Quad 4 engine

The engine family known as the Quad 4 was debuted to the public in the spring of 1987. The Quad 4 was a 2,260.5 cc (2.2605 L; 137.94 cu in) DOHC inline 4-cylinder produced by General Motors' Oldsmobile division. Early television ads touting the new engine's abilities showed video of a limited edition Oldsmobile Calais (called the "GMO Quad 4") racing around city streets.

The Quad 4 name is derived from the engine's four-valve, four-cylinder layout. The engine was a modern design for its time, using a cast-iron block and an aluminum head. Even though belts were more popular for this purpose on OHC engines at the time, chains were used to time the camshafts to the crankshaft, which were useful because of the interference design of the engine . The water pump is also driven by the timing chain. The Quad 4 was the first wholly domestic regular production DOHC four-cylinder engine designed and built by GM; the only prior DOHC four-cylinder engine offered by GM was the Cosworth Vega, which featured a DOHC head designed by Cosworth in England.

First released to the public as regular production option for the 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais and Pontiac Grand Am, the engine's availability expanded to Buick in late 1988 and Chevrolet in 1990, after which it became a mainstay in GM's lineup until its cancellation after the 2002 model year.

Simultaneous to the engine's release in 1988, Oldsmobile attempted to further the Quad 4 name through highly publicized events featuring such cars as the Oldsmobile Aerotech. Another such event was the 1988 Indianapolis 500, when Oldsmobile was chosen to pace the Indy 500 with a convertible version of their Cutlass Supreme, and a pre-production turbocharged Quad 4 was the engine of choice for their pace car. Although it was publicized in 1988 that the Quad 4 was forthcoming in a 180 bhp (130 kW) "HO", as well as a 250 bhp (190 kW) turbocharged version (the same engine that was in the pace car that year), GM never released the turbocharged version as an option. Also, the engine in Oldsmobile Aerotech was a purpose-built, turbocharged example; it was solely meant to showcase the capability of the engine's design.

After the first couple years of rave reviews of the Quad 4, the automotive press began to criticize it for its NVH (noise/vibration/harshness). At the time, the Quad 4 was generally compared to, or against turbocharged four cylinders, V6s, and occasionally V8s. The first changes of the Quad 4 to address NVH were two rounds of exhaust port size reductions, followed by the addition of balance shafts in 1995. Further changes were made for the 1996 model year when the engine's bore and stroke were changed, and the engine was subsequently redubbed Twin Cam.

In addition to the 2,260.5 cc (2.2605 L; 137.94 cu in) DOHC versions, there were also both a short-lived SOHC variant, Quad OHC, available from 1992 to 1994, and the 2,392.3 cc (2.3923 L; 145.99 cu in) Twin Cam from 1996 to 2002. The Twin Cam was replaced by the Ecotec for the 2003 model year.

All engines in the Quad 4 family were produced at the Lansing Engine Plant (plant 5) in Delta Township near Lansing, Michigan. The Twin Cam was the last engine that was engineered and produced solely by Oldsmobile; the Aurora V8 and Intrigue V6 shared architecture with the Cadillac Northstar.

In recent years, the design has gained a minor following in Hot Rodding circles as a period style engine because it looks similar to a 1930s Offenhauser DOHC design.^[1][2]

LD2

2.3 L Quad 4 in 1989 Cutlass Calais

The LD2 was the standard version of the Quad 4 and the first incarnation which was introduced in 1987 for the 1988 model year. In base form, the Quad 4 put out 150 bhp (110 kW) from 1988 to 1989 and 160 bhp (120 kW) from 1990 to 1992. GM was able to produce the 160 bhp (120 kW) with no turbo, nor an EGR system to pass emission standards; it required a 9.5:1 compression ratio. The base Quad 4 saw several slight changes during its production run including different crankshafts, cams, and manifolds, all meant to increase torque and quiet NVH. There was also a transitional version of the LD2 in 1995, which displaced the same 2.3 liters as the early Quad 4 but featured the dual balance shafts of the later 2.4 L LD9 Twin Cam.

Applications:

• 1988–1991 Buick Skylark
• 1992–1994 Oldsmobile Achieva
• 1988–1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais
• 1990–1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
• 1988–1994 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1990–1991 Pontiac Grand Prix
• 1993–1997 Pontiac Trans Sport (Europe only)

1995

2.3 L Quad 4 in 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24

For 1995 only, a balance shaft-equipped version of the 2.3 L version was produced. A clever arrangement ensured a constant load on the shafts: the crank drove one shaft, which drives the second, which then drives the oil pump. The shafts spun at twice the engine rpm, forcing the redline to be reduced from 6800 to 6500 rpm. Output was 150 bhp (110 kW) and 150 lb·ft (200 N·m). This was the only Quad 4 produced in 1995.

This was known as a transitional year for the engine family.

Applications:

• 1995 Pontiac Sunfire GT
• 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier'Z24
• 1995 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva
• 1995 Buick Skylark

LG0

The High Output 2.3 L LG0 was rated at 180 hp (130 kW) from 1989 to 1992, 175 hp (130 kW) in 1993 and 170 hp (130 kW) in 1994; both the 1993 and 1994 power reductions were a direct result of the first two rounds of the Quad 4's NVH reductions; both being exhaust port size reductions. Changes that differentiated the LG0 from the LD2 engine were more aggressive camshafts and an extra half point of compression; 9.5:1 to 10.0:1. These engines were recommended to run exclusively on premium fuel of 91 octane rating or higher due to the compression ratio.

