Hi there just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the reliability of the 2.0t engine for the longrun and I have a few questions as well.

Mike, I can't address long run as I've only had mine about 4 months, but I've owned and drive many cars, including turbos...

Can I drive hard on the turbo without worry?

Yes, that's what it's there for. I can't imagine a scenario that would put the turbocharger at risk of damage or overheating. More to the point, we don't really have much control over it, so don't worry.

Is excessive heat still an issue with hard use?

Shouldn't be. I would hope GM has overcome any such problems and if not, we'd all be taking our cars in for warranty work.

Should I idle my car after arriving at destination?

To "cool it down" you mean? I have never done this with any car, unless the engine temps were in the red zone. I don't believe that would be necessary unless you put it under an extraordinary load (towing something for an extended period up a steep incline?)

Will this engine last like a non turbo 4 cylinder ?

Again, I think turbochargers have evolved sufficiently that you needn't worry about that. Others here can quote figures, but I'm pretty sure GM isn't running a high boost on the turbochargers - certainly not enough to shorten engine life. Having said that, I only have about 4k miles on my car, you'd have to get a response from someone who's had a 2.0T for a long time. Engines age gracefully with proper care, oil changes, etc. If this one dies early, it should not be because it's turbocharged.

I am coming out of the break in period and want to drive the car hard quite a lot but want to know if that will last if I do that.

Drive it like you stole it, my brother. I was lucky enough to be on a 1000-miles road trip when mine came out, and I spent much of the rest of the highway time running it in manual and sport mode. Note that my definition of driving hard is not the same as abuse. Never run an engine hard until it's reached full temperature. Standing on the brakes while revving the engine, dumping the clutch, etc. will shorten the lives of some components, etc. Vary your engine speed (RPMs) as much as you can, it's good for it.

Thank you for your time,
Mike.

 

Hey Mike,

I can't speak much on this particular engine because it's new to me. As for turbine cool down, it's never a bad thing. Is it required? Absolutely not, but if I've been running it hard, I will let it idle for 2 minutes prior to shutdown (more so if I know it's going to sit for awhile). More importantly would be warm up period. Anytime the engine is cold or "cold soaked", meaning less than freezing outside for multiple hours I let it warm up to normal operating temperature before getting into any significant boost.

Again, I'm not an expert by any means and none of this is required by GM.

 

Drive it hard if you are talking about the street. If you're going to put the car on a road course for long periods of time, IIRC there is some optional recommend cooling.

I don't do any cool down. It probably idles for 5 - 10 seconds when I'm done driving and then I turn the car off. Not any different than with a regular car.

 

It will last as long as the warranty. Beyond that you are on your own.

 

If you have the 2.5L engine you do not have a turbo.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone! I know my user says I have a 2.5 but I traded that in for a 2.0T manual a few months back. Cannot remember how to change the vehicle on my user now.

Thank you,
Mike.

 

Go to the "My Profile" at top right and change it.

 

Hi there just wondering if anyone can shed some light on the reliability of the 2.0t engine for the longrun and I have a few questions as well.

The longblock is overbuilt - the bottom end can handle PLENTY more than 260hp. All teardowns thus far by aftermarket shops have shown the LTG is a true evolution of the LNF - which also had an overbuilt longblock.

Can I drive hard on the turbo without worry?

Define "worry". GM had a lot of failures of LNF turbochargers and even more with the GMPP tune - though these were all turbo failures where the seals blew out and not the engine itself. Personally? I'd drive it and enjoy it and expect that the turbo will need work between 80k and 120k. From my past experiences with the 4g63 and LNF that's a good safe bet. Sure it may last longer, but if you plan accordingly, you'll be better off.

The GOOD news is while the turbo is undersized it's a standard mitsubishi unit - turbo swaps and internal upgrades already exist and that segment will swell rapidly when the LTG makes it into the Camaro - so by the time your turbo fails a replacement will be easy to come by. Also good is it takes no time at all to swap - the bolts to the turbo and downpipe are easily accessible.

Is excessive heat still an issue with hard use?

From what I've heard, hill climb and full load testing in the desert proving grounds did start to heatsoak the radiator and intercooler - but unless you're at a track day in Arizona in the summer, it won't be an issue. Further, in a few years upgrades will be available all over the place. I've done several consecutive long hard pulls when its 75F out and it doesn't even come close to overheating.

Should I idle my car after arriving at destination?

