V1 GrantCropper's City Goblin - 09 TC SS - Game Time

[grantcropper]

So to keep it short and simple, this all started with me and a few friends racing the local go karts with each other here and there, to finding the closest professional go-kart racing track (Ventura CA, and life-changing fun), to buying a go-kart with my friend, looking up videos on how to beef up the engine and coming across the build of a Goblin, and of course, talking my friend into doing it with me. And here we are, it's crazy to say that we've made the jump and the build log has officially started. There isn't a lot to post quite yet but it will be fun to get it rollin.

Meeting the donor - we bought this car at the Manheim auction here in Las Vegas through a friend. He texted me out of the blue knowing I had been looking for this specific car and that he had put a $300 bid on it, checking to see if we wanted it. He mentioned the notes said the car ran but didn't drive and that the turbo needed to be repaired/replaced before it could be driven. Little did we know at the time that the previous owner had put a brand new borg warner 257 turbo in it along with lots of other upgrades. I told him our max bid would be $1,500 and we ended up getting it for $700.

None of these video clips I joined together were ever intended to be posted anywhere, so enjoy watching raw footage of two 5 year old kids getting excited about their new venture:

Looking under the hood for the first time was kind of a let down to see a mess of stuff that we would have to figure out how to put back together with zero experience.

 

[grantcropper]

Got it pushed up the driveway and into the garage and back out to give it a good wash.

 

[grantcropper]

I was able to locate the previous owner and he was willing to tell me all about the car (I'll add in next post - it's 1:30 am and I'm done for the night). So far we just want to get it running so we can finally get started on the teardown. We just need to put the pipes back together, There are a handful of vacuum lines that are unplugged and we have been on the hunt for a diagram or possibly buying the service manual for this car. I will record a detailed video tomorrow of what were up against.

 

[ctuinstra]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a heck of a good donor, especially for $700!!

There are guys on here that can help you with the vacuum lines. I'm not a TC guy so I'm no good.

I'm really curious why it was up for auction.

 

[Lethalcast]

Both of the ones I see are for the pcv system. The one in red just connects to the intake pipe but it looks like there is no raised lip to keep it in. The other one in blue connected to the stock k04 turbo. Here's a page that gives a guide on an lnf s257 install. Water cooling your wastegate wouldnt be necessary. https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-guide-43/lnf-proper-s257-turbo-system-install-327210/

 

[grantcropper]

Both of the ones I see are for the pcv system. The one in red just connects to the intake pipe but it looks like there is no raised lip to keep it in. The other one in blue connected to the stock k04 turbo. Here's a page that gives a guide on an lnf s257 install. Water cooling your wastegate wouldnt be necessary. https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-guide-43/lnf-proper-s257-turbo-system-install-327210/View attachment 9064

Thanks for the help! We are hoping to get the car started this week!

 

[Lonny]

This may not help but it is all of the connections for a stock cobalt SS turbo.

 

[aaronbuley]

So to keep it short and simple, this all started with me and a few friends racing the local go karts with each other here and there, to finding the closest professional go-kart racing track (Ventura CA, and life-changing fun), to buying a go-kart with my friend, looking up videos on how to beef up the engine and coming across the build of a Goblin, and of course, talking my friend into doing it with me. And here we are, it's crazy to say that we've made the jump and the build log has officially started. There isn't a lot to post quite yet but it will be fun to get it rollin.

Meeting the donor - we bought this car at the Manheim auction here in Las Vegas through a friend. He texted me out of the blue knowing I had been looking for this specific car and that he had put a $300 bid on it, checking to see if we wanted it. He mentioned the notes said the car ran but didn't drive and that the turbo needed to be repaired/replaced before it could be driven. Little did we know at the time that the previous owner had put a brand new borg warner 257 turbo in it along with lots of other upgrades. I told him our max bid would be $1,500 and we ended up getting it for $700.

None of these video clips I joined together were ever intended to be posted anywhere, so enjoy watching raw footage of two 5 year old kids getting excited about their new venture:

View attachment 9036View attachment 9037View attachment 9038View attachment 9040View attachment 9041View attachment 9042View attachment 9043View attachment 9036 Looking under the hood for the first time was kind of a let down to see a mess of stuff that we would have to figure out how to put back together with zero experience.
View attachment 9037View attachment 9038 View attachment 9040View attachment 9041View attachment 9042View attachment 9043

I love it! Nice find for $700. Welcome to the adventure!!

 

[grantcropper]

Here is a video of the engine that gives more detail to what I'm trying to figure out. Am I missing a blow off valve? I think the first hose in the video is supposed to go to the blow off valve?

 

[grantcropper]

We're going to try and start the car today. The vacuum lines are still not plugged in and the coolant line hanging in the back still isn't plugged. Does anyone think this is a bad idea just to see if the engine runs?

 

[Lonny]

Make sure it has oil in it.

 

[Dylan Stan]

We're going to try and start the car today. The vacuum lines are still not plugged in and the coolant line hanging in the back still isn't plugged. Does anyone think this is a bad idea just to see if the engine runs?

Have you tried turning over engine manually at the crank bolt? Good to do before if youve never seen it run.

 

[grantcropper]

Have you tried turning over engine manually at the crank bolt? Good to do before if youve never seen it run.

no I never thought of that, whats the benefit? I have been in contact with the previous owner and he said he had the car running a few months ago

 

[Dylan Stan]

no I never thought of that, whats the benefit? I have been in contact with the previous owner and he said he had the car running a few months ago

Well, if the engine turns over freely then YOU know its not locked up or overly hard to turn. Just a precaution

 

[grantcropper]

good point. where do I find the crank bolt?

 

[Karter2026]

That last line the stainless braided is a oil return line. There should be one from new turbo though. It may be draining back into the oil pan

 

[Dylan Stan]

Crank Bolt is on the biggest pulley on the passenger side of engine, 21 mm if i remember, only spin clockwise as if your tightening.

 

[grantcropper]

We got the car started tonight! Tomorrow, we will start the tear down. Let the excitement begin! And if anyone wants to see the video of us acting like little children all over again let me know and I'll post the video.

 

[grantcropper]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a heck of a good donor, especially for $700!!

There are guys on here that can help you with the vacuum lines. I'm not a TC guy so I'm no good.

I'm really curious why it was up for auction.

It was reposesed by the credit union that the previous owner had his loan through and the credit union sold it through the auction.

 

[Ross]

We got the car started tonight! Tomorrow, we will start the tear down. Let the excitement begin! And if anyone wants to see the video of us acting like little children all over again let me know and I'll post the video.

Congrats! Always. Being excited children is what we live for.
Looking forward to the vid.