Olkowsr

So.....
When under the balt. It occurred to me how difficult it will be to mount this skid plate effectively.

I haven't cut it out of metal, but when I mock up with cardboard it still gets tricky.

Any ideas?

Blinker fluid

you need an actual EVO mod

SaberD

The alimax arcitcs are amazing in deep snow. My balt has an open diff and it is still an absolute beast in the snow with those tires.

Olkowsr

I agree saberD, I use them when I'm practicing in snow.

You live close to me, have you ever been to the waterford track?

I go to Richmond, MI to drive on dirt. (friends track around corn fields)

Update on car: I had to replace hood latch sensor/ assembly.

68nova200

iTrader: (2)

I might be under my car today. I will take a look as to mounting ideas

SaberD

I've been out to Waterford to see races, but I've never been on the track. I'll be taking the vette there this summer, but I can't fit in the cobalt with a helmet because of the sunroof. I'm going to need to get a racing seat before I go to the track. I'd like to check out this dirt track you speak of. Sounds like a lot of fun!

I sounds like you have a pretty interesting background. I work for an OLP software company in Auburn Hills. You might want to check it out if you are interested in an internship. We are getting in a lot of big aerospace jobs, and we need cnc programmers.

Xmetalhead2003X

iTrader: (3)

Altimax FTW. These tires grip no matter the winter conditions, even when trying to get them to break loose. Mine just tore up the mountain in an inch or 2 of sleet and snow. Nice project!

OliverSal

Did I see you today in Fowlerville?

Olkowsr

Oliver, No I was in between big rapids and traverse city this weekend.

Saber, I greatly appreciate the offer for the internship, but I will be returning to Makino of Auburn Hills.

Update on car: I found how I plan to mount up skid plate. I've got 2 holes in the frame that I will run a tap into.
Latley I've been busy with school work and our Formula team (we build a race car to race in Sae Formula)
I found some stainless steel (304) sheets from a local company that will give them to me for scrap price, b/c its got some wrinkles on it (0.093" thick). I think I'm going to use it and go to Lowes and buy some Mr gasket to prevent the plate from rubbing frame.

I also got a Powell front tow hook now (not installed, but I will get around to it). My rear has only been used once when I slid into the birm on the field and got buried.

If you guys have any cobalt related suggestions, especially self fabrication let me know.

Olkowsr

Updates on car:

Slid into ditch on friends field's driveway, but cars fine w/ no damage.
Ill try to post pics tomorrow, it was a good excuse to use the tow hook.

Skid plate is sized, just need to cut holes into it and oil access port cut out.

I looked online with no success about adding axillary lights to a cobalt ls or lt (driving lights not fogs), any advise?

I intend tomorrow to make a little light rack for some piaa 510's. (located where the black plastic grill is on the front bumper)

I looked into some new suspension, I like the rears it has, but front is kinda fishy on ice and dirt (unbalanced weight of car). I wanted to try some Monroe replacements (front only and make a urethane hard short stop)

Just letting you all know who are following me that I haven't quit and probably never will.


Ps: Sold the A4, cobalt is primary for now,.

b00sted06ss

iTrader: (10)

Sub'd for the finished results!

rcarr0327

iTrader: (1)

just saw your project now, pretty neat.

Im not majoring in cnc technician stuff, but my dad owns a CNC machine shop and we have 9 VMC's 8 Fadal and one Mazak. I know how to program the mazak and want to learn the EIA programming too. cool to see people on here with same trade skills. im 20 also lol, turn 21 on wednesday.

as for the lights... idk how much power they draw but you could either add a fuse to something that runs while the car is on or just run a switch from the battery to the lights. on my old IC pump from the L/A intercooler on my old ZZP turbo kit i ran it off the ABS fuse slot because my LS doesnt have ABS.

best of luck bud

Olkowsr

^Front tow hook finally on.




^ sliding on buddy's cornfield. no damage done and we just pulled her outwith the rear tow hook, no problems.

(Cornfield is to the right not shown in photo)


Forgot to take a photo of skid, not finished yet thou.

Olkowsr

Thanks for the advice!

Im 20 also, Manufacturing is amazing.

Olkowsr

Hey all,

I've recently mounted skid plate, took her out to the corn feild and blew a tie rod/ upper control arm.

Was an adventure Towing her behind the hummer, but she's now got replacements courtesy of a friends scrap yard.

I'm think I'm going to have to slow down on the cobalt. I'm going to focus my time and energy on building my 67 mustang for the historic rally class here in scca Michigan.

I will resume the cobalt once I get another car.

Also! If you don't have comp knuckles, get them if you rally. My friend just destroyed his neons front end.

Thank you,
Ronald Olkowski

Sir_Hiro

HEY! Stay outta my corn feilds!!! Lol

deceased10

good luck

Olkowsr

I got outta playing in balt for a while, but I drove her up to silver lake and got an orv sticker. Lol, well ended up inspiring me to make some more parts. Just ordered cryogenic frozen rotors and hawk pads. I'll update you guys on things I make.

Has anyone spotted me yet?

Just A Slobalt

iTrader: (1)

Bringing this thread back to life! Updates?

Olkowsr

Hey all,

I'm sorry this thread hasn't been updated in a while.

My reasoning is school, it's been a grueling semester but next semester is only 1 class.

I'm Re-doing the skid plate, it's causes many fusterations during oil changes. 6061 t6511 plate about 3/8" thick is the goal.

Car update:
Runs full synthetic now and a premium filter (why not)
5k 55w Hids.

Someone hit it when I was in parking lot and not in her. Only chipped front bumper paint, no biggie. Messed up his exhaust on my rim (again I didn't care).

Plans until April:
Re manufacturer front skid plate
Take her to sno* Drift.
Design and develop center exhaust skid plate (1/8" thick 6061 T6 Al)
Maybe get new shocks (probably Monroe)
Practice, Practice, Practice, (on snow)

Other:
I have a career lined up when I graduate and when the income happens I plan to do more.
This project will be a life long one, as long as the shell stays in workable condition. (End goal is to have fun)

Thank you everyone,

ssyellow

Just a heads up with that skid plate. You're going to want some sort of padding if its going under the oil pan. Reason being is that if theres no padding rocks and stuff will get wedged between the skid plate and oil pan and grind into the oil pan eventually resulting in a hole.

I should be up at Sno* Drift also pending school. I participate in local SCCA rallycross events with my father and his bug-eye WRX.

Any pictures of the Mustang?

Just A Slobalt

iTrader: (1)

What were your ideas on a light bar?

Olkowsr

Little update,

Just met slobalt at my school today, he recognised the car.

Recently ripped out both front fender wells (ice and snow build up). I was a little aggressive with throttle at Sno* Drift. (Just a spectator).

Light bar will be tied into engine cradle supports. Thinking of the piaa 510s. I graduate in 2 months and then the go balt shall be treated to some modifications. I've made skid, waiting on lift to install.

Slowbalt2000

iTrader: (1)

Hey man, nice meeting you today. Im in Automotive Engineering at Ferris btw. My name is Adam.

Olkowsr

Mini Update - 1 more month of school left.

Ordering Material for Skid Plate!! 1/4" steel and plasma table is ready to roll now.

Rolled over 88,888 Miles today and still driving it everyday, this is deferentially the best car I've owned in a while.

Also looking like an ignition swtich recall
- cant wait for the dealer to say, WTF did you do to this car.

I've been slaking on the light bar, I will get into the machine shop and figure it out.