LUVTruck.com

I had a brainstorm the other day. I still have my 73 2wd LUV that was originally supposed to be the recipient of a 350, but then I got my Nova and the motor went in it instead. So I have this little LUV sitting in my parents' field with no powertrain in it.

Then I have my 06 Cobalt SS/SC. I was thinking about ditching my supercharger and building a turbo system instead. But then I started thinking I would rather start with a 2.4 Ecotec block instead of my 2.0.

Then I started thinking that I should yank my engine out and buy a GMPP 2.4L crate motor and build that for my car, which would leave me with a 280 hp supercharged engine in perfect running condition....that just so happens to bolt up to a T56 6 speed. Or just about any other GM trans (with the right adapter) Plus I would have to swap my PCM out of my car, with one for a 2.4L. So I would have my PCM out of my car, so wiring up the LUV wouldn't be that difficult, I could probably find an engine harness out of a wrecked Cobalt SS. It would just be a matter of mounting everything and running the wiring.

I'm thinking that in about the next 3 years, I'm gonna have a 280 hp, 6 speed LUV that gets 30 mpg and sounds almost stock until you get into it. And it may even do just as good in the corners as it does in a straight line, as my 2.0 weighs less than a stock LUV engine.

Whatcha think?

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No LUV anymore, but still in the GM truck family. Running a lifted 2002 Silverado Z-71!

I think you should do the LUV first, then the other car
less than 3 years.

I might, if I wasn't paying so much money every month on the Cobalt. If I ever wreck the car though (Heaven forbid) I'll do it in a heartbeat.

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No LUV anymore, but still in the GM truck family. Running a lifted 2002 Silverado Z-71!

When you drive around and what not.... how many times do you see cavilers and cobalts?
How many times do you see a LUV driving around?

Isnt your cobalt brand new and your still making payments on it?? I personally would at least wait until the factory warenty ran out or was close to it before throwing a bunch of mods on it that could easily void the warenty.....


just my .02

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My warranty is already voided.

I see LOTS of cavaliers and cobalts everywhere, just not too many Supercharged SS models. I've seen less than a dozen of them ever, and that is in Washington and California. I was in WA for about 6 months before I came down here, and I've been here almost a year now.

I'll probably wait until its paid off to do anything too drastic with it. Thats why I said 3 years or so.

Plus I want to see the new Camaro next year, I might want to trade my balt in.

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No LUV anymore, but still in the GM truck family. Running a lifted 2002 Silverado Z-71!

ok check this idea out i have a 74 luv and a syclone chassis........put the two together and what do you get?.......one crazy ass fast as f**k awd chevy luv

OK you guys....just put the bong down and just step away from it for a while...

J/K..

FYI...you can swap in an Isuzu 2.6 4-banger with an older Isuzu 2.3 4-banger carb intake and dist/ign module, and a newer 5 speed/rearend combo - all salvaged from an Isuzu Pup for a heck of a lot cheaper. The 2.6 engines newer than '88 are the best blocks to get. The early 80's 2.3's have the carb intake and dist/ign module that bolts right up to them. And the 5 speed/rearend combo can be found in just about any 80's Pup.

The 2.6 puts out 125hp stock with smog and factory A/C connected to it - so if strip all of the unnecessary junk off of it, you add a Delta cam, a header, a weber, a 2.3 intake and dist/ign module, and a 5speed/rearend comb - that should put you above the 200hp margin, give you an extra gear for the freeway, and greatly improve your gear ratio while also giving you a lot stronger rear-end.

That also all bolts in with little or no mods, requires almost no re-wiring, and will give you plenty of enough power to make your truck nearly suicidal to drive in the rain...lol - all without effecting it's weight or gas mileage enough to fuss about much.

My '78 stepside has a built Impulse 1.9 G200z with a header, a cam, a weber, a newer Pup 5 speed/rearend - and it is already pretty darn quick and still gets pretty good gas mileage. I'm planning on replacing that engine with a built 2.6/2.3 hybrid soon - and then it should just about outrun anything with a 4-banger around my town. There's already a Pup with all of that done here in town and it is one helluva fast truck. But my Luv is a lot lighter - so I hopefully should be able to put a whoopin' on him.

These 2wd Luvs are so light and stout that it doesn't take much improving to get them hauling some major ass...since they originally came stock with a 75 hp (at best...lol) 1.8 G180 engine, a wimpy low-geared rearend, and a low geared 4 speed. I've seen plenty of Luv's (and a couple of Vegas...lol) with V8's and V6's and they are great for drag racing - but they don't handle high speed tight corners too well as a daily driver due the extra weight, plus they get pretty poor gas mileage.

Just my $.02 worth...have fun with your trucks!

