+- Madison Motorsports (https://forum.mmsports.org)
+-- Forum: Technical (https://forum.mmsports.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+--- Forum: Member's Projects (https://forum.mmsports.org/forumdisplay.php?fid=12)
+--- Thread: Project: The Sky's The Limit (/showthread.php?tid=10293)
Project: The Sky's The Limit - BFisch06 - 04-30-2013
After accepting a job in Roanoke, my wife and I will be moving back to our hometown in June. :thumbup: That said, after 7 long, arduous years pursuing my undergrad degree, I'll finally be getting it - so I decided to treat myself. (We also needed a second car since I'll be in Roanoke for a few weeks while she finishes teaching her 3rd graders.) I had considered a 2000-2004 Corvette, but came to the conclusion that wasn't the right choice as my first RWD vehicle. Tires and gas would be super expensive and I was afraid it would be too much power to have as a DD (and my first RWD). So, I settled on GM's now-extinct Kappa platform.
The Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, and Opel GT were built on the platform in Wilmington, DE until 2009 when GM pulled the plug. I wanted a Solstice Coupe, but with only 1266 produced (just under 300 being the GXP trim with a manual), the prices are outrageous. Black on black with 41k miles in Michigan for $25k? Nope. The more I read and the more I searched, the more I liked the Sky. I finally found one in the color scheme I wanted: Forest Green with a tan top. I'm sure it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I like that it is unique without attracting as much attention as, say, the bright yellow or red. Two tone interior matches the top and it is near-perfect condition. Car spent its whole life in Maryland averaging 9500 miles a year. There is a little rust from ocean salt, but it's in good condition for a 2008 IMO. The biggest disappointment was a hole my wife found in the passenger-side fiberglass fender where someone decided they could use a four-post lift however they wanted.
Panel is busted clean through, but it's on the underside and is simply cosmetic. I'm planning to get around to it this summer - either a replacement or a patch, depending on the cost. It is the Redline trim level, so performance wise I'm really happy - same 2.0 LNF that's in the HHR SS - the same engine I worked on during my stint in Powertrain with GM in Pontiac, MI as an engineer in the dynamometer and teardown labs. In addition, it has factory Bilstein's on all four corners, an LSD, and (of course) a 5 speed. Nice to finally have a proper suspension setup. Right now the only issue I'm having is the DI system ticking under throttle. I checked the plugs and they look good for their age, so I seafoamed the IM - it helped with a less frequent ticking at idle, but under throttle the injectors click like mad. :x Need to read into the issue a little more. Most likely, the previous owner babied the engine and/or didn't use premium gas, and carbon has coated the valves/injectors. :dunno:
A couple pics (need to whip out the DSLR after exams):
![[Image: IMG_20130426_191819.jpg]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjZfPgSj4sI/UX9MpEjgKPI/AAAAAAAADvI/Cds4PCDXGEk/w863-h647/IMG_20130426_191819.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20130427_134702.jpg]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SkGMtc8FDJ4/UX9MpPNFWkI/AAAAAAAADvM/D90FKvsssKM/w863-h647/IMG_20130427_134702.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20130427_134656.jpg]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--mMyaL_Rkns/UX9MpLGw5SI/AAAAAAAADvI/6L5-yU0Votc/w863-h647/IMG_20130427_134656.jpg)
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - CaptainHenreh - 04-30-2013
It's about time someone in MM got one of those.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - .RJ - 04-30-2013
Nice! I approve.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - SlimKlim - 04-30-2013
Congrats on the purchase! I alway liked the Sky but my knees are at 9 and 3 on the wheel with my feet on the pedals.
Its strange the injectors tick under load, my VW doesn't tick at all under throttle but seriously sounds like a diesel at idle the injectors are so loud.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - BLINGMW - 04-30-2013
cool! :thumbup:
I'm with you on the green/tan, I see an MR2 Spyder now and then in that color combo and always wish I had an excuse to get one.
Taking injectors out and getting them cleaned doesn't cost much...
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - D_Eclipse9916 - 04-30-2013
Nice pick up! Those cars are a lot of fun!
