Hi Everybody! I've been lurking around here for almost a decade now and I'm beginning a full rebuild of my 05 LSJ. I graduated High School in 04 and the SS was like my dream car ever since. I bought my current car in 13 with a stage 1 kit, 120k miles, and a slipping clutch. It has since received "most" bolt-ons. An unfortunate low oil situation (Read I'm an idiot) led to a temporarily seized engine resulting in a rod knock. Life happens and it sat in my parking lot until a few months ago. In the meantime we bought a house with a 3rd car garage so the car is finally on stands in the garage. I've got the powertrain out as well as the entire front suspension subframe and all. I have an extensive list of new parts for it including a ZZP Gen 3 short block I bought second hand. I manage an auto parts store so I literally sit around and look at car parts all day and get insanely good pricing on them. I wanted to post some of my progress here and hopefully some of you guys will chime in and tell me what I'm doing wrong!

Anyway, here's what I got:

3rd Gen LDK short-block - Built by ZZP
Head is reconditioned - Not sure of origin
ARP Head Studs
Viton Coated Head Gasket
ZZP 82lb Valve springs
Reconditioned/Rebuilt M62 with 2.6" pulley
AEM water/meth injection kit
AEM e85 high flow fuel pump
ZZP supercharger spacer plate
ZZP adjustable tensioner
Full balance shaft delete
GMPP Clutch kit
SS braided hydraulic clutch hose
Lightweight Aluminum Flywheel
Long Tube Header & Cat-less down-pipe
Full 3" Exhaust kit
3" CAI w/K&N Filter
LS4 Throttle body
60lb Siemens injectors
Dual Pass end-plate with Opt. B
ZZP Stealth Mount Intercooler
ZZP Oversized Aluminum Radiator
"Stage 1" Axles
Billet Engine Mount
Carquest Premium Ignition Coils


Every other part going back on the car is going to be new unless I can't possibly find a replacement part, that goes for sensors as well. I have brand new parts for the entire steering & suspension setup as well. I can't justify spending $1000 on coil overs just yet but so far...

Moog Control Arms
Carquest Premium Hub Assemblies
Premium OE Pads, Rotors, Calipers
Goodrich SS braided brake lines
AAE Steering Rack & Pinion
AcDelco Intermediate Steering shaft
Moog Outer Tie Rod Ends
New Brake Master Cylinder
Wildwood adjustable proportioning valve - Plan is to delete ABS altogether.




My plan is to break in the engine as is then go Turbo down the road, the big power appeal is very strong right now. That may change once I get it running, it might be just fast enough for me. If anyone has any pointers or advice I would greatly welcome it. I'm currently trying to decide how to build the valvetrain vis a vis new lash adjusters, solid lash adjusters, solid only on the exhaust side? Does anyone sell a solid exhaust cam? Can I run solid lash adjusters on a hydraulic cam? I'm also curious about the rev-limit for this engine. With 82# springs and the balance shafts deleted I should be good to 7800ish? (I like being able to get to 80 in 2nd gear) I'll get an ATI balancer just as soon as I decide which route I'm ultimately going to take, under/over driven. Anyone with electric water pump experience have pump and/or controller suggestions? I am not looking forward to cutting and welding bungs into the water-pipe. Is there anyone on here maybe that sells them?


Right now I have EVERYTHING torn apart, If you had your car torn apart right now what is something you would do that I haven't thought of? For instance I'm currently dyna-matting the engine bay and I'm going to try rubberized undercoat over it. In your experience will any of the parts I've put together conflict with one another? What are your suggestions?


Thanks!!

 

I'd recommend having the head ported. I'm excited to see how you like the Gen 3 short block.

I too am a long-term Cobalt owner. My engine just decided that the spark plug wasn't "comfortable" in its usual position, and it forcefully ejected the spark plug from its threaded hole, ruining the head. So, I get to do something that I've always wanted to do, get a ported head.

 

The only downside to the Gen 3 motors is losing the oil cooler, and less oil galley ports if turbo'd. Head porting and cams is very important if you want to make more power as well.

 

Any update?

 

Seems no.