turbo Cruze first thoughts

So I've been waiting to get my hands on a turbo Cruze to "spank" it real good and see. The numbers don't look very promising and several techs have mentioned it's "slow as balls" but I'm just curious how much if any potential it has. I like the Ecotec and I feel it's well built and anything small with a turbo has at least some potential. And it's supported. The Cruze is not bad, it's solid and comfy and high tech. It's true about how slow it is though. So I went to the roof of the parking garage to do some launches and "burnouts" and this is what I found (wow big suprise I know). It's an automatic, and with TC on it will only stall to just over 1k and launch and accelerate pathetically slow. But with TC off, it stalls to 2500, and actually turns over the tires some and takes off with much more guts. You can almost even hear some boost. Almost. So there may be potential to turn a maybe 17-16 second car into a low 15 or high 14?? That would almost be respectable, plus it gets great mileage. Can't wait to pull a cal. on one. And the Sonic are all coming with that engine and all stickshift... just some thoughs. :)

Well, it is only a 1.4L after all.

Sounds like it needs slicks and a bigger turbo... :D

LOL never underestimate "displacement" on a boosted engine. I used to have a 1.3 liter 80 cubic inch Rx-7... there was also a 1.3 liter 3 cyl. Suzuki Swift around here that had a little getup, but nothing like the 7s. :) Anyway I want to tune some Cruze!!

BTW do we have any special way of unlocking these ECMs with V8? As I was just typing we locked up our 1st one at the dealer! :) It got pissed off at the outdated equipment we have and now it starts and shuts right off and won't communicate :) they are going to warranty it so I wanted to play hero...

Nope this sucker's dead. I think it has a "half" a program now. I suppose I may be able to full flash it, but not going to waste a licennse, I'll just let the tech warranty the ECM and then try to do a little better job updating it. I think he used a failed MDI. Anyway all the lights on the dash go out when you try to start it, and I disconnected the battery and ECM connectors for 15 minutes, nothing. Dead. Wondering if I could communicate or unlock somehow with FS, V8?? Maybe try later. :)

Boost, TIS2WEB killed one of our E78's too, it's now a door stop, non recoverable. Good luck getting one!!
If you need a Cruze .ctd file to try to recover with V8 then just read one from another car at work, but I think it will be dead. When ours died, TIS2WEB got all the way to the end of the flash, but after that the ECM was off in space. I think there must be a subtle difference between the 2500HD E78 programs and the Cruze program that cause this. The E78's we got were for the 2500HD (although they share the same part number).

Very interesting! I will be sure to post any developments, as of now our door stop and the Cruze attached to it is sitting in the middle of the shop. It's always a new challenge. Thanks for the reply!

I was shattered when our E78 got killed (it was brand new!). We got two of them for development, one for me and the other was supposed to go to New Zealand, in the end I now have a nice shiny paper weight in the shape of an E78. I can assure you, I will not be using TIS2WEB on one again given you've also just had one die too. Obviously there is a problem.
We are down to one, I can't afford to loose that and be without an E78.

:( Hmm. Well, after talking to the tech on the phone and having him pull codes and perform various basic tests, GM is overnighting us a new one.

Cross your fingers, ours was a brand new one too that was killed on it's first flash by TIS2WEB, good luck!

:angel_innocent: Don't jinx me with your programming issues :hihi::laugh:

Not my programming issues, GM's :shock:
EFILive doesn't brick E78's :grin:

'TIS true :hihi:

So, how did the new ECM go?

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Originally Posted by GMPX

So, how did the new ECM go?

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It went relatively well, a few small issues. It came in a coupe of days and after intalling, the tech was concerned about programming it with the MDI, because we found out that it is wireless (not USB). He feels this is what caused the failure. So acting on a rumor that it could be programmed with a Tech2 (not supposed to be able to), he tried and it worked just fine. It needed theft re-learn as well as brake pedal position and a few other routine learns. Then it had a check engine light for crankshaft position learn and he took care of that with the MDI. So it went ok.

You guys should buy a Drewtech Mongoose cable, very cheap, works fine with TIS2WEB and doesn't take 18 mins to program a late model ECM like TechII.

great idea! thanks! I may do that just for me

We have been dreaming of and messing with several of these 1.4 turbos since I last posted. The stickshift ones are almost quick with the TC off, and I've been reading the cals and tuning looks VERY promising. I would like to be one of the first to flirt with 300 hp in a turbo Cruze. Did / do the Holdens come with the 1.4t and what are the popular mods / results if so??

Do you have a stock tun you could post up? What kind of fuel milage are these capable of? I tried searching for some detailed engine specs on these but no luck.

The current model is advertised at 42 mpg. Next years is said to have 2 more mpg, improving economy even further. Horsepower is around 140 and torque around 150, it has just enough pep stock if driven right. I took a training class on the engine, it's a true high quality Ecotec (I don't like the N/A 1.8), altough quite small. I am thinking horsepower potential is limited due to displacement and the "turbo" is tiny with a mini integral wastegate. You really have to beat it to hear boost. However: the Sonic is a sporty model coming out soon that is exclusively 1.4t stickshift and there will be some mild tuning versions of it. That hints of a little potential. Also, there are already downpipes and aftermarket parts available for the 1.4t, unlike the crap 1.6 E-tec and the cheapy 1.8 base model. I hear of the Holden SS with a potent 1.6t and an HSV 2.0t (I've been daydreaming of a 2.0t / Cobalt SS / LNF swap into a Cruze myself...) So what's up with that?? :)

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Originally Posted by Boost

do the Holdens come with the 1.4t and what are the popular mods / results if so??

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Only in the Cruze.
However there is some new small cars (Barina) that potentially could use this engine.

Well fast forward a couple of weeks and already a half dozen tuners are fighting over the Cruze with average results around 50 extra horsepower and torque. See I was right nanny nanna boo boo. :) I am definitely going to get my share of this market, Cruze come to me every day! :) (for recalls :s) Great job on the support guys and I think we have a winner here. I'm gonna need my first stream...:o