V1 Mikes Extended, Full Frame Goblin - 2009 Cobalt LS with 135k donor

[Robinjo]

Why? Just solder or use butt connectors.

 

[Rttoys]

That would get very bulky if you have a ton of those in one place, plus it doesn’t look they are water/weather proof.

like Robinjo said solder and heat shrink would be the best way.

 

[mike_sno]

Is it correct that I can pair a F23 to a LNF engine? I thought that the Gearboxes/engines are pretty compatible to each other.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Any of the 4 cylinder Ecotec motors (NA 2.2/2.4, SC 2.0, TC 2.0) can bolt up to the F23 or F35 transmissions (or 4T40/45 automatics). The only caveat can be the use of the spacer plate or not, depending upon clutch.

 

[mike_sno]

Well, I'm doing it again. Bought the LNF engine and will swap my LSJ.

With that being said, if everything goes well, I will have a LSJ with F23, Harness, ECU,... For sale in the future.

Currently in between excited to get more HP but annoyed of the harness building process.

I really want to get the harness done as quickly as possible. My idea right now is to not build the harness a little different. Cutting out all unneeded wires, but not shortening any overlength wires, just extending those which are to short. Ideas? The first harness I build took me around 40h if I recall correctly.

 

[Robinjo]

Why not shorten the wires and the instructions show? Just to save time? I do not recommend this. Where are you going to bundle all the extra wire length at?
I left mine longer following directions for the extended frame and wish I hadn’t. It’s only 4-6 inches longer than the short frame needs but it binds in spots. Next time my harness comes out I’ll probably remeasure it all and see where I can cut some out.

 

[David]

My recommendation is take your time and use rope to know exactly where you want your harness to go. Then transfer measurements to the harness. My goal next winter is to take the harness out and rewire everything at the proper length with braided loom and shrink wrap the ends.

 

[Rauq]

I'm still confused why you're replacing an LSJ with an LNF. Was the LSJ hurt? Because you can make a lot more power with a lot less effort just putting a turbo on the LSJ, keep the LSJ harness and computer and everything.

 

[mike_sno]

I'm still confused why you're replacing an LSJ with an LNF. Was the LSJ hurt? Because you can make a lot more power with a lot less effort just putting a turbo on the LSJ, keep the LSJ harness and computer and everything.

There are, of course, multiple ways to achieve a very similar goal. I don't really want to get into a debate about why I did it. Let me say it this way: budget and skills were factors. I feel much more comfortable building another harness than putting a turbo on the LSJ. If I understand it correctly, the LNF, just with Stage 1, will do what the LSJ Supercharged does with many more modifications, and just estimating the installed parts, the LNF I bought is probably outperforming Stage 1 quite a bit

V1 - Mikes Extended, Full Frame Goblin - 2009 Cobalt LS with 135k donor

Just wait till they throw up random rocks to you. :D:eek:

dfkitcar.com

 

[mike_sno]

Why not shorten the wires and the instructions show? Just to save time? I do not recommend this. Where are you going to bundle all the extra wire length at?
I left mine longer following directions for the extended frame and wish I hadn’t. It’s only 4-6 inches longer than the short frame needs but it binds in spots. Next time my harness comes out I’ll probably remeasure it all and see where I can cut some out.

Yes, saving time! Less soldering. In my tunnel I have a lot room for the extra length wires. I don't recall if the majority of the wires needed to be shorter or longer. Will look at it when I build it.

 

[Rauq]

There are, of course, multiple ways to achieve a very similar goal. I don't really want to get into a debate about why I did it. Let me say it this way: budget and skills were factors. I feel much more comfortable building another harness than putting a turbo on the LSJ. If I understand it correctly, the LNF, just with Stage 1, will do what the LSJ Supercharged does with many more modifications, and just estimating the installed parts, the LNF I bought is probably outperforming Stage 1 quite a bit

V1 - Mikes Extended, Full Frame Goblin - 2009 Cobalt LS with 135k donor

Just wait till they throw up random rocks to you. :D:eek:

dfkitcar.com

My apologies, it doesn't need to make sense to me and I didn't mean to make it sound to me like it did. I don't like seeing folks try harder than they have to to achieve a goal, but then again, I don't know what your goals are.

I will add, though, you can hang an LNF turbo and manifold on the back of an LSJ, put an adapter plate on the LSJ intake manifold or slap on a Saab intake manifold on the front, add some 60lb fuel injectors and tune, and make about as much power as an LNF. My apologies again though, you and I have had enough constructive conversations that I'll be interested whatever you end up doing.

