Modded donors

Brett Fritzsch

New Member
Any advice on buying a donor that has modifications done to it already? For example are there ones you wouldnt mess with?

I have seen ones with the following modifications:
-lowering springs/sport springs/coilovers
-Trifecta Tunes
-intakes
-modified intercoolers
-cat back exhaust type mods
 

Johvans

Well-Known Member
Any advice on buying a donor that has modifications done to it already? For example are there ones you wouldnt mess with?

I have seen ones with the following modifications:
-lowering springs/sport springs/coilovers
-Trifecta Tunes
-intakes
-modified intercoolers
-cat back exhaust type mods
I bought my 07 SS/SC knowing that it was modified. I sold a lot of the parts and ended up making me back a decent amount of money.

You more than likely wouldn't use anything on your list other then the tune (and even that may change). The other parts could be sold but I wouldn't pay a premium for them.

John
 

DanPerryy

Well-Known Member
Tom (errorunknown) on the forum bought a cherry (low damage wrecked) TC with low miles, paid quite a bit, but in turn sold a lot of stuff and wound up paying not much more than I paid for my base NA Cobalt.
 

Chris Eggert

Active Member
Ok I need opinions on spending $3400 - $3600 on a car with a perfect body and a perfect interior in hopes of selling the remaining parts to come out of that deep of a hole on a donor. The car is also performance modified, should I be worried about all the mods??

2008 Chevy Cobalt SS
160k miles
Turbocharged running 21psi of boost
5 Speed with 330HP (I have dyno sheets on engine)
Stage 3 clutch
K&N cold air intake
Reinforced lifted intercooler
Straight piped (muffler, cat delete).

The only thing wrong with the car is it needs a new synchro for 2nd gear in the transmission.
 

Briann1177

Goblin Guru
I wouldn't worry about intakes, intercoolers, or exhaust. You won't be using it anyways.

Just need engine and transmission.
 

Brett Fritzsch

New Member
What is the going theory on whether an LSD is a must or not in TC cars? I found a potentially good donor but it doesnt have the G85/LSD option.

This is what I received when talking with GM:
Vehicle Information
VIN: Model: 1AP37-2010 COBALT SS COUPE
Service Contract: Yes Branded Title: Yes Warranty Block: Yes PDI Status: Yes
Order Type: 70 - RETAIL - STOCK
Field Actions: 0 Open REQUEST ANOTHER VIN
Vehicle Build
Model: 1AP37-2010 COBALT SS COUPE Order Number: NRHJMT
Gross Vehicle Weight: 1,789 Build Date: 01/05/2010
Build Plant: 7

Option Codes
*IVH is not the definitive source of GM Vehicle RPO information and is intended for service reference only. Should there be any questions about the vehicle's original build or RPO information please refer to the original vehicle invoice or window sticker.

19E - EBONY/EBONY 19I - EBONY
1SS - 1SS BASE SS PACKAGE 1SZ - OPTION PACKAGE DISCOUNT
41U - BLACK AK5 - DRIVER & RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS
AL0 - SENSOR INDICATOR INFLATABLE RESTRAINT, FRT PASS/CHILD PRESENCE DETECTOR AR9 - DELUXE FRONT BUCKET SEAT
ASF - HEAD CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS, FRONT/REAR AT8 - RESTRAINT PROVISIONS CHILD, RR SEAT, RR FACING
AU0 - REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY AU3 - POWER DOOR LOCKS W/REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
AXJ - VEHICLE TYPE PASSENGER CAR B34 - FLOOR MATS, FRONT/REAR
B35 - REAR FLOOR MATS C67 - ELECT. FRONT AIR CONDITIONER
CF5 - POWER SUNROOF DG7 - BODY COLOR POWER MIRRORS
DG9 - MIRROR I/S R/V TILT, DUAL READING LAMPS, VEH ACOMMUNICATION SYS CONT DT4 - ASHTRAY AND LIGHTER
E2C - ORDER TO DELIVERY - EXPEDITE EF7 - COUNTRY USA
F19 - RATIO TRANSAXLE FINAL DRIVE 3.82 FE5 - SUSPENSION
IPE - INTERIOR TRIM DESIGN JL4 - STABILITRAK STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM
JL9 - 4-WHEEL DISC ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM K09 - 120 AMP GENERATOR
K34 - CRUISE CONTROL LNF - 2.0L 4 CYL DOHC TURBO GAS ENGINE
LOD - ASSEMBLY PLANT - LORDSTOWN,OHIO MM5 - 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MU3 - MANUAL 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION N34 - 3 SPOKE LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
NE1 - 50-STATE EMISSIONS NU1 - CALIF EMISSIONS LEV 2
QH0 - 18" ALUMINUM WHEELS QPA - 225/40ZR18-92Y BLACKWALL TIRES
R7V - TSE/SSE ORDER TYPE FORCE-ON R9N - PROCESSING CODE - SEAT
R9Z - POMS EXPEDITE-SOLD ORDERS/TSE SLL - SOLD ORDERS
T37 - FOG LAMPS T43 - REAR SPOILER
U2K - XM SATELLITE RADIO - SERVICE SUBSCRIPTION SOLD SEPARATELY BY SIRIUS/XM AFTER 90 DAYS UAF - RECONFIGURABLE PERFORMANCE DISPLAY ON A-PILLAR
UE1 - 1 YR ONSTAR SAFE & SOUND W/ AUTOMATIC CRASH RESPONSE (ASK DEALER ABOUT AVAILABLE TURN-BY-TURN NAVIGATION) UJM - TIRE PRESS INDICATOR MANUAL LEARN
UK3 - LEATHER WRAP STEERING WHEEL, STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROLS AND BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE UPF - BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE
UQ3 - AUDIO SYSTEM, HIGH PERFORMANCE WITH 7 PIONEER SPEAKERS UUI - RADIO, AM/FM W/ SINGLE CD, AUX INPUT & USB
V8D - VEHICLE STATEMENT US VEB - SPORT PEDALS (DEALER INSTALLED)
VT7 - OWNERS MANUAL ENGLISH VY7 - LEATHER SHIFT KNOB
YM8 - LPO PROCESSING CODE ZAH - SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL (REPLACES TIRE SEALANT & INFLATOR KIT)
 