It's always a good idea to give a car a little bit to cool down, especially with a turbo. I've always felt like staying out of boost the last 2-3 minutes of driving and then letting it idle for 15-20 seconds when I get to my destination was good, longer if the car is run hard in boost before then, less if it hasn't seen boost much at all. By the same token, giving it a little bit to start warming up on a cold day is good practice as well.

Will this engine last like a non turbo 4 cylinder ?

Inherently higher combustion chamber pressures say no. Eventually the engine will blow out gaskets and seals and rings and valve seals, and usually turbo engines see more load and high-rpm use than non-turbo. Either way you're talking some failures between 100k and 150k and then rebuild possibility between 150k and 200k. I know guys with 4g63s that hit nearly 200k without a rebuild on the stock bottom end and others that needed it at 110k - the difference was the driver and how they maintained it.

Will it last as long as non turbo? No. How much less though depends less on the turbocharger bolted to it and more of how it's treated (maintanance, cool down/warm up, good fuel, etc) by the owner.

I am coming out of the break in period and want to drive the car hard quite a lot but want to know if that will last if I do that.

Have fun and enjoy it, just make sure the fluids get changed, warm it up and cool it down and expect at 150k the engine will still be going and a turbo swap should be done.

 

The longblock is overbuilt - the bottom end can handle PLENTY more than 260hp. All teardowns thus far by aftermarket shops have shown the LTG is a true evolution of the LNF - which also had an overbuilt longblock.

Define "worry". GM had a lot of failures of LNF turbochargers and even more with the GMPP tune - though these were all turbo failures where the seals blew out and not the engine itself. Personally? I'd drive it and enjoy it and expect that the turbo will need work between 80k and 120k. From my past experiences with the 4g63 and LNF that's a good safe bet. Sure it may last longer, but if you plan accordingly, you'll be better off.

The GOOD news is while the turbo is undersized it's a standard mitsubishi unit - turbo swaps and internal upgrades already exist and that segment will swell rapidly when the LTG makes it into the Camaro - so by the time your turbo fails a replacement will be easy to come by. Also good is it takes no time at all to swap - the bolts to the turbo and downpipe are easily accessible.

From what I've heard, hill climb and full load testing in the desert proving grounds did start to heatsoak the radiator and intercooler - but unless you're at a track day in Arizona in the summer, it won't be an issue. Further, in a few years upgrades will be available all over the place. I've done several consecutive long hard pulls when its 75F out and it doesn't even come close to overheating.

It's always a good idea to give a car a little bit to cool down, especially with a turbo. I've always felt like staying out of boost the last 2-3 minutes of driving and then letting it idle for 15-20 seconds when I get to my destination was good, longer if the car is run hard in boost before then, less if it hasn't seen boost much at all. By the same token, giving it a little bit to start warming up on a cold day is good practice as well.

Inherently higher combustion chamber pressures say no. Eventually the engine will blow out gaskets and seals and rings and valve seals, and usually turbo engines see more load and high-rpm use than non-turbo. Either way you're talking some failures between 100k and 150k and then rebuild possibility between 150k and 200k. I know guys with 4g63s that hit nearly 200k without a rebuild on the stock bottom end and others that needed it at 110k - the difference was the driver and how they maintained it.

Will it last as long as non turbo? No. How much less though depends less on the turbocharger bolted to it and more of how it's treated (maintanance, cool down/warm up, good fuel, etc) by the owner.

Have fun and enjoy it, just make sure the fluids get changed, warm it up and cool it down and expect at 150k the engine will still be going and a turbo swap should be done.

I understand most of what you have said is just speculation, but it is a sad state of the industry if manufacturers build a turbo 4-cylinder engine that will require a rebuild at 150 - 200K interval. I would hope GM has engineered the block, cylinderhead, gaskets, and internal rotating components to withstand higher internal pressures that come with turbo charging. GM has quite extensive design experience building diesel engines and would apply such disciplines to the design of the ATS 2.0T. Also, turbo replacement at 80 - 100K is a bit depressing as well. If true, I'll be second guessing contemplation of buying an ATS next week...

 

This is great info, Thanks guys.

 

How much boost is the 2.0T pushing from the factory?

 

The main reason for idling a turbocharged engine after running it hard.. Is to cool the turbos center section.. A very hot center section with no oil being pumped thru it.. Can "coke" the oil that's sitting in it.. The oil in the turbo can turn to hard carbon..

Synthetic oil is much less likely to coke, than conventional dino oil.. How many can remember the commercial by Mobil 1, of the two oils in frying pans.. Check it out.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beyNfMAQRlA

 

Does it matter with modern water cooled turbos?

 

we have started a list for members who have reported engine/piston failures. if you know of any failures please add info to the list.



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