Brian74
Goblin Guru
I haven't put my down payment on stage 1 yet, but I read the post rules and consider myself vetted as I am obsessed with this project and finally picking my donor up tomorrow.
I got hooked on the idea of this project 4 months ago in May of 2017. I originally planned on building a j35 Miata, then an Exocet, but to get the same power from an Exocet requires a lot more money, fabrication and planning. This kit makes much more sense. I have seen every DF Goblin video, DF Grassroots post, and read nearly every Cobalt SS forum post since then.
For my donor, I decided to go with....wait. I haven't decided yet. I am picking up donor # 1, a part out G85 2006 LSJ tomorrow ($300). Owner has already sold the wheels, hubs, intake, blower, and intercooler. Engine has a bad rod knock, according to him.
I originally paid the $250 for an IAAI membership and have since passed up the 2 lowest mile LNF Cobalts I have ever seen, sold here locally. In hindsight, I didn't realize how much these cars seem to be worth. Could have had a 2009 with 82k for just under 4k.
I am driving 120 miles tomorrow to pick up my hub/wheel-less donor. I have devised a creative plan to get it on and off of my trailer.
I do not like the LSJ motor. Why? For a Goblin build, 300 hp is more than enough. LSJ motors and motor parts are hard to find and expensive to modify. Most of the ones available are trashed. Aftermarket support for them is getting minimal to nil now. Turboing one is expensive. Building one to 300 hp without E85 is expensive. No VVT. I live in Az. Heatsoak destroys S/C engines. Tuning is expensive.
I do like the LNF motor. Why? 260 hp from the factory on 91 octane. Twin scroll turbo. Huge availability; used in several cars. I can get an LNF long block with turbo with no tuning required. PCM controls the boost. Low end tq is amazing due to VVT. Direct injection. A simple PCM canned tune can get me nearly 300 hp.
My research suggests that the F35 from an LSJ Cobalt is compatible with a 2008-2010 Cobalt, aside from VSS calibration. The LSJ F35 also uses the smaller axles and can utilize the 4 lug hubs.
What does this mean to me? Strip this car and find a parted out LNF Cobalt and grab only the wiring harness, PCM, fuel pieces, and gauge cluster (parts that nobody else wants before the car gets crushed). Buy an LDK long block, complete with turbo from ZZP for not much more than the cost of a new TVS. Purchase a SAAB intake manifold and a throttle body. Have an un-modded 260 hp hybrid donor that I can run with more rim choices.
Or
Keep my current donor engine and spend nearly the same or more to make less power.
Either way, its on and I'm excited.
I got hooked on the idea of this project 4 months ago in May of 2017. I originally planned on building a j35 Miata, then an Exocet, but to get the same power from an Exocet requires a lot more money, fabrication and planning. This kit makes much more sense. I have seen every DF Goblin video, DF Grassroots post, and read nearly every Cobalt SS forum post since then.
For my donor, I decided to go with....wait. I haven't decided yet. I am picking up donor # 1, a part out G85 2006 LSJ tomorrow ($300). Owner has already sold the wheels, hubs, intake, blower, and intercooler. Engine has a bad rod knock, according to him.
I originally paid the $250 for an IAAI membership and have since passed up the 2 lowest mile LNF Cobalts I have ever seen, sold here locally. In hindsight, I didn't realize how much these cars seem to be worth. Could have had a 2009 with 82k for just under 4k.
I am driving 120 miles tomorrow to pick up my hub/wheel-less donor. I have devised a creative plan to get it on and off of my trailer.
I do not like the LSJ motor. Why? For a Goblin build, 300 hp is more than enough. LSJ motors and motor parts are hard to find and expensive to modify. Most of the ones available are trashed. Aftermarket support for them is getting minimal to nil now. Turboing one is expensive. Building one to 300 hp without E85 is expensive. No VVT. I live in Az. Heatsoak destroys S/C engines. Tuning is expensive.
I do like the LNF motor. Why? 260 hp from the factory on 91 octane. Twin scroll turbo. Huge availability; used in several cars. I can get an LNF long block with turbo with no tuning required. PCM controls the boost. Low end tq is amazing due to VVT. Direct injection. A simple PCM canned tune can get me nearly 300 hp.
My research suggests that the F35 from an LSJ Cobalt is compatible with a 2008-2010 Cobalt, aside from VSS calibration. The LSJ F35 also uses the smaller axles and can utilize the 4 lug hubs.
What does this mean to me? Strip this car and find a parted out LNF Cobalt and grab only the wiring harness, PCM, fuel pieces, and gauge cluster (parts that nobody else wants before the car gets crushed). Buy an LDK long block, complete with turbo from ZZP for not much more than the cost of a new TVS. Purchase a SAAB intake manifold and a throttle body. Have an un-modded 260 hp hybrid donor that I can run with more rim choices.
Or
Keep my current donor engine and spend nearly the same or more to make less power.
Either way, its on and I'm excited.
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