The Fully Built Cruze 1.8 GT3582 Turbo Engine is Back in and First Start!

The fully built Cruze 1.8 turbo engine is back in and running! It has forged je pistons, forged maxpeedingrods h beam rods, balanced crankshaft, Spec Billet single mass flywheel, supertech beehive valve springs and titanium retainers, reground crower stage 2 cams, 1050x injectors, custom intake, and turbo manifold, running a GT3582 Maxpeeding turbo.
Get some merch to help support the channel!!!
10% off code: MATTCHEVY
GGT3582 turbo link：bit.ly/3Cd8rzB
Installing the $113 eBay Turbo on the Chevy Cruze 1.8 Daily Driver Part 1 - • Installing the $113 eB...
The eBay Turbo is Building BOOST!!! Chevy Cruze 1.8 Daily Driver Build - • The eBay Turbo is Buil...
PCV Issues we had - • Something Went WRONG w...
Making an equal length turbo manifold - • How to Make a DIY Turb...
Making a log style turbo manifold - • The DIY Turbo Manifold...
Custom Forged JE Pistons - • Custom Forged JE Pisto...
How to Install an Upgraded Fuel Pump - • How to Install a Repla...
Custom Camshafts for the 1.8 Cruze - • My Reground Camshafts ...
Upgraded Stage 5 Clutch and Aluminum Single Mass Flywheel - • Single Mass Aluminum F...
Keywords: FD4, Z18XER, A16LET, A18XER, VXR, Vauxhall
Be sure to follow me on Instagram to get the inside scoop...
►Instagram - @matthewchevalier
🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell to support me and so you don't miss a thing!

[@joshuatorres4762]

“I got my starter on backwards” that was great Matt couldn’t stop laughing 🙌🏽

[@cmattdabrat]

LOL... I feel like Mr. Rogers over here "We all make mistakes..."

[@lucliebrecht5909]

I dead as was just about to comment that 🤣 watching this at work and everyone looking at me like I’m stupid laughing at my phone 🤣🤣

[@dk2614]

I really dig your commitment to this 1.8l build. After going to KZbin university and seeing the dramatic difference in blocks designed for big power and stock blocks I'm having some big doubts in you achieving your goal. I'm not quitting your channel though, I'm staying for the long haul!

[@cmattdabrat]

I appreciate that! It's all part of the journey. It's a really good cylinder head design, and the 1.6 variation of this engine has been known to put down close to 500bhp. So it'll be interesting to see what it'll do with 3bar (28 psi) of boost. That's where the stock ECU caps out before I would have to go to a stand alone unit. Not trying to break the internet here. Just having fun.

[@8SecSleeper]

I bought my MSR GT3582r for $105 a few years ago, before they were known by anyone. The other day was first pulls with it. Low boost, boost reference off turbo so super slow spool. Today I stabbed 10 psi spring in and moved boost reference to intake. Wasn't expecting alot, boy was I shocked, the turbo comes on so hard and it peaked at 12 psi, it felt the same as my stock turbo on 22+ psi. Your videos got me back out to the garage last week to finish the install. It's a Saab 9-3 with 2.0 engine.

[@cmattdabrat]

That's awesome! For the money, they're some really good turbos.

[@termochiptr]

This video is a massive masterpiece. Thank you mate. It contains a lot of information. We all love your videos. Hope you continue someday.

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! Certainly will. Just taking a short break until things smooth over with the family situation. I wouldn't be surprised for the next video to just jump right into it going on the dyno.

[@samuelchartier3684]

I don't have a Chevy Cruze but your channel is awesome man! It's growing pretty good too! Keep it up man! You give me motivation to work on my projects!! 👌👌👌

[@cmattdabrat]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@bigmorris100]

Finally made it in the first 20 minutes. Huge fan from Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹 here. Loving the work you've done on the cruze. Inspiring me to do more with my own car

[@cmattdabrat]

That's awesome!

[@Sendmetacos]

The first time in a while I actually paid attention to the full 20 mins love this thing man

[@cmattdabrat]

Thank you!

