Thanks! Tried making it as long as possible for such a small task completed. lol, but keeping that in mind and filming as much as possible. Sometimes I just need the camera out of the way to make progress. Film does slow things down, but I enjoy and it and sharing it as well.
Ur doing it. So many people have talked about stuff like this without doing it. Thanks for the inspiration. How did you get so comfortable doing all this fab, electronic, and tuning that so many people will never do?
Thank you! That's true, which is why someone had to do it. Just doing projects over time. When I was young, they offered classes at high school which taught basic welding, wiring... I've always been interested in learning more about fabrication. It's not what I do for a living, so I'll find reasons to improve those skills. It helps having tons of great UA-cam videos to learn from as well. Same goes for tuning. Didn't know anything about it, but found enough on UA-cam and practiced with my car. If you put your mind to it, it's out there for free to learn about.
hey Mark, happy upcoming New Year and great video. I'm from Cali and would never move to Texas, but you're a genius and a complete pioneer. I may reconsider. Ha
Going fast in a straight line the alignment is all the more critical with the extra movement of the suspension from the extra power the pulling and swerving is so much worse then daily driver. And trailing arms should've been backpurged thats why they popped like that. Shouldve had a pinhole vent to vent the argon from backpurge
Good points. Learning as I go. I'm going to make a jig to get it dialed in. I plan to gusset the transition, or might even change the way it joins. Still thinking about the best way to do this all. Thanks for the feedback.
Matt, you've come a long way since you first started with this car. I never thought I would see switching to an AWD or if it was even possible. I want to see you this beast finished and then get it on the track and run some low 10 second passes. Then eventually get into the 9s, if possible.
@@cmattdabrat I wish I had your energy and creativity. Along with the additude and mindset that does not include the word impossible or the terms, "why would you want to do that?" Keep inspiring me brother.
I love this build lol however I feel it’s kinda cut itself short multiple times. lol edging us, I would’ve loved to know what the track times and limits were on the stock transmission vs the awd. I’ve been watching this build at least 2 years now. lol idk if I’m naive for having such high expectations for it but I do love it for sure
lol, I feel ya'. Story of the build. It's hard for the viewer to tell power wise what each change has brought to the seat of the pants feeling. I'd say the biggest challenge of not doing a Honda, a run of the mill LS, or even the 1.4, is the amount of support. Not talking parts (well, that too). Finding local shops, or anyone, that will ever consider having the vehicle in to use / or rent their dyno, help with tuning, ext. Local quarter mile tracks. Went once, issue with spark breakup and limp mode. I also recorded a video that never saw the light of day sitting in line for the last day at Houston Raceway Park before they closed it down. Never made it in the gate. The 1/8 is fine, but last outing there, had a vvt soleniod come apart and oiled the track down. Even before that, the tires were spinning on the street, 1st, 2nd, 3rd... If you go back and watch that video, at the track, wasn't until 3rd gear it slipped from oil. My 4th gear's syncros are currently out, so need to fix those before I even consider traveling 4-5 hours to get to the nearest track. Not to mention the time and money spent renting a trailer, hotel stay, finding a baby sitting for the kids, etc. The stock ECU that manages the engine isn't a great one for boost. Past 14psi, it's a lot of trouble. Even at low boost, 6-8 psi, constantly wants to go into limp mode. The track outings I've had, it's gone into limp mode. Each of the changes made have been well thought out. I'm with you, I wish it were easy to get the car on a dyno and track to get some numbers, but it's costly. Everything is coming out of pocket. So, I think, "what's something I can improve before I go back out"? At this point it's fuel, needs more fuel pump, and traction. We'll get there. Once it's all dialed, it'll be worth it. I can also still run the car in FWD only. The Trax AWD system isn't on all the time, and it wont be in this setup, so we can test all this stuff. :)
So I have this 17 Malibu and it shares basically the drivetrain with the AWD Equinox minus the rear axle, the transmission (which is a different code but seems to have the same dimensions and bolt holes) and the transfer case. Got a tunnel for the driveshaft and everything... it's like they want me to do it!
Good work. Although I don't understand the reasoning for keeping the torsion bar, after changing the material, shape, and cross section, it's not much of a torsion bar anyway (more like an offset straight axle). Would have been the opportunity to add lateral arms / brackets to the rear subframe.
Thanks. It'll be more or less like a solid axle. I agree, not much of a torsion bar anymore. I'm no suspension design expert, but that's what I'm seeing. The reasoning behind not adding lateral bars is you're looking at all of the rear subframe, with the exception of the watts linkage, but the different support is now in it's place.
Hell yeah, bro , it's looking rad .. one thing .. make sure the fdg in the front and rear diff are the same , or you will end up with alotta broken trans and diffs , i almost learned this the hard way working on a car, lol.. otherwise, mad props bro and i can't wait to see what it will do with Awd .. 💪🏽.. peace and love brotha, keep it rad, stay safe, and build on..l8r famz and keep having fun all
Hopefully they are since they both came out of a 1.4 vehicle. Once I get everything together, I'll put it up on jack stands, mark the tires, and see if the marks stay equal or change. From there I'll have to figure out the proper ring gear in the trans.
