LS2 in Solstice 
LS2 in Solstice
I have one question....WHY?
The car isn't meant to be a straighline car....and it's already a pretty hefty car compared to the competition. Just doesn't make sense to me.....well, I guess it's your money to do with what you want.
The car isn't meant to be a straighline car....and it's already a pretty hefty car compared to the competition. Just doesn't make sense to me.....well, I guess it's your money to do with what you want.
TECH Regular
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 459
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From: Arlington, TN
Do something different... Do a Saturn Sky with a LS7 
Parts wise you will need one of GM's newer ECM if you are going to use the LS2 electronic Throttle body -vs- the LS1's cable pulley unit.
Get a LS2 402 crate motor, a set of heads, a fast combo (manifold, fuel rails, and throttle body). Then a wire up a LS1 control module. (kinda backwards though).
I don't see taking a 2800lb 170hp car to a 3000lb 400hp car as a problem.
Heck just the turbo, cast iron tubing and what not will probably push the GXP close to 3k, but its only 260hp after a turbo... Thats still not 400 N/A.
Parts wise you will need one of GM's newer ECM if you are going to use the LS2 electronic Throttle body -vs- the LS1's cable pulley unit.
Get a LS2 402 crate motor, a set of heads, a fast combo (manifold, fuel rails, and throttle body). Then a wire up a LS1 control module. (kinda backwards though).
I don't see taking a 2800lb 170hp car to a 3000lb 400hp car as a problem.
Heck just the turbo, cast iron tubing and what not will probably push the GXP close to 3k, but its only 260hp after a turbo... Thats still not 400 N/A.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by 9ball
I have one question....WHY?
The car isn't meant to be a straighline car....and it's already a pretty hefty car compared to the competition. Just doesn't make sense to me.....well, I guess it's your money to do with what you want.
The car isn't meant to be a straighline car....and it's already a pretty hefty car compared to the competition. Just doesn't make sense to me.....well, I guess it's your money to do with what you want.
Seriously though, this car has similar frame and suspension designs as the C5/C6, except it uses coil springs instead of leafs. It also weighs 200 lbs less than the Corvette. A Solstice/Sky with Corvette power would likely kill a Corvette on an autocross course, if only because there's less car width to push around cones. Put on the same sticky tires and brakes that a Corvette would have, and I believe it would own Corvette's....too bad it wouldn't be in the same class.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Much as I love V-8s, it would seem to make far more sense to wait for the coming-soon turbo version of the Solstice, then follow the GM prep manual for the Ecotech engine to pump it up as high as you like. (way over 1,000 HP in drag race trim)
Originally Posted by leaftye
You think more horsepower in a car meant to car is a bad idea? Man, you should never EVER check out the Ariel Atom!
Seriously though, this car has similar frame and suspension designs as the C5/C6, except it uses coil springs instead of leafs. It also weighs 200 lbs less than the Corvette. A Solstice/Sky with Corvette power would likely kill a Corvette on an autocross course, if only because there's less car width to push around cones. Put on the same sticky tires and brakes that a Corvette would have, and I believe it would own Corvette's....too bad it wouldn't be in the same class.
Seriously though, this car has similar frame and suspension designs as the C5/C6, except it uses coil springs instead of leafs. It also weighs 200 lbs less than the Corvette. A Solstice/Sky with Corvette power would likely kill a Corvette on an autocross course, if only because there's less car width to push around cones. Put on the same sticky tires and brakes that a Corvette would have, and I believe it would own Corvette's....too bad it wouldn't be in the same class.
Not that traction will be much harder than on a Vette....or that it's drivetrain will likely snap into 1000 pieces after a few hard launches.....no, im sure that doesn't make any difference....especially since the prices I've seen for it place it above a C6..... On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by 9ball
It's not about weight but more about balance.....not to mention the new V8 will likely nullify the weight advantage while throwing off the balance of the Solstice. As far as the Atom, I don't know what "more horsepower in a car meant to car" means since it doesn't make sense, but I'm assuming you're talking about the HP/weight ratio. Yea, a whole 50-100lbs will make the Corvette look like it's going backwards compared to the Solstice..... Not that traction will be much harder than on a Vette....or that it's drivetrain will likely snap into 1000 pieces after a few hard launches.....no, im sure that doesn't make any difference....especially since the prices I've seen for it place it above a C6.....
Not that traction will be much harder than on a Vette....or that it's drivetrain will likely snap into 1000 pieces after a few hard launches.....no, im sure that doesn't make any difference....especially since the prices I've seen for it place it above a C6.....Again, it's not only about the Solstice being lighter, it is also about it being smaller. It doesn't take a genious to realize that it's easier to get thru a slalom, around a chicane, or thru a chicago box with a smaller car.
I don't know what people, or Mallett, will do to keep the drivetrain together. I really know nothing about the Solstice in this area, and it's an area I've been concerned about as well. I assumed they (Mallett) were swapping in C5/C6 components until I saw the price for their package.
Mallet is the company, info here. Its much more than just shoehorning in the LS2.
Brakes, suspension, tranny etc. Plus has a warranty!
http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm
Brakes, suspension, tranny etc. Plus has a warranty!
http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm
Go for it, always cool to see a well done LS2 conversion. Instead of buying an ls2 crate motor though just get a like forged ls2 short block from texas-speed or sdpc and then go with a decent set of heads and keep the ls2 intake as it flows well and can use a 90mm TB. That way you have a built engine in case you decide to spray it or go FI in the future and wont be a whole lot more than a crate ls2. I cant even imagine how fun that car must be though from mallet, looks sick!
Still cheaper to buy a vette and or Fbody for that matter...Looks like a mean little car but youre looking at 40K min for a 12 sec car?...98 formula with sts and ls6 intake and heads will put you at 22K? + or -
True there are def cheaper ways to go fast, but if he has the money and wants something different I think an LS2 soltice would def be a head turner anywhere and everywhere. I mean if I were gonna build an ls2 powered conversion car id def do an rx-7 as i love the body styling and the power/weight ratio but thats just me.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2006
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GM sells a crate LS2 for about 5.5K. A new Tremac 6 speed is about 3K (Mallett uses the stock Aisan 5 spd trans). Certainly the CTS based rearend would need work, so the total would be about 30K for car and parts. Would the ECM from the stock Ecotech 4 cyl. engine work for the conversion or would I have to start fresh with a Corvette ECM?
I dont think the stock ecm would work but I believe if you buy the crate engine from one of the sponsors, such as SDPC, they can include an ls2 ecu with the engine. The cts rear would def need to be beefed up, but you might just be better off going with a nice narrow 9" rear or something of that sort as it would serve you well in the long run. Good luckw itht he build though and let us know when you begin!
I just bought the Solstice today kinda an early Valentines gift for the wife, and I can take pleasure in it as well. Its a decent car, not very fast, but definately a nice vert, good for crusing and good for gas mileage. With 3 other vehicles with V8's I can assure you that having a 4cyl around helps on the pocketbook. Anyways I love the idea of an LS2 slammed inside the car, but it would be overkill on my end as I have two T/A's already.