[@19frito]

Badass job, now just gotta take it easy and get her tuned right. Cant wait to next video keep up the good work!!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! You're right about that.

[@sosemiteyam562]

I read about the turbdo project on Cruze Talk while researching stuff for mine, was disappointed to see someone comment that it wasn't happening. But then I went to KZbin and found you on there doing it :D. That was about a year or so ago, glad to see you're still at it man. I thought it would be an awesome what-if project to just brag about. So cool that you are making it happen! Keep up the amazing work, stay awesome!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thank you! I was posting there quite often. Not a whole lot of traffic, but those that have been curious have been following me on KZbin. I'm in it for the long haul lol.

[@sosemiteyam562]

@@cmattdabrat Well count me in for the ride :)!

[@johnbryner9052]

Good job Matt! Sounds good too. Can’t wait to see some street ripping and of course anyone thinking there tryin a stock Cruze, no sir not this time lol Keep doing ur thing ur awesome buddy!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thank you! Hahaha, can't wait to put out those videos.

[@35RSkyline]

Love seeing builds on cars people don't give a chance to. I bet this thing is a blast

[@cmattdabrat]

The more I dug into this platform, I quickly realized it's a good engine. Steel block, aluminum hemispherical head, OHC. Lot's of potential. She moves out for sure with the current setup.

[@rzdmatrix]

I have a Cruze lt 1.8 all original here in Brazil, I have fun watching your videos, cool.

[@cmattdabrat]

Thank you! I appreciate it. Thinking about adding a turbo to yours?

[@the8valveturbo]

Fantastic there Matt! That flywheel/clutch setup is looking sweet! But please in all the things holy, take it to a mappers this time round! I know you wanted to learn to do & tune yourself, but your now at that point that a proffessional should take over and tune it. I just cant bear something go wrong with the tuning side, with it either flooding or being too lean. I had to have 2 maps on mine. One for running in base map, then i had to go back for a full on "on boost" tune. If you do decide to bite the bullet and go mappers, might be worth finishing off the exhaust off to take some of that rasp out. But great job so far, well impressed!!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! You're right about that. Lining that up now.

[@modeverything1]

Awesome work! I was not expecting it to be back together and in the car already! Thought you where waiting on pistons still lol

[@cmattdabrat]

LOL! As soon as they came in, it was on!!!

[@802Garage]

Yeah this was a huge amount of work in one video!

[@cmattdabrat]

@@802Garage It's amazing what you can get done if you're not filming every moment and I figured I've recorded it before, let's get to the end goal of some power numbers and racing!

[@802Garage]

@@cmattdabrat I have def been trying to learn over the years to not film everything. Especially if I have shown it before or nobody will want to see it. Problem with the V10 is it's all brand new and I have been filming almost everything. I def try to make most a simple time lapse though and not spend hours filming every little task.

[@technicallyeco.2751]

Yea yeah, so stoked to see.

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! Me too.

[@strykerblythe]

This build is really inspiring me on my colorado build man this is an awesome series!

[@cmattdabrat]

Would be cool to see a rippin' Colorado!

[@strykerblythe]

@@cmattdabrat im gonna start mocking up most of it tomorrow on my spare motor lol should be fun when its done considering its the 3.7L lol

[@MindsMouth]

I was researching my ECOTEC II 1.6L which is the baby brother of this 1.8L and was sad my year engine didn't come with Variable cams. Seeing that you locked them up anyways makes me happy I've go the non VVt cams now. I'm thinking if the Variable intake manifold is ok for the 5PSI of boost I was going to start with. Nice seeing your build come along, i'll be able to save a few bucks and cut a few corners with the things you've taught soo far about the Ecotec 1.8L. Keep up the hard work!