Another great video! If you don't mind me asking what shop, if any, did you use in the Uk? I need a full set of bearings and they aren't easy to come by.
Well I guess that for the sake of content and having some replacement parts you could install it as an open differential Now if it was my car I'd go with it being a Limited Slip understanding that I used to take my Mustang cruising around and it had a 4.11 spool for fun around corners Nice progress man 👍 I'll be looking out for your next video
Thanks! I'm going to look deeper into the diff on this transmission and see if it's even possible to install my LSD. Fingers crossed. Definitely trying to keep the momentum going with the uploads, but don't want to cut corners. I'll have more soon.
We can see the welds getting better every video 👍
Thanks!
All I wanted to do was fix my wife’s Cruze and here am I at midnight watching this awesome build!
😂 Well, I'm glad the videos have held your interest. Thank you!
What's up with your wife's Cruze? I have had to fix a few things on mine, it's a 2014.
Criminally underrated builder and channel.
I appreciate it.
You should get the 17 inch wheels they put on the Ltz and ltz rs models.
I've considered it. Probably will keep it extra sleeper with the steel wheels. Less weight too. We'll see.
@ I’m excited to see this build finished. Zzp started an awd Cruze build a few years back but ended up dropping the project for some reason.
Great progress. Always wish they was longer, just because I dig all ur fab work 👍
Thanks! Tried making it as long as possible for such a small task completed. lol, but keeping that in mind and filming as much as possible. Sometimes I just need the camera out of the way to make progress. Film does slow things down, but I enjoy and it and sharing it as well.
@ I understand filming is a pain, but I appreciate it very much
Honestly, this is a build series I never expected to be interested in, but man, I'm always eager for the next installment of it!
That's awesome to hear!
Ur doing it. So many people have talked about stuff like this without doing it. Thanks for the inspiration.
How did you get so comfortable doing all this fab, electronic, and tuning that so many people will never do?
Thank you! That's true, which is why someone had to do it.
Just doing projects over time. When I was young, they offered classes at high school which taught basic welding, wiring... I've always been interested in learning more about fabrication. It's not what I do for a living, so I'll find reasons to improve those skills. It helps having tons of great UA-cam videos to learn from as well. Same goes for tuning. Didn't know anything about it, but found enough on UA-cam and practiced with my car. If you put your mind to it, it's out there for free to learn about.
@ thanks for the time to fill out the response.
What would be tuning videos u watched and got a lot out of it?
hey Mark, happy upcoming New Year and great video. I'm from Cali and would never move to Texas, but you're a genius and a complete pioneer. I may reconsider. Ha
I appreciate it!
Good rule to use is add a radius the thickness of the material where you add bent parts together. Always do that when I do any CAD 4:02
Thanks for the tip!
18:46 Matt, next time drill a 1/4” hole in the top so the gasses have a place to escape then after your done welding, fill in the 1/4” hole
Great idea. Didn't even think of that.
@ glad I could help! Love the build!
100% impressed. Great work 👏👏
Thank you!
14:40.. not bad..They look better than my welds..you do more welding than I do..but that looks good 👍
Thanks!
Going fast in a straight line the alignment is all the more critical with the extra movement of the suspension from the extra power the pulling and swerving is so much worse then daily driver. And trailing arms should've been backpurged thats why they popped like that. Shouldve had a pinhole vent to vent the argon from backpurge
Good points. Learning as I go. I'm going to make a jig to get it dialed in. I plan to gusset the transition, or might even change the way it joins. Still thinking about the best way to do this all. Thanks for the feedback.
Just found your channel!! very cool!
Thanks for checking it out!
It's getting better and better 🎉
Thank you!
Definitely amazing welds ... better than most I seen by most some you tubers at least you do yr own welding
Thank you! I always feel like I could improve, but honestly my hands aren't steady enough. This is true! I enjoy welding. Lot of fun.
Matt, you've come a long way since you first started with this car. I never thought I would see switching to an AWD or if it was even possible. I want to see you this beast finished and then get it on the track and run some low 10 second passes. Then eventually get into the 9s, if possible.
Thank you! That would be great. This year I'm going to focus on getting the car out to as much testing and racing as possible.
@@cmattdabrat I wish I had your energy and creativity. Along with the additude and mindset that does not include the word impossible or the terms, "why would you want to do that?" Keep inspiring me brother.
@@charleslowe522 Thanks! I appreciate it!
Wait, is it z18xer engine originally in this cruiser?
It is! It came with the z18xer 1.8 and the 1.4. The base model LS has the z18xer. Some even have a manual like mine.
Awesome progress bro. Lets go!
Thanks!
