Unleashed at the International Auto Salon in Long Beach Calif., the GM Performance Eaton-based blower package for 2.4-liter twin-cam four-cylinder Cavaliers and Sunfires provided a new degree of power for fans of the J-body.
The kit includes a 45 cid roots-type blower that's integrated into the intake manifold and includes all mounting brackets, mounting fasteners, air ducts and adapters, as well as new PCV hoses, baffle and tubes, a Gen-II MAP sensor, four spark plugs and an accessory drive belt. Once the kit is installed, tuning is a quick trip to the nearest dealer. The dealer flashes a new fuel and ignition program into the ECU and the boost is ready to flow. Using the stock injectors limits boost to 4 psi. GM Performance Parts says output is 190 hp at the flywheel and the kit delivers a 40 lb-ft jump in torque.
The 2.4-liter twin cam supercharger kit carries a 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. For specific details, contact your local GM Performance Parts dealer.
At the GM Performance Parts press gathering, we were able to drive a blower-equipped Sunfire. As expected, the responsiveness of the blower was immediate. The extensive R&D paid off with a package that's transparent in crowded city driving, yet readily available when the hammer is dropped in open road conditions.
The 2.4-liter four feels like a bigger engine, pumping out more performance all across the rev range. Granted, 4 psi is not much in Honda ranks, but for J-body enthusiasts, this kit offers the most bang-for-the-buck, short of a custom turbo set-up. Best of all, the supercharger kit can be incorporated into the financing plan at the dealership, which softens the blow to the wallet. GM Performance says the distributors will determine the price of the kit.
Ecotec Race Parts
Also unveiled at the Salon were four parts derived from GM Racing's drag racing efforts that are now available for the Ecotec four-cylinder engine. These parts consist of stock camshaft blanks with finished journals and unfinished lobes, an adjustable camshaft gear set that allows valve timing to be advanced or retarded up to 16 degrees of crankshaft rotation. A cylinder head gasket and O-ring kit reduce cylinder bore distortion and improve cylinder sealing at high horsepower or boost levels. And a neutral balance shaft set is used to replace the stock balance shafts in a high-speed, high-performance engine.