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Author Topic: Solstice Drift Build  (Read 70339 times)

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Offline Graywolf

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #50 on: October 23, 2010, 12:32:23 PM »
Sounds like a fun project. You need to buy a copy of  Pontiac Solstice Performance which has a chapter on building a drift car. Major mod is changing the a arms and changing  diff to handle the abuse. Make sure you have a super expert install your roll cage,at 6'3'' you will need perfection to be able to fit into your car. The above book has a chapter on roll bars. Make sure your roll bar conforms to the sanctioning body for your drift events.
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Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #51 on: October 23, 2010, 12:57:13 PM »
Thanks Graywolf  :D

I actually already have the book and fit in the car quite well!  I have a great shop (complete with super experts  :thumbs:)  building the cage.  I will introduce them when the time finally arrives...I can't wait to drive again!

Offline Kelu

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #52 on: October 23, 2010, 02:57:59 PM »
Looks nice, I wasn't expecting for such pictures from you  :lol: , but I like it  :thumbs:
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Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #53 on: October 23, 2010, 05:46:21 PM »
Never fear, I do concern myself with the look of the car as well as the hellafunctional aspects :)

Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #54 on: October 23, 2010, 09:26:10 PM »
Guys, I was reading through an old thread and came across this statement from Gunnys GXP:

Quote
Continuing update.

     They replaced the Demons brain today and got the car started. What was interesting was the only way it would start was if they bypassed the Onstar box.  I guess this is thier way of getting revenge for canceling thier service  .  Anyway, apparently because the on-star draws info from the ECM on a constant basis (service paid or not) it is doing something to damage the ECM.  They should have a replacement on-star box in tomorrow or Thursday.  Hopefully one that works properly.  It may actualy explain why I have never received a complete monthly diagnostic via e-mail from on-star and they agree.  Always said there was an issue in receiving the report but I figured it was always in the garage or something when they happened to run it.

We'll see, and so far they say that everything I've been doing to the car has not been an affecting factor in the problem so, so far so good for warantee coverage.  Fingers crossed I get her back and right by Thursday.

I removed the OnStar from my car.  Any ideas on the bypassing aspect of this? 

Offline kennysabarese

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #55 on: October 24, 2010, 10:38:17 AM »
blacking out those bezels looks really nice...
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Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #56 on: October 24, 2010, 07:12:09 PM »
Small Update:

Checked the fuses.  OnStar fuse blown.  All other fuses look good...

Offline Yogi

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #57 on: October 25, 2010, 09:02:12 AM »
Do you have HP Tuners?  Maybe the OnStar bypass is in there?   :idk:
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Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #58 on: October 25, 2010, 03:06:31 PM »
Do you have HP Tuners?  Maybe the OnStar bypass is in there?   :idk:

Actually, I just started working with Wester's Garage and ordered a standalone ECU!!!  I'll have an update on this soon (later this week).  Hopefully, the car will be ready to head to the shop next week for the cage and hardtop install. :thumbs:

Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #59 on: October 28, 2010, 09:23:10 PM »
**Short update**

She LIVES!!!! So excited!  Detailed post coming soon!

Teaser:  She runs a Wester's Garage Standalone ECU now :thumbs:

Offline Kelu

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #60 on: October 29, 2010, 05:31:07 AM »
What Standalone ECU means? Spare ECU? :D
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Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #61 on: October 29, 2010, 08:48:35 PM »
I would suggest that "standalone" is meant in several generic ways but I would surmise them to say that it is a no-frills (e.g. anti-theft, bcm functionality, etc) purpose built ECU for racing.

Offline DeepBlueGXP

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #62 on: October 30, 2010, 11:49:26 AM »
I guess you have a tune associated with higher octane?

Offline Critterman

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #63 on: October 31, 2010, 04:50:20 PM »
That is good news, I still think it was the onstar.
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Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #64 on: November 01, 2010, 08:10:32 AM »
I guess you have a tune associated with higher octane?

Just 93 right now

Offline old goat

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #65 on: November 01, 2010, 08:16:17 AM »
I just wanted to throw this out as it is a a build thread, When RMR built their Solstice they ran 225's on the front and 265's on the back, they wanted 275's on the back but Bridgestone didn't make it to fit. Not sure why they ran the 225s on the front, ran the pressure down around 25 up front too, seems the pressures were VERY important.