The High Output engine was introduced with both a special production run of 200 Cutlass Calais International Series coupes, as well as 200 Grand Am SE coupes — all featuring Bright Red paint, and grey interiors. The LG0 engine was only available with the heavy-duty (for its time) Getrag designed HM-282/NVG-T550 five-speed transmissions.^[3]

From 1989 to 2009, the Quad 4 held the title of being General Motors most powerful naturally aspirated regular production four-cylinder engine. Only recently was the LG0's 180 bhp (130 kW) rating eclipsed when the 2010 model year 2.4 L Ecotec LAF launched in the Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Equinox. The LAF has a rated output of 182 hp (136 kW) but does so with 11.4:1 compression ratio, gasoline direct injection and variable valve timing.

There was a limited production version of the LG0 engine offered in select Oldsmobiles which used the designation W41 (listed below).

LG0 applications:

• 1990–1993 Chevrolet Beretta GTZ
• 1994 Chevrolet Beretta Z26
• 1989–1991 Pontiac Grand Am SE
• 1990–1991 Pontiac Grand Am LE with "Sport Performance Package" (RPO: W32)
• 1992–1994 Pontiac Grand Am GT
• 1989–1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais International Series
• 1990-1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Quad 442
• 1992–1994 Oldsmobile Achieva SC
• 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme International Series

W41

2.3 L Quad 4 W41 engine

The W41 was the highest-output Quad 4. The 1991–1992 W41 were rated at 190 hp (140 kW), while the 1993 W41 was rated at 185 hp (138 kW) as a result of the first round of exhaust port size reduction to improve emissions and other changes to the Quad 4 architecture to reduce NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness). The additional 10 hp (7.5 kW) came from longer duration cams and a different PROM. A part of the W41 drivetrain was a specific version of the HM-282/NVG-T550 with a gear set otherwise unavailable. All W41 five-speed transmissions had a FDR (final drive ratio) of 3.94:1 whereas the 1988–1992.5 LD2 and LG0 transmissions all used a 3.61:1 FDR; the 3.94:1 FDR was used on all 1992.5-1994 LG0 transmissions, but retained the standard HM-282/NVG-T550 gear set.

W41 applications:

• 1991 Cutlass Calais Quad 442
• 1992–1993 Oldsmobile Achieva SCX

L40

Quad OHC engine

A SOHC variant of the Quad 4 was intended to replace the Pontiac 2.5 L Tech IV OHV "Iron Duke" engine. Debuting in 1992, this Quad OHC was an eight-valve engine and produced 120 hp (89 kW), 40 hp (30 kW) less than the Quad 4 of the same era. Torque was 140 lb·ft (190 N·m). Power dropped to 115 hp (86 kW) in 1993 with an attempt by GM to reduce the NVH of the engine.

Although power and economy were better than the Tech IV, the Quad OHC was retired after 1994 when the DOHC version became standard.

Applications:

• 1992–1994 Oldsmobile Achieva
• 1992–1994 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1992–1994 Buick Skylark

LD9

2.4 L Twin Cam in 1997 Pontiac Sunfire

The LD9 Twin Cam was a 2.4 L (146 cu in) Quad 4 variant with balance shafts, and a redesigned cylinder head which debuted in 1996. In the mid nineties, these engines, like their earlier 2.3L counterparts, were known for timing chain failures, as well as water pump failures, in which the water pumps were often difficult and costly to access and replace. They also had very small oil passages, making for less than adequate lubrication, and costly engine repairs if not maintained properly. Bore was decreased from 92 mm (3.6 in) to 90 mm (3.5 in) and stroke increased from 85 mm (3.3 in) to 94 mm (3.7 in) for better torque. Power came in at 150 bhp (110 kW).^[4] This engine received a minor update halfway through the 1999 model year that eliminated the EGR, increased the compression ratio from 9.5:1 to 9.7:1, and switched from low impedance fuel injectors to high impedance. For increased reliability this engine also saw other minor updates in the 2000s towards the end of its use in General Motors vehicles. In 2001, changes include a smaller knock sensor, flat-top pistons instead of dished, new oiling passages, newer stronger timing chain, a newer-designed water pump, a redesigned starter motor and a higher capacity catalytic converter. An improved belt tensioner was introduced in 2002.

Specifications post-1999

Applications:

• 1996–2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24
• 1996–2001 Pontiac Sunfire GT
• 1996–2001 Pontiac Grand Am
• 1996–1998 Oldsmobile Achieva
• 1999–2001 Oldsmobile Alero
• 1997–2000 Chevrolet Malibu
• 1996–1998 Buick Skylark

Racing

Very early experimental Quad 4 racing engine.  900 HP Quad 4 variant - rear. Single turbocharger.  900 HP Quad 4 variant - side  1000 HP Quad 4 variant. Twin turbochargers.

Applications: Oldsmobile Aerotech

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to GM Quad 4 engine.

• List of GM engines

References

http://members.shaw.ca/warped00/bcjbody/overview-LD9.html

External links

• Quad4Forums.com
• Yahoo group QuadFourm mailing list