Also might want to see if you can get a 05-07 Cobalt SS/SC since they used the same 2.0 supercharged ecotec LSJ Motor.
The
LSJ is a supercharged version of the LK9 Ecotec
2.0 L— 1,998 cc (121.9 cu in)— with an
Eaton M62
Roots-type supercharger and air-to-liquid
intercooler. It is rated at 205 hp (153 kW) at 5600 rpm and 200 lb·ft (271 N·m) at 4400 rpm with a compression ratio of 9.5:1 and a 6500 rpm redline. With the end of the Chevy Cobalt S/C SS and Saturn Ion Red Line, the LSJ was discontinued after 2007.
The LSJ was on the
Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2006.
In production from 2004 through the 2007 Model Year, Saturn produced the
Red Line Sport Compact This engine/powertrain combination is also shared with the
Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged Edition, which did not start production until the 2005 model year. The Ion Red Line features most interior features from the standard Ion Coupe, including its rear suicide doors, to allow accessibility to the rear seat.
The Ion Red Line is an overlooked GM performance car, as the Saturn brand was not marketed as selling high-performance vehicles. The Red Line claims a 0-60 mph time of 6.0 seconds, and a 1/4 mile time of 14.6 seconds. GM Performance re-tuned the Spring and bushing rates, and reduced the ride height by about 10 mm, and added larger 4-wheel disc brakes. The car was also equipped with 17-inch forged alloy wheels and
Dunlop Sport SP9000 215/45 tires, thicker performance
sway bars, re-valved
shock absorbers, and
Recaro racing seats.
The larger disc brakes made the Red Line capable of decelerating from 70 mph in 164 ft., what John Phillips of
Car and Driver Magazine described as "
Porsche territory". Also included was a 2.25 inch exhaust system with a Chrome-tip pipe that allowed for a more aggressive exhaust note from the tailpipe and GM's
OnStar System. The Ion Red Line was introduced with a base price of $20,950.
Introduced for the 2005 model year was the optional Competition Package. Included in the Competition Package were 17" Gunmetal Painted Alloy Rims, Ladder
Tachometer w/ shift lights, a
Limited Slip Differential, and Optional Projector-beam Fog Lamps.
In mid-2006, GM released two Engine Kit upgrades for both the Ion Red Line and the Cobalt SS. The Stage 1 Kit retailed for around $500 USD, and included higher-flow fuel injectors and a recalibration to the
ECU to increase the
Horsepower by 31 hp to 236 hp and 205 lb·ft. of
torque, up from the stock 205 hp and 200 lb·ft. The Stage 2 Kit retailed for around $750 and opens up the middle of the power curve to more power than the Stage 1 Kit alone. In addition to everything that the Stage 1 Kit comes with, the Stage 2 Kit includes a smaller drive belt and pulley for the supercharger, bringing the engine up to 241 hp and 218 lb·ft. of torque. GM did release a Stage 1 to Stage 2 Upgrade kit that retailed for $400. This Upgrade Kit is for a Red Line with the Stage 1 kit already installed. This Upgrade Kit adds the Stage 2 elements and increases the horsepower from 236 hp to 241 hp.
On October 17, 2003 at the
Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the Saturn Ion Red Line, piloted by the GM Performance Division's "Saturn Land Speed Record Project" set a new land-speed record in the "G/Blown Fuel Altered" Class at 212.684 mph. This exceeded the previous record holder of 183.086 mph that was set in 2001
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