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What is the DF Goblin? It is a low priced kit car produced just outside of Dallas, TX based off the popular Cobalt. Why cobalt and not the K20 or some other motor you may ask? Because the Cobalt is so popular you can pick up salvage ones from auctions for $500-$750. The goal for this kit car is not to be the fastest, most track capable car, but rather a cheap and fun project that you can build in your garage without any special tools/welding. Estimated time of completion is 100 hours including taking apart the donor car.
For my car I knew that I would want a lot of power, coming from liter bikes in the past. A popular option is getting the standard cobalt for $500-$700, and then supercharging it for another $700. Rather than build up the standard motor, I decided to get the already stout LNF motor. I paid a little more, but the engine is well worth it.
The 2.0 LNF ecotec motor is a beast. It's been used in us spec Atoms and also the 999 Motorsports MK2 (GM 2.0L Ecotech LNF engine |). While the cobalt itself had some faults, the motor is fantastic. Unique LNF features, compared to the standard Ecotec motors include:
a twin-scroll turbocharger
cam-driven high-pressure gasoline direct injection fuel system
dual camshaft continuously variable valve timing
sodium-filled stainless steel Inconel exhaust valves
low-friction cast aluminum pistons with oil squirters
forged steel crankshaft
forged steel connecting rods
cast stainless steel exhaust manifold
With just an exhaust, intake, tuned on E42 I have seen these put down over 350whp/420wtq, plenty for a car that weighs 1400lbs and should be very reliable. The 2008 donor that I purchased also has the 315mm 4 piston Brembo brakes and optional LSD.
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Pictures of some completed cars:
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October 27th, 2015
I just picked up a donor that will be used for a DF Goblin kit car. It is a 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS with 30k miles. It was totalled because of a rear end accident, perfect for this build. Other than the rear end damage it is a real gem and runs and drivers perfect. I'll be getting my frame in the second batch around the end of jan/mid feb. In the mean time I will start stripping my donor down to the required parts. End goal will be to have 300 RWHP in a ~1400 track/street legal weapon.
The car was purchased on Copart and I used A Better Bid as a Copart Broker. They charged $200 and also arranged shipping to AL to TX for $550. It ended at $2600 on CoPart and all said and done I paid around $3800 delivered at my door. I had listed it on uShip as well, but A Better Bid was able to secure the best rate since they are also a transportation broker. Shipping only took about a week and I highly recommend this broker.
May 12, 2016 (had a wedding after I purchased the donor, also there was a bit of a wait on production. They had build their first batch of 10 production frames and were working on the tooling for the future frames)
Hey guys, wanted to post a quick update. I am almost finished stripping the entire car. I have cut off the front support beam and all that is left is to to remove the wiring harness and subframe with engine. Can't wait to get the frame and start building!
Also, selling old parts has been a great success, I have almost collected almost $2000 at this point! Hoping to get another $500 with the remaining parts which would put the net cost of the donor at about $1500!
July 20th. 2016
My frame for my car just got built up. I took some screencaps from the webcam that they have set up and also had Adam send me some pictures. Also decided on Illusion Blue for the powder coat!
And building on that, I kicked my tail into high gear to finish stripping my donor. Ended working till 4am on Saturday morning dropping the motor and removing any remaining hoses, tank, etc. All that remains at this point is dash assembly to release the rest of the wiring harness.
Also to note, removed the engine and subframe by lowering the car onto two small furniture dollies, and then lifting the car away. I was then able to roll the assembly away from the car. Almost time to dump the chassis!
I have also thought some day this might be my final resting spot for my front end. How will you keep the front end down on it with 300+whp?
Keep us informed as there are a few on here who have thought about doing one.
I have also thought some day this might be my final resting spot for my front end. How will you keep the front end down on it with 300+whp?
Keep us informed as there are a few on here who have thought about doing one.
I plan on adding a front wing to help at higher speeds, but the one that I drove with 200whp (green roll cage model) felt very planted. What helps is that the car is tilted forward with the rear tires being 1" larger in diameter than the front. I'll let you guys know how it feels once its running at over 300whp
BTW would you sell the seats and the center console piece?
I've sold the seats already, but still have the center console piece. I have everything stripped off the car, feel free to visit Austin, I'm selling everything for cheap.
Time for an update! I picked up my frame from Adam about 2 months about and it looks awesome. Started a new job so I haven't had much time to work on it, but finally finished taking out the dash from the donor. The scarp body is ready to be hauled away finally!!
Finally got rid of the donor chassis. Tried out Facebook classifieds after not having luck on Craigslist and it was gone in a matter of days, at no cost to me. Did some much needed garage cleaning and reorganizing of my tools. Started test fitting the brake lines and riveted the front bulkhead.
Good that the donor is good and you have room to work. Time to roll those sleeves up and get moving on the goblin. Did you get any of their skins for the goblin body? Or are you just going for the sand rail type look?
Good that the donor is good and you have room to work. Time to roll those sleeves up and get moving on the goblin. Did you get any of their skins for the goblin body? Or are you just going for the sand rail type look?
Haha yup, my wife is happy that the donor is gone too.
I'll be getting the nose cone and engine cover. For the side pieces I'm thinking of doing something with clear plexiglass.
07-26-2016 | 11:47 AM
