GM 122 engine
Encyclopedia
This engine family, produced by General Motors
globally, was originally designed by Opel
in Germany
. In OHV form, it was available in the US beginning in 1982 for the GM J platform
compact cars and S-series
trucks, although originally in use from the 1970s globally. It is different than the engine used in the Chevrolet Chevette
which was also an Opel
design. For the J cars
it evolved through 2002 when it was replaced by GMs Ecotec line of DOHC 4-cylinder engines. In the S-10
related models it evolved through 2003 when it was known as the Vortec 2200. Production ceased consistent with the replacement of the S-series
trucks with the GMT 355 sub-platform.
On a separate development track, this engine family was also available in a SOHC form. The SOHC version featured a belt-timed valvetrain. The water pump was also driven by the timing belt. For the US market, this version was used primarily from 1983 for the J-body
compact cars through 1994 although the turbocharged
version did make a brief appearance in the N-body
Pontiac Grand Am
. The SOHC version also appeared in the Opel Kadett E-based, Daewoo
produced, Pontiac LeMans for the US market. Globally the engine then evolved along three paths. One path leading to the C20NE
and then the C20XE
when it obtained a Lotus
-developed DOHC cylinder head
and in 2000 was renamed Ecotec. Another smaller variant retained its SOHC design and was known as D-TEC having been licensed and produced by Daewoo
. For the Brazil
ian market the SOHC-equipped engine is currently a member of both GM Family I and II - the larger model being known as Flexpower and the smaller Econoflex which is available in the 2010 Chevrolet Agile
.
Uses:
Uses:
and GMC S-15 compact pickup trucks and their Blazer
and Jimmy counterparts until 1985, when they were replaced by the 2.5 L Tech IV
engine. Using a 2-barrel carburetor, this engine produced 88 hp in the J cars, and 83 horsepower in the S-Series trucks. For 1983, this engine replaced the 1.8 L engine altogether and, for the J cars only, gained throttle body fuel injection, producing 86 hp. This engine was used until 1989, producing 90 hp and 108 lbft of torque when it was discontinued.
Uses:
version was available.
In 1992, Multi-Port Fuel Injection replaced TBI on the Naturally Aspirated engine, increasing horsepower from the original 96, to 110. Torque increased from 118 to 124 lb/ft.
The turbo variant, RPO code LT3 (known internationally as C20GET), utilized MPFI and featured brilliant red powder coating on the camshaft cover, intake manifold and boost pipe. Power was up to 165 hp at 5600 RPM and torque was 175 lbft at 4000 RPM, which was achieved at 7 psi (48.3 kPa) of boost. The system did not utilize an intercooler
; however, the Garrett
T-25 turbocharger was water-cooled. Maximum boost at WOT
was 9 psi (62.1 kPa).
Uses (normally aspirated version):
Uses (turbocharged
version):
Iron Duke
engine as the 4-cylinder offering in the S/T platform trucks and A-body cars. A final revision to the 2200 occurred when emissions updates were done in 1998 lowering power and torque to 115 hp and 135 lbft respectively. The 2200 was discontinued after 2003, replaced by the 2.2 L Ecotec engine.
Uses:
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
globally, was originally designed by Opel
Opel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. In OHV form, it was available in the US beginning in 1982 for the GM J platform
GM J platform
The J platform, or J-body, was General Motors' inexpensive front-wheel drive automobile platform from the 1980s and 1990s. The platform replaced the GM H platform. The J-platform is the only platform of GM to have a model in each of its "Original 5" passenger car divisions...
compact cars and S-series
Chevrolet S-10
The first compact pickup from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines were incorporated. The first S-series...
trucks, although originally in use from the 1970s globally. It is different than the engine used in the Chevrolet Chevette
Chevrolet Chevette
The Chevrolet Chevette was introduced in September, 1975 and manufactured for model years 1976-1987 based on GM's worldwide T platform and superseding the Vega as Chevrolet's entry-level subcompact...
which was also an Opel
Opel
Adam Opel AG, generally shortened to Opel, is a German automobile company founded by Adam Opel in 1862. Opel has been building automobiles since 1899, and became an Aktiengesellschaft in 1929...
