How to put the LHU 2.0 Turbo in your Second Gen Equinox

[Chevy Ecotec]

Disclaimer: The purpose of this thread is information and entertainment. I wasn't planning to share this project, but I've had people contact me for information about the swap. I figure I may as well share what I have learned to make it easier for people doing internet searches. I had no help from anyone. I had to figure out the entire swap on my own. I have a lot of information, pics, and video that could potentially be helpful. If the forum admin approves, I will continue to provide as much information about the swap right here. It will be a work in progress, but I'll do my best to answer any questions along the way.

This is what the LHU looks like under the hood of my 2012 Equinox:



To be continued...

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

I learned a lot from doing this swap, so hopefully the information I provide will be helpful to someone looking to do the same, for whatever reason. So why did I do this? The short answer is that the 2010+ 2.4 Ecotec used in the Equinox and other GM vehicles sucks. Everything about it sucks from the rings to the lack of power. The second-generation Equinox should have come from the factory with the LHU, exactly as GM did with the Buick Regal. The main reason why people are killing the 2.4 is that they run it low on oil. There is no low oil level sensor on the 2.4 at all. Pressure sensor only. How stupid is that? GM put one on the LHU. It is one of the sensors that can be added during this swap.

The LEA 2.4 and LHU 2.0 are very similar engines by design. Because of this, putting the LHU in place of the 2.4 isn't as difficult as it may seem; 80% of the swap bolts right up. You can use the 6T45 transmission that came with your Equinox. I used the stronger 6T50 that came with the 2013 Buick Regal Premium Turbo (NON-GS). It all bolts right up.




More to come soon:

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

OK, so lets get into it. It's usually a good idea to try and find a donor vehicle for a swap like this, but since I have already done that, I will try and document what I used from the Regal for the Equinox. At the bare minimum, aside from the LHU engine, you will also need the engine wiring harness all the way to the ECM. There are multiple sensors and solenoids that need to be added to the computer for the Equinox.



I removed the factory harness from the LHU and began dissecting each sensor, all the way to the X1 or X2 connectors. It was easier for me to put the Equinox engine harness on top of the LHU and then begin connecting everything. At this point, I could add each of the missing sensors or solenoids to the Equinox harness one by one.



There is only one knock sensor on the Equinox. The gutless turd doesn't need two of them, but the LHU does. Knock can kill this engine, so don't skimp out here. I removed the connector and wire leading all the way back to the X2 connector from the LHU and added it to the X2 connector for the Equinox. You will have to do the same with multiple sensors. I'll post a diagram showing which sensors and pins shortly.

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

Here's a breakdown of what needs to be added to the Equinox harness from the LHU:



I pulled the LHU engine harness apart to expose the 12V branch and ground branch. This is where these sensors were getting power from. I did not pull the main Equinox harness apart to expose these sections. Instead, I created a new branch for the ground wire and one for the 12V to a new fused location.



The connector for the fuel injectors on the Equinox won't reach the location on the LHU engine. I ended up removing the connector from the LHU harness with a section of wires attached to it and soldering each connection to the Equinox harness.

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

The o2 sensors are essentially the same, but the connectors are different, so I just used the o2 sensor for the Equinox to make things easier. You can see in the pic how the rear 02 sensor from the Equinox will actually plug into the o2 sensor for the Buick.



This is what my LHU looked like after I completed all of the wiring for the Equinox.



One more thing to note before installing the LHU is the heater core hoses and connectors. The Buick lines won't work, so just use the hoses from the Equinox.





I believe that covers everything. Now that the engine and transmission are ready to go into the Equinox, I will discuss what happens next.



To be continued:

 

[PoManNox]

Amazing work and an excellent write-up! Thanks for sharing this.

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

Thank you! This project brought new life to our Equinox.

I forgot to mention that the LHU in the Regal has a longer and wider serpentine belt, which also drives the power steering pump. Since the Equinox was equipped with electric power steering, I decided to use the crank pulley, belt tensioner, alternator, and AC compressor from the Equinox. You can just use all of your original brackets. I didn't even want to bother recharging the AC system, so I zip-tied it and left it there. If you're doing the engine swap only, the rear trans mount and support bracket will need to be removed. You can leave the front mount where it is. Circled are the engine and trans mounts on the body of the Equinox. They bolt right up to the LHU engine and 6T50 transmission. Once those six mount bolts are in, the engine and transmission can hang for a bit.



