ZachR's Sky, Update: I Got One!! (Belated Post)

"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
12/21/2013 at 15:31 • Filed to: ZachR's Sky

So, I actually got one on Wednesday. I however worked a 5 hour shift Wednesday night, and pulled two 13 hour shifts the following days. So here is my belated post: I bought that 2008 Saturn Sky Redline from Rydell Chevy! Have some pictures, my full write-up will be written next week.

These pictures were taken yesterday by my good friend !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! after he did a quick wash to clean it up for today's Cars and Coffee show. A full wax, polish and complete detail will probably happen next week.

I got one though! It's amazing. In such a good condition. I love every moment of it. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to go hit some back roads before my next work shift.

Previous Updates:
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
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DISCUSSION (32)

Once_upon_a_pvt > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 15:35

I have always liked the Sky, but never really looked into them. I look forward to a write up.

Once_upon_a_pvt > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 15:35

I have always liked the Sky, but never really looked into them. I look forward to a write up.

dropthatclutch > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 15:39

Now get it tuned. Got mine up to 270whp / 320wtq after 2 hours on the dyno. Make sure to get the 3bar sensors. Check to make sure the service bulletin for the coolant issue has been done on it. Do it soon if not. Seeing 256 degrees on the water temp is an uneasy feeling.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 15:41

That's the 2.0 Turbo right?

feather-throttle-not-hair > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 16:24

Suuuuhhhhweeettt!

Saturn made almost no cars I'd ever be interested in, and a sky redline is literally the only one I'd actually consider buying.

I maaaaybe like the solstice coupe GXP better, because hardtop, but the sky has better styling, so it's a wash in my mind.

Milky > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 16:38

Love it, esp. cool because you got the redline.

Kinja'd!!!

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 16:48

Congrats dude! That's the one car I have always wanted to drive front Saturn.

Union of Smog Techs of CA > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 17:34

May the Boost be with you!

Once_upon_a_pvt > Once_upon_a_pvt
12/21/2013 at 18:34

I can't delete my double post. I am a bad person...

Once_upon_a_pvt > Once_upon_a_pvt
12/21/2013 at 18:34

I can't delete my double post. I am a bad person...

911e46z06 > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/21/2013 at 20:59

Nice dude. Congrats.

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > feather-throttle-not-hair
12/22/2013 at 01:33

I feel the same way. I kind of like the Solstice GXP, but only because of the coupe. If Saturn had more time to have come out with a Sky coupe, it would have been amazing.

I also think the Sky has better styling, hence my purchase.

Of course, you could also convert it into a coupe...

Kinja'd!!!

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > Milky
12/22/2013 at 01:34

It was really Redline or bust. The 2.4L just doesn't have anything going for it anymore.

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
12/22/2013 at 01:34

Yep, 2.0L GM Ecotec with twin scroll turbocharger. Loads of fun so far! :D

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
12/22/2013 at 01:35

I've never really cared much for Saturns design or ownership wise, but the Sky was hands-down a must have car. I didn't expect to get one this quickly either.

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > 911e46z06
12/22/2013 at 01:36

Thank you very much!

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > Union of Smog Techs of CA
12/22/2013 at 01:37

Boost is like a drug, you have to have it. The Supra left a hole in me, and the Sky has filled it quite nicely. It pulls so well!

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > dropthatclutch
12/22/2013 at 01:41

Do you have a Sky as well? I'd love to hear any tips or pointers or whatnots you have to share! I'm here to listen.

Also, my car came with the GMPP tune equipped already. So that should be a claimed 290hp / 340tq, though that's probably at the crank and not the wheels. I have eventual plans for a few engine upgrades (downpipe, exhaust, intake, intercooler, radiator, tune, etc.) but I'm not looking for anything too crazy. Keeping up with Ford's new EcoBoost four cylinders is about my goal.

3 bar sensor?

As for the service bulletin, I'll have to check into that. The highest I've ever seen it go so far is 205 degrees, and that was for a brief 20 seconds. It likes to hover between 192-198 degrees, whether it's running or idling.

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > Once_upon_a_pvt
12/22/2013 at 01:43

The Sky is great imo. A lot of people overlook it or dismiss it, but it has such potential and already comes pretty well off from the factory. Handles almost as good as my buddy's Miata, and has far more power + torque. Loads of fun.

Also, no worries on the double post. It happens.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 02:54

Yup. That's the car they should've built. Oh well, slight drop in looks aside, there will be plenty of days when the vert is the right car to have.