design. For the J cars
GM J platform
The J platform, or J-body, was General Motors' inexpensive front-wheel drive automobile platform from the 1980s and 1990s. The platform replaced the GM H platform. The J-platform is the only platform of GM to have a model in each of its "Original 5" passenger car divisions...
it evolved through 2002 when it was replaced by GMs Ecotec line of DOHC 4-cylinder engines. In the S-10
Chevrolet S-10
The first compact pickup from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines were incorporated. The first S-series...
related models it evolved through 2003 when it was known as the Vortec 2200. Production ceased consistent with the replacement of the S-series
Chevrolet S-10
The first compact pickup from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines were incorporated. The first S-series...
trucks with the GMT 355 sub-platform.
On a separate development track, this engine family was also available in a SOHC form. The SOHC version featured a belt-timed valvetrain. The water pump was also driven by the timing belt. For the US market, this version was used primarily from 1983 for the J-body
GM J platform
The J platform, or J-body, was General Motors' inexpensive front-wheel drive automobile platform from the 1980s and 1990s. The platform replaced the GM H platform. The J-platform is the only platform of GM to have a model in each of its "Original 5" passenger car divisions...
compact cars through 1994 although the turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
version did make a brief appearance in the N-body
GM N platform
The General Motors N platform was a front-wheel drive compact automotive platform produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform....
Pontiac Grand Am
Pontiac Grand Am
The original Grand Am was introduced in the fall of 1972 as a 1973 model. It was based on the GM A platform along with other cars such as the Pontiac LeMans, Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Century, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme...
. The SOHC version also appeared in the Opel Kadett E-based, Daewoo
Daewoo
Daewoo or the Daewoo Group was a major South Korean chaebol . It was founded on 22 March 1967 as Daewoo Industrial and was dismantled by the Korean government in 1999...
produced, Pontiac LeMans for the US market. Globally the engine then evolved along three paths. One path leading to the C20NE
C20NE
The C20NE is a Family II fuel-injected, four-cylinder engine developed by Opel in the late '80s. It is essentially very similar to the C20XE, but has a simpler cylinder head design which features 2 valves per cylinder and single overhead camshaft. For this reason, the powerplant is commonly...
and then the C20XE
C20XE
The C20XE is a DOHC, inline 4 cylinder Family II, Opel engine. It has a displacement of and develops .The C20XE came into production as an evolution of the C20NE engine. It was a further development of the 1987 model 8v 20NE engine...
when it obtained a Lotus
Lotus Cars
Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at the former site of RAF Hethel, a World War II airfield in Norfolk. The company designs and builds race and production automobiles of light weight and fine handling characteristics...
-developed DOHC cylinder head
Cylinder head
In an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket...
and in 2000 was renamed Ecotec. Another smaller variant retained its SOHC design and was known as D-TEC having been licensed and produced by Daewoo
Daewoo
Daewoo or the Daewoo Group was a major South Korean chaebol . It was founded on 22 March 1967 as Daewoo Industrial and was dismantled by the Korean government in 1999...
. For the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian market the SOHC-equipped engine is currently a member of both GM Family I and II - the larger model being known as Flexpower and the smaller Econoflex which is available in the 2010 Chevrolet Agile
Chevrolet Agile
The Chevrolet Agile is a subcompact car developed by General Motors in Brazil and built in Argentina. The vehicle is powered by a Family 1 engine Flex-fuel engine, and while the 1.4L version is the only one available, it is rumored that in the future there will be trim versions using the 1.0L and...
.
1.8 L OHV
The 1.8 L pushrod engine was the first engine to power the J Body cars. Introduced with the models in 1982, the 1.8 used a 2-barrel Rochester Carburetor and produced an output of 88 hp, at higher RPM. Acceleration in these cars was quite sluggish, with a test 1982 Pontiac J2000 accelerating from 0–60 mph in 16.3 seconds, with a quarter mile (~400 m) time of 20.6 seconds.Uses:
- 1982 Chevrolet CavalierChevrolet CavalierThe Chevrolet Cavalier was a compact automobile produced from 1982 to 2005 by General Motors. Built on the company's J platform, the Cavalier was one of the best-selling cars in the United States throughout its life.- Predecessors :...
