The Ecotec LNF I have is from a 2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP, and came with about 57k miles. It needed some routine maintenance and a little modification ahead of the install.
I did the normal items (spark plugs, oil filter, new oil) after the mods.
These engines come with an oil cooler which runs off the block, but there was really no room for that on my install. I got a remote oil cooler plate and put caps on it, which should increase the room around that section of the block. Most people say these coolers aren’t actually needed, but I will watch the oil temps for a while. If I notice issues I can try to plumb in a remote cooler to the plate.
The engine also has an evap. purge solenoid that’s not going to be used. I made a simple blockoff plate for it and attached it with some gasket material and a bolt.
My oil pan was cracked due to me being stupid, but fortunately they are pretty cheap at $60. I ordered a new one and got that installed quickly.
So as I mentioned one of the premature wear items on these engines was the timing kit. I got a new one and replacement was pretty easy. The valve cover and front covers need to come off, and then it’s pretty straight forward. This replaces the crank gears, timing and balance shaft chains, and all the guides.
Like most direct injection engines, these have a problem where the valves get dirty. It’s a common maintenance item to walnut blast these valves every 50k miles. Since this engine had 57k, I decided to do this while the engine was off. It’s very messy, but pretty easy, and you can see it makes a huge difference on the valves.
I got a sweet new aluminum flywheel from Fidanza, and had a custom clutch made to fit this transmission to the engine. The pressure plate is a Stage 2 from Spec for the Ecotec LNF as well. Everything there installed well and easily. I did have to make a custom throwout bearing to mate the crank/flywheel to the T5 transmission, but that was pretty easy with my mini lathe.
Last thing to button up is the speed sensor port on the transmission. It has a place for a mechanical sensor which I won’t be using, so I got an aftermarket plug to seal that up.