The factory downpipe for the LHU is large and very close to the power steering rack. I drove it like this initially, but only for testing while I was waiting for my ZZP downpipe. Their downpipe is much smaller and easier to work with. It's definitely the way to go IF you have a 2WD Equinox AND you don't feel like making or having a custom downpipe made. The downside is the rear trans mount from the Equinox won't work the way it is.






ZZP catted downpipe vs factory.



Coming up next: Rear trans mount and FWD vs AWD.

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

The rear trans mount is a bit tricky. The Equinox exhaust was meant to run closer to the passenger side of the vehicle, with a catalytic converter mounted under the exhaust manifold pointing down. The downpipe for the turbo on the LHU won't clear the Equinox rear trans mount bracket. The ZZP downpipe doesn't clear it either.



It might be possible to use the AWD rear trans mount bracket on the FWD transmission with some bushings to make up the difference in width of the transfer case. I didn't have a mount bracket for the AWD at the time of this swap to try it out. To do this on the AWD 2.4 Equinox, it looks like a custom downpipe will be needed from the turbo, down and around the location of the original cat, and then relocate a catalytic converter to underneath the vehicle and extend the wiring for the O2 sensors. This would eliminate the need to modify the rear trans mount.



I tried the rear mount for the Buick, one for a Cobalt SS, as well as a few other GM vehicles. I couldn't find one that worked. This is where watching MacGyver and growing up in the 80s paid off. I used the rear trans mount bracket for the Buick, flipped the rear trans mount for the Equinox to under the subframe instead of above it. I was able to use all 3 holes in the subframe for the trans mount. I only needed 3 spacer bushings between the mount and the subframe, and the rest was cake.









Up next: Intercooling for the second gen Equinox.

 

[2015 Equinox Experiment01]

The rear trans mount is a bit tricky. The Equinox exhaust was meant to run closer to the passenger side of the vehicle, with a catalytic converter mounted under the exhaust manifold pointing down. The downpipe for the turbo on the LHU won't clear the Equinox rear trans mount bracket. The ZZP downpipe doesn't clear it either.
View attachment 3498
View attachment 3500

It might be possible to use the AWD rear trans mount bracket on the FWD transmission with some bushings to make up the difference in width of the transfer case. I didn't have a mount bracket for the AWD at the time of this swap to try it out. To do this on the AWD 2.4 Equinox, it looks like a custom downpipe will be needed from the turbo, down and around the location of the original cat, and then relocate a catalytic converter to underneath the vehicle and extend the wiring for the O2 sensors. This would eliminate the need to modify the rear trans mount.

View attachment 3501

I tried the rear mount for the Buick, one for a Cobalt SS, as well as a few other GM vehicles. I couldn't find one that worked. This is where watching MacGyver and growing up in the 80s paid off. I used the rear trans mount bracket for the Buick, flipped the rear trans mount for the Equinox to under the subframe instead of above it. I was able to use all 3 holes in the subframe for the trans mount. I only needed 3 spacer bushings between the mount and the subframe, and the rest was cake.

View attachment 3502

View attachment 3503

View attachment 3505

View attachment 3506

Up next: Intercooling for the second gen Equinox.

Hi, Thanks for sharing all your hard work/research/photos on this very large project. I may consider doing this if things go south on my 2015 Equinox. Again, thank you!! Bob

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

Hi, Bob! You're welcome. I hope the information will be helpful for anyone considering the swap.

So, looking at this picture and figuring out what you will need. Forget about all the intercooler piping; none of it will work on the Equinox. Take note of the MAF housing connected to the air filter box and its location, and compare it to that of the Equinox. One could potentially use the stock airbox for the Equinox along with the ZZP LNF Cobalt Upgraded Intake Tube.





I used the MAF Housing Assembly that was originally attached to the air filter box of the Buick and connected it to the ZZP LNF Cobalt Upgraded Intake Tube. From there, it was easy to make sure the engine was pulling air from outside the engine bay.



