Stage 2 and 3

[williamj95]

Hello all,

I've been considering taking a stab at building one of these kit cars, but in examining all the info on it, it seems as though there is missing info on the build process. There are two or three stage 2 videos, but it seems like there should be many more. For instance, I don't see any videos for the rear end, tying the transmission to the drive wheel, actually getting the car to move forward and no info and the installation of stage 3 components. Clearly there are folks on this forum building this car. I'm I just missing this info or are you all having to figure it out for yourselves?

William

 

[Ross]

Tying the transmission to the drive wheels is all stock Chevy components, so a Cobalt manual would help, but there isn't videos for everything, as the build videos don't cover every engine choice, and no body videos that I know of. There is enough information on this forum, and we help each other build, as those that have been through the build process can help those who are still building.
Figuring it out yourself is possible, but it is easy to do a quick search here, or just ask.

 

[OptimizePrime]

I think DF is building a Goblin for every model and making vids for them beginning to end. As far as timing of when they would come out it's anybody's guess.

There is definitely an element of freestyling it towards the end. In building my TC Goblin twice now, there is enough information on the boards and vids to get you built - I wouldn't let that hold you back. Worst case, create a thread or direct message someone who has it done.

 

[Ark :D]

Trust me, if *I* did it, anyone can do it.

 

[Mayor West]

I wouldn't expect any more videos, I think it's a general understanding that you're expected to finish it on your own with help from the forums.

It's a little daunting at first, when you see everything laid out in front of you, but the baggies are well labeled well and there are photo albums of the finished product you can go by.

 

[ToxicBill]

Trust me, if *I* did it, anyone can do it.

I mean, it does say Goblin Guru under your name. :-D

 

[benjy]

Agree with what has been said, even if more videos come out after this, they are unnecessary.

In your example, connecting the transmission to the hubs is just a matter of sliding a shaft into the trans, then onto the hub, super straightforward.

 

[JeffsGoblin]

I agree with Ark, if I can do it, anyone can. I'm a IT Manager who has little automotive experience and even fewer tools. It is a little intimidating at first, but you can get info here and in other Cobalt forums. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. We've seen complete builds take 3 weeks... I'm going on 3 years. I could go quicker, but I want to pay cash for everything, so I save, by a part, save some more, by the next part, etc... it is very adaptable project and in many ways. DF has sold 227 kits so far. We wish every single one of the buyers would create a build log, but only about a 150 have actually done it. Also, we don't know how many kits never got off the ground for one reason or another. We've seen a few builds start, then nothing, just ghosted... If you think your heart is into a project like this, JUST DO IT!

 

[ctuinstra]

I mean, it does say Goblin Guru under your name. :-D

I alway thought “guru”was some type of macaroni dish. Pretty accurate description of me for sure.

 

[Ark :D]

I mean, it does say Goblin Guru under your name. :-D

I post too **** much!!!

 

[williamj95]

I appreciate the quick responses folks. Definitely makes me feel that I won't be going it 100% alone if I give this a try. I've started looking for a donor in my area. If I can find a decent one at a good price I then I'm going give it a go.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

William, where are you located? Some here on the forum are good at helping find a donor, is a good resource to tap into. Just ask.

 

[G Atsma]

Put it this way- Build a bigger garage, because if you do a build thread, there will be a dozen or more guys looking over your shoulder making sure it gets done right! A good thing.....

 

[CaptFrank2001]

I agree with Ark, if I can do it, anyone can. I'm a IT Manager who has little automotive experience and even fewer tools. It is a little intimidating at first, but you can get info here and in other Cobalt forums. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. We've seen complete builds take 3 weeks... I'm going on 3 years. I could go quicker, but I want to pay cash for everything, so I save, by a part, save some more, by the next part, etc... it is very adaptable project and in many ways. DF has sold 227 kits so far. We wish every single one of the buyers would create a build log, but only about a 150 have actually done it. Also, we don't know how many kits never got off the ground for one reason or another. We've seen a few builds start, then nothing, just ghosted... If you think your heart is into a project like this, JUST DO IT!

I'm #227 and trying to keep a good build log. I get on here every chance I get and read everything I can find to help me along. Lot's of good info here.

 

[SwerveMonkey]

greetings WilliamJ95... curious I am also a William J, welcome to the forum.

a lot of the stage 2 + 3 progress is forum info and parsing out the info here.
I am putting together chassis #197 and am getting a lot of info from past member's posts.
the member's are great and there is a ton of expertise to draw from if you can do the research.
do grab a haynes or chilton repair manual & it will save a headache or two trying to find out how to do some things

Good luck from one Will J to another :-D

 

[williamj95]

Based on all the positive feedback I've gotten, I decided to give it a go. I got my donor car a few weeks ago. Just started playing with it this last weekend, giving it a tune up. I want to get the engine humming before I start to tear it apart. The engine light is on and I determined its a vacuum leak. Found the leak. The underside of the big plastic outlet duct on the top front of the motor is broken with multiple missing pieces. I'm sure once I get deeper into this, I will be on here more looking for help.

 

[JBINTX]

good move. Find all those issues now so you are not led astray afterwards chasing multiple gremlins.

And welcome here!

 

[Rauq]

Based on all the positive feedback I've gotten, I decided to give it a go. I got my donor car a few weeks ago. Just started playing with it this last weekend, giving it a tune up. I want to get the engine humming before I start to tear it apart. The engine light is on and I determined its a vacuum leak. Found the leak. The underside of the big plastic outlet duct on the top front of the motor is broken with multiple missing pieces. I'm sure once I get deeper into this, I will be on here more looking for help.

Spill the beans on the donor! Better yet, start a build thread! Or are you typing one... right... now...?!

 

[williamj95]

I haven't started a build thread as of yet. Like I said, I just started monkeying with it this last weekend. This is definitely going to be a long term project for me. Something to play with when I have the time. As for the donor, it's a 2009 LS with the standard 2.2L Ecotec and automatic transmission. I was looking to see it I could find a turbo or supercharged version, but those seem to be hard to come by. Anyways the standard motor and auto trans is the cheaper kit option, so not all bad.

 

[Frost]

Perhaps I just don't know where to look, but what state and town will you be building your car.... just curious. Maybe you'll find a local Goblin owner for additional support/motivation.