Review of my Envoy

[Falcon_LS]

So I picked up the Envoy (SLE 2WD 4.2L) two weeks ago with 56,000 miles on the clock from the original owner. The truck had absolutely nothing done to it but oil changes with Kendall Synthetic Blend 10w30 every 3,000 miles with an ACDelco PF61 (later PF61E) filter. The very day I picked it up, the following were replaced:

- Spark plugs: factory ACDelcos were shot and replaced with Autolite APP-5263 Double Platinums.

- COP boots: Denso 671-6069, which I was pretty impressed with quality wise. They came with springs as well, so I just replaced them, coated them with dialectic grease and put them on.

- Serpentine belt: another factory part. Replaced it with a Goodyear Gatorback 4060915 (150 amp alternator)

- Air filter: appeared this hadn't been replaced in quite a while. Went with an ACDelco A2014-C

- ATF, filter and gasket: Fluid was original. Went with ACDelco Dexron-VI and a GM 24208576 (deep pan) gasket kit.

- Thermostat: gauge would only go up a quarter of the way and there was a code stored. Replaced with an ACDelco 15-11006.

- Rear axle lube: went with GM 12378261 75W-90 synthetic and replaced the reuseable gasket whilst I was at it. Didn't look too bad, but would rather replace it.

- Power steering fluid: Genuine GM 89021184 power steering fluid. Steering feels better now after I flushed it out.

- Coolant: 50/50 mix of ACDelco Dex-Cool. Original coolant was still in the system and looked sparkling clean once the thermostat housing was removed. Thoroughly flushed out the system.

- Engine oil: Went with 76 Pure Synthetic 5W-40 that meets MB 229.5 spec and a WIX 51522 filter. Car's well out of warranty, and I prefer using a 40 weight in these conditions. Also following the OLM for drain intervals.

- Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Verde 255/60-17 106V tires. This is an export size versus 245/65-17 domestic.

Still to do: Bendix CT-3 pads front and rear, pads on the vehicle are original. Haven't installed them yet, but will soon and replace the fluid with Mercedes DOT 4 Plus stuff.

I've also got a set of 6 Denso flow-matched factory injectors on the way from Trav. They're perfectly matched, so I will index the plugs before I install them.

So far, the truck is as smooth as butter and I'm loving the performance/acceleration for what it is. I was pretty surprised in a good way when I floored it on the highway the other day - got to 134 MPH according to my GPS unit, whilst it was out of the calibrated area on the speedometer. I didn't think it would hit the 200 km/h (125 MPH) mark on the speedometer. It's got a knock sensor, so I'm running 98 RON (93 AKI) in it. Fuel economy's been pretty good, I've averaged 23 MPG with the 3.73 rear axle so far (mostly highway with cruise engaged).

Build quality, as with other GMs in the family, leaves a lot to be desired. Especially in the interior. The plastic trim on the driver's seat that houses the seat control was snapped off when I bought it. Went ahead and ordered a new one. I'm not complaining though. No squeaks or cracks, etc. which is good news.

I do plan on simple upgrades. Got a set of Eibach front and rear stabilizer bars on order. The factory shocks are Bilsteins, but I'm upgrading them to B6 HDs. Also replacing the mirrors with automatically dimming ones. I can't believe they ran a wiring hardness just to display airbag status on the rearview mirror.

 

[BurrWinder]

That stuff looks like very smart choices and wonderful stuff for your vehicle at the right time.. but just one question ? Why does it need injectors ? What is your goal with their replacement ?

 

[matrass]

make sure you also remove the throttle body and clean it out well.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: BurrWinder
That stuff looks like very smart choices and wonderful stuff for your vehicle at the right time.. but just one question ? Why does it need injectors ? What is your goal with their replacement ?


Thanks! It doesn't "need" injectors per say, but I'm just getting injectors that are flow matched (or blueprinted). This means each cylinder is getting the exact same amount of fuel, so it'll improve engine performance throughout the rpm range. This is something I've done to all my vehicles.

