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GMC L43 specs: 134.2 ci (2.2L) 4-cylinder, 3.386 x 3.724 in (86 x 94.6 mm) bore and stroke, 9:1 compression. Rated 120 hp, 1998–2003.
The GMC Ecotec I4 (L43) is undersquare — the 3.7244" stroke exceeds the 3.3858" bore by 9.1% — a layout that trades peak RPM for leverage and torque low in the range. The 3.7244" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,450 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 33.6 ci (550 cc).
9:1 on aluminum heads is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 9 engines in the Ecotec I4 family, sitting between the 83.2 ci and 145 ci members. 6 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 120 hp across 1998–2003.
| Displacement | 134.2 ci / 2.2 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.3858" |
| Stroke | 3.7244" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Compression ratio | 9:1 * |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.909 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Block material | aluminum |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 120 hp |
| Years | 1998–2003 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | L43 net | 120 @ 5000 * | 140 lb-ft @ 3600 * | — |
| 2003 | L43 net | 120 @ 5000 * | 140 lb-ft @ 3600 * | — |
Factory specification sheet. * Not yet cross-verified.
| Bore/stroke character | 0.909 — undersquare — stroke exceeds bore, which favours low-end torque |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,724 ft/min — in the range typical of performance street engines |
| Displacement per cylinder | 33.5 ci |
| Static compression | 9:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 120 hp | L43 |
| 1999 | 120 hp | L43 |
| 2000 | 120 hp | L43 |
| 2001 | 120 hp | L43 |
| 2002 | 120 hp | L43 |
| 2003 | 120 hp | L43 |
1 factory vehicle, 1998–2003. Each year opens that model's engine table.