Starting the journey, need advice

[vancouvergoblin2022]

Hi everyone, I have decided to build a street Goblin. I found out about the goblin and price very recently and I cannot stop researching and looking for a donor car.

would love some advice on donor cars and which kit to pick also any advice you can give me before starting this journey. I live in Vancouver WA and advice with getting the car registered would be a great help

here are some questions I would love feed back on if possible.

1. Will I regret not building a SS supercharged model? Is it worth the extra money to spend. I am not rich at all and budget is a concern. Specially for the wifey. Is there any must have parts that I need to know about?

2. Right now I am looking at a 2009 cobalt base that was in an accident, manual with 107,000 miles on it. Car runs and the subframe looks fine. Guy wants $600 might be able to get it for $400 or $500. It is about 150 miles away from me so need to rent a car trailer and price of gas.

- does this sound like a good donor car ? Or does it have too many miles

6 new items by Peter Irungu

photos.google.com

Link to photos and video

thank you everyone !!

 

[Ross]

1. Depends on how much you value a thrill. Pros: The supercharged LSJ engine has 2x or 3x the potential (compared to the 2.2L) if you want to add extra hp. The sound of the supercharger whine is addictive. You can turbo this engine if you want more hp, and different sounds. Cons: the stock engine is very throttle touchy in first gear making smooth starts a bit of a skill. Took me a few weeks of driving it. My opinion... I like the thrill.

You can build the 2.2L engine a bit, some people add the supercharger to it.

2. that 2009 is a 2.2L with an automatic? That is a little below average mileage for an 11 year old car. 10K miles/year. Considering that the build will cost you $11K (budget build), to $20K (nice build) for the whole project, spending a little on the donor is not a bad investment.

 

[vancouvergoblin2022]

Thank you for the advice. Its a manual cobalt.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Welcome to the forum. You've got the donor so you're serious about building a Goblin, that's great news! See you're in Vancouver, so you will be joining an exclusive club building a Goblin 'north of the border'. I would have to look, but I believe the closest Goblin owner to you is in Calgary - that's a little bit of a drive. If I remember correctly he also built a N/A manual. Keep us posted on progress and let us know when you order.

 

[Rttoys]

gonna need a bit more info;
1. are you a speed freak? I personally would find the base 2.2L boring fairly quickly. On the other end, the turbo SS can be a handful straight out of the box. The 2.4L or 2.0l supercharged is a great mix between the 2 with a ton of aftermarket for upgrades later if you desire.

B. Do you need an auto or is a standard ok? you can get an auto in 2.2L and 2.4L, but not the 2.2L turbo or supercharged (That I know of)

III. I Would highly recommend the extended version over the standard. The standard version is really tight if you are anywhere near or over 6’ and not skinny. I prefer a full roll cage for some sort of safety, but the easy entry sides would make getting in and out, much easier.

the cobalt you found would be a nice doner, if the 2.2L is what you want.

 

[Anks329]

I've got the automatic 2.2L and will be putting in a turbo kit. Others have put a supercharger kit into the 2.2L as well. Either way, you can start with a cheaper donor and add more to it as you are ready to spend more on it.

The donor looks good; you mentioned that it runs, is the check engine light on? It might be worth getting an OBD2 reader to see if there any codes that the car is throwing off

Registration in WA is a piece of cake. You need the MCO from DF, a bill of sale for the frame from DF and a certified weight slip when you are done building it. You take all three over the DOL, pay a bunch of taxes & fees, and walk out with plates!

 

[vancouvergoblin2022]

Thanks everyone for the advice!

1. so to answer the question about speed freak. I have a 04 mustang cobra and a 2000 corvette with 6 speed. I am huge on driving experience rather than just top speed rushes. My favorite Saturday Sunday morning is to get into one of those cars and drive some twisty roads.

2. I only want a manual goblin.
3. No check engine light on the car, also air bag was not deployed.
4. Was thinking the extended version also.
5. I was debating to get the full cage or not. I like The protection, But would love to hear others opinion on cage or no cage

 

[Ross]

I use my goblin as a grocery getter, so I bought the city, easy entry, extended, and used stock seat belts.
Quick in and out, and a little safer than my motorcycle in a crash.

 

[vancouvergoblin2022]

That’s truth right there. Wife needs some items from grocery store, “ sure sweetie I will be right back” Love taking the car for a quick errand. That’s really good advice because I would be doing the same on sunny days

 

[G Atsma]

See you're in Vancouver, so you will be joining an exclusive club building a Goblin 'north of the border'.

He's in Vancouver Washington, not B.C.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

He's in Vancouver Washington, not B.C.

OK.

 

[ctuinstra]

If budget is focus, I don't see anything wrong with a NA and a manual. There's nothing like going through the gears. It may not be as spicy as the supercharged or turbo model, but from what I've heard, they still get up and go pretty good with the lighter car. If you can pick up the donor for $500 and maybe sell a few items, you may only be info the cost of the build itself. Use the donor seat and wheels/tires and you save quite a bit of money right there. Then upgrade those items down the road if you wish.

 

[vancouvergoblin2022]

What parts on the car sell after it is taken apart ?

 

[vancouvergoblin2022]

Also thanks for the advice on a NA goblin.
would love to hear opinion of someone who built a NA goblin

 

[Rttoys]

That’s truth right there. Wife needs some items from grocery store, “ sure sweetie I will be right back” Love taking the car for a quick errand. That’s really good advice because I would be doing the same on sunny days

I did that today.
Wife- I need eggs
me- I’ll be right back.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

What parts on the car sell after it is taken apart ?

Most body panels, doors, interior pieces, some suspension piece (depending upon condition). If your not keeping them, the seats, wheels and tires.

 

[Rttoys]

Wheels and tires sell quick, especially if the tires are in good shape.

as DS said, body parts and seats (if in good shape).

 

[ctuinstra]

And if all else fails to sell, I got $100 for the shell at a scrape yard. Your experience may differ.

Oh, oh, the red cap on the positive post! Those things are like unicorns. Probably worth some money if you don't want to keep it.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Or a kind gesture to a fellow Goblineer in need of one.

 

[Anks329]

I just finished my NA build. It’s been a blast to drive so far! It’s an automatic, so different experience versus the manual. The base engine has 148 hp and the car weighs 1,400 lbs. So, even without any boost it’s still a pretty snappy car. I’m sure there is more to be gained as I go to tune it over the next few months.