I just got a 2007 Saturn Sky Redline. 34K original miles. It's very fun and pretty fast. Drove it 130 MPH with the top down on the first day. Put a chip in it and discovered the "competition" mode. Took it to a car show and wound up talking till I was horse. Probably won't take it too a car show again.
Love to see three of my favorite Wichita boys together again. Will Gabe and Jake be over to your new house and shop a bunch ? It would be awesome to put the band back together again with the Fractured Rooster sitting in on drums.
i put the same engine (range extender) in a fisker karma after it had the notorious coolant leak (LNF). The one modification you may want to do now is change out the radiator. The radiator on these cars are sized like an ac condenser
There's an under $50 gizmo called an engine leveler that can be a big help when removing and replacing engines. I didn't notice any mention of flywheel resurfacing, which I often did when replacing clutches. Not an expensive service and cheap in relation to the time effort and outlay you're already into.
Most machine shops cannot resurface dual mass flywheels. You have to lock the flywheel together to resurface them it's not like an old school one piece flywheel that's easy to cut.
If I could help Watch JR Goes and Gabes install the new engine in the Saturn Sky Redline I would drink the shot of whiskey and cold Bartle Skeets with them and puff on the Cannibus Cigars with them and get all schmoked up.
Gabe is back.....YEAH!!!!!!!! GABE is the best sidekick mechanical person on the channel. Jake and Tyler are ok...but Gabe...he needs his own UA-cam channel
The problem with the exhaust manifold nuts and studs had been corrected. The studs now come with thread locker on them and the nuts are single use lock nuts.
On the Corvettes we run a extension on the bleeder outlet because it actually has a bleeder to the outside of the transmission because if you don’t that slave cylinder can get packed with clutch dust oddly enough.
Bought a wrecked 2015 Camaro SS 1LE w/30k miles for $12k, kept the engine/trans and parted out the rest for $8k ... so the engine/trans ended up costing a net $4k. Required hardware, harness adaptations, computer programming, ect cost me around $8k. I added about $5k in performance upgrades (Pistons, Rods, Rocker Shaft Kit, ect) which were not exactly required, but why the hell not ... right? So my LS3/TR6060 swap cost me ~$17k doing it myself for a 2007 Sky with 200k miles ... So yeah, I feel you.
Just swapped out the LNF in the wife’s ‘08 RL. 60K and coolant in the oil. Swapped in a ‘07 with 12K. Did it in the driveway by myself. What an ordeal. Already put a couple hundred miles on it and it’s good to go
Fellow Sky RL owner here - so glad to see finally see this episode. Did the LDK come from ZZP or Performance Autowerks? Which turbo upgrade did you pick? Who’s doing tune? As long as you’re at it, you should upgrade to better charge pipes, 3 Bar MAP and larger intercooler. Not that much more $ and needed to let the LDK live up to its potential.
Everything came from RPM motorsports. The turbo is an upgraded K04 and it has the stage three tune already. Charge pipes were already upgraded as well.
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 sounds like you are on the right track. Martin/RPM MS seems to have a great reputation in the Kappa crowd. I’m I the process of putting in all the suspension pieces and roll bar to prep for track days and HPDEs.
I hope you guys measured from the transmission mount to the oil slinger on the output shaft of the transmission before tightening up the torque arm and transmission mount. If you didn't you are putting a lot of additional stress on the input shaft bearings on the differential and you will burn up the diff a lot faster. Another thing is you should fill the clutch slave with fluid before putting it in otherwise you will end up having to pump the clutch a lot and let it sit and wait so the air bubble can make it's way up to the master. You will have to do that a whole mess of times before it will be bled properly. Filling it with fluid before installing it makes it a whole lot easier to bleed the clutch. I also hope you do not have a tune done to the vehicle. The LDK is a weaker engine then the LNF unless you had upgraded internals put in.
This is the first time I’ve heard of the LDK being inferior to the LNF. That’s interesting. The clutch was primed beforehand so there’s been no issues there. Cheers.
