Tim’s Garage Episode 11: Saturn Sky Redline /Solstice GXP Big Wheel Turbo Install / Motor Mount Mod

[@kennethwise7108]

New Sky Redline owner here and recent subscriber (64,000 mile car). Im planning on following everything you've done over your ownership. Looking forward to learning more about all of these mods. So far all ive done was the Zz performance coil packs but this was due to a P0300 misfire problem. Hopefully that doesn’t rear its ugly head ever again. Time will tell.....

[@hifiveguyy]

thank you so much man. Its hard to find videos on/about these cars and even harder when it comes to checking/fixing/swapping what's under the hood. Thank you for this educational and informative video.

[@hifiveguyy]

just saw the rest of your videos... dude thank you so much!!! I really needed these videos! subscribed!

[@herbh9348]

Great video Tim, looking forward to seeing your project thru completion, excellent detail on part numbers and procedures. That car is going to scream when it's done.

[@350tiger]

Hey thanks Herb !!

[@jeffd4056]

Another fantastic video Once your done it’s going to be a completely different handling car For the better I must add Thanks for taking me along with you

[@350tiger]

Thank you for the encouragement ! I appreciate the company along the ride as well 😎

[@mjones53]

Great videos Tim

[@350tiger]

Hey thanks !!

[@goflylow]

I seem to be binge watching your videos. Another nice video, thanks! Oh if you every change your channel name consider this, "Socks in the Garage with Tim." LOL sorry I guess I envy your clean garage. Liked and subscribed!

[@350tiger]

Lol … funny 😄

[@ronlebert4245]

Hi Tim great video lot's of good info & really like the GM manual shots, adds the professional look to the blog. To tighten the cat studs they have a hex @ the end of the stud this is for a socket, also you should add a bit of copper anti-size to the studs & bolts just to make life easier in the future. Where did you get the manual from very nice to work to spec. As I said I really like your work ethic. Will keep watching. Ron

[@350tiger]

Ron yes I have the actual socket but was concerned they might twist off. Old habits 🤔 die hard. I appreciate the comments, thank you! I purchased the manuals from www.Crateenginedepot.com and they were a few hundred dollars but worth every penny ... I have the CD pdf version and it is almost impossible to find anything for an old school guy like me. As I recall the manual called for the studs to be installed dry ... with no anti seize if you can believe it 😳

[@BulliKid]

How much did mods run you already? What tuning software will you be using?

[@350tiger]

Well I have not done a $ Total yet but I believe it is about $3700 at this point but I have the best of everything I could find. I still do not have the rear suspension DDM Brace installed yet. I am using RPM Performance and it will be the Stage 3 tune. I have the HPTuners software MPVI2 OBD2 interface tool to interact with the Cars CPU as well as an inexpensive HP Laptop to capture the data and run the programming software.

[@b1perry]

Ever going to give us an update?

[@350tiger]

I wound up very busy with work ... I have the video shot and just need to do some edits ... please be patient 😉

[@mendhamgolf]

Hi Tim, I miss seeing you posting new Sky mods on your channel. Just a note about the newer motor mounts. I purchased them from Kappa Haus over the winter and just had them installed. BIG MISTAKE! The car is undrivable. It rattles, shakes, vibrates so much and is so noisy that the car is not at all enjoyable to drive anymore. It's like every nut and bolt is going to vibrate loose. I was not expecting that. I just wanted to let people know if they are thinking of changing out the motor mounts to think twice about doing it.

[@350tiger]

Did you put the black inserts in (softer) or the red ones ? Brian indicated he was looking for an even softer one. I ran the mounts and they were marginally to harsh for me. I went back to stock but I liked the more positive feel of the firmer mouths and when Kappa Haus does the softest inserts I will definitely upgrade.

[@silverviper2184]

Did you ever take this dragstrip? Also did you have this dynoed. Thanks

[@350tiger]

No Dyno or Dragstrip yet but I have used a Dragy and managed a 13.3-13.5 with 107-105 MPH trap speed. I need some tires that are grippy as mine keep blowing away with wheel spin and I am sure there is a sub 13 in the car as is.

[@silverviper2184]

@@350tiger What's the elevation where you live. thanks

[@350tiger]

Well I live in Orange County so … 300-500 ft … altitude does not affect boosted cars as much as NA cars though. Temperature and air density does have an affect on the ability to build boost though.

[@silverviper2184]

@@350tiger Thanks live a t a mile high location. I was trying to figure out how much hp I would gain with the big wheel turbo over my set up. It seems about 20-30 hp realistically,

[@350tiger]

I would expect over a stock 260 HP car the big wheel with a tune and charge pipes, a larger intercooler, charge pipes, no Cat and large exhaust 350hp is pretty realistic with decent fuel. Go E85 and you may get up to 370HP. I run shitty 91 octane California fuel and with a conservative tune it runs well. Once I brace the diff I will be back to tuning to get more out of the car. I will be happy around 330-340HP

[@mendhamgolf]

Hi Tim, love your video's! I have a 2009 Sky Red Line and it's a great car. How difficult was it to replace the motor mounts? Did you have to remove the engine? How did you end up replacing them? Thanks. Ed

[@350tiger]

Ed the motor mount replacement is fairly straight forward ... Jack the front of the car up or drive up on ramps and that can be undone from underneath fairly easily. Above is a little more difficult as the bits are a little harder to access. Passenger side can be accessed with a ratchet and socket and a flex joint. Drivers side I was able to reach with a couple of very long extensions through all of the wiring and managed to secure a socket onto the upper motor mount nut from under neath and then poked the extension into the socket. If you want to make it WAAAAY easier remove the lower air intake hose off of the throttle body to gain more access. That would make the job a lot easier. Once the nuts are loosened and removed simply place a jack under the engine with a pad or piece of wood and jack it up to obtain enough clearance to remove and reinstall the mounts. If you run with the Poly mounts as I did to reduce engine twist plan for some additional vibration. The vibration is a little more pronounced than with the stock mounts and would likely not be for everyone. I just want to be able to beat on the car and not have something fail (like the rear transmission housing) due to extreme abuse. That all said the motor mount can be swapped fairly easy by the average home mechanic. Once nuts are snuggled up torque them to 41 lb ft

[@bloodpoolyt]

why didn't you go with a DDM or solo hi flow cat vs OEM? I have the solo high flow still pass emissions 3 years in a row if your in cali or another no mod state country provincei understand

[@350tiger]

Well ... I am in California and that creates some issues for the car. I won’t go into specifics but I have gone to great lengths to achieve an invisible upgrade with all of the performance upgrades. Externally all ‘appears’ OEM and the computer sees everything as such so far.

[@mendhamgolf]

Hi Tim, I love your videos! I am replacing the turbo on my Sky Redline and wanted to ask a couple of questions. Do you know the part number for the crush gasket? Is it necessary to remove the catalytic converter in order to remove and install the new turbo? Finally, is there any engine coolant that flows through the turbo that needs to be drained before removal? Thanks Tim.

[@350tiger]

Yes coolant and oil flow through the turbo ... drain all coolant and then remove the cat also as it will be in the way for access. While the turbo is out if you have more than 50,000 miles I would also swap the water pump. Please go back through the episodes as ALL part numbers are included as I install every component. You will also need to crush gaskets for the oil and coolant fittings on the turbo ... those part numbers are in the videos as well.

[@mendhamgolf]

Thanks Tim!