[@cmattdabrat]

I think the VVT is great for stock cams. Has some tuning abilities you can tap into, but the VVT gears on these things aren't all that great IMO. I was actually trying to find a 1.6 head to just get rid of the VVT. It's not worth the gain to risk the pistons hitting the valves with larger cams. I don't trust the build of the factory VVT gears. Too much slop in them. At the end of the day, lots of proven platforms make great power with locked, or adjustable gears to dial in the power band where you want it with cams, and degreeing them where you want the power.

[@MindsMouth]

@@cmattdabrat Awesome. Thank you for the nuggets of wisdom. 🙌✌️

[@mastercricket7626]

awesome broski im about to do my first start today i hope just got to do some ecu tuner studios stuff .... your build is come along rad af broski peace n love stay safe keep it rad af and build on my brotha

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! Keep me updated how the build goes. Would love to know how it goes.

[@mastercricket7626]

@@cmattdabrat thanks bro and deff will ... I been wrk on Maken vids I just know absolutely crap about it atm lol but learning

[@jamesvang4392]

Damn she sounds good!!! Great work!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thank you!

[@DankestJedi]

Yea, not even gonna wait till I get to work to watch this one. Been waiting to see the Cruze runnin!

[@cmattdabrat]

Hahaha! Nice!

[@BulliKid]

Keep up the hard work!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! Will do!

[@juanmejia2551]

your videos are fun to watch great content, but I can't stop them till they finish so it sucks when I'm at my dealer working lol

[@cmattdabrat]

Lol! I appreciate that.

[@802Garage]

Wow! A lot of video done in this video man. Almost to 20K subs too! Nice thing about working on a modernish car is lots of them in the junkyard. That Harbor Freight engine crane will serve you fine. If it can hold up my V10 for weeks at a time, your engine is no problem. Sounds very beastly now! Can't wait to see more rips. Don't get any more budget timing belts, hahaha.

[@cmattdabrat]

That was seriously about 1 weeks worth of work condensed into 20 minutes lol. Not far from 20k! That's true, although I saw a lot more 1.4 in the yard than the 1.8's. Tons of LS engines though, had me thinking lol. She's definitely throatier. Now to sort out a couple small things, like a bigger intake tube to the turbo, relocating the IAT sensor to the charge pipe before the throttle body, BOV back on (maybe) the billet wheel turbo, boost controller, and she should be ready for someone to take over and tune it.

[@mcfero1]

Only downside is it’s super short. I had an old crane that broke, got the harbor freight one and couldn’t get to my engine with it. Had to mix the two together. At least the harbor freight one folds up though.

[@802Garage]

@@mcfero1 Yeah I think the 2 ton crane is the overall better purchase for that reason, but surprisingly I was able to wrangle my all iron Dodge V10 with the 1 ton! Had to get creative occasionally.

[@boosted2.4_sky]

Nice...sounds good...🏁

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks 👍

[@dragonslayer1483]

I couldn't ever imagine building the engine in my lil daily but I like this alot lol. My 1.8 is at 166k miles now and it's starting to make some funny noises on startup sometimes

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! On the 1.8 I've notice when the cam gears get a little old the VVT gears are slower to fill and you get somewhat of a diesel sound.

[@dragonslayer1483]

@@cmattdabrat ah that makes sense! I'm going to do my timing belt soon, do you think I should replace those gears? Sounds just like you said, about 2-3 seconds of diesel sound then it goes away

[@carsociety705]

Nice work.

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks!

[@jeankitching8044]

Now we need to see some pulls in this thing🤣, glad to see the built motor back in finally

[@cmattdabrat]

LOL! Soon! Me too!

[@2strokesimdone833]

Nice work

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks

[@pelecho]

Good job Matt 👍

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks!

[@mahdialsenussi3066]

👍👍Awesome work

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks!

[@tylerjones1359]

thats awesome very cool stuff

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks!

[@Vuhjayjay68]

Gotta see more of this You got me. I’m subscribed lol

[@cmattdabrat]

lol Thanks!

[@Vuhjayjay68]

@@cmattdabrat what kind of power are you guessing

[@jordynk6651]

HELL YEAH!

[@danssv8]

Love your content Matt

[@cmattdabrat]

Thank you!