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 the LDK has powder metal rods and not forged rods like the LNF. The block is stronger because they have reinforced the block to hold the sleeves better. To my knowledge the block is also lost foam casting which is not as good as a sand cast block. The LHU engine has a closed deck and is the best in terms of block strength. There are no sleeves in it either and the block is sand cast. The same internals are used in it as the LDK and that is the limiting factor. If the LDK is built with forged internals you can get to 550ish HP before risking the block. The LHU built with forged internals is good to over 600 and the LNF is good to 500. The same internals that are used in the 2007.5 and newer base models is the same internals used in both the LDK and the LHU and that limits what the HP the engine is able to support which is around 350. While the blocks are better the internals are not. I don't know why GM did that. If you join the solsticeforum I can send you massive amounts of information on these cars. I own one that is putting down around 400 WHP which is near 475 BHP. You didn't respond about the transmission being measured and I don't know if you did that. If you didn't I strongly suggest you do it. I can get you the exact measurement and where the measurement needs to be taken. If it's not correct the engine is going to be tilted and that is going to put a lot of strain on the drivetrain. What also makes a big difference with how the engine sits in the vehicle is where the car was lifted from. If you lifted from the front mounts on the rear control arms and the rear mounts on the front control arms the chassis is not going to sag in the middle as much as lifting the car from in front of the front tires and behind the rear tires. That sag causes a wicked pitch in the engine and transmission.
@@kevinschlossser7858 😮 wow! That is terrific information!! I’ll definitely be signing on to the forum! I look forward to further drilling down the details of the installation there. Yeah, wasn’t tracking the measurement bit, so I look forward to correcting that immediately. Thank you very much for your help! Cheers!
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 I need to make a correction. The GXP manual transmission does not have a transmission mount. It has the torque arm and that doubles as the transmission mount. If you had a bear of a time getting the torque arm bolts in then you have an alignment problem 100%. The bolt holes in the torque arm are oblong so there is adjustment there. You need to set a straight edge across the bottom of the car and measure from that straight edge to the oil slinger on the output shaft of the transmission. I want to say the magic number is 20mm but I would have to double check that.
@@kevinschlossser7858I own a 2008 Pontiac solstice GXP With the LNF motor. It has RPM aftermarket charge tubes, drop in k&n filter, Trifecta performance tune. I built the LNF motor down in spring Hill, it's the lost foam motor. LDK had the stronger block it was sand cast. You are right about the internals of the engine being weaker.
I watch all your videos and I saw the video a few days ago about you moving and I just wanted to tell you my experience with T Mobile home internet and it is AWESOME I get lightning speeds like never before and has been a win win for me I hope you check them out there service is awesome
Maybe I missed it but is this an actual built engine as in forged pistons, rods,etc or just a crate ldk? I picked up my brand new crate ldk block lnf with everything on it except the accessories. Complete brand new turbo, manifolds, etc just needs accessories and flywheel bolted on for $2,200. But this was 3-4 years ago.
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 yeah I hear you, im working on my boys old honda civic hatch we just got them and all the stuff for it used to be dirt cheap, now im buying parts for it and what I've spend so far for very few parts I've had to buy I could have had a fully built 500whp engine in my cobalt. The heads I bought for my 72 c10's small block were a little over $600 a few years ago and that same set of heads is over $1k
My kid had a Saturn with well over 100K and the clutch had no problems. Back in the day at 100K the clutch would be gone. I assume better materials now.
My Sky Redline has 190k on it. Just did the timing chain water pump harmonic balancer etc. One of my chain guides was broken, but nothing catastrophic. I considered the LDK but the price difference was too great
Me either. It’s gonna be a very, very, very long and difficult break-in period. The temptation to push it is going to be a constant issue!!!! LOL!!! 😂👍🏼
Great seeing Gabe back and really cool to see the Sky get a brand new engine. Looking forward to this running again.
Gabe always brings the level of your videos up to 120% :D
Great to see Gabe on the channel!👍
For sure 💯
14:10 This is why I enjoy Gabe as a featured guest, he could not let that one slide.
I’ve always liked the looks of the sky, over the solstice. I like both but the skies are nicer looking, in my opinion.
Sky is much better for sure, the round rear of the Solstice just isn't right 😬
The Saturn brand should have been given a better go.
@@WatchJRGo you could convert it to Opel GT
I like the rear of the Sky, but like the front of the Solstice better.
@@PaulTC97 I would love to do that! Unfortunately, those parts are expensive and not easy to find. And shipping is also a bear.
Just love when Gabe is on! He is a good man. Thank you for your service, Gabe!
🍻😉👍🏼
@Gabe is finally getting his Saturn back, that's great news!
🍻😁👍🏼
Nicely done. Good to see the car back together. 👍Matt
Stoked to see an update on this!
It had to be done before the big move! 😳
@@WatchJRGo looking forward to seeing what you've got in store. Congrats!
I just got a 2007 Saturn Sky Redline. 34K original miles. It's very fun and pretty fast. Drove it 130 MPH with the top down on the first day. Put a chip in it and discovered the "competition" mode. Took it to a car show and wound up talking till I was horse. Probably won't take it too a car show again.
Love to see three of my favorite Wichita boys together again. Will Gabe and Jake be over to your new house and shop a bunch ? It would be awesome to put the band back together again with the Fractured Rooster sitting in on drums.