 

[Brian74]

Well, I'm doing it again. Bought the LNF engine and will swap my LSJ.

With that being said, if everything goes well, I will have a LSJ with F23, Harness, ECU,... For sale in the future.

Currently in between excited to get more HP but annoyed of the harness building process.

I really want to get the harness done as quickly as possible. My idea right now is to not build the harness a little different. Cutting out all unneeded wires, but not shortening any overlength wires, just extending those which are to short. Ideas? The first harness I build took me around 40h if I recall correctly.

I went this route and I can say you're in for a fun time... There is certainly nothing quick about it at all. If you are planning to modify the existing LSJ body harness to work with the LNF, plan on removing and completely disassembling the entire harness because you will have to rewire most of it from scratch, wire by wire, between the ECM and BCM/Fusebox. There are a TON of small details involved that were changed between generations. You will need the E69 ECM and ECM connector(s) pins/crimpers (and engine wiring harness if the LNF engine didn't include one). You will also need to obtain a BCM that is VIN matched to the E69 ECM in order for VATS to work properly (AFAIK nobody has ever figured out how to bypass VATS on the E69 ECM).

 

[Gtstorey]

I went this route and I can say you're in for a fun time... There is certainly nothing quick about it at all. If you are planning to modify the existing LSJ body harness to work with the LNF, plan on removing and completely disassembling the entire harness because you will have to rewire most of it from scratch, wire by wire, between the ECM and BCM/Fusebox. There are a TON of small details involved that were changed between generations. You will need the E69 ECM and ECM connector(s) pins/crimpers (and engine wiring harness if the LNF engine didn't include one). You will also need to obtain a BCM that is VIN matched to the E69 ECM in order for VATS to work properly (AFAIK nobody has ever figured out how to bypass VATS on the E69 ECM).

I think it can be done to work the E69 without an BCM, but those who claim to have done it never share the details.

 

[Brian74]

Th

I think it can be done to work the E69 without an ECM, but those who claim to have done it never share the details.

There are a few companies that sell reworked and custom standalone ECM's for the LNF ($$$) for sandrail applications. I'm not sure overall how much that would reduce the complexity or labor involved....But it could be worth it to not require a BCM or VATS.

 

[Ross]

I went this route and I can say you're in for a fun time... There is certainly nothing quick about it at all. If you are planning to modify the existing LSJ body harness to work with the LNF, plan on removing and completely disassembling the entire harness because you will have to rewire most of it from scratch, wire by wire, between the ECM and BCM/Fusebox. There are a TON of small details involved that were changed between generations. You will need the E69 ECM and ECM connector(s) pins/crimpers (and engine wiring harness if the LNF engine didn't include one). You will also need to obtain a BCM that is VIN matched to the E69 ECM in order for VATS to work properly (AFAIK nobody has ever figured out how to bypass VATS on the E69 ECM).

I thought Mike was talking about modifying the LNF harness to go in his goblin, since he mentions: "I will have a LSJ with F23, Harness, ECU,... For sale in the future. "

 

[Brian74]

I thought Mike was talking about modifying the LNF harness to go in his goblin, since he mentions: "I will have a LSJ with F23, Harness, ECU,... For sale in the future. "

Wasn't sure if he was referring there to the engine harness or the body harness. That's why I used the word "if". I can say the odds of obtaining a used LNF body harness is just about impossible unless its from a fully intact part out where they would allow you to dissassemble the car to get it.

 

[comegetjoe]

That's why I used the word "if". I can say the odds of obtaining a used LNF body harness is just about impossible unless....

Whats it worth to him? Lol I may know of a guy who has one.

 

[Brian74]

Whats it worth to him? Lol I may know of a guy who has one.

I wish I knew that guy like that back when I did mine, lol.

 

[mike_sno]

I have the engine, harness, ECM, and BCM ready for my Goblin build. Initially, I sold my LAP engine and harness to a builder in Naples. He bought a Cobalt LNF. Used the mechanical parts but kept my LAP engine for his build. I stayed in contact with him and eventually acquired all the necessary components for an LNF Goblin.


Right now, I’m stripping the main harness and following along with the videos (just finished video #2). I’m tracking my progress with a time-logging app; I’ve put in 4 hours and 9 minutes over two nights. Even with the initial setup time for my PC and label printer, the work is progressing quicker than I anticipated.

 

[mike_sno]

When I build the LSJ I had already at the lights, turn signals connectors. Initially in case I needed to change them later, but now that comes in handy too.

I'll order a new F23 from DF, this will allow me to have a complete build LSJ and LNF set up.