I mocked up the intercooler from the Buick just to see what the plumbing could look like. There's a lot of room to work with on this vehicle.



There's not a lot of room going in this side by the radiator.



Not a lot of room here either, but it can be done.



To be continued...

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

There are many ways that one can install an intercooler on this Equinox. I took the path that required the least amount of fittings. Why introduce more areas for potential leaks? I wasn't sure how well this intercooler would perform, but it does a good job where I placed it.





I had to modify the stock lower intercooler pipe from the Regal as a temporary solution. It kept blowing off under high boost, so I MacGyvered it with some solder in the groove. I put a little GM gasket maker around the area before clamping it, and no leaks after a year so far...LOL. This is something I'd like to change before turning it up to make more power.







Here's a different view of the engine and something I forgot to mention: I used the upper and lower radiator hoses from the LHU. For the upper hose, I cut it at the circled area and used a coupling so that I could twist the hose and connect it to the radiator on the Equinox.



We're almost finished. Coming soon: The ECM and TCM.

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

Before I get to the ECM and TCM, here are some other things I noted during this swap:

If your Equinox wasn't equipped with a flex-fuel sensor, one can be added to pin 38 on the X1 connector.

The fuel pressure sensor connects to the fuel pump control module on the Equinox. For the Regal, it connects to the X1 connector. There is no need to change anything here, as this module is on the network and communicates with the ECM.

I spent days chasing a U100 DTC after I had the LHU running in the Equinox. After jiggling the connector at the power steering, it started. I replaced the connector, and that took care of it. Just a tip for anyone who experiences a related issue: the network runs through the electric power steering as well. If it loses the data connection, the Equinox will not start.



If you're changing the transmission too, you will need the TCM file for the transmission you are using. The GS got the Aisin AF40 transmission, but the Regal Turbo could have whatever transmission GM felt like using that day in it. My Regal had the 6T50, so I had to use the TCM file for the 2013 Regal. I also used the axles and support bearing from the Buick because they are beefier.






The LHU engine doesn't run right with the factory Equinox programming, no matter what changes are made to the Equinox tune file. I believe it has something to do with the HPFP, but I don't really know for sure. Tuning software such as HPTUNERS or EFI Live will be necessary to deploy a different tune. Another option would be to send your ECM to a company such as ZZP so they can program it for you, or use their rent-a-laptop service, which is a pretty cool option as well. My Equinox is a 2012. For the ECM, I am using a 2012 Regal GS tune file.

My butt dyno tells me that most people would be happy with the 270 hp and 295 lb-ft that a 2012 Regal GS produces. I've been driving the Equinox this way for about a year without any problems. The stock LHU engine can be turned up to around 320 hp and 330 lb-ft, depending on modifications. That will be my target area once I replace the lower charge pipe.

Well, that about covers the LHU Equinox project. If you were on the fence about this swap, then hopefully I helped you make the right decision, even if that means not doing it... lol.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! In fact, I'd like to up the ante a little and swap in the LTG with AWD next time.

 

[sschevy010]

Before I get to the ECM and TCM, here are some other things I noted during this swap:

If your Equinox wasn't equipped with a flex-fuel sensor, one can be added to pin 38 on the X1 connector.

The fuel pressure sensor connects to the fuel pump control module on the Equinox. For the Regal, it connects to the X1 connector. There is no need to change anything here, as this module is on the network and communicates with the ECM.

I spent days chasing a U100 DTC after I had the LHU running in the Equinox. After jiggling the connector at the power steering, it started. I replaced the connector, and that took care of it. Just a tip for anyone who experiences a related issue: the network runs through the electric power steering as well. If it loses the data connection, the Equinox will not start.

View attachment 3528

If you're changing the transmission too, you will need the TCM file for the transmission you are using. The GS got the Aisin AF40 transmission, but the Regal Turbo could have whatever transmission GM felt like using that day in it. My Regal had the 6T50, so I had to use the TCM file for the 2013 Regal. I also used the axles and support bearing from the Buick because they are beefier.

