Are the cylinder blocks of the new LaCrosse 2.4 and the old LaCrosse 2.4 the same?
4 Answers
The cylinder blocks of the new LaCrosse 2.4 and the old LaCrosse 2.4 are the same. LaCrosse body dimensions: The length, width, and height of the 2013 2.4L Energy-saving Comfort LaCrosse are 5005mm, 1858mm, and 1496mm respectively. LaCrosse chassis: The 2013 2.4L Energy-saving Comfort LaCrosse features front-wheel drive, with a front suspension of MacPherson independent suspension and a rear suspension of multi-link independent suspension. LaCrosse powertrain: The 2013 2.4L Energy-saving Comfort LaCrosse is equipped with a 2.4L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 186Ps and a maximum power of 137KW, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
I just looked through some General Motors materials and found that the 2.4L engine blocks used in the new and old LaCrosse models are actually quite different. Take the old LaCrosse, for example, the 2006 to 2008 models used the LE5 series 2.4L block, which was primarily made of cast iron with some aluminum alloy components. It was relatively heavy but durable. The new LaCrosse, like the models after 2010, switched to the newer Ecotec 2.4L block, which incorporates more aluminum alloy parts for better weight reduction and improved cooling efficiency. Although they share some platform elements, there are refinements in manufacturing details and internal structures, such as optimized piston rings and crankshaft design to reduce fuel consumption issues. Personally, I think these differences affect maintenance costs—the newer model might have slightly higher labor costs for part replacements, but the engine lifespan is longer, making it more suitable for long-term use. Overall, if you've driven both, you can feel a subtle improvement in power response.
Well, I've been driving the LaCrosse for almost ten years, having experience with both the old and new models, and the 2.4L cylinder block is quite interesting. The basic structure looks similar, but there's a noticeable difference in actual usage. For example, the cylinder block in the old LaCrosse tends to leak oil during maintenance, has more rust spots on parts, and feels a bit jerky in winter. The new model's cylinder block uses lighter materials with a higher proportion of aluminum alloy, making it more fuel-efficient—saving about 0.5L per 100km. The engine codes differ too: the old one is LE5, while the new one is something like LUK, with modified interfaces and mounting points, so replacement parts must match the model year. In daily driving, the new block has less vibration and better noise control, but don’t skimp on cheap parts during maintenance, or you’ll face more break-in issues.
I've encountered many LaCrosse cases during car repairs, and the differences between the old and new 2.4L cylinder blocks are significant. The older models had outdated cylinder block designs, such as the use of copper alloy pistons before 2008, which were prone to wear and cracking. The newer models post-2010 were upgraded to high-strength aluminum alloy, offering faster heat dissipation and being more environmentally friendly. The core dimensions remain the same, allowing for interchangeable bases, but the new design optimizes the intake and exhaust ports, reducing failure rates. For instance, issues like frequent engine warning lights in older models have decreased. In terms of maintenance, the new cylinder blocks have longer oil change intervals, but the parts are more expensive and require specialized tools for installation. Overall, the driving experience is smoother, especially at high speeds where it feels more stable.
