuilds and oil change is another thing you should plan on doing once to a used car and then you should not have to think about it for another 100k.  

Belt Tensioner: Belt tensioners on these cars get abused with the added stress of the blower, so it’s a good idea to look very closely into the condition of your tensioner and all pulleys. You may also have a belt prematurely wear out if the tension or alignment is off on your serpentine system.

Timing Guides: Timing sets on these cars don’t necessarily wear out quickly, but if you’re over 100k you may be on borrowed time. We recommend getting our upgraded tension bolt, and then plan on doing a chain with upgraded guides whenever you have the chance. Hard deceleration / downshifts will wear the leading guide faster.

 

GM LSJ ECOTEC MODIFICATIONS & TUNING

The LSJ and LNF will be debated back and forth for their mod ability till the end of time, but the reality of the LSJ is that you can take it pretty much as far as you would like. We have done enough of these now to have a few set formulas for success we recommend depending on what you want to do with the  car, but it really comes down to each person and their own goals and budgets.

A great place to start when looking at modifying your LSJ would be in our tech articles, check out our recommended mods here.