WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

So after months of waiting, I'm finally starting the turbo swap. Ordered the OTTP kit a few months back, and after months of waiting on parts, and coordinating my daily driver, I finally started the swap this evening from TVS to s256. This is the most in-depth thing I've done in terms of cars, however I'm diving in head first, so I apologize if I ask any real stupid questions throughout the process.

Now that that's over with, lets get onto the good stuff. My current settup is TVS with 80#s, OTTP long tube, and ZZP 3" exhaust. I just got the OTTP kit with the s256 and a return style fuel settup. As the bottom end and head aren't yet built I couldn't justify going any larger on the turbo right now, and I'll have a ton more work that I'll need, to do to put the power down as I'm on stock wheels and really crappy rubber right now, lowered on BC coils.



So for the first night. I got the bumper off, intake off, and throttle body removed. I hit the blower with PB Blaster this morning (when I swapped to the TVS I stripped the blower bolts, and had to take it to get torched out, not what I want to do again). I need to get something better than an alan wrench to get these out. I can't get the torque, and force I need to avoid stripping them. Anyone have any suggestions on the best tool for the job?





The plan for tomorrow is to get the blower off, intake manifold, and heat exhchanger off.

Haven07

Good luck with your build!

For the sc bolts I use a Allen socket thing, pretty much the Allen head in a socket lol I'm not sure what it's called

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man. I'll have to grab one tomorrow. The swivel adapter would make getting them out real easy.

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

So made some more progress tonight. Got the blower off, the alternator off and the intake manifold off. I know on the ZZP kit, you've gotta pull the tensioner mount off. Anyone know if this is the case for the OTTP settup?

Now for a pic. Excuse the dirty bay. I'll be working on making that a bit more pretty while I'm in here.

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

So a bunch of progress as I've been too lazy to post lately after working on it. So got everything off, welded the alternator, and tapped the oil pan.

Got the intake manifold, turbo, downpipe, intake manifold all mounted a few days ago.

After a quick setback with the intercooler I found the correct mounting point and got that on last night. Got the hot side piping roughed in. The plan for tonight is to get the cold side piping roughed in tonight, and tighten down all clamps. I'll run all my vac and electrical lines here this evening as well.



Sorry for the lovely photo quality on this next one. It looked a whole lot better on the phone when I took it.



Big thanks to 06blackg85ss and Sunburst_SS for all your help and knowledge so far!

06blackg85ss

iTrader: (1)

lookin good

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

Thanks man. Not too sure how I feel about the blue accents in there with everything else being black. I'll make my mind up when I clean up the engine bay a bit. You've been a lifesaver on this one. Saved me a whole lot of time and energy.

Gmoney06

iTrader: (1)

Which size intercooler did you get? Looks like a great fit behind the bumper . Car looks nice! Hope I can go turbo one day .

06blackg85ss

iTrader: (1)

no prob man. and I just keep everything black and dirty, makes it easy to decide.
but all the work is worth it, car is a ton of fun with that setup on it.

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

I'm just anxious. I am not a patient man. Unfortunately my work and personal life is hectic right now, so I only get 2 hours or so a night (if that) to work on it, and the next 2 weekends are tied up. Not ideal. I just need to learn and take my time. I thought of keeping it all black and dirty, but a few friends convinced me I need color. I'm looking to do my wheels that same blue and carry that accent around the car.

06blackg85ss

iTrader: (1)

"Im in the same boat man, never have time to get anything done anymore.
which is why my cars sit

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

It sucks. I got out of school just under 2.5 years ago. I finally got really settled into my job, and house. Got myself a daily, and decided it was finally time to really enjoy the balt. And now I can't as I've got so much on my plate. I just want to get it done quick so I can enjoy it as much as possible before winter rolls around and it sits.

blueLNFftw

iTrader: (16)

Take your time. If you rush, odds are something will break and set you back more than if you just went slower!

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

I ended up stepping away from it last night for that reason. I realized that it's not something that should frustrate me.

blueLNFftw

iTrader: (16)

Exactly!
My 20g kit isnt on my LNF yet because even though I know I should be able to do it all and make the lines in an afternoon; I havent had a weekend free that I could devote to it jic.

06blackg85ss

iTrader: (1)

best way to do it. working angry = broken **** and more anger lol.

I just can't wait for the weather to get better, I have trans am I've been trying to get together for 6 years now, want to finally get it out and running.

Haven07

That's the reason I need another car lol, so I can take my time and really go over my cobalt with a fine tooth comb. Good things take time and patience, look at how many builds that has taken years to finish!

blueLNFftw

iTrader: (16)

This is more because we are cheaper here and DIY a lot of stuff. Cars that cost money are usually owned by people with money, more off the shelf support, and paid shops to do it haha.

Haven07

True lol. But that's what I like about the ecotecs, the fact that it's a sleeper makes me want to build it more. What's not to like about a cheap car with cheap mods that has potential to make respectable power? Every time I start doubting my build and start swaying to looking for a different platform.... I remember just how cheap our cars are to mod. Plus I learn a lot more with all the diy stuff.

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

Lol mine was because a free daily just happened to fall into my lap. I was looking at an MR2 project before finally settling on the balt. I enjoy doing it myself and learning. I've got a problem paying someone to do something I have the capabilities to do myself. I may have a good chunk of time to work on Sunday after my parents run home. They're in town to do a tough mudder, and have a heck of a drive, so they'll be leaving early on Sunday. Just went and picked up a new barb for the oil pan bung. I grabbed one that was too small. Unfortunately the right size is too big for the bulkhead output that I had in there, so I grabbed another one of them. While I wait for Josh to get back to me on the intercooler settup, I'll re-pull the pan and get the new stuff in. It's nice to hear almost everyone is in the same boat as me with time though. I'm not too sure why it never really crossed my mind that you guys took a good bit of time with all your work. I guess it's probably because when looking through build threads, I never really looked at the dates too much.

blueLNFftw

iTrader: (16)

Before Lily, I had SO much time. Now I just play with my baby daughter while my parts pile builds up. I will continue to mod my car, it is just a slow process.

Time with growing only daughter > cobalt SS

Plus, my car is already one of the fastest in my town so I am not as inclined to mod hahah

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

Understand that man. Family is always first. There's actually a lot on my list that is higher than the car. I know that will always be there.

Columbus is funky here now. It's either neons, wrx's, and bolt on mustangs/Camaro's that think they're fast, or built to the 9's Vettes, and CTS-V's. It's nice being faster than the first group, now I want to work my way into playing with the latter.

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

Well I didn't get anything done last night, but I did speak with Josh. He'll either need to get new hard 90°s made, or longer couplers made to make it work. So now it's a waiting game on that. In the meantime, I'll be doing the return style settup and adjusting my oil pan settup. Gonna start that Sunday most likely as I've got my parents coming in for the weekend, so no work for me.

06blackg85ss

iTrader: (1)

well **** man that sucks. hope he gets off his ass and gets the parts out quick. does great work and has really nice products. but damn sometimes he is hard to get a hold of and slow to ship.

WVU_SS

iTrader: (1)

No kidding man. I was surprised I was able to reach him at all yesterday. I'd go out and source everything myself, but if I really wanted to do that, I wouldn't have bought a kit. We'll see how it goes. I'm at the point where I feel I've reached an inner zen. Typically I'd be pretty pissed off about it, however right now I'm not too mad, however that'll probably be different when, in a week from now I still don't have things.