[@adamant262]

I think its different and I like it!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks!

[@QDArt-gj6lb]

Apollo just wants u to hurry up so he can get a ride. That dog man 😂😂😂. As soon as that car started up he hopped in

[@cmattdabrat]

LOL, I can't keep him out. He needs a car bed.

[@paulwisdom5383]

With the camshafts, if they have any problems try looking at Z18XE or X18XE pulleys. I believe the Z18XE is the Non-VVT version of your engine

[@cmattdabrat]

You're right about that! Definitely have looked into them. I think what needs to happen is either pistons with a deeper inset for the valve reliefs, and / or a set of cam gears specifically designed to lock out the vvt with adjustability / decreeing to dial in the power band. I think the being able to take advantage of the vvt would be best, so perhaps just a different piston design.

[@danssv8]

Glad you got her up and running Matt. Now just the fine tuning and breaking her in. Don't ride her like a cowboy yet till she's hot.

[@cmattdabrat]

Me too! But it's soooo hard not too. lol. I'll do my best to put some miles on her and take it easy. Then we'll put it on the dyno for power tuning.

[@Summitve]

enlarge or deepen the notches or crescents in the pistons, so that when that happens it does not interfere or collide the valves with the pistons if the belt goes off again.

[@cmattdabrat]

Good point. When I originally ordered the pistons, the shop I was working with didn't account for it. We'll have to do that next build so we can keep VVT.

[@Summitve]

@@cmattdabrat It is a saving and time option, here in Venezuela they tend to do it by hand to the Chevy Aveo, but a company (PC Pistons) dedicated to the manufacture of Pistons and other components already manufactures them ready with deep notches to avoid impact of the valves when the belt goes. In short, I like your content and you do an excellent job very neat, congratulations

[@redxgamer4737]

i love your vidoes so much

[@cmattdabrat]

Thank you!

[@bobg3034]

Nice!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks!

[@jbg6961]

That sounds angry! 😀 Looking forward for some tuning

[@cmattdabrat]

You and me both!

[@angelsoto7633]

3.25 i had to rewind shit slapped lol

[@cmattdabrat]

lol

[@dk2614]

I'm wondering if you phased the vvt thingamabob before you welded them? By phasing I mean were both of those mechanisms set to the same limit before welding them in place? Obviously with one being intake and the other exhaust if the vvt aren't set the same I imagine you could have+3° on intake and +13° on the exhaust making run ugly beyond what you could tune it on the laptop. I think you understand my concerns.

[@cmattdabrat]

I know where you're coming from. They have a return spring in them. When I installed the cam gears, I installed them at their base set point. These VVT cam gears don't lock in (no keyway) like a lot of cams. It's just one heavy duty bolt that compresses them onto the noise of the cam. If that makes sense. With the cam timing tool locking the back of the cams, and the timing tool locking the gears, she's basically installed straight up. However, Crower ground in 4º of a advance into the intake camshaft.

[@johnsnow1355]

I'm still pretty sure the auto crank engine is missing the pilot bearing lucky the built motor was the original crank for the manual trans

[@spankthemonkey3437]

Its different with my Honda it just gives strait torque specks for flywheel no degrees or anything.

[@cmattdabrat]

I wish that were the case here. I hate the degree torque specs.

[@lillpee]

I would think you could turn the vvt off with hp tuners. I'm not sure about your OS, I have only done LS, and some powerstroke tunes

[@cmattdabrat]

You could, but the VVT gears on these engines aren't very trust worthy with larger cams.

[@aaroneichenberger9189]

Link to your head studs? Nice job interesting build!!

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! They're from a SRT-8 Neon ARP kit. Had to buy a couple kits if I recall. Drilled and tapped the studs from 9mm to 10mm.

[@JosefTrull]

I may have missed something but why did you weld the vvt gears? Again, sorry if I missed the explanation. Amazing job man, limited tools, limited time, limited parts for a car that hardly anyone out there does stuff to. I'm glad you stuck to your guns about it because that thing is quickly shaping up to be bad ass!