Glad Lyndon could help, he is a very smart guy, kind of figured if anyone could figure it out he could.
« Last Edit: November 01, 2010, 08:29:46 AM by old goat »

Offline melissadunagan

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #66 on: November 01, 2010, 12:46:29 PM »
  Hey frictionfigter I was would why you didn't buy a wrecked Solstice and rebuild ed it into a race car instead on one with a clean title? I am assuming you car had a clean title. To me it seem sad to see a good car cut up, when so few where made.
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Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #67 on: November 01, 2010, 02:22:43 PM »
What is becoming "cut up" to you is simply becoming perfected to me. 

This is also my first attempt at building a race car.  I don't have access to a shop to rebuild something that was wrecked (yet!).  I wanted a clean unabused specimen to build.  She also looked so lonely sitting at that Ford dealership w/ 2500 miles on her.

Furthermore, most companies that start with a wrecked version of the car are planning something very very extreme and high dollar (e.g. Falken/ASD saturn sky). 

If you think about it, I really don't have a heavily modified car:

Wester's Garage ECU
KW v3 Coilovers
Healthy diet (removed all of the stuff I don't want/need)
Roll Cage
Norm's Racing Hardtop
Sparco EVO II seat

Everything else is stock!

Offline DeepBlueGXP

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #68 on: November 01, 2010, 04:26:37 PM »
What will you be doing about the steering knuckles?

Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #69 on: November 01, 2010, 04:37:26 PM »
And onto the ECU install!

At the recommendation of the OldGoat, I called up Lyndon at Wester's Garage.  I introduced myself to Lyndon and conveyed my troubles and intentions.  Subsequently, he suggested that I run their standalone ECU.

And so I present to you:


The install could not have been easier.  Instructions are provided on the Wester's Garage website.  With the exception of two clips on top of the ECM, this install was identical to a battery install (remove the fender, etc).

A couple angles:


There are two connectors on top of the ECM that are removed by drawing the plastic arms back.  There is one clip on the left and one on the right that hold the ECM firmly in place.

You can see the clip on the right here:


This particular Wester's Garage ECM is a standalone computer that is completely inline with my goals.  It bypasses many of the BCM/ECM functions that are unnecessary for racing (e.g. onstar, anti-theft, etc).  As I stated in my previous post, I have sought to surgically alter this car to bring out its potential for the track.  I also seek to ensure that every modification is meaningful and effective.

I spent the weekend wiring up a pushbutton start for the car.  More on that soon.  On Friday night, I cranked her up for the first time in quite a while.  She cranked right up and purred...

Last night, I took her for a test drive...She runs perfectly, boost is instant, and she pulls like a freight train.  Recall that I have removed much of the wiring harness and the car is stock with the exception of this ECU!  Lyndon/Wester's Garage is a ROCK STAR!!!  I sincerely could not get the smile off of my face.  I thought about doing a small video but unless there are requests, I think I am going to wait till the cage and hardtop are installed.

I leave for SEMA tomorrow and the car will go in the shop as soon as I return.  Cage and hardtop install soon!

Offline frictionfighter

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #70 on: November 01, 2010, 04:38:18 PM »
What will you be doing about the steering knuckles?

I haven't gotten there yet.  Any advice?

Offline Gentleman Jack

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #71 on: November 02, 2010, 01:26:45 AM »
FF,

No need to remove the fender to remove / swap the ECM.  A few practice tries and it is quite easy to do.

Good Luck!

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Offline old goat

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #72 on: November 02, 2010, 06:56:03 AM »
Lyndon has tuned many Solsti, one thing he does better than anything else is build race cars. He has a full machine shop get him to do a head for you, should wake things up. I know he has been dieing to do one. He has a flow bench as well so he can flow the intake, port match the exhaust. Shame he is in Canada.

Offline DeepBlueGXP

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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #73 on: November 02, 2010, 08:15:18 AM »
I haven't gotten there yet.  Any advice?
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Re: Solstice Drift Build
« Reply #74 on: November 02, 2010, 09:15:29 AM »
frictionfighter, how is the pushbutton start going?  What an awesome addition!!!
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