Not Goblin related, just planning for future build

[Twan013]

I've been eyeballing the Goblin for quite some time and although I'm not ready to bite the bullet, I'm fairly certain I want one.

But as for the here and now, I may have my hands on a base automatic Cobalt that needs a new engine (jumped timing twice on the previous owner, they're wanting someone to pay it off, $500 I believe). When I build a Goblin, I know that I want a 5speed. Whether it's n/a, turbo'ed or supercharged doesn't really matter to me. It won't be going to any tracks. Just a street cruising, highway plaything.

For my actual question (which may need to go to a Cobalt specific forum) would it be financially advisable to buy this paperweight, and another one from copart (good motor, either a NA 5 speed or SS) and do a swap? It should be noted that I'm in need of a car anyway. How much of a challenge would a swap be?

 

[Karter2026]

The question is how many miles on the 2.2 auto. What year? What condition? That is all things to weigh out if it is worth $500.

After driving mine around for a while. If you are just highway cruising and not tracking the car I would stick with the automatic. I did my first and last parade with mine last week. I thought I would want the 5 speed. My knee has been telling me otherwise. After riding in a automatic supercharged Goblin I was rethinking that 5 speed.

The timing chain is not hard to change and with new updated parts it should be good to go. You may need to replace the valves but it is not a bad job.

Just my .02¢

 

[Ross]

If the motors are the same year, same engine, it isn't too bad. Probably a weekend job, if you have the required tools.
If you are using a newer motor, newer electronics, newer dash, it is a bit more involved.
Why buy the paperweight? Just buy one from copart/IAAI/Private sale with a good motor, and use that for a Goblin.

 

[Twan013]

I guess I'm one of the weird ones. I grew up driving 5 speeds and have grown to love them. My first car was a 5 speed, which I had never driven beforehand. Mom was basically "it's affordable, learn to drive it or take my junk car".

Plus, with a car like the Goblin, an automatic just seems like a disservice in my opinion. That being said, I would almost consider an all terrain, but with the full cage, I see myself having issues crawling in and out of it. Which brings me to another question: I had read another thread where someone was talking about the guys doing custom framework. I wonder if they could or would build a "extended City all terrain"?

 

[Twan013]

If the motors are the same year, same engine, it isn't too bad. Probably a weekend job, if you have the required tools.
If you are using a newer motor, newer electronics, newer dash, it is a bit more involved.
Why buy the paperweight? Just buy one from copart/IAAI/Private sale with a good motor, and use that for a Goblin.

Like I had mentioned, I need a car now. Does copart sell cars with good titles? From my understanding, I would have to have the car towed home, even if it is in running condition, and wouldn't be able to drive it legally until I had it inspected from somewhere (in my state I would have to haul it 3-4 hours away for inspection). I can't recall all the terminology right now. My goblin project won't be started for about another year or so.

 

[Ross]

I found out today that my car had a good title... from coparts.
It needed a battery, but was sold as "not running, unknown mileage."

 

[Twan013]

I found out today that my car had a good title... from coparts.
It needed a battery, but was sold as "not running, unknown mileage."

Mind if I ask how much it cost you? I've checked on a couple of auctions at my local copart, I don't recall anything being over $250. I think they have live auctions on Tuesdays and I checked at all other times of the week so I don't know if that's why or if that's pretty common. I guess I'm trying to figure out how much they usually end up selling for

 

[Ross]

I don't mind. We have a spreadsheet of what people have paid here. Hope it helps.