Just getting started

[AMCAMX1969]

New to this, just placed deposit on extended, full cage, easy entry, turbo Goblin.

So far I purchased a Cobalt SS 2.4 Automatic for 200 dollars (So cheap I couldn't pass it up) and a new ATK LNF motor

I may keep the automatic and use a stand alone transmission controller, still looking for a wrecked or not running SS/TC to get the wiring harness/computer or I might possibly go with a stand alone harness for the motor. (searched the forum and haven't seen anyone else do this yet)

GM EcoTec Standalone Harness – Swap Specialties

E-Trans Control (e-transcontrol.com)

Any thoughts on going this route?

 

[ctuinstra]

Welcome to the forum.

Going with a new engine will open up the options when finding a SS/TC donor. You can get a totally trashed, high-mileage unit for the electronics and use many of the $200 car parts for other things. But not everything will swap such as the axles. The biggest thing I can see is that you will have to get a complete wiring harness and ECM and BCM to get started.

With those pre-made harness, all the options add up fast to as much or more than an entire donor. Then it's on you to add/subtract the actual items needed and to rewire the length of the harness to fit this car. Seems like a lot of extra work, time, and $$$. And then you still need the electronics.

 

[ctuinstra]

You could go that routs on the harness if you wanted a simple, clean, basic harness to start. The smaller fuse box would be nice since much of the OEM fuse box is no longer used.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Welcome. Sounds like you are off to a quick start with a kit ordered and a viable donor already.
As stated, going with a totally destroyed SS/TC may be your best bet, since these can be found occasionally for under $1K. Some parts will be resaleable from even a total wreck to offset the initial cost of the TC donor. Compared to the $500 outlay for the custom wire harness for a LNF (not sure if this includes the ECM), you may come out money ahead.

 

[Torchandregdoc]

Another option is wiring from a HHR ss/tc auto. Rob the trans and everything else from the 2.4 ss. I've got most of the difffemces outlined in my build. There will be a little welding involved. You'd need to change main fuse block/ecm/tcm mounts, brake switch mount, steering gear and computer mount, and probably a few other things I'm not remembering.