ctuinstra's City Goblin - 07 SS/SC donor 2.0

ctuinstra

Goblin Guru
The steering wheel, arguably the most touched part of any car. This is what you use to get in touch or "feel" the car as you become one with it. This very steering wheel I had just purchased for our car only days before the fateful day. We wanted to add a few new touches, personalize it a bit more, to make it more our own. I never got a chance to install this steering wheel.

IMG_1470.a.RESIZED.JPG


BUT I CAN'T LET THAT STOP ME!

I took a little time to reflect and think about all of this for a bit. I really just couldn't image starting all over again, we had come so far, and as it seemed, it would take almost a complete fresh start. Many of the items needed, well, it would almost take another donor; finding another donor! Pulling the hoses through the frame again after thinking that is all behind us... More trips to the powder coater... Do I have it in me? Kaleb is off to college, he would help but he is not around very often now. Do I want to spend all of that time by myself doing what we once did together?

Then it hit me! Reflecting back to things I have regretted not doing, do I want to look back upon this one day and regret not ever giving it a chance? Do I want to live out our empty-nest years thinking about what we only had for a very short period of time, something that meant so much to both of us? It would be a memory that would only be a blip in time. I know very deeply that I would regret terribly forever. And with that, the decision was made, we are going to rebuild! I will have that chance to install the new steering wheel!

Begin:

Instead of buying a donor car, which I had actually located a great donor if anyone is interested (2006 SS/SC ~100K for $1600), I checked around and was able to find a couple of the items NOS OEM for less than $100. I've already ordered the pedal box, brake booster, master cylinder, brake reservoir, steering rack, power steering unit, turn signals, and a few other items. A couple of them are used donor parts such as the power steering unit, but most of the others are actually new and surprisingly inexpensive. Many more items will be acquired from DF from the kits. About the only item not needed is one shock and the uprights and out to the wheels. The wheels are fine, one a bit marred up inside but externally cosmetically fine. I'm very strongly leaning towards another set of wheels and tires. These tires are completely done, they are probably only good for the autocross. One set will be for the road and another for if we do autocross next year.

Obviously the tube frame will need to be replaced/repaired. I have talked with Lonny and Adam recently and they have been very gracious in helping us get back on the road. I won't go into details, but mark my word that they have been extremely generous and helpful! The next time you see them or talk to them, please thank them for me as I cannot thank them enough alone! They want the frame back to be able to inspect it to see if there are any improvements to be made. I feel that it is very responsible and forward-thinking of them. I was not disappointed with how the frame performed. I was very impressed with the welds and the overall design of the frame. While these are not your everyday NHTSA vehicles, one cannot expect the safety performance of a highly over-engineered cocoon, I'm my opinion, it performed very well.

One other quick note, I completely and wholeheartedly believe in Kaleb and his abilities. I don't want anyone ever thinking "What the hell are you doing letting an 18 year-old driving that car!". Kaleb has many years of experience in racing ATVs, motorcycles, and RC cars. He has an innate ability to instinctively maneuver a vehicle under many conditions. I trust him more than I do most grown adults with many more years of driving. After understanding the details, very few would have been able to predict and control the vehicle with a better outcome. With that being said, he has learned even more and I trust he will be that much better. Besides, he has every right to drive the car as I do. And he will be the first to drive again.

This build thread will be all about the rebirth, 2.0. I plan to do a few upgrades along the way. Quite frankly, I was pretty happy with most everything. There really wasn't much that I would have wanted to do differently. I will be upgrading the seats to a nicer set of Corbeau seat, reclining this time with the sliders (the driver seat was bent and twisted). We will eventually work on a small glass (possibly) windshield to direct airflow. As much as I liked the wrap, there are a few tweaks I would like to do now that it was installed.

I look forward to being able to drive it again. I look forward to the car shows and talking about it again. I look forward to being able to meet up with some of you on a possible road trip.

I also want to thank each and everyone of you for your kind words and inspiration. I read every post and each one of them meant so much to me. They helped push me towards bringing it back. I hope I can continue to help all of you!