AMA with all 4 of them
JohnRoss, Jake, Josh, and Jabe.
@@trapjohnson 😂🤣🍻
Oh boy, new power plant is in, Gabe should be happy and one more car that can leave soon👍
That description fits most cars, if you have an older car and take it to have the A/C fixed, they'll quote you more than the cars worth.
Gabe needs a channel. Idc if he does basket weaving. He’s hilarious. I’d watch.
Thanks!
i put the same engine (range extender) in a fisker karma after it had the notorious coolant leak (LNF). The one modification you may want to do now is change out the radiator. The radiator on these cars are sized like an ac condenser
There's an under $50 gizmo called an engine leveler that can be a big help when removing and replacing engines. I didn't notice any mention of flywheel resurfacing, which I often did when replacing clutches. Not an expensive service and cheap in relation to the time effort and outlay you're already into.
I agree that flywheel looked pretty used and abused. They probably just hit it with an abrasive to "resurface" it due to time constraints.
Most machine shops cannot resurface dual mass flywheels. You have to lock the flywheel together to resurface them it's not like an old school one piece flywheel that's easy to cut.
I always liked the looks of the sky, it's a shame they let it die. 😔
That is why I keep my 07
Late night update for the win!!!! Keep up the great work!!
I have the same car with 77.000 miles ,love it.
If I could help Watch JR Goes and Gabes install the new engine in the Saturn Sky Redline I would drink the shot of whiskey and cold Bartle Skeets with them and puff on the Cannibus Cigars with them and get all schmoked up.
Wazaaa Gabe nice to see you having some fun with the new motor.
Gabe is back.....YEAH!!!!!!!! GABE is the best sidekick mechanical person on the channel. Jake and Tyler are ok...but Gabe...he needs his own UA-cam channel
🍻😉👍🏼
The problem with the exhaust manifold nuts and studs had been corrected. The studs now come with thread locker on them and the nuts are single use lock nuts.
Always a good day when Gabe is back on the channel
🍻😉👍🏼
Never realized they canted the engine, for clearance? 🤘🏻🤘🏻🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉👍👍. Love to see it driving again guys.
isn't the GT's engine canted?
All that new stuff and you didn't resurface the flywheel... Those heat spots will be fine I'm sure.
On the Corvettes we run a extension on the bleeder outlet because it actually has a bleeder to the outside of the transmission because if you don’t that slave cylinder can get packed with clutch dust oddly enough.
Bought a wrecked 2015 Camaro SS 1LE w/30k miles for $12k, kept the engine/trans and parted out the rest for $8k ... so the engine/trans ended up costing a net $4k.
Required hardware, harness adaptations, computer programming, ect cost me around $8k.
I added about $5k in performance upgrades (Pistons, Rods, Rocker Shaft Kit, ect) which were not exactly required, but why the hell not ... right?
So my LS3/TR6060 swap cost me ~$17k doing it myself for a 2007 Sky with 200k miles ... So yeah, I feel you.
Just swapped out the LNF in the wife’s ‘08 RL. 60K and coolant in the oil. Swapped in a ‘07 with 12K. Did it in the driveway by myself. What an ordeal. Already put a couple hundred miles on it and it’s good to go
Fellow Sky RL owner here - so glad to see finally see this episode. Did the LDK come from ZZP or Performance Autowerks? Which turbo upgrade did you pick? Who’s doing tune? As long as you’re at it, you should upgrade to better charge pipes, 3 Bar MAP and larger intercooler. Not that much more $ and needed to let the LDK live up to its potential.
Everything came from RPM motorsports. The turbo is an upgraded K04 and it has the stage three tune already. Charge pipes were already upgraded as well.
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 sounds like you are on the right track. Martin/RPM MS seems to have a great reputation in the Kappa crowd. I’m I the process of putting in all the suspension pieces and roll bar to prep for track days and HPDEs.
I used to joke that the bump on the GT's hood was for the turbocharger...
@@jimbranham3281 sadly it’s not… got rid of the Solex and put a Weber 32/36 and hard piped it. WAAAAAAAAY better!
@@dwgunn oh sweet!
I hope you guys measured from the transmission mount to the oil slinger on the output shaft of the transmission before tightening up the torque arm and transmission mount. If you didn't you are putting a lot of additional stress on the input shaft bearings on the differential and you will burn up the diff a lot faster. Another thing is you should fill the clutch slave with fluid before putting it in otherwise you will end up having to pump the clutch a lot and let it sit and wait so the air bubble can make it's way up to the master. You will have to do that a whole mess of times before it will be bled properly. Filling it with fluid before installing it makes it a whole lot easier to bleed the clutch.