View attachment 3529

View attachment 3530


The LHU engine doesn't run right with the factory Equinox programming, no matter what changes are made to the Equinox tune file. I believe it has something to do with the HPFP, but I don't really know for sure. Tuning software such as HPTUNERS or EFI Live will be necessary to deploy a different tune. Another option would be to send your ECM to a company such as ZZP so they can program it for you, or use their rent-a-laptop service, which is a pretty cool option as well. My Equinox is a 2012. For the ECM, I am using a 2012 Regal GS tune file.

My butt dyno tells me that most people would be happy with the 270 hp and 295 lb-ft that a 2012 Regal GS produces. I've been driving the Equinox this way for about a year without any problems. The stock LHU engine can be turned up to around 320 hp and 330 lb-ft, depending on modifications. That will be my target area once I replace the lower charge pipe.

Well, that about covers the LHU Equinox project. If you were on the fence about this swap, then hopefully I helped you make the right decision, even if that means not doing it... lol.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! In fact, I'd like to up the ante a little and swap in the LTG with AWD next time.

Would you share the tune files?

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

Would you share the tune files?

Absolutely. I cannot attach the file to the forum here as the .HPT extension is not allowed. Not sure if one of the moderators can assist or if I can send it through private messaging. If you PM me an email, I can send it to you that way.

 

[Rogue9345]

Absolutely. I cannot attach the file to the forum here as the .HPT extension is not allowed. Not sure if one of the moderators can assist or if I can send it through private messaging. If you PM me an email, I can send it to you that way.

Couldn't you of just used everything out of a 2018 Chevy equinox?

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

I was contacted by Shawn about a tune file for his upcoming project, and that got me thinking that I should update this thread. I could have been more specific regarding the ECM, TCM, and transmission options when performing this swap. Shawn brought to my attention that his 2017 Equinox 2.4 has the E39B ECM in it. We are currently investigating whether or not we can make this work on a 2017 due to the lack of donors with the LHU engine and the E39B. So for now, this swap will apply to the 2010-2016 Equinox until further notice.



So, let's get to it. There are two different ECMs involved, depending on the year. The pin-outs will be the same.






The 2010-2012 Equinox uses the E39 ECM. The 2013-2016 Equinox uses the E39A ECM.

The 2011-2012 Buick Regal Turbo uses the E39 ECM, while the 2013 Regal uses the E39A for the LHU engine.

You cannot use the stock Equinox tune file at all. The engine will not run correctly with just the parameters copied over. I believe the HPFP has something to do with it. If your Equinox is between 2010 and 2012, you will need a tune file for a 2011-2012 Regal Turbo or GS to get started. You cannot use the E39 file on an E39A ECM or vice versa. There are also TCM files for two different automatic transmissions and a manual transmission, so depending on which transmission it has, or if you keep the 6T45 that came with your Equinox, you will want the TCM file for the transmission you are using.

2013 was the last year for the LHU in the Regal, so if your Equinox is between 2013-2016, you will need the ECM file for either the 2013 Buick Regal Turbo or GS model. There are also some 2013-2016 Buick Verano Turbos running around with the LHU engine and the 6T50 transmission. That would be another option as well.

The TCM file doesn't matter as much when it comes to the year. I am using a 2012 Regal GS ECM file with the TCM file from the 2013 donor Regal. The automatic GS used the Aisin AF40 transmission. I have no idea if the Aisin would even work, but I don't see why not. I tried the TCM file for the Aisin on the 6T50 and it did not like it at all, so again, just use the file for the transmission you are using.

I will update this again if anything else comes up. If you have any questions, you can post here or send me a private message.

 

[Chevy Ecotec]

Couldn't you of just used everything out of a 2018 Chevy equinox?

I don't think you can use anything out of a 2018 Equinox, aside from the rare LTG engine. The E80 ECM is a completely different animal. The Regal switched over to the LTG for 2014, and of course, there's the Malibu. They both used the E39A ECM, so I don't see why one couldn't use the LTG, but then the transmission will need to be upgraded to the 6T70 to fit the LTG engine, so that sounds like a fun challenge. You could probably use the Regal/Malibu axles like I did with my LHU. I don't really know.