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Supercharging the 1.8L and 2012 Cruze LS restoration

22537 Views 124 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  MP81, 
landrystephane92
So welcome to my build log, this is sort of a build log slash restoration log, I'll make a list of things I want to do and things I've done. My goal is to restore this car as I can with better upgraded parts and eventually install a supercharger. I'm open to any and every comment or suggestions! I also want to thank all my sponsors, I really appreciate the support!

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A 2012 Chevrolet Cruze LS with
2002 Mercedes C230 Kompressor supercharger
2006 Mini Cooper S bypass valve
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z CF intake vent
2019-2021 Mazda 6 front lip
what's next?

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AEM Performance Electronics | Aftermarket Performance Parts

Font Rectangle Electric blue Vehicle registration plate Symbol

FIVE8 INDUSTRIES - READY. SET. LOWER.

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EZ Lip: Universal Spoiler Lip Kits | Stick-on Front Splitters

Grey Wood Font Twig Electric blue

DIP OUTLET | Canada's source for Plasti Dip



All underlined items are hyperlinked to the post showing it.​
General things done
General things done that have been replaced or removed
Things to do
  • Bedline most of the underside of the car to prevent further rust (steel brush, rust inhibitor, then undercoat)
  • Install dual 3.5" double wall exhaust tips
  • Aluminium braze portions of the charge pipes together (budget TIG welding anyone?)
  • Install Boost Gauge (2nd post)
  • Install AFR Gauge
  • Design and make SC mounting bracket
  • Design and make SC in/out ports plate (Part 1)
  • Design and make bracket for extra pulley
  • Cut out new gasket for the SC in/out port plate
  • Repair drivers side rocker panel (Post 2) (Post 3) (Post 4)
  • Repair rust above rear wheel well where the rear bumper mounts
  • Change transmission oil with the good AMSOIL stuff
  • Fix defrost
  • Change engine oil
  • Check toe alignment
  • Check headlight alignment
  • Check for exhaust leaks
Things I'd like to do
  • Light tint on rear windows
  • Swap to LEDs (everything but headlights)
  • Coolant flush
Supercharger specific things to-do list | Excel log : Supercharged Cruze
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CHEVYCRUZE RS
Looking good ! :)
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landrystephane92
Restored the headlights again for the summer, this is a yearly ritual now. Also installed the Sylvania H13 zXe bulbs, kind of disappointed they're not whiter though.

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JLL
I am very impressed. Good job @landrystephane92 !
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landrystephane92
Started cutting and planning the charge piping!

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landrystephane92
Started installing the Powers top Z23 kit. Got it on sale for 130 CAD!
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landrystephane92
Installed the first corner, basically it's one corner done. With the coil over upgrade, wheel upgrade and brake upgrade, looks great.
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landrystephane92
Plant Hood Automotive tire Grille Road surface

Did a bit of front bumper work. Fogs, air vent and lip installed.
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Mr_Pat
landrystephane92 said:
So after drilling and Dremel work, I was able to remove the flange portion of the casted portion of the tubing from the Mercedes.

Now I need to make both sides flat, then make a plate to go over it to then braze that and two ends up bead rolled 2.5" tubing for it to be usable!

I also started cutting the gasket for this yesterday in a Fel-Pro sheet.
Click to expand...
So I'm curious as to why you didn't use the already formed pieces from the charger intake and out let and adapt from there ?? Lesson learned when we did the Del Sol years ago. that housing was cast for better flow to and from the charger. if you go to a flat square to a straight 2.5 pipe your killing yourself on flow. I am glad to see your still coming along with this and hope to see it happen one day.
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landrystephane92
Mr_Pat said:
So I'm curious as to why you didn't use the already formed pieces from the charger intake and out let and adapt from there ?? Lesson learned when we did the Del Sol years ago. that housing was cast for better flow to and from the charger. if you go to a flat square to a straight 2.5 pipe your killing yourself on flow. I am glad to see your still coming along with this and hope to see it happen one day.
Click to expand...
The space restrictions I have because of the size of the stock part and where they were directed didn't really make sense for the routing I planned. That's what I wanted to do first, but it just wasn't a viable option for the application. However, I plan to not have it square and have it flow better than that, likely not as good as OEM, but close.

On another note, brake job is done, not I would need to go break them in properly.
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landrystephane92
Started working on the rocker panel this weekend. Removed the quarter panel to see unseen areas where the rocker meets the body and quarter. Removed most of the loose rust and dirt, now I've started cutting where the Rust has thinned out the metal to the point its not able serve anymore. Once done I'll be spraying it with Rust converter and I will lay down and shape some mesh to mimic the shape of the rocker panel. Then apply more Rust converter and fill with expanding foam and shape it. Then it'll be bondo time, sanding, primer, paint and 2k clear.

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MP81
As long as the rust has only gotten through the outer-most panel, you should be good to do that. If it's into any of the inner panels - which are all high strength steel, then you'll need more intensive replacement to maintain the strength that joint provides.
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landrystephane92
MP81 said:
As long as the rust has only gotten through the outer-most panel, you should be good to do that. If it's into any of the inner panels - which are all high strength steel, then you'll need more intensive replacement to maintain the strength that joint provides.
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That's what I checked first, the rust only goes through the non-structural part, the rest is in good shape thankfully.

I removed all the bad portion and rust converted it all. Tonight I'll be putting some mesh to help give it some structure and to help the foam expand better following the body lines.
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landrystephane92
I've been fiddling quite a bit lately in trying to figure out where to put my bypass valve tract and where the place my MAF. This is what I assume is correct, can anyone confirm?


Filter -> MAF -> Bypass return -> Supercharger -> Intercooler -> Bypass valve -> Throttle Body -> Intake Manifold
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MP81
If I recall on my Cobalt, the bypass valve just dumps right into a passage into the intake manifold directly.
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landrystephane92
Is this what they mean with "trust the process". Kept as much as I possible could. re-rust converted once the heavy rince was done, foamed inside the cracks and holes, layed some mesh to give structure to the front and rear holes, sprayed more foam, then sprayed a third time more foam to make sure everything is sealed and built up enough.

Started rough trimming with a small hacksaw metal blade.

I'll be making myself a templace of the shape of it to help me make sure I remove just enough to cover with body filler.
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landrystephane92
Welp, finished my exhaust (minus the tips),
youtube.com

first start up with new exhaust

youtube.com youtube.com

Also finished the body work, now I just need to put some primer, paint and clear. It's not perfect, but not too bad.

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landrystephane92
All primered and assembled!

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landrystephane92
Haven't been able to do much the last week, but here's a picture 😂
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landrystephane92
I'll be honest with everyone, I was at a crossroad for a few weeks, keep it, sell it, junk it. I looked at used cars, I looked at new cars, I even looked at trading.

My conclusion, throw that car to a body shop, have it entirely redone to look new, redo the entire exhaust from head to end of tail pipe with new parts. Once it passes inspection again, put back the Five8 coilovers and enjoy the crap out of it for at least another 10 years!
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Cruzing12
What's the word ?
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