so the timing chain broke on my 04 cavi.with 80,000 miles on it. I have been told its going to cost 1400 to fix it.. so my question to you guys is since the top of the motor has to be taken apart, what performance things would you do that is around that same price range. values? higher compression? etc.. ( now I would like to turbo it down the road also.. or should I just do all motor? just looking for some good input from all you smart guys!

thanks Chris

That seems pretty early to break a chain.
That gets me worried as my wife's 03 Ecotec has 110k miles on the original chain.


I have had one motor rebuild on a different car, it was a 2.5 liter, 4 cylinder and it costed $1200.
You can have a shop order a different rebuild kit, but depending on what comes with, it can up the overall build price considerably.

If it has larger valves, there is head work.

If you get higher compression pistons, you will always from then on pay for 91+ octane. Plus you will need to pay for a retune.

Different profile cams above stage 1 should be met with a retune. Even stage 1 should have a retune to utilize it.

Match porting would be nice on the intake side of the head. Doing the 2.4 manifold upgrade would also be a good upgrade, cheap.
I would also match port the manifold to the TB or vice versa. I am going to be doing this in the near future.

Decking the head just a hair to raise compression is another option.

I think lightening the crank is a no go, most agree it just weakens it. If you are racing for money or records, go for it, but not for a daily driver.




My wife's 2003 Ecotec 2.2 liter Sunfire:
* 2 1/4 inch in and dual 2 inch out muffler Trans Am muffler
* 2 1/4 piping to a very long 2 1/4 inch resonator
* 2 1/4 inch catalytic converter
* an AEM true cold air intake NOPI edition
* 8 gauge ground wire kit
* Toyz front strut brace
* Russell stainless steel brake lines all around.