[@ezenity]

I second this, I am kind of curious too

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! What destroyed the engine last time around was the VVT. When you add larger cams with VVT, you run into the potential to have the pistons hit the valves. With some of the more popular platforms like the LS and Coyote, they have limiters cam manufacturers sell. In this case, there isn't any research on what cams you could run and what the VVT should be limited to. Crower ground 4 degrees of advance into the cams. It would take a lot of work and R&D to figure out at what point the cams are too big with VVT, decreeing, etc..., so I just locked them out.

[@cmattdabrat]

On a side note, I was quite curious as to what the stock cams with boost, and being able to play with the VVT would do. Who knows, might make better power, but I'm sure we'll figure that out one day.

[@TheInsider1000]

So sick, quick question though brother, could I interest you in a leather Cruze steering wheel? I have one that I swapped for a leather sonic rs wheel and it’s just been in my basement for the past two years. I couldn’t bring myself to throwing it out lol

[@cmattdabrat]

lol, I would say yes, but mine has no cruise control. Just a basic wheel. Maybe toss it on FB market place? I appreciate it though.

[@mecpello787]

Nice project. But why to lock the vtc? They can't be tuned?

[@cmattdabrat]

Thanks! Because last time around with the larger cams, they hit the valves and destroyed the custom pistons.

[@johnsnow1355]

Why did u decide to not install the extra thick middle shim in the head gasket when u needed it for piston to head clearance in the original build video? I paused the video and I can see it's a stock head gasket with the rivets in it still but u explained previously stock shim is too thin to give proper piston to head spacing.

[@cmattdabrat]

Initially, I did it to make up for the amount decked off of the block and cylinder head. After tinkering with this engine as many times as I have, come to the conclusion, even in stock form, there is around a -.035-.038 (negative) piston to deck height. Something I didn't think to measure when I started the "built" engine. The cylinder head chamber has around .028-.030 of a dish, and the gasket is about .022-.025 squished. Pretty tight quench area. So when the head and block were milled, things were a little too tight. In this video, the head had not been milled, which gave me around .018. Pretty tight, but didn't have an issue with the piston hitting the head. I wish these vehicles has more of a selection of compressed head gasket thickness, or I could order something smaller than .038 of a shim, which is what is currently on it. I personally want to keep the squish / quench to no more than .035, but kinda limited here on my options. Doesn't really seem to affect knock, and I'm sure lowers the CR a touch as in stock form they come from the factory right at 10.5:1 CR. Hopefully that makes sense. I'm used to the V8 chevy world where you can just select your gasket for the proper squish.

[@danielsplayhouse3804]

it's been awhile since I seen your videos in that and the last time I seen you had got a Chinese TIG welder made me go out and get a Chinese TIG welder taught myself how to tig weld. but anywho I also have upgraded my game on my TIG welder I have a prime weld TIG 225x now with a Max cool 3000 water chiller with a flex lock water cooled torch. I was kind of curious I seen you made your own intake manifold and everything what kind of welder have you upgraded to from the Chinese one you learned how to TIG weld on???

[@cmattdabrat]

That's awesome! I still use the Chinese welder for stainless and mild steel. Works great. For aluminum, I borrowed a buddies old Miller AC welder, which works okay for thinner aluminum, but doesn't really have the power to punch into anything thicker than 1/4".

[@danielsplayhouse3804]

@@cmattdabrat well that's a cool deal man like I said I started with a cheap Chinese M2 I bought one off of Amazon for $300 taught myself how to TIG weld stainless steel mild steel and also some titanium and like I said prime will reached out to me and I ended up getting a prime weld Tig 225x but also too is at a time I've lost my son to cove in August 25th 2021 but I'm definitely subscribed to you and keep up the good videos Man I can see your channel is one of those ones that struggle like I do. 😎😎😎😎

[@eatinginternet8690]

Waiting to see some roasted tires

[@cmattdabrat]

Hell yes!