Originally Posted By: matrass
make sure you also remove the throttle body and clean it out well.


Did that when I was replacing the plugs. Boy was it dirty!

 

[matrass]

Originally Posted By: matrass
make sure you also remove the throttle body and clean it out well.


Did that when I was replacing the plugs. Boy was it dirty! [/quote]


that is good to hear. it can get dirty and does not take a long tine to clean it out. seems like you have gone through a pretty extensive checklist.

 

[BurrWinder]

Yes, I know what that is... and actually have personally done it on a machine.. I just was curious to your motivation on your vehicle. Sounds good, probably overkill for most to do that on a normal street vehicle for the money, but to each his own. Better than not caring for your vehicle...!

 

[cptbarkey]

very thorough workover, i really like that powertrain but agree the interior is tupperwear pathetic. i wonder if the saab or izuzu interiors are any better, and if there is an easy way to swap it out? anyway, congrats and enjoy.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
very thorough workover, i really like that powertrain but agree the interior is tupperwear pathetic. i wonder if the saab or izuzu interiors are any better, and if there is an easy way to swap it out? anyway, congrats and enjoy.


It is GM - the king of badge engineering. It's all identical, my guess is.

 

[Vikas]

If you get caught doing 134mph, do they just chop your head on the spot or you get a mock trial first?

Some people have brass ones!

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: matrass
that is good to hear. it can get dirty and does not take a long tine to clean it out. seems like you have gone through a pretty extensive checklist.


I plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time, so I really wanted everything done and dusted. I also dumped a bottle of Techron in the gas before the oil change. The oil was light gold, and turned black after 3/4 of a tank!

Originally Posted By: BurrWinder
Yes, I know what that is... and actually have personally done it on a machine.. I just was curious to your motivation on your vehicle. Sounds good, probably overkill for most to do that on a normal street vehicle for the money, but to each his own. Better than not caring for your vehicle...!


It does make quite the difference, even on a street vehicle, I must say. With my Montero, as soon as the matched Denso's were installed, the idle was smooth as glass. Anything over 3,000 rpm, the engine wasn't too happy with the stock injectors. Now I take it up to 6,000 rpm and it keeps going. Also made a small, but noticeable, difference in fuel economy.

My Grand Marquis, on the other hand, is tuned and the difference was more noticeable. Also had a set of matched injectors installed on a buddy's '97 Suburban with a Vortec 7400. it had Multec injectors from the factory, and as soon as the flow matched units were installed (they're for marine applications), that 2500 truck started to burn rubber right off the line.

The injectors for the Envoy have also had their plastic filters replaced with steel ones.

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
very thorough workover, i really like that powertrain but agree the interior is tupperwear pathetic. i wonder if the saab or izuzu interiors are any better, and if there is an easy way to swap it out? anyway, congrats and enjoy.


The powertrain is brilliant to say the least, and that L6 is quite a performer. It's a shame the build quality is a let down.

Having said that, a buddy of mine has a '07 Trailblazer and the quality of materials does seem a bit higher on my '05 Envoy. The Isuzu Ascender was never sold here, but I'm not entirely sure on the Saab. So I can't really compare the other two.

Originally Posted By: Vikas
If you get caught doing 134mph, do they just chop your head on the spot or you get a mock trial first?

Some people have brass ones!


Your vehicle gets towed away on a tow truck and how long it's impounded for depends on court. They also pull your driver's license off you, and how long depends on the court hearing again.

 

[[email protected]]

Wow for the platinum or iridium plugs to be that worn at 56,000 miles, the owner must've driven it hard!! Those engines are easy on everything. You can easily extend the OCI's to 12,000 miles on a good synthetic (it has a 7 quart sump).

I changed the platinum plugs in my Envoy at 105,000 miles and they looked like new. I was the original owner and towed stuff way over the limit, had the PCM tuned and always drove it hard put it away wet!