- 1982 Pontiac J2000
- 1982 Buick SkyhawkBuick SkyhawkThe Buick Skyhawk are automobiles produced by the Buick division of General Motors in two generations for the 1975 through 1989 model years. 1975 through 1980 models, all 2-door hatchbacks, were built on the subcompact, rear-wheel drive H-body platform...
- 1982 Oldsmobile FirenzaOldsmobile FirenzaThe Oldsmobile Firenza was a compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1982 to 1988. It was based on the front-wheel drive GM J platform, which was shared with the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird...
- 1982 Cadillac CimarronCadillac CimarronThe Cadillac Cimarron was a compact car built by Cadillac based on the GM J platform. It was first introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year, and sold through 1988. During its seven-year model run, 132,499 Cimarrons were built.-Development:...
1.8 L SOHC
In 1983, a 1.8 L SOHC version, imported from GM of Brazil, was added. Replacing the 1.8 and 2.0 L OHV engines in the Pontiac 2000 and supplanting the Firenza and Skyhawk's 2.0 L engine, it used throttle body injection, producing 84 hp. For 1984, a turbocharged version was added. This version used multi-port fuel injection (MPFI), and produced 150 hp. The 1.8 L SOHC was not used in the Chevrolet Cavalier or Cadillac Cimarron, and was replaced by the 2.0 L SOHC in 1987.Uses:
- 1983–1986 Pontiac (2000) SunbirdPontiac SunbirdThe Pontiac Sunbird, produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors, was Pontiac's second small-car offering of the 70's. The Sunbird model ran for 18 years and was then replaced in 1995 by the Pontiac Sunfire...
- 1983–1986 Buick SkyhawkBuick SkyhawkThe Buick Skyhawk are automobiles produced by the Buick division of General Motors in two generations for the 1975 through 1989 model years. 1975 through 1980 models, all 2-door hatchbacks, were built on the subcompact, rear-wheel drive H-body platform...
- 1983–1986 Oldsmobile FirenzaOldsmobile FirenzaThe Oldsmobile Firenza was a compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1982 to 1988. It was based on the front-wheel drive GM J platform, which was shared with the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird...
2.0 L OHV
A bored and stroked version of the 1.8 L engine, displacing 2.0 L, was introduced midway through 1982, to provide more low-RPM power for the J cars. This engine was also used in the Chevrolet S-10Chevrolet S-10
The first compact pickup from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines were incorporated. The first S-series...
and GMC S-15 compact pickup trucks and their Blazer
Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
The Chevrolet Blazer and the similar GMC S-15 Jimmy are mid-size SUVs from General Motors. Production began alongside the larger K5 Blazer and Jimmy in 1983 and lasted through 2005. In the United States retail sales after 2004 were limited to two-door Blazer models, all other models being sold...
and Jimmy counterparts until 1985, when they were replaced by the 2.5 L Tech IV
GM Iron Duke engine
Iron Dukes were fitted with fuel injection in 1982. This version was christened the Tech IV, though Car and Driver later ridiculed it as the low-Tech IV. Power output remained at ....
engine. Using a 2-barrel carburetor, this engine produced 88 hp in the J cars, and 83 horsepower in the S-Series trucks. For 1983, this engine replaced the 1.8 L engine altogether and, for the J cars only, gained throttle body fuel injection, producing 86 hp. This engine was used until 1989, producing 90 hp and 108 lbft of torque when it was discontinued.
Uses:
- 1982–1983 Pontiac J2000 (called just "2000" in 1983, 1.8 L SOHC became standard after 1983)
- 1982–1989 Chevrolet Cavalier
- 1982–1988 Oldsmobile Firenza
- 1982–1983 Buick Skyhawk (1.8L SOHC became standard after 1983)
- 1982–1986 Cadillac Cimarron
- 1982–1984 Chevrolet S-10
- 1982–1984 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
- 1982–1984 GMC S-15
- 1982–1984 GMC S-15 Jimmy
- 1987–1989 Chevrolet CorsicaChevrolet CorsicaThe Chevrolet Corsica is a front-wheel drive compact car that was produced by General Motors from 1987 to 1996. The Corsica was built upon the L-body platform which was developed , as the successor to the X body...