[@trustme7660]

I have a Cruze and want to do this

[@cmattdabrat]

Go for it!

[@Sprier]

3:25 someone noticed, no way that was an accident. I scrolled for comments. Someone noticed 😂👌

[@cmattdabrat]

lol

[@vincentdaniels5614]

so now that the motor is back in are you gonna install backup camera lol

[@cmattdabrat]

lol, just as soon as possible. Need to get it running correct so I can actually put it in reverse and drive.

[@ijxpanz]

What’s your thoughts about the new Corolla GR

[@cmattdabrat]

You know, it's odd you mention that because I was watching a video where they pushed on well into 450 hub horsepower. Held up well, but eventually blew the head gasket. Nothing catastrophic, but made awesome power and ran 11.4 in the quarter. I think Toyota makes excellent cars.

[@dreaminbig1742]

Hey man what did you use to get the car up high enough to get transmission out and back In from underneath?

[@cmattdabrat]

Just a 2 ton jack and jack stands. With the drivers side wheel off it'll slide right out through the wheel well.

[@dreaminbig1742]

@@cmattdabrat I had a "duh" moment got it up high enough lol 😆

[@kingbryant5673]

It kinda sounds like a Subaru when you rev it

[@ThankMeNowBro]

ooooooooo-weeeeeeeee

[@ThatOneGuyWithTheEye]

Yoooo how much power do you think it's gonna but out? I just bought at 1.4 turbo

[@cmattdabrat]

At least 350whp, but shooting for 450whp+.

[@Randy1290]

where did you get the pistons at?

[@cmattdabrat]

JE!

[@user-uh7kk6hw9h]

สีเขียว

[@johnsnow1355]

I have been watching the videos from start of the build u never explain what happened to the built engine? U went from tuning it driving it to suddenly building the cheap option engine without any explanation?

[@cmattdabrat]

I did. Must have been in the live video. It had dropped a valve at one point. Bought a cheap stock engine, tossed in some rods, and gapped the rings. Ran it, and the cheap timing belt came apart. By that time, my two replacement pistons came in. Then circle back around, another cheap belt... timing got off, now this time around she's been up and running. Now just tuning the thing and getting into making runs.

[@itz_sam9739]

What do you think about building motors for people??😂

[@cmattdabrat]

If the money is there, sure lol

[@tfs2388]

Get nitrous for off the line 👹

[@cmattdabrat]

Yes! That would be awesome. Thought about it and to make sure I reach my power goals.

[@pierdmereu1300]

Stop start it if it don't idle on it owns = something is wrong and you always at it until you break it. Set everthing up and don't do laps for test etc.

[@cmattdabrat]

Nothing mechanical. Just needs a tune.

[@johnsnow1355]

Your massive long extension to torque the main studs completely got the torque wrong!!!!! I gautentee it flexed and your torque is completely wrong on the main studs. The longer your extension the more it twists and dose not torque accurate. Always use the shortest socket and extension when torque something as critical as main bearing caps there is no way there torqued with that 2 foot long extension u used 😳😳 you did the head studs properly with no extension.

[@cmattdabrat]

I'll go back and check them again now that we have a lot of cycles without the extension. The valve cover gasket has been reused enough times I could replace it and just give everything a gander anyhow. Will do that once I work on the coils. Wont take but a moment just to double check.

[@carsociety705]

Make a good exhaust system for the car or buy one it sounds like s* hit!

[@cmattdabrat]

You must be new here.

[@carsociety705]

@@cmattdabrat No I'm not I'm actually kinda OG since the beetle my account was deleted so I follow you on here, it's just that I was watching in my livingroom on the theater system hook-up that's why😂😂 I wasn't trying to be rude or anything.

[@WorldsForemostAuthority]

Lots of work to try to make that Cruze engine into something more, I commend you on that. On the other side, that Shitty...err...I mean Chevy Cruze is a piece of junk, better to just take it to the junkyard and leave it there.

[@cmattdabrat]

I appreciate it. One mans trash is another man's treasure.