I love this build lol however I feel it’s kinda cut itself short multiple times. lol edging us, I would’ve loved to know what the track times and limits were on the stock transmission vs the awd. I’ve been watching this build at least 2 years now. lol idk if I’m naive for having such high expectations for it but I do love it for sure
lol, I feel ya'. Story of the build. It's hard for the viewer to tell power wise what each change has brought to the seat of the pants feeling.
I'd say the biggest challenge of not doing a Honda, a run of the mill LS, or even the 1.4, is the amount of support. Not talking parts (well, that too). Finding local shops, or anyone, that will ever consider having the vehicle in to use / or rent their dyno, help with tuning, ext.
Local quarter mile tracks. Went once, issue with spark breakup and limp mode. I also recorded a video that never saw the light of day sitting in line for the last day at Houston Raceway Park before they closed it down. Never made it in the gate.
The 1/8 is fine, but last outing there, had a vvt soleniod come apart and oiled the track down. Even before that, the tires were spinning on the street, 1st, 2nd, 3rd... If you go back and watch that video, at the track, wasn't until 3rd gear it slipped from oil.
My 4th gear's syncros are currently out, so need to fix those before I even consider traveling 4-5 hours to get to the nearest track. Not to mention the time and money spent renting a trailer, hotel stay, finding a baby sitting for the kids, etc.
The stock ECU that manages the engine isn't a great one for boost. Past 14psi, it's a lot of trouble. Even at low boost, 6-8 psi, constantly wants to go into limp mode. The track outings I've had, it's gone into limp mode.
Each of the changes made have been well thought out. I'm with you, I wish it were easy to get the car on a dyno and track to get some numbers, but it's costly. Everything is coming out of pocket. So, I think, "what's something I can improve before I go back out"? At this point it's fuel, needs more fuel pump, and traction.
We'll get there. Once it's all dialed, it'll be worth it. I can also still run the car in FWD only. The Trax AWD system isn't on all the time, and it wont be in this setup, so we can test all this stuff. :)
@ I love the breakdown and I’ll be right here watching! Happy holidays man!
So I have this 17 Malibu and it shares basically the drivetrain with the AWD Equinox minus the rear axle, the transmission (which is a different code but seems to have the same dimensions and bolt holes) and the transfer case. Got a tunnel for the driveshaft and everything... it's like they want me to do it!
Sounds like all the right things to make it easier. That would be cool to see.
@@cmattdabrat Guess I'll be following your build and if I ever do, maybe I'll put it on here or Instagram
Great work, I'm impressed.
Thanks!
Good work. Although I don't understand the reasoning for keeping the torsion bar, after changing the material, shape, and cross section, it's not much of a torsion bar anyway (more like an offset straight axle). Would have been the opportunity to add lateral arms / brackets to the rear subframe.
Thanks. It'll be more or less like a solid axle. I agree, not much of a torsion bar anymore. I'm no suspension design expert, but that's what I'm seeing. The reasoning behind not adding lateral bars is you're looking at all of the rear subframe, with the exception of the watts linkage, but the different support is now in it's place.
Hell yeah, bro , it's looking rad .. one thing .. make sure the fdg in the front and rear diff are the same , or you will end up with alotta broken trans and diffs , i almost learned this the hard way working on a car, lol.. otherwise, mad props bro and i can't wait to see what it will do with Awd .. 💪🏽.. peace and love brotha, keep it rad, stay safe, and build on..l8r famz and keep having fun all
Hopefully they are since they both came out of a 1.4 vehicle. Once I get everything together, I'll put it up on jack stands, mark the tires, and see if the marks stay equal or change. From there I'll have to figure out the proper ring gear in the trans.
Nice bro
Thanks!
Should buy you a mig welder it would speed ypur welding up
Would help with welding certain things for sure.
Lets get it🤙
Yes!
Where you got that parts made ?
I just designed them and sent them over to sendcutsend.com.
Make it say Part 4 for the youtube next video suggestion
Thanks! Changed.
Another great video! If you don't mind me asking what shop, if any, did you use in the Uk? I need a full set of bearings and they aren't easy to come by.
Thanks! It's called SCBCarParts on eBay. Their shop name is SCB Vehicle Dismantlers.
Here soon your gunna have a full blown race car needs gutted an a cage next 😂
LOL, not too far from it.
I made a joke to a friend about putting all wheel drive in my sonic before you made the first AWD video
Needs to become the norm, or at least a kit. Like the Honda community.
Yes fully agree
Well I guess that for the sake of content and having some replacement parts you could install it as an open differential Now if it was my car I'd go with it being a Limited Slip understanding that I used to take my Mustang cruising around and it had a 4.11 spool for fun around corners Nice progress man 👍 I'll be looking out for your next video
Thanks! I'm going to look deeper into the diff on this transmission and see if it's even possible to install my LSD. Fingers crossed. Definitely trying to keep the momentum going with the uploads, but don't want to cut corners. I'll have more soon.
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