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - ScottyB - 04-30-2013
very cool! glad somebody finally snagged one of these at the prices they sell at these days.
i have fond memories of my wife and i cruising up to mill mountain in her dad's hunter green/tan 5.0 vert. i would have LOVED to be driving that sky even more. take that sucker down to the peaks of otter next time the weather clears!
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - WRXtranceformed - 04-30-2013
Dude that is a great purchase. I have always really liked those cars and you definitely hardly ever see them.
My DI ticks a lot too, I think it's just the nature of the car...it has noisy injectors. One thought to keep the IM clean of oil is to install a catch can. I have the RX catch can and I drain out about a 1/4 quart of oil every oil change that would otherwise be in the IM!
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - CaptainHenreh - 04-30-2013
Direct injection gas cars are probably always gonna have noisy injectors. Nature of the beast. My Speed3 did the same thing.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - Jake - 04-30-2013
Always thought these were sexy with the roof down. It's a giant pain to put back up, but why would you want to cruise around top-up anyway?
Good on ya for getting the Redline - it's got everything to be a proper sports car! I love the coupe model, but just like the Z3M coupes, you end up paying stupid money versus the soft top.
Looking forward to better/more pix and seeing where this goes :thumbup:
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - BLINGMW - 04-30-2013
ohhhhh.... direct injection! I didn't know it had that. :dunno:
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - BFisch06 - 04-30-2013
Thanks guys! The top isn't terrible to deal with, but that may be the fact that the novelty of it hasn't worn off yet. I plan to cruise every mile of Virginia's part of the Blue Ridge Parkway this summer and if I have the time I'll make it into NC.
Having two LNF-powered cars I can compare the two, good, bad, or otherwise. The HHR doesn't tick like the Sky, but being FWD the injectors are on the far side of the block. The Sky has them right in front of me, so I guess it's a lot more noticeable.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - JustinG - 05-01-2013
remove mods from HHR, Install onto Sky.......Smokey RWD > lame FWD burnouts
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - BFisch06 - 05-01-2013
Sadly, the turbo upgrade is linked to the VIN - but Trifecta makes a tune for the kappa's that puts power near 330 and torque at 340. Might wait a while on that one though. Probably going to do a Z0K rear sway bar. Can't decide if I want to try to stay in SCCA B Stock or just go all out for A Street Prepared.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - D_Eclipse9916 - 05-01-2013
BFisch06 Wrote:Sadly, the turbo upgrade is linked to the VIN - but Trifecta makes a tune for the kappa's that puts power near 330 and torque at 340. Might wait a while on that one though. Probably going to do a Z0K rear sway bar. Can't decide if I want to try to stay in SCCA B Stock or just go all out for A Street Prepared.
Bstock is in for a lot of changes this upcoming year. However, none really benefit the skystice. I would still stay Bstock lol.
Project: The Sky's The Limit - JPolen01 - 05-01-2013
What does the turbo upgrade being linked to the vin mean? I've never heard that before.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - JustinG - 05-01-2013
JPolen01 Wrote:What does the turbo upgrade being linked to the vin mean? I've never heard that before.
My assumption....
It is an OEM GM Performance upgrade, and assigned to the HHRs VIN in order to be covered under warranty.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - BFisch06 - 05-01-2013
JustinG Wrote:JPolen01 Wrote:What does the turbo upgrade being linked to the vin mean? I've never heard that before.
My assumption....
It is an OEM GM Performance upgrade, and assigned to the HHRs VIN in order to be covered under warranty.
DING DING DING! Since it's a GM Performance Part (and carries a warranty with it), a one-time use code is shipped with each kit that gives the tech access to the new tune. Once it's on the car, it can't be reused on another. Not even sure how they would handle an ECM replacement. :dunno:
Powertrain warranty on the Sky has expired, so I wouldn't go with the GMPP tune this time around anyway.
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - Steve85 - 05-01-2013
Love these, like mini C6s. Nice choice!
Re: Project: The Sky's The Limit - JustinG - 05-01-2013
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.performanceautowerks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1982&osCsid=q17q20g3qc7o8uoh8v32qd27b7">http://www.performanceautowerks.com/cat ... 8v32qd27b7</a><!-- m -->
DONE.
ORRRRRR.....
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.performanceautowerks.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1657">http://www.performanceautowerks.com/cat ... ts_id=1657</a><!-- m -->