I'm thinking of installing a series I supercharger on my Solstice 2.4. What do you think?
A Pontiac Solstice 2.4 NA is highly bottlenecked. I had a 2006 Solstice that I sold last year. Most people with the combination I had would run 14s all day long. I had the Clear Image ceramic coated shorty header, the Clear Image high-flow catalytic converter, acold air intake, and a few other odds and ends. The differnece in performance was night and day. My car would break the tires in the shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd even.
The great thing about the Super Charger is that you could effectively keep that excellent exhaust configuration (high flow exhaust) and still have the forced induction. I was going to do this too, but ultimately decided to get something more practical and totally paid off.
Thanks! I have a black 2006. I will check out the sostice forum.
quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: A Pontiac Solstice 2.4 NA is highly bottlenecked. I had a 2006 Solstice that I sold last year. Most people with the combination I had would run 14s all day long. I had the Clear Image ceramic coated shorty header, the Clear Image high-flow catalytic converter, acold air intake, and a few other odds and ends. The differnece in performance was night and day. My car would break the tires in the shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd even.
The great thing about the Super Charger is that you could effectively keep that excellent exhaust configuration (high flow exhaust) and still have the forced induction. I was going to do this too, but ultimately decided to get something more practical and totally paid off.
I think that would be awesome. I wouldn't see why the engine wouldn't hold up to it since there is a turbo version of the engine.
I have no idea how much it would cost, and how difficult it would be to put on.
But resultant power to weight ratio would be great!
The difference is that the standard Solstice runs the 2.4 liter Ecotec and the GXP runs the completely different 2.0 Turbo Ecotec. The turbo 2.0 has direct injection and is built to handle the extra boost were as the 2.4 isn't built for it. The 2.4 has standard F.I. and a pretty high compression ratio (the 2.0 is high as well but the direct injection cools the cylinder to help avoid detonation). Just wanted to state the difference between the two.
Shelby
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01:12 PM
blackrams Member
Posts: 32824 From: Covington, TN, USA Registered: Feb 2003
Well, let's go for the whole deal, how about a V8 conversion? Personally, I'd choose the LS4 for your ride, but that's just me. I believe you can supercharge it also.
Ron
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01:20 PM
82-T/A [At Work] Member
Posts: 25077 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2002
There are already two companies that I know of that offer complete SuperCharger kits. It's a VERY easy install as I researched this myself when I had my own Solstice. Ultimately the child took priority so I sold my Solstice... but the two kits being offered were product specific designs and outperformed the Turbo vehicles. Since the 2.4 is already a larger motor with considerably more torque than the 2.0 naturally aspirated would be, it only takes a few PSI to quickly match the power of the Turbo GXP.
If you don't want to sell your Solstice and trade it in for a GXP, then $2,500 is a small price to pay for slightle better than GXP power.
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Originally posted by blackrams:
Well, let's go for the whole deal, how about a V8 conversion? Personally, I'd choose the LS4 for your ride, but that's just me. I believe you can supercharge it also.
Ron
Hah, it eventually gets to the point where the performance of the engine exceeds the capability of the platform. The Solstice has a steel space frame much like that of the Fiero so it's VERY solid (hydroformed steel framing). But, the company called Mallet installed a 427 LS motor in the Solstice and it became almost uncontrollable since the car was so light. Basically 2,800 pounds max with 550+ horsepower.
Archie found out the limitations of the Solstice platform when he did his V8 conversion. Traction with any high power engine is a problem since there's no weight on the rear wheels.
That's one of the big advantages of the current Vette platform with the rear mounted transaxle - better weight distribution and it gets some of the weight on the rear wheels. (huge rear meats help, too)
How wide can you go on rubber in the Solstice rear fenders? At what point does the rear axle or transmission become the drivetrain fuse?
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02:40 PM
PFF
System Bot
82-T/A [At Work] Member
Posts: 25077 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2002
Archie found out the limitations of the Solstice platform when he did his V8 conversion. Traction with any high power engine is a problem since there's no weight on the rear wheels.
That's one of the big advantages of the current Vette platform with the rear mounted transaxle - better weight distribution and it gets some of the weight on the rear wheels. (huge rear meats help, too)
How wide can you go on rubber in the Solstice rear fenders? At what point does the rear axle or transmission become the drivetrain fuse?
Well, on the Solstice there is a "torque tube" of sorts. I didn't really spend a lot of time down there, but from what I did see... it has a huge frame / bar that directly connects the tail-shaft of the transmission with the rear differential to prevent it from rotating. It doesn't appear to be any kind of a torque tube like my old Porsche 944 had.
The rear tires on the Solstice are pretty huge. They are easily wider than the ones that were on the 4th generation TransAm. I don't have any numbers, but they're pretty massive. They look almost like steam rollers.
Hah, it eventually gets to the point where the performance of the engine exceeds the capability of the platform. The Solstice has a steel space frame much like that of the Fiero so it's VERY solid (hydroformed steel framing). But, the company called Mallet installed a 427 LS motor in the Solstice and it became almost uncontrollable since the car was so light. Basically 2,800 pounds max with 550+ horsepower.
With a supercharger on that, you'd be looking at 640-650 horsepower... the car would be pretty much uncontrollable at wide open throttle.
