Sick little project there man. The unfortunate thing here is, good luck getting it to run correctly as a standalone with hpt though. These Bosch ecm's (such as this one used for the LNF) are very different than the Delphi controllers you're likely used to calibrating. The necessary controls (like VATS controls and such) just aren't accessible with hpt. I'd still love to see this thing rip somehow though!

 

I had this idea back when my buddy had a first gen. I'll be watching to see how this works out.

 

All the bcm issues and key stuff can be easily removed and tuned out

 

I'd love to know where you find any VATS controls for the LNF.

 

I'm not worried about the wiring/anti-theft stuff. I have the pcm and bcm and full wiring. Also, GM's transponder (aka resistor) keys only use 15 different values and I have a list of all 15 lol. I realize you can't bypass this like old school VATs bc you need to have the BCM that goes with the PCM (which I have). So it shouldn't be a problem. If for some ungodly reason it doesn't work, I have a backup plan I won't be discouraged in the least bit. I tend to think outside of the box and I'm very resourceful

 

Some more pics-

To answer the question of "how are you going to make the shifter work?
It's easy. Take the stock cobalt shifter assembly and flip it around lol. It's quite taller than the mr2 shifter, so we're going to cut open the top of the tunnel and recess it down there a lil bit. the tunnel will also serve as a place to route the shift linkage.


this piece on the inside is getting cut out to aid in airflow


so is this, and the fuel door will be replaced with another one of those cool functional vents (airflow again)


this was cut out, along with the parts in the red. It will be replaced with aluminum sheeting and lightweight sound deadening


this will get cut out for my exhaust exit


I think it will look something like this when we're done,

 

Looks sweet. But I wish it was the next gen mr2 but that's gonna be an awesome swap. Probably get hated on for this but if you look up the mr2 with a k20 swap turbo.. This is fast and sweet too. Love the way they did the intercooler. Definitely subbing

 

Shifting might be interesting.

 

No worries, I don't hate you lol. That video is what initially planted the idea of using a MR2 for a swap project


Haha, well that's the beauty of running a short shifter with a screw on shift knob lol.

 

More pics

new firewall and painted the engine bay


lower front trans mount bolted up




hopefully building the suspension this week. chromoly tubing plus some of these ends from ridetech = adjustable rear LCA's. picking up the tie rod ends & balljoints too of course.

 

Very nice work. Fabrication is some interesting stuff, building suspension and mounts seems so complicated

 

Thanks! & It's not as bad as you think

I picked up a few spindle/knuckle assemblies from a 2009 cobalt last weekend. The Toyota mr2 uses a pretty basic suspension setup with straight pieces. we just have to tie it all in

 

Very nicely done. Sub'd for progress.

 

sub'd. looks like a pretty fun project.

 

Niiice

 

Can you finish yet? Where are you located? If you are close I'd love to see it when done lol

 

 

What?

 

Lol its getting there. I just received the rest of my suspension parts today. It worked out bc Fusion has a pretty crazy turbo'd show truck to finish up in a few weeks. The truck sports a 405/25/24 rear tire. No that is not a misprint lol. I should have some kind of an update on the mr2 this week.

 

Awesome!

 

Lmao I didn't even know a tire that size. HahaHaha. Can only imagine the price. Its always more expensive for a weird size. And yeah keep the updates coming.

 

You really gonna have an upside down shift pattern?

 

Very interesting.

 

this seems like an awesome build, seems like you have a lot of things figured out that most cobalt owners will never understand. Cant wait to see more progress!

 

thanks for the kind words fellas. Sorry about the lack of updates lately lol. There was a lot more work involved with that turbo truck than I anticipated. No worries though. the suspension parts are in for my mr2, so we *should* be building the rear suspension this week I also picked up a complete cobalt body harness from ebay so I can run a cobalt gauge cluster (for basic function) and be plug & play as much as possible