Roundthirteen's SL2 sold to MichiganSaturn in November 2009

[Roundthirteen]

1997 Saturn SL2 "Goldie" how original
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Goal: Current goal, High/Mid 14 second N/A daily driver.

Start Date: Fall 2004

Planned End Date: November 2009 I bought a supercharged 2004 Chevrolet Impala Indy SS limited edition. As much as I loved aspects of the SL2 I didn't have time or money for two cars so it has been sold to fellow 6S board member michigansaturn http://www.sixthsphere.com/smf/index...profile;u=4369

Car as purchased


Fall 2004 completely bone stock with the exception KYB struts/Eibach springs.

Chapter 1- It is what it is.

Basic car info

Car- 1997 SL2

Purchased- Late summer 2002 as an automatic for $5000 with about 83,000 miles on it.

Options as equipped at time of purchase-

HN1- Option Pkg 2 (SL2) which Included: A/C, Aluminum Alloy Wheels, Cruise Control, Power Door Locks, Power Windows, Power Passenger Side Mirror.
CF5- Power Sun Roof
AU0- Driver Side, Electric, Key/Remote Activated Entry Lock Control.
JL9- Brake System - Power Front and Rear Disc, Antilock
K69- SL2 - Sedan, Saturn Level Two, w/ performance automatic transaxle
MP7- Transmission - Automatic 4 Speed, Saturn, Electronic Converter Clutch
NV7- Steering - Power, Variable Effort
NV9- Traction Control - Powertrain Management
UM6- Radio - AM/FM Stereo, Seek, Auto Reverse Cassette, Clock, Electronic Time Recall
VK3- Front Mounting Package - License Plate
33U- Primary Color - Exterior, Gold Metallic

In 2004 I started to replace worn out OEM parts with performance parts after finding SPS online. The early goal was to have a fun street car. In early 2005 the original engine due to no fault of my own started to die. That started the project of swapping the auto for an MP3 and building the car into a 140whp, high to mid 14 second daily driver. Seeing I was starting with a Saturn and I wanted this project to be reliable and decent looking I was going to end up investing more money then I could ever hope to recoup if I were to sell the car. Now that I have met the 140whp goal and have exhausted the amount of easily found N/A parts I can put on it I am focusing on some custom pieces (well if I ever get more money).


most recent photo


Another angle.

Some older pics (essentially the same look).

[Roundthirteen]

[b]Chapter 2- The early days- AKA baby steps, baby knowledge, sometimes I didn't know what I was doing.

These are pictures from 2004-2005 prior to any major work.


A few weeks after the suspension was done a set of 15/6.5 Motegi MR7 wheels were added. E bay clunkers which I would later find weigh way too much for 15's, at that time Price>Function.


Bone stock and dying engine with bolt on's. Notice the excessive amount of gasket maker on the cam cover, also the stickers add so much power.

[Roundthirteen]

Chapter 3- We learned a little and the serious work begins.

So it turns out that used cars are just that USED! Sometimes those who used the car before you used the car in a fashion it wasn't intended for. After 60,000 good miles as a stock daily driver the stock engine started to eat and leak oil. I bought the car from a credit union and it turns out it was a repossession. People who don't pay their bills often skip oil changes and that was the story. Not knowing better during an oil change the engine was flushed and apparently along with the gunk the rings and bearings went with it.



Enter engine #2! It was a Saturn factory remanufactured engine that I got a deal on. It remained stock with bolt on's for the rest of the winter until I started my trans swap project spring of 2006.



Along with a low mile MP3 with a welded diff pin I also gathered these goodies just because i could.



Adding roughly 45-50hp I felt the unnecessary need to add a bigger all aluminum radiator. Now it takes forever to get heat in the winter. This unit is a Speed Remedy purchased from http://www.coolradiator.com/

The trans swap was done August of 2006 along with the new SDA head, cams, and intake manifold. A Super AFC was installed and a AEM WBO2 to help tune with. December of 2006 I tackled the lower end completing it over Christmas break. It emerged .030 over with 99+ hyper pistons, and 99+ OEM rods.

While it didn't look too different from its former inception it did feel much better then the wussy, nancy, wu pie, stock with bolt on's engine.


The money>power monster


Goal met- 141.4whp N/A.

