Operation Ion From Hell is set to begin...

[AmIGrand]

I want ideas and thoughts and feedback. I'm fianlly getting some real money together, I'm out of warranty, and my SCCA season in DS (thus precluding real mods to stay in-class) is coming to an end. Time to go balls out on this poor little car... 2005 Ion Redline, competition package and no other options (exceptthe retard wing, which is going away). As light as they came stock with the LSD.

I'm all but 100% decided on twincharging. Probably not the Intense kits, probably play with it myself. Might ould go bigger blower, might could go straight turbo, but the research I've done has me really liking twincharging (which I have stated in the past I thought was stupid, lol).

I'm liking the thought of 2.4 or 2.5 liters. If I'm upgrading internals anyway, why not get an LE5 block and go for broke, eh? Debateable though.

I want to lose some weight. But not go crazy - needs to be daily driven, so I want some noise reduction and an interior. Weight redux is important, butnot way up on the list.

Suspension. Handling is the #1 priority, period. Yes, that's anethema to insane power in a FWD, but that's why the throttle is a progressive pedal and not a switch, lol. There are limited options in the coilover arena, and even more limited feedback on the options that ARE there. A complete FE5 swap is not even close to out of the question, but if I'm going full coilover anyway, I think just the lower control arms will do. Upgraded knuckles and axles are a must (DSS level 2's seem to be the only decent option out there).

REALLY wondering what I can find in the way of Cobalt turbo stock bits - meaning what is compatible. I'd love to snag their entire brake system if it'll work for example. Any reason it wouldn't?

I'm really thinking I want an E85 conversion. Try to talk me out of it if there's a good reason to.

And so on. 350 - 450 whp is my thoughts, the 100 hp range applies to how much more is needed to go from 350ish to 450ish. If it's an entirely different level of effort, I'll be happy at 350. If 350 gets e within spitting distance (just a few extra bits) of 450, then why not? :)

Something too many people overlook is gearing. Custom gearing will be done.

Custom bodywork - and I don't mean a kit. Stupidly wide but not ugly fender flares 'cuz I want fat ass front rubber. A real diffuser. Venting the wheel wells and an extractor hood. Because I'm anal like that.

I think that's it, though I'm sure I'm wrong. Now argue with me aboutmy ideas!

[ROKTMAN]

Wow ,that is an ambitious project.I`m not much help on the 4 cylinders with only doing the 8 and 10 cylinders.

Keep us updated on the project.

How much HP you think a TT can make?

[AmIGrand]

WHat do you mean by TT? If you mean twin turbo, that's not what I'm doing. Twin charging, as in a turbo into a blower. They feed off each other - the blower adding "displacement" to the little engine to spool a bigger turbo, faster, the turbo supllying a few extra psi - extra dense air - for the blower to cram down the engines throat at higher rpm where superchargers are generally out of their efficiency range with atmospheric pressure. It's a beautiful thing. The EcoTec can make obscene power any way you cut it, a streetable 600 to 800 is quite doable. More than I want in any event - althoughwho knows - build it to take 800+ and there's that nagging feeling that you leftsomething on the table if you settle for 450...

And I don't see why working on 8's and 10's means you don'tknow 4 bangers, lol. A 4 stroke piston motor is a 4 stroke piston motor any way you cut it. I just have half a V8. ;)

[SL04P0PR]

ion from hell sounds pretty damn sweet so far. I hope you can bring the ideas into existence, it would be awesome to see a 400hp saturn :)

[AmIGrand]

It is going to be a long road, but I am committed to seeing it happen, and the EcoTec can do it. Plenty of Cobalts have been there, just not many using teh Saturn body for some reason. Thanks for the replies and the initial support!

[ROKTMAN]

Originally Posted by AmIGrand

WHat do you mean by TT? If you mean twin turbo, that's not what I'm doing.
And I don't see why working on 8's and 10's means you don'tknow 4 bangers, lol. A 4 stroke piston motor is a 4 stroke piston motor any way you cut it. I just have half a V8. ;)

Oh,OK. Can`t wait to see what you come up with.

[SL04P0PR]

btw, good to see an old schoola.

[AmIGrand]

Uh-oh - I qualify as an old schoola now? Oh dear... :p