Bob's Boogie Bug Ecotec journey

[brotherbob]

STF- Hey I'm BrotherBob and I've been building a 70's style Baja in the last few months.

So long story short , I went to a VW show and got inspired by a Ecotec baja. I jumped on the local pages and found a 2006 Chevy Cobalt 2.2 that was rode hard and put up wet. 109K miles, dirty, sitting on flats, hadn't ran in 9 months and had a dead miss. I picked it up for 400 bucks!
Plan is to make the Cobalt run properly first and then rape it for every part I can get for the Boogie Bug!

Been reading a bunch and would like your help and opinions along the way.

BB

[brotherbob]

he one that inspired me

My 2.2 Ecotec

The problem-

My Bug

[brotherbob]

A few months ago=

[brotherbob]

Can a type 1 IRS stand up to a stock 2.2 Ecotec street driven? Those bus boxes have gotten expensive!
Thanks BB

[Chip Birks]

As long as you aren't dumping the clutch and doing big burnouts with those rear tires it'll be fine.

[Sandbar Norm]

Hello Bob,
Yes a type 1 trans will work for a while. Mine has lasted since 2010. It has started to leak lube so I'm in the process of changing to a 5 rib and a suspension upgrade. I don't do burnouts or speed shifting. I think that over time the Ecotec is a little to much for a stock t1 trans.

[brotherbob]

Hello Bob,
Yes a type 1 trans will work for a while. Mine has lasted since 2010. It has started to leak lube so I'm in the process of changing to a 5 rib and a suspension upgrade. I don't do burnouts or speed shifting. I think that over time the Ecotec is a little to much for a stock t1 trans.

Hi NORM!

Well I bit the bullet and found a 002 3 rib for 250 bucks! So I bought it.

Next is that damn expensive adapter plate for 2.2 Eco to 002 trans!

Stay tuned and I'd love to hear about the Eco rail build!

BB

[brotherbob]

The Ecotec is repaired and out!

Got more poop to get but I'm getting there!

Stay tuned and please comment , provide input....I'm just a 50 year old VW burn out trying to get to h2o powered.

[brotherbob]

I have a 002 now and started the 10 degree mock up.
Ecotec here I come. Next to buy that adapter and harness mod. Anybody got an idea on who to purchase from? Phils?
Bob

[petew]

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but... if it were me, I'd mount the engine and transmission east/west in the back of the car. I know it's a lot more surgery, but the stock trans would be up to the power. Aside of a subaru trans (which are expensive), everything else you've suggested will be weaker.

[brotherbob]

Your right Pete!
However I am committed or should be committed , but I'm moving forward with the 002 , 10 degree mount, 15 5/8 axles , bus and bug CV's......
I'm fabbing my radiator mounts now, thanks to SMHO for the ideas that confirmed my suspicions.
BB

[Flintstone]

Hey BrotherBob I just joined this site and am interested in the ecotec swap and came across your post. First let me say I love your baja with the big street tires. I have a 59 Baja and thought of doing the same thing with a 50 series tire. Second, I have a built 71 Baja that is caged and had a 1915 in it. This is the one I want to ecotec. How is progress with yours coming?