Now, on with the build!

IMG_1427.JPG.jpg
 
Last edited:

IDRVSLO

Goblin Guru
Love it! Happy for you and Kaleb! Congrats!

Thanks Lonny, Adam and I'm sure Ray for helping them!
 

ncgoblin

Goblin Guru
Awesome! For the hoses use a 600 pound winch $20 at tractor supply check out my build thread with your experience you could have them pulled in an hour. Lonnie and Adam are amazing at customer service and I am not surprised they are helping. They both have given me tips multiple times.
 

ctuinstra

Goblin Guru
Parts starting to show up!

DSCN1167.JPG



This is the new steering rack. Not hard to image what would be in the long box.

DSCN1168.JPG


The shaft that goes into the power steering unit is bent slightly. When I inquired about it at the local GM dealer, the parts diagram does not show it as part of the power steering unit and did not show it by itself at all. So we both concluded that it was inside the steering column, which the dealer showed a price of over $400 for. However, he quietly turned his screen to be to show me the same part number on eBay (new) for $80. So I quickly ordered it up. I didn't realize until a day or two later that the shaft I need actually comes with the power steering unit. Ugh! So now I order it also. Just when I thought there was something that I didn't need to order, I ordered it by mistake. I can always try to sell it or I may just use the new shaft out of it also since I have it.

DSCN1169.JPG


I love the shiny new brake parts. This should be easy to paint up. And a new negative battery cable to go along. I could have reused the old one, but it was pinched in one spot and the terminal was starting to corrode. Do you think I'm getting carried away?

DSCN1170.JPG
 

Briann1177

Goblin Guru
I must say that I really admire your resiliency and tenacity throughout this. I'm not sure I'd have it it me to start all over again.

I'm glad you stuck with it, and I'm looking forward to seeing version 2.0.
 

ncgoblin

Goblin Guru
I must say that I really admire your resiliency and tenacity throughout this. I'm not sure I'd have it it me to start all over again.

I'm glad you stuck with it, and I'm looking forward to seeing version 2.0.
I say the same thing but you know we would do it all over again :) Finding the donor, and getting the frame I would not like to do again just because I hate travelling.
 

ctuinstra

Goblin Guru
I say the same thing but you know we would do it all over again :) Finding the donor, and getting the frame I would not like to do again just because I hate travelling.
We pushed really hard the first trip to Texas. Kaleb said that he didn't want to go back to get stage 3. We headed out at midnight after a long day and drove all night, picked up the frame and drove all day and finally got home at midnight the next day. We were up for 40 hours.

This next time, I'm going alone and will take a couple of days to make the trip. I'll stay in ahotel along the way.
 

ctuinstra

Goblin Guru
I must say that I really admire your resiliency and tenacity throughout this. I'm not sure I'd have it it me to start all over again.

I'm glad you stuck with it, and I'm looking forward to seeing version 2.0.

Part of what is my driving force is that by nature I like to fix things and see the end product. Also I'm a little excited about some of the planned upgrades. All in all, it won't be as much work as the first time. Once I get everything prepared, the assembly should go really quick. SHOULD.

I hope to pick up the frame in the next two weeks. I've already called the powder coated and had them order the powder. In the mean time, I will be prepping and painting the parts. Kaleb asked me tonight, "Are we in a rush?" No, I'm just keeping myself occupied while he is gone and keeping things moving forward. Funny, I have a lot of the same anticipation I did the first go around.
 

CajunJeff

Active Member
Good thing is, you've learned a lot of tricks from assembling it the first time! How much of the harness was damaged? Will you have to redo any of that?
 

BaltimoreHokie

Goblin Guru
We continue to learn from you.....Infact I have a question for you.
1536757318532.png

When I was removing this from the car, I messed up the black piece here. Do you know if that is removable? or if i just need to get a whole new brake booster?
 

Briann1177

Goblin Guru
I'm still working on a plate and insurance, but if I had everything ready I could drive out and meet you in Checotah when you pick up your frame. We could take a picture by the "Home of Carrie Underwood" water tower. LOL.
 
Top