OK after reading this thread I have mixed emotions. First of all everyone HATED the Cobalt SS. Now that it is Turboed everyone LOVES it... that just seriously kinda pisses me off, because straight line racing wise, it really isn't much better.

For all of you who think its another SRT-4...its not. The axles can't handle over 300hp. The internals have to be forged at 300hp. The block, crank, and cams i belive is the only good things about the motor. The cams 500hp crank 750, block is close to 1000. These are rough numbers. The block maybe 750 as well.

As the PROUD (don't give a shit about you haters) owner of an 07 SS S/C, I LOVE the fact they upgraded the suspension. There has been rumors of the HHR SS interior being in the Cobalt. Those seats are hot shit. The brakes have been upgraded nicely. I still shake my head at the fact they slot the rear rotors but not the front. The wheel hop issue has not been resolved on paper. Judging from that video I see it hasnt been resolved at all. I like the rims. I honestly feel like GM has dropped the ball. I think the LSJ is a better motor than the LNF...and I can see the MSRP jumping a good 4-5K for the new Turboed balts. Because of the "no-lift" feature, and the upgraded suspension and the brakes. I would not trade my balt in at all for the new one.

Oh yea by the way, this car I am thinking was built for road courses and handling. Estimated 1/4 mile times were 14.1. (Gathered from Cobaltss.net) and Stage 2 upgrade on the SS S/C is 14.0 or better.

 

Nah, i meant the 'old' 2.4 LE5 that's in the 06. In 07 the LNF motor was released (GM not Chevy) It's ok, my Sol runs the LE5 and it's old in our circles.


I think most people are amazed at the numbers it put down. Plus, children are often swayed by popular opinion and one of a M3 owner obviously weighs greater than that of a domestic owner.


I think the LNF is an awesome platform to start from for a FI application. Until Cadillac comes out with their direct injected v6 there is no other motor i'd want to boost more. Tuning is the hurdle now but 300hp from the stock setup is hard not to love.

 

True, I guess I just hate how people think "OH ITS TURBOED!! It must be fast, Oh but it AINT TURBOED it is slow."

Seriously, the LSJ Stage 2 Cobalt and LNF Cobalt are practically the same as far as speed goes. I love the T/C suspension and all and that is what sets the two cars apart...but from that small turbo on the LNF, you cant get AS MUCH from it. I like the LNF, I like the Solctice and Sky, I am just not impressed with the Cobalt. I KNOW GM can do so much better, and I was REALLY hoping, they could get a deal with Eaton and get that TVS in on the cobalt...but it didn't work out.

Just a quick lesson. Some of you may be familiar with the "Twinscrew" supercharger. Its a blower upgrade for teh LSJ that sets it around 280/260 with the stage 2 pully. The TVS is a new S/C designed by Eaton to DRAMATICALLY increase efficency while reduce heat. It is much more reliable and efficent than the twinscrew and was even compared to a smaller turbo. The TVS design, if I am not mistaken, is what is being used on the ZR1.

 

so you are comparing a stock turbo one.. with a stage 2 S/C.. how is that a good comparison? (not to mention 14.0 14.1)also i'd rather have a turbo on a small engine than a s/c.. s/c's are ok on the 489390 litre v8's.

 

Your right, but the comparison is more based on price. I may be wrong cuz they didn't list the MSRP for the T/C yet. But 21k MSRP and then another 1k for the parts and install...your looking at 22k MSRP for something that will equal probably 24-25k MSRP.

Yes your right about the s/c being better for high litres but again, that LNF turbo is quite small and cannot make TOO much power.

Honestly this would have made me very happy with the New balt
1) SS hood. Call it "rice" if you want, but make the car look mean man
2) Same wing, just about a half inch to a whole inch shorter
3) ACTUAL Racing seats with the HHR SS design with an actual 4pt. Harness
4) Slotted rotors in front and rear
5) IRS and lowered a bit for better handeling (which the did, dunno about the IRS though)
6) I am not a big fan of AWD, but at least put a damn 6speed
7) It isn't impossible to make a fast car using a S/C on a 4banger. Turbos are over done. I really liked the S/C cobalt cuz it was S/Ced. It's different. I would have loved to see the TVS s/c from eaton, and a motor pushing close to 300/280. That way GM can throw their name in there with the EVO and the STi.

 

This thing is nuts, 160mph and 260hp for a $20,000 car?

I'd seriously consider buying one of these, although both the new I-4 turbo RWD Hyundai and (if they bring it over in 2010 as rumored) the FG CTR would both be serious competition.

 

I find your theories full of holes. First I would like to point out that GM had already planned the phase out of the supercharged engine long ago. They knew they would have to replace it with a current offering at that time. It has nothing to do with trending market strategy. They used their resources that they currently have on hand, old motor is being phased out, why spend extra costs in developing another motor for a supercharger. They saved costs by utilizing a motor that is already being used by other divisions within GM, and saved research and development costs.
This is no different when the planned phase out of the LS1 occurred. Instead of spending money on two different lines of parts for two distinct motors the LS1 and the LS6, use the common parts between them. Why spend money on two separate lines when both engines were coming to an end in production? It is just simply not cost effective.
Who brought up price for comparison? It is irrelevant to the discussion, a new car with more options, and completely different year, which is going to have additional inflation tacked on to it. So your price comparison is moot. The car puts down a solid 55hp more than its predecessor and drives around a track with relative ease. That is all that really matters, not if it can stack up to a “Stage 2” product. In a year are you going to be comparing the stage 2 of a LNF to a stage 2 of a LSJ? Hell no, it is comparing apples to oranges.

 

Look I understand all of that. But GM has offered no performance upgrades for the LNF in the other cars, so they probably won't in the Cobalt either. The only reason I compare the two is because the stage 2 for the LSJ is under warrenty. Trust me, if I would have waited to buy a new car, then yea most deffinately I would buy the T/C. And in all honesty they could still use the LSJ, modify it a bit to support the TVS. I read the articles about the TVS and I know GM did do research to use it. I never read why they didn't go through with it though. I just wish it could have worked out


Basically I still love the car...my disappointment comes from my stand point. I bought My '07 S/C in late May..so my car is still NEW. From my standpoint, and maybe everyother owner, I was just kind of looking for more...you know what I mean? My biggest thing is FOR ME its not worth it. Not to mention all the people who were Domestic Haters are now all over the Cobalt's nuts....just because it's turboed, and unless your an auto cross racer or road course racer, the car is not any different from the one I own now. I just don't want this car to turn into another punk ass gig, which it probably will.

 

Sounds like the same problems I had with a brand new Z24 back in the days.