I wasn't exactly on the design team for the Ecotec motor, but I JUST LEFT the J-Body scene when it finally got put into production. I was scheduled to be one of the test platforms for that motor by
Mantapart (who was my main sponsor, and did GMs suspension for thier SEMA cars) I was there while it was getting tested, and while it was getting it "revamped" from Opel.
The Ecotec is a VERY strong motor STOCK. When they were testing that motor out with a turbo, they stock pistons and rods are insane. The way they tested it was by upping the boost until something broke, then replaced what broke and kept upping the Boost. Crazy, but absolute fact when designing Nelson Hoyos' Drag Cavalier before the girl took over and started driving his rig. I think it got to 13psi or 18psi on a stock bottom end. Stock pins, rods, pistons, rings, crank, bearings. That's giving DSM bottom ends a run for thier money.....
Extremely strong Bottom end. I've been out of that scene for a bit, but I remember GM raving about that bottom end.