Chevrolet Cruze Forums banner

Dannyn01 Build Thread

2300 Views 23 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Dannyn01
Lets give this a shot!

March 2022, was looking for a comfortable economy car. Happened to find this 2011 Cruze RS with 148K Miles, for ~$4K.

While the fuel economy was great ~33mpg highway ~28mpg city, I quickly began to realize the lack of "guts".

Down the rabbit hole I went, nothing crazy, but enough to make the car more drivable... Based off what feels like limited info, id like to shoot for about 250HP at the crank.


Engine ;
  • Custom SRI (Heat soaks like crazy)
  • ZZP downpipe
  • Gutted midpipe
  • ZZP FMIC
  • NGK BKR7E spark plugs
  • ZZP ignition coil
  • Forge wastegate actuator
  • Trifecta Elite Tune
  • GTX250 Turbo (to be installed)
  • Ported intake manifold (to be installed)
  • BNR intake manifold spacer (to be installed)
  • Cruze Fixkit V3.4 (to be installed)
  • Deatschwerks 460CC Injectors (to be installed)


Suspension ;
  • Eibach Pro-Sport lowering springs
  • Bilstein B8 Front struts

Exterior ;
  • ECO grille
  • Tint
  • ECO wheels
  • Trunk badges removed
  • LED reverse lights
  • 215/55R17 Michelin CrossClimate2
  • Front license plate removed

Interior ;
- Tan leather seats swapped in

Photo dump incoming....
See less See more
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 4
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
Nice car, especially the color ;)

That's an interesting air filter. What brand is it?
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Nice car, especially the color ;)

That's an interesting air filter. What brand is it?
Thank you sir! It’s a Honda S2000 OE air filter.
After doing hours of research on aftermarket air filters like KN for example, and flow VS filtering capacity, I’ve determined an OE style paper filter is probably the best route.
Ill be ordering an Injen CAI soon, even then I’m tossing the supplied filter and using one of these.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Thank you sir! It’s a Honda S2000 OE air filter.
After doing hours of research on aftermarket air filters like KN for example, and flow VS filtering capacity, I’ve determined an OE style paper filter is probably the best route.
Ill be ordering an Injen CAI soon, even then I’m tossing the supplied filter and using one of these.
Your welcome. Pleated paper is a surprisingly good filtering media. It's got a relatively short service life though and obviously it's not reusable once the useful life is done.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
3
Did some maintenance yesterday.
Oil change done, leaking water outlet replaced with another plastic one:cautious:, Pre ordered the RacerX unit, ETA November…..
Also installed the Injen CAI, piece of cake! Wasn’t able to use my S2K filter since it’s huge compared to the Injen filter. I’ll run it this way until it gives me a reason not to.
First impression, seems to idle better, and power delivery seems more linear/smooth. So far I dig it.

Automotive tire Hood Automotive exhaust Vehicle brake Motor vehicle

Motor vehicle Hood Automotive tire Automotive design Automotive exterior

Car Motor vehicle Automotive tire Hood Automotive design
See less See more
I like the shiny intake! It looks like that blue coolant line is pinched 👀
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I like the shiny intake! It looks like that blue coolant line is pinched 👀
Close to it, I need to order the factory formed hose, this was a temporary fix. If I made it any shorter it would completely kink.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Boredom strikes again. Had some of this DEI Gold reflective tape laying around, figured it can’t hurt IATs. Only wrapped half the intake, I don’t believe the lower pipe will have any issues with heat due to its location.
Hood Automotive tire Car Vehicle Motor vehicle
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Boredom strikes again. Had some of this DEI Gold reflective tape laying around, figured it can’t hurt IATs. Only wrapped half the intake, I don’t believe the lower pipe will have any issues with heat due to its location.
View attachment 298946
Bordom = Trouble
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 3
2
Took advantage of BNRs extremely discounted Ultra Racing rear lower bar. For $50, Why the hell not. Super simple install, took all of 5 minutes.
Tire Wheel Vehicle Car Automotive tire

Automotive lighting Automotive tire Grille Motor vehicle Wheel
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Took advantage of BNRs extremely discounted Ultra Racing rear lower bar. For $50, Why the hell not. Super simple install, took all of 5 minutes.
View attachment 299183
View attachment 299182
Quite the deal! notice any difference?
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Quite the deal! notice any difference?
During my usual route, I felt no difference. We’ll see once I go out for a good ride. The bar itself is extremely light (it’s hollow), can’t imagine it will do much.
During my usual route, I felt no difference. We’ll see once I go out for a good ride. The bar itself is extremely light (it’s hollow), can’t imagine it will do much.
The whiteline bars make a huge difference at least from what I could tell on my short tests drives so far.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Update : After a week of driving, I can actually tell the difference the rear bar has made around corners. Seems to be less boaty, still need to get my rear shocks to keep the rear end from lifting awkwardly around corners…. IF THEY EVER GO BACK IN STOCK 😐.

After my 10min drive home from work, doing pulls from every stop for funzies… probably fine. I think.
Gadget Audio equipment Electronic instrument Computer hardware Technology
See less See more
Update : After a week of driving, I can actually tell the difference the rear bar has made around corners. Seems to be less boaty, still need to get my rear shocks to keep the rear end from lifting awkwardly around corners…. IF THEY EVER GO BACK IN STOCK 😐.

After my 10min drive home from work, doing pulls from every stop for funzies… probably fine. I think.
View attachment 299258
Wtf? You had fun with the pink paint didn't you?
  • Haha
Reactions: 2
Update : After a week of driving, I can actually tell the difference the rear bar has made around corners. Seems to be less boaty, still need to get my rear shocks to keep the rear end from lifting awkwardly around corners…. IF THEY EVER GO BACK IN STOCK 😐.

After my 10min drive home from work, doing pulls from every stop for funzies… probably fine. I think.
View attachment 299258
The strut bars do add rigidity to the body, but the Whiteline rear sway bar is where the Moneyball is. The best bang for the buck and I have two strut bars and a trailer hitch for rigidity.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Update : After a week of driving, I can actually tell the difference the rear bar has made around corners. Seems to be less boaty, still need to get my rear shocks to keep the rear end from lifting awkwardly around corners…. IF THEY EVER GO BACK IN STOCK 😐.

After my 10min drive home from work, doing pulls from every stop for funzies… probably fine. I think.
View attachment 299258
That manifold is way too hot! You running rich? 🧐
  • Like
Reactions: 1
The strut bars do add rigidity to the body, but the Whiteline rear sway bar is where the Moneyball is. The best bang for the buck and I have two strut bars and a trailer hitch for rigidity.
top or bottom?
top or bottom?
The strut bars I have are the front strut tower bar (upper) and the rear upper strut tower bar. The hitch basically takes the place of the rear lower bar. The one you guys have been talking about I was not aware of. When I went to buy one for cheap at BNR they were gone. IF and it is a big if, they restock, you can be sure they won't be $50. The sway bar though is the bomb.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top