[TheCruzen]

This Thread will be documenting the more gradual work being done to the car that comes as a result of it being a daly driver.

Quote from 8/28/18:
"Additional torque mount to combat flop in stock Buick mounts. It's not pretty, the welds are absolutely atrocious (just the body side mount), but it ain't coming off on its own. The link was about $9 on ebay and the brackets were thrown together with stuff I had on hand."
Looks like I might add 2 more to the top of the trans and stiffen up the front trans mount, still too much movement for me even after this mod and filling in the voids in the rear trans mount.

Changed to solid rear trans mount, later changed to a filled in stock mount due to excessive NVH. While I had the exhaust off to get to the mount, I took the following videos. To those asking, YES, the second vid is 100% stock Verano exhaust.

 

[TheCruzen]

 

[TheCruzen]

Installed a full set of ECO springs on the Verano suspension to bring it down a bit, it looks better to me. Maybe I'll try to dig up some comparison shots, Ido at least have the initial measurements and just have to find a bit of flat level ground to get new ones.


Then the inevitable exhaust modification utilising an electric cutout to bypass the main muffler to the left exhaust outlet.

Aftermarket auxiliary driving lights installed (changing to more focused amber lights soon) At the same time I added a block off for the lower grill to help get the car warmed up a bit faster in the winter.

I am planning on a custom 3" exhaust that will start with a 3" flex, get rid of the secondary cat, go through a 3" glasspack as a resonator, then run to the back to go through 2 quiet 2.5" mufflers, exit on the drivers side only, and have an electric cutout to bypass the two mufflers and still go through the resonator to hopefully limit drone to a reasonable/tolerable level.


In the spring I plan to have the damaged BCM replaced and then get a tune from BNR (in that order just to avoid complications), fingers crossed they will help me get this beast running E85. As a note, the 2013 Verano lists a flex fuel sensor, but it would seem that none of the 2.0T Veranos shipped with flex fuel capabilities.

 

[TheCruzen]

Changed lights for brighter amber ones

 

[TheCruzen]

Cutout was stuck, hitting the floor, and turned out to be seized. Cut out the main muffler and the passenger side outlet, then connected the drivers side outlet directly to the front exhaust section via a custom made (read beaten into shape) connector pipe. Its louder than I want but it doesn't hit the floor anymore and I hope to solve the volume issue when I get the 3" put together.

 

[TheCruzen]

Took some measurements and did some math, have a basic idea of what I need to do a 3 inch to cutout and 2.5 inch mufflers exhaust system. To say that another way, it will be 3 inch for the most part then the cutout at which point the rest of the exhaust will reduce to 2.5 inch and be (hopefully) dead quiet. Not sure when I'll click the button, but at least I will have a good idea of what I need

 

[Blasirl]

Are you going three inch because that is what most V8's have? From everything I have read, you only need the diameter at the Turbo exit or maybe 1/4" more in diameter to counteract the bends.

 

[TheCruzen]

@Blasirl The dump pipe, primary cat and inlet to secondary cat are all factory 3"

 

[Blasirl]

Interesting

 

[MP81]

3" is pretty common for up-sized turbo piping for an I4. The OEM Cobalt SS/TC exhaust, which I run on my Cobalt, is 2.5" all the way back.

Dual 3" exhaust is overkill even on most V8s, unless you're getting into the over-500 HP range.

 

[TheCruzen]

Got some winter wheels and tires put on the car, a set of 225/60/r16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS08's on a set of 16x6.5 steel wheels (painted dark grey just because I felt like it). Also, I think I might need to change the name of the car to "3 of 4" because this is the third or fourth time something has ony had 3 of 4 work or be avalable, and the second time for a set of wheels.

EDIT: The 4th tire had some damage to the bead from improper storage

 

[TheCruzen]

New plate, couldn't wait for daylight to take a picture of it.

 

[TheCruzen]

Daylight shot

 

[TheCruzen]

friday afternoon I got started on the new custom exhaust for the car, got the 3" section mostly done. Then I spent the weekend wiring in an additional led backup light as well as upgrading the speakers and amp in the car. Changed out the amp with the 4ch rockford fosgate that I had in my ECO, got it wired and mounted it in the same location as the factory bose unit. Replaced the rear 6x9s with a set of Pyramid 3-ways that have a lot of thump for the price, then replaced the front door speakers with 6.5" pyle plg64s that were also out of my ECO. Much better sounding and actually has some thump to it now.

Additionally I spent $60 on alldatadiy.com so I could figure out where to connect a flex fuel sensor, pin 38 on x1. Had to find a car with the same ecm that actually had a flex sensor and the majority of the pinout is the same (rechecking that now).

 

[Blasirl]

... excessive NVH ...

What's that?

... Additionally I spent $60 on alldatadiy.com ...

Do you still have access?

 

[TheCruzen]

@Blasirl NVH stands for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness and is a term mainly used by the oems.

I have access for 1yr to the 2014 verano 2.0t and 2.4na plus the 2014 regal 2.0t. It would be $15-20 for me to add another car if I wanted.

 

[TheCruzen]

The exhaust "upgrade" has taken a few unexpected turns, stay tuned for the finished product and description of whatever configuration i end up with!

(still definitely has 3" pipe and a cutout though...)

Also, anyone know if lordstown 2019 is still on, even with the plant shutdown?

 

[TheCruzen]

Finished most recent config for exhaust, 3" to the cutout, then 2" to a stock cruze muffler and tailpipe. No perceivable performance change from the stock verano exhaust with the cutout closed. Have yet to do any testing other than sound with the cutout open.

Apologies about the noise in the background, I was opening doors to make sure I didn't suffocate in the garage.

 

[TheCruzen]

 

[Blasirl]

No more dual exhaust huh?

Something happened to this video.