The differences between the 03, 04 Ion 1,2,3 NON REDLINES and all other deltas

[ac66bronco]

This Post is to help people understand the differences between the 2003 and 2004 Ion 1,2,3 NON REDLINES and all the other deltas (2004+) and the options for choosing modifications.

ECM is an E16A: There is NO TUNING AVAILABLE don’t even bother asking hptuners we have tried.

Options: Piggy back such as an safc2 I am using this with some decent success.

Full Stand Alone. There are countless options. Some costly and some not so much but all are equally involved and not for the faint of heart.

Throttle Body: It is a cable driven unit IE it is not wireless

Options: Bore it out yourself It’s an easy mod to do.

Buy one.

Suspension Front: All the same between the deltas IN THE FRONT ONLY!!!!!!!

Options: Just about everything. If you want to run cobalt struts you will have to swap out the top hat of course and if you want to use pedders springs you will need shims which can be provided by John Powell

Suspension Rear: The rear suspension is a twisted beam design but that’s where the similarities stop. On the base non redline cars gm used a rounded J Body style(Maybe the same one has not yet been confirmed) Beam. You cannot use the ottp/powell bars unless you swap to a redline/ss or later delta rear sub frame. It just won’t work nor can you use a sway bar designated for a cobalt, SS, or RL.

Options: Buy a progress bar. Part # is 62.202. This is the only bar that I know of at this time that will directly bolt in.

Swap your rear sub frame out for a RL or SS. I recommend this because it also comes with solid rear bushings and also opens you up to an ottp/Powell unit as well as many others.

Trans Axle Mounts: The most noticeable difference is that they are all metal (cast aluminum) and not the plastic units found on the 05+ deltas. The other less noticeable difference is that the insert is smaller in diameter in the front and rear.

Options: Fill them with window weld. Its cheap and it works
Buy the prothane inserts for the 05+ Deltas and cut them down to fit. (Remember the insert is a smaller diameter.

Swap them out for the later ones. (John Powell is confirming the bolt patterns are the same)

[qwikredline]

good post. but filling the mounts with crap is fail, and as you overvalued your mounts you sent to me and didnt say "repair" cost me a fortune in taxes. Ugh. The insert is seized in, happens. the rear mount is 100% same as all delta lsj /lnf in shape insert is lsj style.

so stage 1 for you. I may make a replacement mount, or a plastic one I am not sure.

I could make up a one off sway bar for you ez enuf just got to find one of those orphans around here...

[ac66bronco]

I agree on the filling the mount but it is an option.

no worries on the rear bar as im picking up redline bar mid july.

i emailed you about the mounts i will make it right.