, Chevrolet BerettaChevrolet BerettaThe Chevrolet Beretta is a front wheel drive coupé produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1987–1996 model years. The Beretta was designed in the same design studio as the Camaro and the Corvette, Chevrolet Exterior Studio 3, and was built at the Wilmington, Delaware and...
, Pontiac TempestPontiac TempestThe Pontiac Tempest was an entry-level compact produced by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors, introduced in September 1960 for the 1961 model year....
2.0 L SOHC
A bored and stroked version of the 1.8 L SOHC engine was released in 1987 and now displaced 1998.5 cc in a "square", 86 mm (3.39 in) configuration. Still utilizing TBI, this engine produced 96 hp and 118 lbft of torque. As with the 1.8 L engine, a turbochargedTurbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
version was available.
In 1992, Multi-Port Fuel Injection replaced TBI on the Naturally Aspirated engine, increasing horsepower from the original 96, to 110. Torque increased from 118 to 124 lb/ft.
The turbo variant, RPO code LT3 (known internationally as C20GET), utilized MPFI and featured brilliant red powder coating on the camshaft cover, intake manifold and boost pipe. Power was up to 165 hp at 5600 RPM and torque was 175 lbft at 4000 RPM, which was achieved at 7 psi (48.3 kPa) of boost. The system did not utilize an intercooler
Intercooler
An intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
; however, the Garrett
Garrett AiResearch
Garrett AiResearch was a manufacturer of turboprop engines and turbochargers, and a pioneer in numerous aerospace technologies. It was previously known as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, or simply AiResearch...
T-25 turbocharger was water-cooled. Maximum boost at WOT
Wide open throttle
Wide open throttle refers to an internal combustion engine's maximum intake of air and fuel that occurs when the throttle plates inside the carburettor or throttle body are "wide open", providing the least resistance to the incoming air...
was 9 psi (62.1 kPa).
Uses (normally aspirated version):
- 1987–1994 Pontiac SunbirdPontiac SunbirdThe Pontiac Sunbird, produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors, was Pontiac's second small-car offering of the 70's. The Sunbird model ran for 18 years and was then replaced in 1995 by the Pontiac Sunfire...
- 1987–1989 Buick SkyhawkBuick SkyhawkThe Buick Skyhawk are automobiles produced by the Buick division of General Motors in two generations for the 1975 through 1989 model years. 1975 through 1980 models, all 2-door hatchbacks, were built on the subcompact, rear-wheel drive H-body platform...
- 1988–1991 Pontiac LeMansPontiac LeMansThe Pontiac LeMans was a model name applied to compact and intermediate-sized automobiles offered by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1962 to 1981. The LeMans was replaced by the downsized Pontiac Bonneville for the 1982 model year...
GSE Hatchback - 1987–1988 Oldsmobile FirenzaOldsmobile FirenzaThe Oldsmobile Firenza was a compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1982 to 1988. It was based on the front-wheel drive GM J platform, which was shared with the Buick Skyhawk, Cadillac Cimarron, Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunbird...
Uses (turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
version):
- 1987–1990 Pontiac SunbirdPontiac SunbirdThe Pontiac Sunbird, produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors, was Pontiac's second small-car offering of the 70's. The Sunbird model ran for 18 years and was then replaced in 1995 by the Pontiac Sunfire...
- 1987–1989 Pontiac Grand AmPontiac Grand AmThe original Grand Am was introduced in the fall of 1972 as a 1973 model. It was based on the GM A platform along with other cars such as the Pontiac LeMans, Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Century, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme...
SE - 1987 Buick SkyhawkBuick SkyhawkThe Buick Skyhawk are automobiles produced by the Buick division of General Motors in two generations for the 1975 through 1989 model years. 1975 through 1980 models, all 2-door hatchbacks, were built on the subcompact, rear-wheel drive H-body platform...
T-TypeT-TypeThe T-Type is a series of Buick automobiles that were popular during the 1980s.-History:These T-Type cars were built as performance-oriented models and the most famous of these cars was the Buick GNX, which was based on the Regal platform...
