V1 Starting the journey

[Redwood]

Hello all
I am starting on this journey to build a goblin. Been reading through tons of post on the forum and watching all the Youtube videos for about a year. I finally convinced my wife to let me build one. I had to sell my other project but that was ok as I learned that it needed things I wasn't qualified to do (welding).
I found a donor that I feel will suit me. 2008 Cobalt Sport. 2.4 N/A Auto. While a manual might have been nice wifey and I went auto because of certain physical issues. I drove the donor home (3.5 hour) with no issues. Pulled codes and nothing came up and it had no check engine light. A/C worked good so it was a shame to have it drained . Got started on the tear down. Powertrain is out and engine is on the stand ready for a rebuild. (210K miles). I will probably send trans in, I could do it but would prefer someone with more experience do it.
I will be placing my order in a few months (waiting for bonus $$) but the rebuild should keep me busy and then there is the wiring (bit of anxiety). Going to need lots of help, someone has messed with the fuse box a bit and damaged the power steering plug.

 

[Markm]

Good luck on the build. I’m just getting a start on our kit also. Great folks in here too

 

[Ark :D]

Welcome and good luck. Don't sweat the wiring, it's not THAT bad.

 

[KSLunsfo]

Welcome!

Welcome and good luck. Don't sweat the wiring, it's not THAT bad.

If you know, you know...

 

[Robinjo]

Welcome and good luck. Don't sweat the wiring, it's not THAT bad.

I was super nervous about doing the wiring but it turned out pretty ok. I've only had a few minor gremlins that I've dealt with, mostly of my own making by using the solder/heat shrink tubes. I recommend not doing that and soldering the joints.

 

[Markm]

I was super nervous about doing the wiring but it turned out pretty ok. I've only had a few minor gremlins that I've dealt with, mostly of my own making by using the solder/heat shrink tubes. I recommend not doing that and soldering the joints.

Absolutely no cold heat solder/shrink tubes, they suck

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Welcome! Assume you've read a hundred times in the forum to keep your parking brake and the aluminum tubes from the donor - but it always has to be stated. Planning to sell donor parts - it's a good way to recoup some of the donor cost - if your wife will put up with having these around until someone buys them. And remember, no question is not worth asking, just about anything and everything has been answered at some point. Good luck with the build.

 

[ah.b.normal]

Dang! I was in Ft Stockton Friday, haha. In Galveston now. I find and mail little bits my Goblin friends need. My prices are generally to cover shipping and a tip. It's a hobby. Message me for little bits, bolts and wiring oddities.(like a new end for your P/S wire? Or those things you put in that bag you now can't find anywhere!) I have taken a couple of Cobalts to bits in my research/project and have learned many arcane and seemingly pointless details. As others have said, ask the Forum, or message me directly. We enjoy helping!

 

[Redwood]

Dang! I was in Ft Stockton Friday, haha. In Galveston now. I find and mail little bits my Goblin friends need. My prices are generally to cover shipping and a tip. It's a hobby. Message me for little bits, bolts and wiring oddities.(like a new end for your P/S wire? Or those things you put in that bag you now can't find anywhere!
I'll be taking you up on that!

 

[ah.b.normal]

"Or those things you put in that bag you now can't find anywhere!"
Oh, Please!, try not to! You can't be too organized. But I'm here when you find you lost some "thing"! No Judgment here! We all do it!

 

[Redwood]

"Markm, post: 96717, member: 3135"]
Absolutely no cold heat solder/shrink tubes, they suck


Thanks for the heads up on those. Haven't tried them and now I won't

 

[Robinjo]

Thanks for the heads up on those. Haven't tried them and now I won't

I did and I regret it. One of my winter items is to pull my wiring harness and redo all the connections.

 

[Ark :D]

I did and I regret it. One of my winter items is to pull my wiring harness and redo all the connections.

As my daughter would say, "That's a Big Oof."

 

[ah.b.normal]

I did and I regret it. One of my winter items is to pull my wiring harness and redo all the connections.

ouch

 

[Redwood]

Made good progress this weekend stripping the donor. All I have left is dropping fuel tank for the pump. Plan to do this tonight, so I can have the shell hauled of to give me more shop space. My shop is only a single bay So getting this done will free up the shop Prepping parts and rebuilding the engine.

 

[Traé]

Made good progress this weekend stripping the donor. All I have left is dropping fuel tank for the pump. Plan to do this tonight, so I can have the shell hauled of to give me more shop space. My shop is only a single bay So getting this done will free up the shop Prepping parts and rebuilding the engine.

I’m doing mine in essentially a single bay as well. Have to keep the other side open for the wife to park so I feel your pain haha. Got rid of my donor shell last weekend!

 

[Redwood]

I didn't have furniture dollies so I screwed old casters to a pallet I picked up at work. Waiting for the call from the guys to haul it off. I'm excited to start cleaning up parts and rebuilding the engine.
Has anyone kept the Traction Control?
Should the VVT be kept?

 

[Gtstorey]

Traction control will be pretty much impossible to keep. Drive wheel relocation, different wheel sizes would play havoc with it. And adding wheel speed sensors to the front won't be easy.

 

[Rttoys]

With the right tires, you won’t need traction control.

keep vvt. No reason to program around it.

 

[Redwood]

Scarpers are coming today to pick up the Cobalt. They are asking for the title. I live in Texas will will I need to Cobalts title to register the Goblin?