When you think performance...
When you think performance the Saturn badge rarely springs to mind, but look a little closer and you'll find a hooligan amongst the rows of sensible sedans and SUVs-the Saturn Sky Red Line.
Featuring GM's revolutionary turbocharged Ecotec 2.0L powerplant that produces respectable power and previously propelled our test Cobalt SS to Mustang GT level performance with merely a tune. (July 2009). However, in this incarnation the Sky's RWD, hardy five-speed gearbox, standard limited-slip differential, and independent rear suspension, makes the roadster more akin to a Vette than a subcompact.
Like many, I was a bit dismissive of the Sky, until one night at "Route 59," a notorious and unsanctioned automotive event held just north of New York City. It was there the Sky's sharp lines and aggressive, yet well-proportioned stance lured me in for a closer look, where I met Eros Deda and his '08 Sky Red Line. After the obligatory introductions, I asked the diminutive 22-year-old why he chose the Saturn over the slew of imports popular with his peers. "It's got balls and Hondas are like Tampax every [expletive deleted]'s got one," he replied to the chagrin of the many Civic aficionados present. "I was thinking about getting a Z, but this just pulled harder and felt better in the turns, plus I like that you don't see too many around here." When I inquired if he had plans to do some modding he hesitantly replied, "definitely, but it's pretty new, I don't want to do anything that would blow it up."
Direct injection requires...
Direct injection requires higher fuel pressure and advanced fuel and spark timing to avoid detonation. Therefore GM employed a Bosch E69 ECU, a high-pressure fuel pump, variable-pressure fuel rail, and multi-hole fuel injectors that operate as high as 2,250 psi-compared to as little as 60 psi in some conventional port-injected engines.
Thankfully the engineers at GM did their homework before adding boost to the Ecotec mill. Instead of simply adapting the 2.4L mill in the naturally aspirated base model, the Red Line features the LNF Ecotec 2.0t. Cranking out 260 hp and 260 lb-ft at the flywheel, the 122-cid four-banger extracts an amazing 2.1 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement-making it GM's highest specific output engine ever. The engineers were able to achieve this by combining advanced technologies such as a dual-scroll turbo, variable valve timing, and direct injection. Working in harmony, the dual cam phasing complements the turbo system by optimizing valve timing at lower rpm for faster turbo spool and quick torque, while utilizing the injectors' efficient delivery to enhance piston cooling. "There is virtually no lag with this system," said Ed Groff, Assistant Chief Engineer at GM. "Throttle response is immediate. The engine acts like a larger displacement engine."
More robust than its predecessors, the "Gen II" Ecotec block was developed in conjunction with GM's racing division to support increased horsepower and torque. For instance, the cylinder block's bulkheads and the bore walls are enlarged for strength along with a deeper water jacket design for added cooling capacity and improved cylinder bore roundness. With all this in mind, I was curious to find out how GM's newest engine responded to a few typical modifications.
I alleviated any lingering reservations Eros may have held by selecting very light mods made by some of most reputable suppliers in the industry. The hard parts would consist of a K&N Performance drop-in air filter and a Magnaflow cat-back. Also, we again recruited local GM guru Matt Hauffe of Tune Time Performance to perform the installs and recalibration of the Sky's ECU utilizing HP Tuners VCM software suite.
 The 2.0L turbo safely operates...  The 2.0L turbo safely operates at higher boost and higher compression (9.2:1) than many boosted factory powerplants due to the extremely efficient fuel delivery afforded by direct injection, which also promotes piston cooling. |  We got started by strapping...  We got started by strapping down the Sky to Tune Time's Mustang MD-AWD-1100-SE Dyno where we pulled a baseline of 234 rwhp and 246 lb-ft of torque. |  First, we wanted to let the...  First, we wanted to let the engine inhale a bit easier; enter the K&N high-flow replacement filter (PN 33-2369). Unlike the cheap and restrictive paper OEM filter, the K&N consists of four to six sheets of cotton gauze layered between two sheets of aluminum wire mesh. This media is then pleated and oiled to enhance its filtering capabilities and overall performance. Like all of its products, K&N pledges that this filter will not void the vehicle's warranty and comes with a million-mile limited warranty. |
 The fitment of the K&N was...  The fitment of the K&N was perfect, which made install time a matter of seconds, and we made a respectable 8-rwhp gain over stock. |  In order to make the engine...  In order to make the engine breath better we needed to replace the restrictive 2.25-inch stock catback. We selected a 3-inch MagnaFlow Performance Stainless Cat-Back System (PN 16761), as not only would it reduce backpressure on the turbo, but give it a deep yet mannerly rumble that was absent from the factory. As opposed to the stocker, the MagnaFlow utilizes an efficient single-core design and removes the baffling designed to suppress engine noise. Also unlike the OEM component, it is constructed of high-grade 409 stainless steel that better resists corrosion and discoloration. Like all MagnaFlow exhausts it features a lifetime vehicle warranty. |  The harsh northeast winters...  The harsh northeast winters combined with the copious amounts of road salt used here, had already corroded the stock exhaust. To expedite the removal, we lubed the hangers allowing the stocker to just slide out. |