Also, the 4.2l Atlas I6 does have VVT on the intake cam and the actuator & solenoid can be very fickle. I dont know the specs of the 5w-40 you used, but GM adamantly recommends 5w30 for that engine. If that 5w-40 is close to a 5w30 is Cst and such, than you should be fine. The screens to the VVT-i solenoid are very fine and full oil flow is critical for the VVT.

At 160,000 miles my VVT actuator and solenoid went bad and I replaced it all myself. So needless to say, I know that engine's quirks really well...lol

 

[BurrWinder]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
very thorough workover, i really like that powertrain but agree the interior is tupperwear pathetic. i wonder if the saab or izuzu interiors are any better, and if there is an easy way to swap it out? anyway, congrats and enjoy.


Worked for a dealer with many 9-7X Saabs and they aren't any better, really.. About the same as the rest, just have the requisite key in the middle of the console ! They are all AWD, like the Buick Rainier.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: BurrWinder
Yes, I know what that is... and actually have personally done it on a machine.. I just was curious to your motivation on your vehicle. Sounds good, probably overkill for most to do that on a normal street vehicle for the money, but to each his own. Better than not caring for your vehicle...!


Fuel and oil quality is a huge issue from what he told me.
I saw a picture of fuel coming out of a filter and it was black, injectors get loaded with this stuff.
All sorts of problems we don't experience in the US or Western Euro countries.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
very thorough workover, i really like that powertrain but agree the interior is tupperwear pathetic. i wonder if the saab or izuzu interiors are any better, and if there is an easy way to swap it out? anyway, congrats and enjoy.


They all rolled off the same assembly line(s). I think 360s (regular wheelbase) were all at one plant, and 370s (hideous extended wheelbase things) at another, regardless of branding. There's no major difference in build between them that I have noticed, though I think the GMC interior had better styling except for the faux wood.

Build quality is so-so, but not horrible. They are typical GM, but not in a really bad way (ie Cavalier or something). Some large gaps and a lot of plastic, but the seats are comfortable and the fabric looks/feels nice on most models.

I think the Envoy is one of the best examples. A little classier than a TB, but without the problems of the 97X. I've seen 97Xs rolling down the highway with blown out rear air bags and squatting like a '95 Town Car. I think Saab branding on a GM SUV chassis doomed them to BHPH lots as a "hood rich" SUV.

One visually irritating quality issue I have noticed, even when these were new, was air bubbles in the black trim on the B pillars. It looks like the black trim is some kind of "sticker" or vinyl wrap. A small issue, but when you see it up close there is an overwhelming temptation to try to rub the air pockets out...doesn't work.

Overall though, I really like these. The Atlas I6 could have been a big player in trucks if it had ever been used outside of this platform.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Fuel and oil quality is a huge issue from what he told me.
I saw a picture of fuel coming out of a filter and it was black, injectors get loaded with this stuff.
All sorts of problems we don't experience in the US or Western Euro countries.

18,650 miles on this filter.

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
They all rolled off the same assembly line(s). I think 360s (regular wheelbase) were all at one plant, and 370s (hideous extended wheelbase things) at another, regardless of branding. There's no major difference in build between them that I have noticed, though I think the GMC interior had better styling except for the faux wood.

Build quality is so-so, but not horrible. They are typical GM, but not in a really bad way (ie Cavalier or something). Some large gaps and a lot of plastic, but the seats are comfortable and the fabric looks/feels nice on most models.

I think the Envoy is one of the best examples. A little classier than a TB, but without the problems of the 97X. I've seen 97Xs rolling down the highway with blown out rear air bags and squatting like a '95 Town Car. I think Saab branding on a GM SUV chassis doomed them to BHPH lots as a "hood rich" SUV.

One visually irritating quality issue I have noticed, even when these were new, was air bubbles in the black trim on the B pillars. It looks like the black trim is some kind of "sticker" or vinyl wrap. A small issue, but when you see it up close there is an overwhelming temptation to try to rub the air pockets out...doesn't work.

Overall though, I really like these. The Atlas I6 could have been a big player in trucks if it had ever been used outside of this platform.


The GMT370 was assembled in Oklahoma City.