JLL's: The Golden Bullet

107885 Views 1202 Replies 30 Participants Last post by MP81, 12 d ago

JLL

Discussion Starter · Jan 12, 2021 (Edited)

Updated Modifications List (As of 04/17/2023):

APPEARANCE MODS:
Custom Emblem: The Golden Bullet
ANZO USA Projector Headlights
6000K HID Kit (for low beams)
5000K Osram 80W Halogen bulbs (for high beams)
ANZO USA Smoked Tailights
F1R F103 18x8.5 +38 Wheels
245/40R18 93W Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tires

SUSPENSION/BRAKE MODS:
Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering Springs
KONI Adjustable Sport Struts & Shocks
Camber Bolts
Whiteline 27 mm Front Stabilizer Bar
Whiteline 22 mm Rear Stabilizer Bar

ENGINE and DRIVETRAIN MODIFICATIONS:
Custom Tuned by Vermont Tuning
Motion Raceworks Dual Channel Ethanol Sensor Mount
-10 AN PTFE Fuel Line
Custom Air Intake
ZZP Intercooler Package
650cc Deatschwerks Fuel Injectors
Radium Engineering Fuel Pulse Damper
Deatschwerks 110mm Dual Filtration Fuel Filter
MSD Ignition Coil
NGK V-Power BRK7E Spark Plugs Gap ~0.025"
Custom 3" 304 Stainless Magnaflow Exhaust
Diamond Racing Forged Pistons
Custom Pauter X Beam 4340 Billet Connecting Rods
ZZP Head Studs

NEW CLINDER HEAD INCLUDING:
ZZP Stage 1 Performance Intake Camshaft
ZZP 72 Lbs Valve Springs
ZZP Titanium Valve Spring Retainers
New OEM Intake Camshaft for Exhaust Side
New Lifters
New Rocker Arms
New Valves
New Valve Stem Seals
TTR Polyurethane Front Engine Mount
TTR Polyurethane Rear Transmission Mount

Garrett G25-550 .49AR Turbocharger
Custom T25 Exhaust Manifold
RacerX Intake Manifold
ZZP 65mm Throttle Body
RacerX Fuel Rail
GFB Hybrid BOV
AEM E85 Rated High Pressure Fuel Pump
Griffin Maxcool Radiator 31" x 19" x 3"
Russell 15" Finned Tank Style Trans Cooler
GM LUJ/LUV Big 3 Wiring Kit

INTERIOR MODS:
ZZP Guage Pod Pillar
Aeroforce Interceptor Scan Guage
Autometer Sport Comp II Boost Guage.

Engine Compartment April 2023:

Car Vehicle Grille Hood Automotive lighting

Original Post:

Today I thought I would get off the fence and start a build thread. I apologize, as I have never documented any of my mods previously so, I do not have many pictures. Before I get into my my current mods, I'd like to talk a little bit about my work space. I've heard a lot of people on this forum let a lack of space or a "shop" area detour them from performing moderate/significant modifications to their vehicles. I live in the second story of a duplex home in the city. For those in a similar environment, I wanted to let you know that it can be done. My workspace a concrete pad where a garage once sat.

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Reactions: 5

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JLL

Discussion Starter · #141 · May 1, 2021

Thebigzeus said:
IMO $350 extra is a lot

I don't think it's too bad for what I'm asking him to do. I asked him to make me an engine break in tune and a tune for after that. I'm assuming he has to create my tune from near scratch for the combination of E85, the V3, and ZZP'S new cams. It would be different if say, it was ZZP. I'm sure they already have base tunes made for everything they sell. So, they have a starting point to go off of and then they can make minor adjustments from there. I don't actually know though.

But, according to their website they even charge $50 for a tune update.

Thebigzeus

· #142 · May 1, 2021

JLL said:
I don't think it's too bad for what I'm asking him to do. I asked him to make me an engine break in tune and a tune for after that. I'm assuming he has to create my tune from near scratch for the combination of E85, the V3, and ZZP'S new cams. It would be different if say, it was ZZP. I'm sure they already have base tunes made for everything they sell. So, they have a starting point to go off of and then they can make minor adjustments from there. I don't actually know though. But, according to their website they even charge $50 for a tune update.

That makes sense after your explanation. A break in tune though, cmon! lol! 😄

JLL

Discussion Starter · #143 · May 1, 2021

Blasirl

· #144 · May 3, 2021

Thebigzeus said:
Yeah mine started sticking for awhile, took it apart and cleaned and added more red grease.

Did you take any pictures? Maybe you can do a How-To:.

How-To: Write a Tutorial

Blasirl

· #145 · May 3, 2021

JLL said:
BNR doesn't charge for tune updates?

