Fuel and cooling on the ecotec baja

[Oncedown]

I'm doing that popular conversion and I'm having issues with two specific subjects.
1st is the cooling system. Which way it flows, is capping the unused ports ok? What have you done for a layout with your system? Once the correct radiator is chosen, I plan on mounting it above the engine with a bracket that will allow it to be moved when the engine is worked on.
Also, the fuel system. I have a 2.2 from a 2004 Saturn Ion and from what I see and have read, it does not have a return line. The inline pump I have exceeds the 60psi so should I have a regulator or will the ecotec stock regulator handle it. I've seen one of the aftermarket companies has a return line retrofit kit ($600). Is that necessary? I see a lot of great conversions online but not too many details on these two items. Whatever help you have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Sandbar Norm]

Hi Oncedown
I went with a separate regulator from summit for my fuel system.
If I was going to again, I would think about going with a filter/regulator setup.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/LS1-Fuel-Filter-Fuel-Regulator-Only,41793.html
On the coolant, I don't think that you will have a problem looping the heater hoses together.
I went a different route and more $$$ but I had to do it. It just made more since to me. I bout a CMB inlet with 1-1/2" inlet. If you go this route it does remove the factory thermostat. I added a external thermostat because I thought it needed it.
http://store.custombuiltmotors.com/engine-external...block.html
Norm

[jdcool4]

if you cap or plug the heater hoses you will have to gut the thermostat. the thermostat don't have a bypass so the engine will over heat before the hot water will get to the thermostat. I ran my coolant tube from the fly wheel side of the engine (thermostat housing ) to the bottom radiator hose and the one from the front of the front of engine to the top,



the regulator posted is the one I run on my 2.4 Ecotec here is the link for one with the fittings

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/LS1-Fuel-Filter-Fuel-Regulator-Kit,41791.html

this is the kit that I bought

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/LS1-Fuel-Filter-Regulator-Pump-Kit,103299.html

[rockcrawl]

[race-desert]

^ x2

[jdcool4]

Im sorry I wasn't a were that the thermostat housing was different from the 2.4

[Oncedown]

thankyou for your response. The rest of my cooling system is on order. My next question is, where did you add support for the engine (engine mounts)?

[lutz]

I hung mine with heim joints.Also make sure your cage is tied into you frame horns.

[Sandbar Norm]

Lutz, I like your mounts.
I did mine from the bottom.
I'm going to a trans/suspension change soon and looking at also going up and forward for my new mounts.
This is as it is now.

[Oncedown]

I like the the bottom mounts. When you were lining them up (or sizing for cut/weld) I assume you had support under the engine, right? Maybe a floor jack raised just enough to take away the strain from the transaxle. If so, how do you determine the strain is gone?

[Oncedown]

Instead of scrounging for fuel delivery I ordered everything from summit. Fuel pump, an6 adapter and hose for the an6. Thats all that's left. Thanks again for the help. I just hope this thing starts when the time comes.

[budnick]

That setup is one mud puddle away from disaster. The air filter will clog with dust in short order if used on a dusty road. A radiator behind a tire is not a good idea. Get those things higher up or protect them in shrouds.
_________________
If I can't fix it, it's broke.

[dustymojave]

And a K&N type filter is also not good for dusty roads. It "provides more horsepower" because it lets larger particles through.
_________________
Richard
Offroading VW based cars since 1965
Tech Inspection 1963 - 2012 SCCA/SCORE/HDRA/MORE/MDR +
Retired from building Bajas, Fiberglass Buggies and Rails in the Mojave Desert. Also Sprints & Midgets, Dry Lakes, Road Race cars. All types New and Vintage
SoCalBajas Member
Kicked Cancer's A$$...1st and 2nd round...Fight ain't over yet.

[rockcrawl]

That Honda radiator probably isn't going to work unless you can mount a scoop somewhere and duct air through it.

[ParkingBuckaroo]

Okay, a little background, I am building a buggy with an ecotec 2.4L 2010 HHR
engine. Can I block off the stock heater pipes or do I need to fab some sort of bypass to heat the thermostat so it will open correctly?

[rockcrawl]

I don't know if that engine has an internal bypass or not. The safest and easiest thing to do is just use a loop of hose on the heater ports.

[jdcool4]

I had to gut my thermostat on my 2.4 with the heater core pipes plugged the water would not flow.

[Wheel_Works]

Either switch out to a billet water block or just pull the aluminum tubes out, tap the holes to 1/2" pipe and plug them
_________________
https://www.facebook.com/rdm.ecotecs/