Chris Eggert

Active Member
What is the going theory on whether an LSD is a must or not in TC cars? I found a potentially good donor but it doesnt have the G85/LSD option.

This is what I received when talking with GM:
Vehicle Information
VIN: Model: 1AP37-2010 COBALT SS COUPE
Service Contract: Yes Branded Title: Yes Warranty Block: Yes PDI Status: Yes
Order Type: 70 - RETAIL - STOCK
Field Actions: 0 Open REQUEST ANOTHER VIN
Vehicle Build
Model: 1AP37-2010 COBALT SS COUPE Order Number: NRHJMT
Gross Vehicle Weight: 1,789 Build Date: 01/05/2010
Build Plant: 7

Option Codes
*IVH is not the definitive source of GM Vehicle RPO information and is intended for service reference only. Should there be any questions about the vehicle's original build or RPO information please refer to the original vehicle invoice or window sticker.

19E - EBONY/EBONY 19I - EBONY
1SS - 1SS BASE SS PACKAGE 1SZ - OPTION PACKAGE DISCOUNT
41U - BLACK AK5 - DRIVER & RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS
AL0 - SENSOR INDICATOR INFLATABLE RESTRAINT, FRT PASS/CHILD PRESENCE DETECTOR AR9 - DELUXE FRONT BUCKET SEAT
ASF - HEAD CURTAIN SIDE AIRBAGS, FRONT/REAR AT8 - RESTRAINT PROVISIONS CHILD, RR SEAT, RR FACING
AU0 - REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY AU3 - POWER DOOR LOCKS W/REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
AXJ - VEHICLE TYPE PASSENGER CAR B34 - FLOOR MATS, FRONT/REAR
B35 - REAR FLOOR MATS C67 - ELECT. FRONT AIR CONDITIONER
CF5 - POWER SUNROOF DG7 - BODY COLOR POWER MIRRORS
DG9 - MIRROR I/S R/V TILT, DUAL READING LAMPS, VEH ACOMMUNICATION SYS CONT DT4 - ASHTRAY AND LIGHTER
E2C - ORDER TO DELIVERY - EXPEDITE EF7 - COUNTRY USA
F19 - RATIO TRANSAXLE FINAL DRIVE 3.82 FE5 - SUSPENSION
IPE - INTERIOR TRIM DESIGN JL4 - STABILITRAK STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM
JL9 - 4-WHEEL DISC ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM K09 - 120 AMP GENERATOR
K34 - CRUISE CONTROL LNF - 2.0L 4 CYL DOHC TURBO GAS ENGINE
LOD - ASSEMBLY PLANT - LORDSTOWN,OHIO MM5 - 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MU3 - MANUAL 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION N34 - 3 SPOKE LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
NE1 - 50-STATE EMISSIONS NU1 - CALIF EMISSIONS LEV 2
QH0 - 18" ALUMINUM WHEELS QPA - 225/40ZR18-92Y BLACKWALL TIRES
R7V - TSE/SSE ORDER TYPE FORCE-ON R9N - PROCESSING CODE - SEAT
R9Z - POMS EXPEDITE-SOLD ORDERS/TSE SLL - SOLD ORDERS
T37 - FOG LAMPS T43 - REAR SPOILER
U2K - XM SATELLITE RADIO - SERVICE SUBSCRIPTION SOLD SEPARATELY BY SIRIUS/XM AFTER 90 DAYS UAF - RECONFIGURABLE PERFORMANCE DISPLAY ON A-PILLAR
UE1 - 1 YR ONSTAR SAFE & SOUND W/ AUTOMATIC CRASH RESPONSE (ASK DEALER ABOUT AVAILABLE TURN-BY-TURN NAVIGATION) UJM - TIRE PRESS INDICATOR MANUAL LEARN
UK3 - LEATHER WRAP STEERING WHEEL, STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROLS AND BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE UPF - BLUETOOTH FOR PHONE
UQ3 - AUDIO SYSTEM, HIGH PERFORMANCE WITH 7 PIONEER SPEAKERS UUI - RADIO, AM/FM W/ SINGLE CD, AUX INPUT & USB
V8D - VEHICLE STATEMENT US VEB - SPORT PEDALS (DEALER INSTALLED)
VT7 - OWNERS MANUAL ENGLISH VY7 - LEATHER SHIFT KNOB
YM8 - LPO PROCESSING CODE ZAH - SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL (REPLACES TIRE SEALANT & INFLATOR KIT)
Really depends on your preference. I bought a donor without the LSD, but during the rebuild of the transmission I am adding the LSD to it. Im going to mainly be driving on curvy mountain roads and I think having the LSD will be a benefit on drifting around the curves. Its all up to what you want to get out of your Goblin traction and speed wise...
 

