My daily driver and tuner car project.
Overview
Year: 2004
Make: Saturn
Model: Ion
Trim Level: 2
Assembly: Spring Hill, Tennessee, USA
Car's name: "Alex" Alexander
Engine: Z22SE (L61)
Transmission: M86 Getrag F23 5 speed manual
Mileage: 87,000 miles
Body style: 4 door coupe
Color: Chili Pepper Red (AKA Victory Red)
Curb Weight: 2,605 lbs
My father bought me this car in 2011 while I was in school, so I had a reliable way to get to school every day. This was after my Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34 had busted the timing belt and bent the valves. Rather than repair the high maintenance V6, he wanted me in something newer, easier to work on, more reliable, and cheaper to maintain. When i got the car, it was completely stock, complete with horribly ugly wheels and incredibly uncomfortable seats. Comfort was my first priority and the seats were the first to go, them the rims.
In January, 2011, I lost 5th gear and replaced the transmission with another getrag F23 from another 04 Ion coupe ($200 from a junkyard with a warranty). No transmission issues since then. Well until recently (March, 2013) when a cracked flywheel made it dangerous to drive and destroyed the SPEC stage 1 clutch I had installed during the transmission replacement. The flywheel was replaced with an OEM one and to keep from the clutch possibly being destroyed again, a much stronger Exedy stage 2 clutch went in.
My goal is a streetable, comfortable sport compact. The plan is to swap the rear axle for a 2005+ one, a XXX Powell Race parts rear sway bar, a front sway bar from a Cobalt SS Turbo, 5 lug conversion with 18" rims, a rear disc brake conversion kit (also from Powell Race Parts), Brembo front disc brakes (from a 2008-2010 Cobalt SS Turbo), a supercharger kit (Power goal is a maximum of 250 HP, minimum of 220). Inside, dark door panels, seats and door fabric inserts redone with red suede, a Pioneer stereo, a swap from 4 speakers to 6, and the body kit (including the huge rear wing) from a Saturn Ion Redline.
Exterior
Painted radio bezel surround
Recaro racing seats (from 2006 Saturn Ion Redline)
Black painted headlamps
Engine
Exedy Stage 2 Racing Clutch
Removed Intake silencer
Brakes & Susp.
GM Performance Parts 16" rims
Moog front sway bar end links (from Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo)
KW V1 coilovers
Audio
N/A
Specs
- 14 Mile: 16.2
- Bhp: 140
- Induction: na
- Torque: 145
- Year: 2004