Possible mods for a 2003 LW200

[Garrison161]

Hi all. New member here with a question that is probably a commonly seen one. I recently purchased a 2003 LW200 and I wondered if there are any things I can do with it to increase power without spending too much money. I’ve also tossed around the idea of adding a turbo or supercharger, but I haven’t seen any ones except a Weiand supercharger online. Not sure how much either would affect my insurance if I told them. Also, it’s an automatic, so it won’t be able to handle as much power if it were a manual. Links to any suggestion would be great.

If this thread is in the wrong place, let me know. The forum wouldn’t let me make a new thread in the mods/performance section for some reason.

[fdryer]

I don't know of any restrictions from new members posting in specific forums. Maybe reviewing your personal profile settings can help you figure it out as every new member posts in their chosen forum.

As to mods, search within the L-series tech forum for threads about adding turbo or supercharger to a 2.2L engine. If I'm not mistaken, none ever came back with positive results. A key to understanding never attempting a turbo or supercharger add-on are assumptions made on hearsay and rumors if you're not experienced at all or at least worked with some people already performing engine boosts. In a simple sentence, it's not advised and here's why.

Are you familiar with the difference between naturally aspirated and boosted engines? Familiar with EFI systems, specifically map sensors and engine computers either factory tuned or custom tuned? Familiar with n/a intakes operating all the time in a vacuum as the engine runs? Familiar with boosted (turbo or supercharged) engines switching from vacuum to positive boost? Know why most beginners assuming too many things end up blowing their engine(s) from lack of learning the differences of taking a stock engine and boosting it without a deeper understanding of vacuum and boost systems along with specific map sensors with a tunable engine computer? Aware that most if not all Saturn engine computers are not tunable for boost? The last sentence is the most important to remember.

The GM 2.2L engine is used in several models. None are boosted from the factory. One of Saturn's Ion model use a factory 2.0L supercharged engine. A standard Ion uses the 2.2L engine. Factory turbo or supercharger setups so anyone can turn the key and drive. GMs Cadillac CTS-V uses a stock Corvette engine, supercharged from the factory, 455hp(?).

The map sensor is a barometric pressure sensor monitoring intake manifold pressures. In n/a engines, a 1-bar map sensor measures atmospheric pressure (key on engine off) and all negative pressures or vacuum when the engine runs. Vacuum is below atmospheric pressure, 0 (sea level) to around -22 inches hg (vacuum). Turbo or supercharged engines use 3-bar map sensors to measure vacuum then positive pressure as soon as a turbo or supercharger creates air pressures above atmospheric (sea level). The map sensor detecting positive pressure sends signals to the ecm so the ecm can add more fuel since more air is now being forced into the intake system. Unless the ecm is tuned for this or the wrong map sensor is used, running lean instantly (usually) results in either burning up or blowing an engine to the uninformed. If this info seems a little overwhelming, it is to anyone not willing to learn more than what's discussed in many forums. You don't have to accept anything I write here. Do your own research before spending money. If you are serious, have a back up car for your daily driver as the mod going into an engine will probably be in the driveway or garage for a long time.