Little background: My name is Matt, I�m from upstate NY, I�m studying Automotive Mechanical Engineering and up until a few months ago I was a die-hard Ford guy.
I was fresh off the buildup of three Mustangs (see my other pages) when I ran into this little gem. It�s funny how things happen. I was at the dealership with my sister, trying to help her find a new car given my 10 years of knowledge and the experience of 3 build-ups. That�s when I spotted this little Blue Ion Redline in the back of the lot that spiked some curiosity.
Being a Ford guy, I had read about GM�s attempt to meet the tuner car niche with the Redline and the future Cobalt SS, but had never seen either in person. I was quickly pleasantly surprised. Seeing the factory Recaros and the 5spd made the kid in me come out and from there a test drive was inevitable.
As I drove the Redline, I was immediately impressed with the power, handling, and options that came at such a small price tag. It seemed too good to be true, it was my favorite color, in mint shape, fully optioned for a 2004, and only had 8000 miles. The main question I had left to answer was could I really see me behind the wheel of a bowtie? I tried to put it in the back of my head and went on with helping my sister. She soon found a car she liked, and as we were going over the paper work I just threw out to the salesman the crazy idea of running the numbers as a package deal. My sister, knowing I need another toy like a hole in the head laughed as if I wasn�t serious. The numbers came back, with some more finagling, I soon found myself with the keys to a fully optioned 2004 Blue Ion Redline.
I will admit it was somewhat of an impulse buy and not at all how I usually do things. I really was just as surprised as all my friends who knew me as the mustang guy to be behind the wheel of a GM product, and a SATURN at that! But hey, I can say I�m very happy with the decision. It�s surprisingly quick, it handles as if it were on rails, stops on a dime, and compared to any mustang I�ve owned it�s way more practical on gas, insurance, and all weather driving conditions.
Here�s some (BEFORE) pictures of My REDLINE the day she came home bone stock:
2.0L ECOTEC engine with the Eaton M62 mounted to a F35 5-speed transmission
Not my first experience with an Eaton Blower
The Recaro's that really sold me on the car
Suicide doors usually turn some heads
Center mounted dash takes some getting used to, nice white faced gauges though
17" Forged Aluminum wheels
Wearing Dunlop SP9000 ZR (expensive stock rubber for an inexpensive car)
Moderately sized disc at all 4 corners
Battery in the trunk just screams track time is inevitable
Don't worry it won't stay stock long...
Continue to the next page to see mods I've done so far to The RL
Contents:
Pg1: Intro & Stock Pictures
Pg2: Intake, Exhaust, Brakes, & Springs
pg3: Pulley, Injectors, HPT, & Dyno
pg4: Rims, Hood, Spoilers, & Tint