ctuinstra

Goblin Guru
I just can't help to wonder if the LSD is going to make it too loose in the rear under acceleration. My vette has it and you have to be very careful with turns and getting on it. But if you know what you are doing...

Also heard the anti-sway bar makes them loose in the rear. Not sure if I'm going to put mine on or not since it's from the SS/SC.
 

TheNuker

Goblin Guru
I don’t have the LSD on mine and I have no traction problems. As long as the tires are not completely cold you can flat foot it in first and second no problem.

I’ve thought about the LSD but I hate to change what I feel already feels very good.

Nuker
 

Chris Eggert

Active Member
I think its going to be to my benefit to have the LSD on these roads around here. I have driven a bunch of cars through these mountains over the years and I always had more fun when I could just lay in it around a curve. I guess I just get a whole lot more enjoyment out of kicking the ass end around and smoking the tires all the way around a nice long curve more than most people do. Im adding a 2 stage launch control along with the wide open throttle no lift shift to mine for those 1/4 mile urges that I tend to get here lately. Someone had posted the link on one of the threads on here about it. I did some research on it and I think its going to make things interesting. Its on sale right now so Im ordering it right now....lol

https://www.modernperformance.com/product/N2MB_WOT_Box_2_Step_Launch_Control_No_Lift_Shift/03-05-neon-srt-4-electronics

$169.00 aint bad at all for part of my early birthday present from me to me. I always buy myself such nice things, since Im single it works out great....lol
 

JSATX

Goblin Guru
I think its going to be to my benefit to have the LSD on these roads around here. I have driven a bunch of cars through these mountains over the years and I always had more fun when I could just lay in it around a curve. I guess I just get a whole lot more enjoyment out of kicking the ass end around and smoking the tires all the way around a nice long curve more than most people do. Im adding a 2 stage launch control along with the wide open throttle no lift shift to mine for those 1/4 mile urges that I tend to get here lately. Someone had posted the link on one of the threads on here about it. I did some research on it and I think its going to make things interesting. Its on sale right now so Im ordering it right now....lol

https://www.modernperformance.com/product/N2MB_WOT_Box_2_Step_Launch_Control_No_Lift_Shift/03-05-neon-srt-4-electronics

$169.00 aint bad at all for part of my early birthday present from me to me. I always buy myself such nice things, since Im single it works out great....lol
Super interested to know how that turns out please keep us updated. I dont think Im going to spring for it at the moment, but definitely a cool concept.
 

Chris Eggert

Active Member
Super interested to know how that turns out please keep us updated. I dont think Im going to spring for it at the moment, but definitely a cool concept.
Its ordered and should be here next week. Which will be about the same time I start disassembling my cobalt and start getting the big things done. Reading over the build logs I have learned one major thing about my build and how I am planning it. That is I am going in a completely different direction on quite a few other things on the Goblin than anyone else. Thats one of the things about cars I love, nobody looks at a project car and sees the same exact car at the end. Im going to let the rest of my differences come out as my build log moves forward and as each one of them comes out I look forward to hearing some of the other guys feedback on my ideas. I am ready to get this build over with and I cant decide on a color for my frame....lol Im still undecided
 
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