[Roundthirteen]

Chapter 4- Parts list
As of October 2008

Engine/Ignition/Exhaust:

Saturn LLO 16 valve dual overhead cam engine.

1997 Block bored .030 over
(93+) 4 counterweight crank
Sealed Power 99-02 hyperutectic pistons (stock comp ratio)
99-02 OEM longer piston rods
Hastings molly rings
Clevite bearings
SDA Stage 2 ported & polished cylinder head
Stock valves (DuPont Viton valve seals)
SDA power cams
SDA full ported & polished intake manifold
SPS big bore throttle body
Fel Pro gaskets
Injen IS short ram intake
K&N crankcase breather
OEM AC Delco ignition Coils
Junky Bosch ignition wires
NGK V-fire spark plugs
Optima Red Top Battery
OBX stainless steel exhaust header
Magnaflow high flow catalytic converter
Thermal R&D cat back exhaust
Speed Remedy aluminum radiator

Engine/Fuel Management:

Apexi Super AFC II air flow converter
AEM UEGO controller/WBO2 sensor
1997 SC2 PCM
Walbro fuel pump

Drive Train:

MP3 5-speed transmision (swapped from MP7 auto)
ACT HD clutch pressure plate
ACT street/strip clutch disc
Fidanza lightweight flywheel
Welded differential pin
Prothane motor mounts
SDA polyurethane TAM mount
DasPirate short throw shifter

Suspension: (sold off the SPS strut bar, having no money sucks [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/cry.gif[/img])

KYB GR-2 struts
Eibach pro kit springs 1.3"F 1.1"R drop
SPS 16mm 3-wat adjustable rear sway bar

Wheels/Tires: (traded the 3 good Heliums pictured for 4 12 slot sawtooths)

15/6 Saturn 12 slot "Sawtooth" wheels
205/55/15 Kumho ECSTA ASX tires

Brakes:

Powerslot Rotors
EBC green stuff brake pads
Goodridge G-Stop Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Interior/Dress up:

White face gauges
AEM air fuel ratio gauge
Saturn 10th anniversary black leather seats (front/rear)
Black door panels (yet to go on)
MOMO Airleather shift knob
Customcargrills.com Battery Tie Down

Exterior/Lighting:

Saturn Tinted Sun Roof Visor
Sylvania Silverstar high/low beams
Clear Side Markers

Audio (yea I don't have a "System"):

Nothing is in the car accept wiring. Financial issues have forced me to sell the audio stuff. I am trying to figure out what I want for my next set up.

[Roundthirteen]

Re: Roundthirteen's Never ending build

Chapter 3- random pics


I am getting sick of seeing this.

Tow record- (since rebuild) 4. Ball Joint, Starter, Ignition Module, broken brake caliper bolt.


That's a first- Brake bolt snaps allowing caliper to come loose and punch a hole in my right rear wheel. $5 bolt takes out a $100 wheel.


Another angle, same problem.


Well at least it's not burning any oil this time. Bad timing cover seal.


This is what a CV joint in need of replacement looks like.


This could be caused by, or be the cause of wheel hop. Which came first??

[punkboySL2]

Re: Roundthirteen's Never ending build

Looks super clean. Good job.

Also your images are not working.

[tristanlee85]

Re: Roundthirteen's Never ending build

Images are GoDaddy's fault. Sorry about that.

[Roundthirteen]

Re: Roundthirteen's Never ending build

Images are GoDaddy's fault. Sorry about that.

Fixs'ed

[DigitalDC89]

Re: Roundthirteen's SL2 will it be finished or parted first?

nice build Brian.

i remember when I first started out with my car, back in november/december of 2006, i sent Chris (KoolerSL2) a message on cardomain, asking some simple questions about building up my car. he replied with a link to your page, stating that my car looked exactly like your car a couple years back. after seeing yours and his car, it was then i knew, that my car was going to stick with me for a long time and that it was going to be like no other. (not sure if thats a good thing or not though, lol)

so, simply put, thanks.

[Roundthirteen]

Re: Roundthirteen's SL2 will it be finished or parted first?

Fall 2008 Picture and a junky cell phone Picture of the Saturn and the new Impala SS fall 2009.

[anti-rice 01sl2]

Re: Roundthirteen's SL2 will it be finished or parted first?

What it looks like as of fall 2008, anyone want to buy it? Make me an offer.

we spoke about this the other day and you can't allow this to happen lol.