2200 OHV
For the 1990 model year GM replaced the 2.0 L engine with a bored and stroked version displacing 2.2 L. Known as the 2.2 from 1990 to 1997 and the 2200 from 1998 on, it used throttle body fuel injection and produced 95 hp and 120 lbft of torque. For 1992 multi-port fuel injection replaced the old throttle body injected version increasing power to 110 hp and torque to 130 lbft. In 1994 the MPFI system was updated to Sequential MPFI and power increased to 120 hp with torque increasing to 140 lbft. The MPFI and SFI versions produced enough power to allow the 2200 to replace the old PontiacPontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
Iron Duke
GM Iron Duke engine
Iron Dukes were fitted with fuel injection in 1982. This version was christened the Tech IV, though Car and Driver later ridiculed it as the low-Tech IV. Power output remained at ....
engine as the 4-cylinder offering in the S/T platform trucks and A-body cars. A final revision to the 2200 occurred when emissions updates were done in 1998 lowering power and torque to 115 hp and 135 lbft respectively. The 2200 was discontinued after 2003, replaced by the 2.2 L Ecotec engine.
Uses:
- 1990–2002 Chevrolet CavalierChevrolet CavalierThe Chevrolet Cavalier was a compact automobile produced from 1982 to 2005 by General Motors. Built on the company's J platform, the Cavalier was one of the best-selling cars in the United States throughout its life.- Predecessors :...
- 1990–1996 Chevrolet CorsicaChevrolet CorsicaThe Chevrolet Corsica is a front-wheel drive compact car that was produced by General Motors from 1987 to 1996. The Corsica was built upon the L-body platform which was developed , as the successor to the X body...
and BerettaChevrolet BerettaThe Chevrolet Beretta is a front wheel drive coupé produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1987–1996 model years. The Beretta was designed in the same design studio as the Camaro and the Corvette, Chevrolet Exterior Studio 3, and was built at the Wilmington, Delaware and... - 1990–1991 Pontiac TempestPontiac TempestThe Pontiac Tempest was an entry-level compact produced by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors, introduced in September 1960 for the 1961 model year....
- 1993–1996 Buick CenturyBuick CenturyBuick Century is the model name used by the Buick division of General Motors for a line of full-size performance vehicles from 1936 to 1942 and 1954 to 1958, and from 1973 to 2005 for a mid-size car....
and Oldsmobile Cutlass CieraOldsmobile Cutlass CieraThe Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car that was sold from 1982 through 1996 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.It shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the very similar Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity; both Olds and Chevy considered using the Celebrity... - 1995–2002 Pontiac SunfirePontiac SunfireThe Pontiac Sunfire was introduced for the 1995 model year as the compact car to replace the Sunbird. Not only was the name changed, but dramatic styling changes were included as well. The new styling was shared with the redesigned Chevrolet Cavalier...
- 1994-2003 Chevrolet S-10, Isuzu Hombre and GMC SonomaChevrolet S-10The first compact pickup from General Motors was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV. The 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically-produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines were incorporated. The first S-series...
, (marked as VortecGM Vortec engineVortec is a trademarked name for a line of piston engines for General Motors trucks. The name first appeared in 1988 on a 4.3 L V6 that used "vortex technology" to create a vortex inside the combustion chamber, creating a better air/fuel mix. Now its used on a wide range of different engines...
from 1996 to 2003)
See also
- C20NEC20NEThe C20NE is a Family II fuel-injected, four-cylinder engine developed by Opel in the late '80s. It is essentially very similar to the C20XE, but has a simpler cylinder head design which features 2 valves per cylinder and single overhead camshaft. For this reason, the powerplant is commonly...
- GM Family 1 engineGM Family 1 engineThe Family 1 is a straight-4 piston engine that was developed by GM Powertrain, a subsidiary of Opel to replace low-displacement versions of GM Family II engine for use on mid-range cars from Opel.-C16XE:...
- GM Family II engineGM Family II engineThe Family II is a straight-4 piston engine that was originally developed by Opel in the early 1970s. It was used in the Opel Ascona and Opel Kadett and their corresponding sister models the Vauxhall Cavalier and Vauxhall Astra...
- List of GM engines