Neither does Trifecta.

Reactions: 2

JLL

Discussion Starter · #146 · May 3, 2021

Blasirl said:
Neither does Trifecta.

Interesting....I just assumed most performance shops did.

Blasirl

· #147 · May 3, 2021

JLL said:
Interesting....I just assumed most performance shops did.

It depends on what level tune you initially choose and whether or not the tuner specializes in your engine or not.

Reactions: 1

Thebigzeus

· #148 · May 3, 2021

You may or may not find these helpful in reassembly… They’re pretty new videos and the guy does good work it looks like.

JLL

Discussion Starter · #149 · May 3, 2021

Thebigzeus said:
You may or may not find these helpful in reassembly… They’re pretty new videos and the guy does good work it looks like.

Thanks. I've seen those and they are very helpful.

Reactions: 1

JLL

Discussion Starter · #150 · May 5, 2021

2

UPDATE: My tuner seems to do things much differently than the other companies that tune the Cruze. He asked for the base spring pressure and cracking pressure of the ZZP billet wastegate actuator that I'm using. So I emailed ZZP. They responded and I told my tuner. He responds with: "That can't be right. The cracking pressure is always greater than the base spring pressure."

So he had me measure the pressures using my Mityvac.

What ZZP told me:
Base Spring Pressure: 15 PSI
Cracking Pressure: "roughly 10-11 PSI"

What I actually measured:
Base Spring Pressure: 10 PSI
Cracking Pressure: 12 PSI

Picture Time:

My Mityvac:

The ZZP billet actuator installed on the V3:

I'm still waiting to here back from my tuner about the Forge Atmospheric Bypass Valve.
I'll update when he responds.

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F18D4T

· #151 · May 5, 2021

Cracking pressure is supposed to be lower then the final spring pressure... If not they would overboost as the springs' rated pressure is supposed to be the max without a controller. The only times this might not be the case is if there is really high backpressure in the exhaust which isn't a good thing. The rating of a spring is not when it starts to open, rather the pressure in which it will ideally let enough exhaust past to maintain its' rated pressure.

JLL

Discussion Starter · #152 · May 6, 2021

F18D4T said:
Cracking pressure is supposed to be lower then the final spring pressure... If not they would overboost as the springs' rated pressure is supposed to be the max without a controller. The only times this might not be the case is if there is really high backpressure in the exhaust which isn't a good thing.

I was talking about base spring pressure, which I measured at 10 PSI (when the actuator arm started to move not attached to the wastegate).
Attached to the wastegate it started to open at 12 PSI (the cracking pressure). The wastgate didn’t fully open until around 25 PSI.

SlyCruze

· #153 · May 6, 2021

How did you chose the piston bore size ? Did you need to take it apart ? Reason I ask, I’m looking zap pistons and they offer 2 sizes

JLL

Discussion Starter · #154 · May 6, 2021

SlyCruze said:
How did you chose the piston bore size ? Did you need to take it apart ? Reason I ask, I’m looking zap pistons and they offer 2 sizes

The stock bore size is 2.855 inch and uses 72.5mm pistons. The 2.894 inch / 73.5mm pistons are oversized for if the block needs bored. I put a bore scope down the cylinder to inspect the cylinder wall condition. It looked good so all I'll have to do is deglaze the cylinder walls before I install the pistons, which doesn't really remove much material (less that 0.001")

SlyCruze

· #155 · May 6, 2021

Thanks , much appreciated

JLL

Discussion Starter · #156 · May 6, 2021

SlyCruze said:
Thanks , much appreciated

No problem

JLL

Discussion Starter · #157 · May 9, 2021

UPDATE: I did something unexpected today. Originally I had planned to keep the stock ride height, but today I bought a set of Eibach Pro-Kit Lowering springs. I figure a lower center of gravity won't hurt. Does anyone still sell upgraded stocks and struts for the Gen1 Cruze? @Blasirl @MP81 @Thebigzeus
And anyone else who may know the answer.

Thanks In Advance

Thebigzeus

· #158 · May 9, 2021

Suspension, Page 2

Jerry is actually ordering in some new ones, he said early adopters can get a discount. IDR which brand though, I can ask if you like.

JLL

Discussion Starter · #159 · May 9, 2021

Thebigzeus said:
Suspension, Page 2

Jerry is actually ordering in some new ones, he said early adopters can get a discount. IDR which brand though, I can ask if you like.

Thanks

MP81

· #160 · May 9, 2021

Koni makes single-adjustable Yellows for the 1st gen cars. Since you can't get B6s for the rear (you can, but Bilstein simply refuses to actually make any), these are probably what I'll end up going with in the event we need new struts/shocks.

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