Building The Goblin V1
The process is straightforward: you remove all the useful parts from a Chevrolet Cobalt donor vehicle and combine them with the DF Goblin kit.
BUY A DONOR
Single Donor Build
At the heart of every kit car is a donor, and for the Goblin, the car of choice is the Chevrolet Cobalt.
Finding a worthy Cobalt donor is easy, and they can often be purchased at an affordable price. Even in its base form, you’ll be surprised at how quick the Goblin can be with the stock Ecotec engine.
But if stock performance isn’t enough, the aftermarket has plenty of options. Performance parts are widely available and easy to install, making it simple to take your Goblin to the next level.
What donor do I need?
The only compatible donors are the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Pontiac G5.
Where can I get the donor?
Look for donors at online salvage auction sites like Copart.com, Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc or classifieds like Craigslist.org.
More Donor Info
STRIP THE DONOR
Extracting the Essentials
Once you’ve got your donor home, the next step is to remove all the components needed for the Goblin kit.
The engine, transmission, subframe, and front suspension can be quickly removed as a single assembly. From there, it's a matter of unbolting accessories and pulling out the wiring.
After stripping the car, you can recoup some of your donor costs by selling parts like the doors, fenders, and other components online. You can also sell the remaining car shell for scrap.
Do I need special tools?
An average set of home mechanic tools is enough to get you through the stripping process.
How hard is it to strip a donor?
It’s very straightforward. Just follow our comprehensive stripping videos, and you can have the donor taken apart in a weekend or two.
Donor Stripping Videos
ASSEMBLE STAGE 1
Get the Motor Running
Now it's time to begin building your Goblin. The process unfolds in three stages: get the motor running, get the car rolling, and finally, finish the car.
The first step of assembly is essentially the reverse of stripping the donor: install the engine, transmission, and subframe. Next, the fuel tank is mounted, and the wiring is routed through the tunnel.
Once you've hooked up the fuel lines and connected the wiring to the control modules, your Goblin is ready for its first startup.
What is included in stage 1?
The Stage 1 kit comes with everything to get your donor engine installed and running, including the chassis, fuel tank, cooling system, sheet metal, brake lines, and various hardware.
How much does Stage 1 cost?
The price for stage 1 varies depending on your donor trim and the options you've selected. After paying the $500 deposit, stage 1 will cost between $4,500 and $5,800.
ASSEMBLE STAGE 2
Get the car driving
Now that the engine is running, it’s time to get the car sitting on all four tires.
The suspension setup includes control arms and shocks in the front, with struts from the donor in the rear. Once you’ve mounted the brake rotors and calipers, you can install the wheels and tires and lower the car onto the ground.
At this stage, the car can technically move under its own power, but for safety reasons, it’s important not to drive it until the build is fully complete.
What is included in stage 2?
The Stage 2 kit provides everything you need to get your car on its wheels and ready to drive.
How much does Stage 2 cost?
The price for stage 2 varies depending on your donor trim and the options you've selected. Prices for a base model build start at $4,500 and go up for other trim levels.
ASSEMBLE STAGE 3
Finish your Goblin
The final steps depend on the options you've selected and how you plan to drive your Goblin.
If you’re building it for road use, you’ll likely install body parts like the hood and side panels, along with headlights, mirrors, and taillights. However, if you’re focused on track or autocross events, you might opt to skip the lights and mirrors.
What is included in stage 3?
The Stage 3 kit offers optional equipment such as body panels, lights, and additional features to further customize your build.
How much does Stage 3 cost?
The price for stage 3 varies depending on which options you've selected. If you are going to run the hood, side panels, windscreen, and all of the lights, you'll likely spend about $2,000 on stage 3.
Ordering Info
Ready to make your Goblin truly your own? From exterior customizations like body panels to performance upgrades like the rear coilover kit, there are plenty of ways to tailor your build.
The order page lets you pick and choose the options that suit your vision, and the Order FAQ page has more details to help guide your decisions.
V1 Order Page Ordering FAQs-
Ordering Process
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1. Obtain your donor
Your Goblin kit will match your donor so get the donor first so that we can pack your Goblin kit to match what you've got.
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2. Order your kit online
Select the options you want to get with your kit on our order page. There are many options to choose from to make your Goblin the way you want it.
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3. Receive the kit
You can receive the kit all at once or broken up into 3 stages. It just depends on if you want to pay and receive the kit all at once.