Well sure but, I and no one else I know runs around at WOT all the time, if ever. In addition, I didn't suggest a 427 LS but, your points are well taken. A car like that should not be in the hands of a less mature adult with no driving skills. But, it would still be fun.
Ron
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03:06 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
The rear tires on the Solstice are pretty huge. They are easily wider than the ones that were on the 4th generation TransAm. I don't have any numbers, but they're pretty massive. They look almost like steam rollers.
I think you mean they are easily the same width or narrower than a 4th gen TA.
Solstice uses 245/45-18 tires. 4th Gen TA uses 245/50-16 tires base. 275/40-17 with WS6.
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03:11 PM
82-T/A [At Work] Member
Posts: 25077 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2002
Well sure but, I and no one else I know runs around at WOT all the time, if ever. In addition, I didn't suggest a 427 LS but, your points are well taken. A car like that should not be in the hands of a less mature adult with no driving skills. But, it would still be fun.
Ron
Well, that is true. I obviously have nothing to do with the Mallett 427, but from what I understood... WOT at any speed, and in any gear except 4th or 5th would basically cause the tires to break loose. It effectively made the additional ~150 horsepower basically totally unusable. So I think it was more of a question of waste than cost. Although safety is obviously a concern too. With a standard 6 liter, or even an LS1, the engine had adequate power to do pretty much everything, but the chassis could still control it unless you WANTED to be out of control. In the case of the 427, even 3/4 throttle would send the car sideways.
The difference is that the standard Solstice runs the 2.4 liter Ecotec and the GXP runs the completely different 2.0 Turbo Ecotec. The turbo 2.0 has direct injection and is built to handle the extra boost were as the 2.4 isn't built for it. The 2.4 has standard F.I. and a pretty high compression ratio (the 2.0 is high as well but the direct injection cools the cylinder to help avoid detonation). Just wanted to state the difference between the two.
Shelby
Whoa. Big difference, then. Thanks for pointing that out.
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03:43 PM
Fformula88 Member
Posts: 7891 From: Buffalo, NY Registered: Mar 2000
I personally think your better off with a Vette than converting a Solstice to V8. A V8 Solstice is a nice talking point of course, for a unique and fast one of a kind car. However, from a performance and practicality standpoint a Vette is just a better option. Especially for someome who is going to pay mallett to install the V8 in a Solstice.
That said, there are some hurtles to a V8 install too. It is a tight squeeze in the Sol's engine bay. Some installs actually cut out part of a structural support member to get the engine in (to the horror of law suit conscious GM!). Others cause manifolds to run very close to other heat sensitive equipment which may have shorter service lives because of it.
I think the two stock engines are really good building blocks in that car. Unlike the Fiero's stock engines, the ecotecs can produce a lot more power. As was mentioned, they are different motors. Similar architecture, but different. The LNF turbo engine is beefier in stock form, but the 2.4's seem to hold up well to more power too.
I say stick with the 2.4 and start doing things to it to free up breathing, and maybe go the S/C route! It will really liven up that car!
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04:53 PM
normsf Member
Posts: 1682 From: mishawaka, In Registered: Oct 2003
Wow nice picture, could that be Falcons car? I see it has our fenders and rear facia. Thanks Norm
Norm,
Yes its mine. Weather has been so bad (snow on my street still) I have not had a chance to get the car out much to take good pictures of your fenders...thanks a LOT for painting the insert red...it looks awesome. Ill definitely post on the SOL forum when I can get a sunny dry day.
Unfortunately those wheels rub on the top part of the fender which is really unfortunate because the looks great (inserts have been painted red...no black like pictured).
You know the Solstice body better than anyone. What do you think I could do to get them to fit?
------------------
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08:47 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
I tuned a supercharged one a few years back... It was a fun car, worked fairly well and was reliable.
I would rock it... It WAS easily faster than most of the turbo versions, but I have a feeling that now with some tuning you could easily make the turbo cars faster. Back then the turbo cars were really limited with tuning options.
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09:44 AM
Feb 14th, 2010
Cadillac Jack Member
Posts: 1165 From: Jacksonville, IL, USA Registered: May 2003
I'm tracking but I don't have the 20,000 to 30,000 required. I own a supercharger already. Also i don't want to screw up the balance. the thing is amazing in curves!
quote
Originally posted by blackrams:
Well, let's go for the whole deal, how about a V8 conversion? Personally, I'd choose the LS4 for your ride, but that's just me. I believe you can supercharge it also.
Ron
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02:47 PM
turboguy327 Member
Posts: 1692 From: Webster, NY USA Registered: Feb 2007
Hello GM brought a car that has beat all in its class among the Mazda Mx5, Porsche Boxer to name a few while maintaining a style of comfort that our GM Fiero will never achieve, yet you in your judgement of Automotive Design disparage another bold and innovative work of art from Pontiac. At least its not a Aztek.
[This message has been edited by normsf (edited 02-15-2010).]
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12:19 AM
blackrams Member
Posts: 32824 From: Covington, TN, USA Registered: Feb 2003
I'm tracking but I don't have the 20,000 to 30,000 required. I own a supercharger already. Also i don't want to screw up the balance. the thing is amazing in curves!
I can relate to the money issue. Damn lottery isn't paying off.
Regardless, what's the decision? Inquiring minds want to know.
Wish I could get one.
