[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

 

[TheCruzen]

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

 

[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).

 

[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]

 

[TheCruzen]

@Blasirl Duals have been gone for a few weeks now, just how the system evolved and now this one is mostly custom so it made it easier to just have the single. The exhaust is 3" from the turbo to the cutout though...

For anyone wondering, with the cutout open the thing is obnoxiously loud under hard acceleration and you can even see ripples in the windshield as it vibrates. But then with the cutout closed its probably quieter than some stock cruzes!

(what do you mean by something happened to the vid? UPDATE never mind, just saw it was private)

 

[TheCruzen]

Recently picked up a NOS F40 trans, plan to put a quaife LSD in it, short shift linkage, and change out the stock flywheel for a single mass steel unit and upgraded clutch while i'm at it.

 

[TheCruzen]

Brief update:

Cruzen 2.0 now has just over 27000 mi on it (over 10k since swap)
Still deciding if i will get the quaife lsd and/or upgraded clutch
Looking at either 245 45 or 255 45 tires on 18x8.5 wheels
Purchased a hitch that looks like it will clear dual exhaust in case I decide to go with that again in the future. Also plan to modify said hitch from a class 1 (1.25") to the more common (see "i have some already that fit this") 2" class 2 hitch size.
250hp and lead foot have wasted 2 of 4 winter tires in less than 1 season
Still need to get the BCM replaced before I do the BNR tune. Also looking for someone that offers a flex fuel tune for the buick verano.
Will be going on Power Tour 2019