Enjoy!

feather-throttle-not-hair > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 03:45

Side note: just noticed your avatar. Is that the celica dragon/duck?

feather-throttle-not-hair > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 03:45

Side note: just noticed your avatar. Is that the celica dragon/duck?

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 08:23

Same engine I have.

Get the Stage 1 GM Tune, you get a Launch Control and NLS feature, and those are known to pick the front wheels off the ground when you get the tune.

Also, watch out for the common issues, the eengine will spit gas into the oil through the HPFP, they develop random misfires when this happens at WOT.

The engine is a great engine, but has it's issues.

I've eaten one engine so far in the most common way. Blowing the ringlands out of Cylinder Four.

There are a lot of aftermarket bits for the engine, and for the Kappa platform itself.

Good choice on a car, I've always wanted a Sky or a Solstice, but I got the FWD version Cobalt. haha

If you need any help with diagnosis of something, or have any quesitons about the engine I may be able to help. If I don't know the answer I know someone who does.

If you have a warranty and can have a dealership do stuff for free that is always best.

Good luck with it

Union of Smog Techs of CA > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 11:46

You seem very happy, but not very very super happy, so I'm guessing it doesn't have that 290/340 dealer turbo upgrade?

And thanks, you made me curious about the kappa chassis and I read wikipedia, knew about the Opel, BUT THERE"S A DAEWOO TOO?!! They should have just made one for all divisions, where's my 2007 Buick Sommerset Regal GM?

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 12:06

There is one at my school, and seeing it in person made me really appreciate that car.

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > feather-throttle-not-hair
12/22/2013 at 14:14

Yep, it's the Celica dragon.

I've always loved the look of the badge and rocked one on my Supra A70. For such a long time it's been my avatar on every site, so I don't see me ditching anytime soon.

Too bad Kinja crops it weird at times. I keep trying to fix it, since dragons are badass.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 14:16

Yeah, the celica dragon is badass. My first car was an 88 celica alltrac, so I appreciate all forms of celica lore. Someday I want to pick up an early celica or a second generation supra. I love old Toyotas.

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > Union of Smog Techs of CA
12/22/2013 at 14:20

I am quite happy. I'm not so happy with how little time I get to spend with my car due to work, but I am always grinning when driving it.

Actually though, my car does have the 290/340 dealer upgrade installed. Verified the sensor change before I bought it. It hauls like a Corvette when you put your foot down and goes like a bat out of hell. I've just been babying it since I bought it and never really pushed it's limits, so I don't know the full extent of it's power yet.

The Kappa chassis is a great, underappreciated chassis that GM should not have (imo) ditched. They could have easily kept the Opel and Daewoo versions going abroad. They could have re-badged the Solstice and sold it down under as a Holden Specialty Vehicle.

Ideally, I think they should have kept it going in the US of A under Chevy. A small, niche sports roadster slotted inbetween the Camaro and Corvette. Even with a 2 to 10 sales ratio against the Corvette, it would have done really well.

Maybe I'll take some of my free time and sketch up a Chevy Kappa in the future.

Union of Smog Techs of CA > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/22/2013 at 15:55

You are so lucky! So much torque! Do the whole range, Cimarron Coupe, Saab Sonnet, so many choices.

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > feather-throttle-not-hair
12/23/2013 at 11:13

I love old Toyotas as well, they're so brilliant! Pretty much anything before 2000.

My Mom had a '88 Celica Turbo All-Trac through the 90s as a DD and a little bit into the early '00s as a weekend car. I always remember her tinkering with it and having a blast driving it around.

Great little cars as far as I can remember from the back seat. I never really cared much for it until I really got into cars later in the years. I was much more in love with my Dad's FD3Ses back then.

A first generation liftback Celica is still on my too-own-someday list as well.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/23/2013 at 12:21

Good lord, your entire family has excellent taste in cars! If my dad had owned an fd, I'd be obsessed with that too. I still think it's the prettiest car to ever come from japan, and as a Felix myself, there is a special place in my heart for rotary engines.

dropthatclutch > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
12/23/2013 at 12:28

I do. It's a fun car.

Those numbers are at the crank. The tune I got added another 20hp and 25tq over that. So it's prob not worth it if you are going to upgrade other things later, because you'll have to get a tune then. The GMPP turbo upgrade includes the 3 bar MAP sensors so you're good.

The cooling system has a couple of high points that can collect air bubbles. Those bubbles can get kicked around the system and do harm. The service bulletin is to install a couple of valves to eliminate it. I'm not sure how you can check if it has been done. Perhaps a GM dealer can look up the service history.