I like your idea about the 2.4 with a turbo hooked to a six speed. I've been looking at Schram Auto Parts who get's a lot of cars from G.M. and you are right 280 h.p. would be a real sleeper in a Luv. Something else I'm also comsidering is instead of a six speed manual, I'm also thinking six speed automatic which came out last year in a few cars. With a late model Blazer 3:08 posi and a six speed automatic, it should haul the groceries, plus get better than 30 m.p.g. on the highway. Isuzu makes a great product, but 280 h.p. speaks for itself.

While you are looking at force-fed 4 bangers...

I was looking at an engine for a project I am about to start for the wife, and the idea of a hot rod 4 cylinder came up. The old D50s had a "wide block" 4G64 in them, and the DOHC head off a pre '94 model 4G63 basically bolts right on. Turbo, 200+ horse stock, and enough after-market support to get 700+ out of it, without a bottle. Go with a "narrow block" 4G64 block out of a Conquest/Starion and the 2.0l 4g63 crank and you have a 2.1l turbo with an 11,000 rpm redline. That might work with a wide block too, but I'd have to check.

She decided to go with a 4.3l, and I am going to put a good old fashioned V8 in mine, if and when- git there's some food for thought, anyway.

Merlyn

Those 4G63s are beasts! I've had a couple AWD turbo Talons and I loved them!

Sadly though, I've decided I really want a new camaro when they come out next year, so I won't be yanking my engine out of my Cobalt. I'll be trading it in on the camaro probably. After that, all my money will go towards a procharger kit for the camaro. They're claiming 600+ hp on the stock LS3 with their bolt on kit. It even comes with the tuning software and all the fuel upgrades. So as soon as I can come up with an extra $7k, I'll be buying one of those kits.

I think the LUV SS will have to wait a little while.

A lot has happened since I have last posted on here, came into some money, and put into a new house up in bakersfield. Which I figured would be the smart choice. Cause a cars value just don't match with a homes imo.

House was built last sept, so its still brand new. I have been shopping around for dining tables, couch/living room sets, washer/dryer, Fridge and stoves.

Kinda scary lol.


But I was at first thinking of dumping a sizeable amount and tackling a v8 swap all out on my own and just staying where I was. But have since decided against it.

Now I move into a new house in 2 weeks, and then begin trying to save up for a craftsman large box, top and bottom. New welder, jack stands, macs low profile jack. etc.

Anyone have pics of their garages? Wanted to decorate with car posters and aftermarket banners
Just looking for some ideas!

But yah, to ICEMAN, I would step off the cobalt, the camaro will be a hot hot car! Cobalts and Neons, both never really interested me. But as you said; the Camaro. WOW. lol. Now thats something stuck in my mind! I hope to next year have scraped up enough to put a down payment on that as well.

My new boss who has a facility up in Bakersfield is raffling off a 300c, charger, and jeep srt8, if I win any of those, I may not indulge in a camaro simply just to put money into making them nicer.

What are your other plans for your soon to be camaro? Wheels? Color?

I plan on getting one in the dark gray color shown at the link below. I'll probably leave the wheels stock for awhile, mostly because of the size. They are going to be 22" in the rear with 21" in the front, I think. Those are the sizes that were on the concept car. Once it needs new tires, I'll probably downsize to a 19" in the back with an 18" in the front, just so I don't have to pay to replace the 20+ tires. Those ain't going to be cheap!

I also might get it with the black racing stripes. I'll have to see what options are available and how much everything costs. I'll be re-enlisting in about 2 1/2 years so I should have some extra cash laying around to fix it up. I definetely plan on getting that Procharger kit though. 600+ hp to the wheels on the stock LS3.

It will be a blast even without the blower. I've heard that its the same engine thats in the 2008 Corvette, but Chevy is tuning it down from the 430+ hp that the Vette has to around 400. They don't want to compete with the Vette I guess. It will come with the same T-56 6 speed trans though, and Active Fuel Management, so it should get around 25-30 mpg on the highway. So I get to double the horsepower of my Cobalt and get the same gas mileage. I love technology!

Here is my future baby-

http://automotive-links.mustangv8.com/RSS-directory/coppermine/displayimage/album=8/pid=17.html

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No LUV anymore, but still in the GM truck family. Running a lifted 2002 Silverado Z-71!

Thats hotness! My dad is looking to add a ZR1 to sit next to his new z06 as well a challenger and camaro to sit with them too.

Man, gas is getting outragous lol.

Yeah I would give my left nut for the ZR1.

That car is going to be rediculous fast. I can't wait to go drool over one at the dealership.

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No LUV anymore, but still in the GM truck family. Running a lifted 2002 Silverado Z-71!