I also hope you do not have a tune done to the vehicle. The LDK is a weaker engine then the LNF unless you had upgraded internals put in.
This is the first time I’ve heard of the LDK being inferior to the LNF. That’s interesting.
The clutch was primed beforehand so there’s been no issues there.
Cheers.
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 the LDK has powder metal rods and not forged rods like the LNF. The block is stronger because they have reinforced the block to hold the sleeves better. To my knowledge the block is also lost foam casting which is not as good as a sand cast block.
The LHU engine has a closed deck and is the best in terms of block strength. There are no sleeves in it either and the block is sand cast. The same internals are used in it as the LDK and that is the limiting factor.
If the LDK is built with forged internals you can get to 550ish HP before risking the block. The LHU built with forged internals is good to over 600 and the LNF is good to 500.
The same internals that are used in the 2007.5 and newer base models is the same internals used in both the LDK and the LHU and that limits what the HP the engine is able to support which is around 350. While the blocks are better the internals are not.
I don't know why GM did that.
If you join the solsticeforum I can send you massive amounts of information on these cars. I own one that is putting down around 400 WHP which is near 475 BHP.
You didn't respond about the transmission being measured and I don't know if you did that. If you didn't I strongly suggest you do it. I can get you the exact measurement and where the measurement needs to be taken. If it's not correct the engine is going to be tilted and that is going to put a lot of strain on the drivetrain. What also makes a big difference with how the engine sits in the vehicle is where the car was lifted from. If you lifted from the front mounts on the rear control arms and the rear mounts on the front control arms the chassis is not going to sag in the middle as much as lifting the car from in front of the front tires and behind the rear tires. That sag causes a wicked pitch in the engine and transmission.
@@kevinschlossser7858 😮 wow! That is terrific information!!
I’ll definitely be signing on to the forum!
I look forward to further drilling down the details of the installation there. Yeah, wasn’t tracking the measurement bit, so I look forward to correcting that immediately.
Thank you very much for your help!
Cheers!
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 I need to make a correction. The GXP manual transmission does not have a transmission mount. It has the torque arm and that doubles as the transmission mount. If you had a bear of a time getting the torque arm bolts in then you have an alignment problem 100%. The bolt holes in the torque arm are oblong so there is adjustment there. You need to set a straight edge across the bottom of the car and measure from that straight edge to the oil slinger on the output shaft of the transmission. I want to say the magic number is 20mm but I would have to double check that.
@@kevinschlossser7858I own a 2008 Pontiac solstice GXP With the LNF motor. It has RPM aftermarket charge tubes, drop in k&n filter, Trifecta performance tune. I built the LNF motor down in spring Hill, it's the lost foam motor. LDK had the stronger block it was sand cast. You are right about the internals of the engine being weaker.
Glad to see Gabe's sky back on the road soon.
Gabe and his Opel GT... good to see you around Gabe
🍻😉👍🏼
I just rebuilt mine ... Its cheeper to buy a forged crate engine. But still worth it .mine is in a manual hhr . ultimate sleeper
Nice job JR
No one commented about the jack....., gabe couldnt let it pass..Had me laughing -
Duel mass clutches last about 60-70 thousand miles that’s definitely been changed at some point.
I watch all your videos and I saw the video a few days ago about you moving and I just wanted to tell you my experience with T Mobile home internet and it is AWESOME I get lightning speeds like never before and has been a win win for me I hope you check them out there service is awesome
"When the motor came out, a baby was born. It's now starting college."
😂🤣😂🤣😂👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🍻🍻
This should be the top comment!
Maybe I missed it but is this an actual built engine as in forged pistons, rods,etc or just a crate ldk? I picked up my brand new crate ldk block lnf with everything on it except the accessories. Complete brand new turbo, manifolds, etc just needs accessories and flywheel bolted on for $2,200. But this was 3-4 years ago.
Yeah, that Covid economy really screwed us on this one. The old prices were much much better!
@@Gabe-ABNCW3 yeah I hear you, im working on my boys old honda civic hatch we just got them and all the stuff for it used to be dirt cheap, now im buying parts for it and what I've spend so far for very few parts I've had to buy I could have had a fully built 500whp engine in my cobalt. The heads I bought for my 72 c10's small block were a little over $600 a few years ago and that same set of heads is over $1k
OK so I finished a video and saw the thumbnail and literally LOL at Gabe! It worked guys I clicked.
