Cobalt SS compared to the others...

[gpadilla1071]

OK people, I have read so much about some of the SRT's, the EVO's, WRX's, etc. run well. As we all know those car have lots of potential, especially when tuned right. Anyhow, how come no one here or at least for as long as I have been reading here talks about the Cobalt SS. The only reason I ask is because I have seen two so far and they seem to be pretty fast as well. So, do these cars can be put in the same category as the others I stated above, or below? Just would like to hear what others might have to say or have experienced...

German

 

[RUQWKNF]

What I've heard from owners of the SS Supercharged version is this.

Factory clutch is weak sauce when you barely turn up the power.
The engine is solid, up to a safe 450 hp with proper upgrades. They suffer greatly from wheel spin, similar to SRT-4s. Centerforce makes two clutches, one that's good up to 350hp, and the DFX is good up to 450 hp.

Being in the speed parts business, I can tell you that the aftermarket has not embraced it as much as say the Evos, STIs and SRT-4s. I have two dealerships in Chitown that are catering towards them tho. Not too bad for the money, but IMO, it does not belong in the same category as Evos and STIs. Still, my vote for best bang for the buck goes to the Evo.

Just my O2s worth.

Patrick

 

[NJ Torque]

Evo > all

 

[1BADTT]

EVO gets my vote...

Of all the cars listed here...EVO !

 

[gpadilla1071]

Excuse me for not knowing but, why the EVO? I mean, I have seen some nasty EVO's out there, but what makes them so special? Are they much better all around?, better tuning? what gives?... Honestly, I'm not to familiar with those cars...

German

 

[LukeSTi]

Excuse me for not knowing but, why the EVO? I mean, I have seen some nasty EVO's out there, but what makes them so special? Are they much better all around?, better tuning? what gives?... Honestly, I'm not to familiar with those cars...

German

What makes the older EVO's very good(not the X) is the fact that they still come with the 4G63 iron block, a very strong platform to start with. They are an I-4 and are very easy to upgrade. The STi is of course a flat four so upgrades like cams and headwork is a lot more difficult due to engine layout.

As far as the SS, the fact that it was supercharged hurt it a lot. The new SS's for 09 and maybe 08 are now turbocharged which I think will do a lot to help them in the aftermarket.

 

[gpadilla1071]

Thanks LukeSti for the info. I was wondering about the supercharge vs turbocharged. From what I have been reading the newer ones are turbocharged.

German

 

[Way2QWK]

The ecotec motor is a very capable engine. in stock form I think the cobalt ss and Ion redline 2.0 are limited by the small roots blower. I have read on a few forums these engines in stock form ditching the blower for a turbo making around 400hp. Not bad for stock motors.

 

[GNVYUS 1]

The Cobalt has a ton of potential as that motor owns a lot of 4 cylinder records. But it's not the greatest looker and without AWD it's going to take a lot of power to overcome the FWD aspect. update the look, give it AWD and a decent aftermarket and look out EVO at the strip.

Here are the current records the 4 cylinder Ecotec owns, the first one is just plain sick.

# 6.417 seconds, 211.76 mph – Don Nase, Jr., NDRA Pro Extreme (quickest and fastest four cylinder)

# 7.15 seconds, 202.79 mph – Gary Gardella, NHRA S/C Pro FWD (quickest and fastest fwd 4-cylinder)

# 7.401 seconds, 202.03 mph – Gary Gardella, NDRA Pro Outlaw FWD

 

[BlackoutDrunk]

Lingenfelter was doing great with the ecotec's years ago also.

 

[troGNman]

The Cobalt has a ton of potential as that motor owns a lot of 4 cylinder records. But it's not the greatest looker and without AWD it's going to take a lot of power to overcome the FWD aspect. update the look, give it AWD and a decent aftermarket and look out EVO at the strip.

Here are the current records the 4 cylinder Ecotec owns, the first one is just plain sick.

# 6.417 seconds, 211.76 mph – Don Nase, Jr., NDRA Pro Extreme (quickest and fastest four cylinder)

# 7.15 seconds, 202.79 mph – Gary Gardella, NHRA S/C Pro FWD (quickest and fastest fwd 4-cylinder)

# 7.401 seconds, 202.03 mph – Gary Gardella, NDRA Pro Outlaw FWD

Here's a link to the Nase rail. That thing is sick!
Don Nase, Jr. — GM Tuner Source