Ha! Outstanding!!🍻😂👍🏼
All right Gabe = bet you’re happy to get this engine done ✅
Big facts!!
we love Gabe!
pretty crazy flywheel, while holding a standard dual mass flywheel thats been fitted to nearly every manual car since late 1990s
Theres also that he spent almost 15k ( value of a solstice/sky) on a motor when a built gen 3 lnf shortblock from zzp good for over 500hp is 4k
I have a built lnf in my cobalt ss
@@WhiteG60 yup, Gabe bought the car for $6k
Gabe and JR, brothers in cars!
Its subtle, But I believe this video is 33% Jake.
good one
🍻😂👍🏼
Glad to see Gabe on the show again!
🍻😉👍🏼
Great to see Gabe
JR and Gabe Christmas morning 🕊
Fo rizzle!
My kid had a Saturn with well over 100K and the clutch had no problems. Back in the day at 100K the clutch would be gone. I assume better materials now.
Gabe....good to see you man! I was disappointed in your knife JR. Awesome intro, I was wondering what happened! More please!
🍻😉👍🏼
Another great video from JR. Thanks
T those are the smallest exhaust ports I ever seen on the turbo charged engine the Mazdaspeed MZR engine exhaust ports are huge compared to that
It’s not the size it’s how you use it…
Yay! It's Gabe! JR Jr.
here for the Sky content!
That Gabe Into. THE BEST!! ❤️ 💙 💜 💖 💗
1:04 knife dudes bein’ knife bros
at least you will have a tv in new shop
How much did all those parts cost ?
About $6,000 😳
@@WatchJRGo not too bad! Nice!
01:08 “That’s not a knife. THAT’S a knife!”
The black convertibles are coming back to life just in time.
Jack what!!! 🤣 Always great to see Gabe!!
06 Saturn Ion 400,000 miles on it with the original clutch the motor went before I stuck the new collection LOL
Wheels and the forever broken leg man!
Hell yea!
The dynamic duo
Just started the video, but something seems wrong. Gabe doesn’t look injured in any way.
….wait for it
….wait for it
….
Where did you order the engine from
Gabe is back!
Do you like lightweight flywheels?
Guy's that engine doesn't look straight? It's leaning to one side.
..i was kinda looking at that too..is that normal?
@@robertoferrari5397 where are you from Roberto? I know some of the Ferrari family.
Engine sits at an angle???
Nope… it’s your screen. 😁
Where can you order that engine from?
This came from RPM Motorsports
@@WatchJRGo thank you!
Pratt and Whitney???? GABE! You know you should be running GE LM2500's!
I kinda favor the Lycoming T55s…
Curious as to why you guys didn't feel the need to resurface the flywheel?
I bet time, and money...stuff ain't cheap, and the show must go on
The flywheel is 900 to buy
Tappy, tap,tap…. Love it Happy.
Good video👍🏼
O'Reilly's needs to sponsor you already!
I find that mechanics really trust Oriellys… therefore, I do as well.
@@christopherhamilton5557 I'm more of a hack like Sam Crac so I use FCP Euro & Rockauto
@@cboii9884 yikes you workin on BMW and Mercedes’! 😂 I ain’t got that money!
@@christopherhamilton5557 No I have s#%tbox MK3 VW with controls arms & axles that cost $30🤣
@@cboii9884 😂😂😂
i wonder why , he sold the building? after the mezzazine floor , video wall , etc
How much for the old engine
Name a price.
My Sky Redline has 190k on it. Just did the timing chain water pump harmonic balancer etc. One of my chain guides was broken, but nothing catastrophic. I considered the LDK but the price difference was too great
Looks like you need a sleeping area in the new shop for those long projects when you are to tired to drive home.
Race it against a turbo cavalier. That would be fun.
How long did that car sit in the shop?
Since right after I did the floors. Only took about two days to do the job, took a year to get the parts in. 🍻
7:43 John Ross gives you the finger.
Good catch!
Interesting, measuring car repairs in gestation periods.
Uuuuuuu W202 in the back😍
Can’t wait to see Gabe rip the Saturn sky!
Me either. It’s gonna be a very, very, very long and difficult break-in period. The temptation to push it is going to be a constant issue!!!! LOL!!! 😂👍🏼
How do Jake have his own channel when he’s at your shop every single day
Yall should have put a LS engine and a 6 speed trans in this car.
“Today on WatchJRGo, we go into the 5th trimester of the Rolls Royce project… ”
😂🤣🍻🍻
Gabe, thank you for the jump scare.
Now if you don't mind, I'm going to change my pants.
Solid "American Dad" reference.
Where did you get the engine??
RPM Motorsport
You moving out of your shop
I love this one guys .. HooAh !!
It'll be great when it's ripping down the road
Should be finished up in a couple days 💯
tom cruises back
When is the story on the white car coming?