In the Chevrolet Cobalt community, owning a base-model Cobalt is like being a peasant during the 14th century, while owning a Cobalt SS is more like being a knight. To those outside the community, though, the Cobalt is just a poor man’s ride. The consensus is that the Cobalt is a cheaply-built turd bucket; a compact, affordable, family car. This is an understandable perspective, as one could refer to the Cobalt as being a modern day Chevette.
The Cobalt you see in this video is a 2007 base-model Cobalt coupe with the 2.2 liter L61 Ecotec motor matted to the F23 5-speed transmission. Ryan, the owner, has gone ahead and swapped the exhaust manifold with one from the supercharged 2.0 liter LSJ Ecotec engine, which is found under the hood of 2005-2007 Cobalt SSes (and the Saturn Ion Redline as well). Â Ryan also swapped the intake manifold with one off of the 2.4 liter Ecotec, which came in the Cobalt Sport models (badged as an SS up until 2008).
The biggest changes for this Cobalt, though, would be the Koni yellow dampeners, lowering springs, and Hankook Ventus V12. We can attest to the ride quality of the Koni yellows and grip of the Ventus V12 summer tires, as our experiences with each of them have been nothing less than satisfactory.
The video also captures what it’s like to be behind the wheel of a Cobalt with a faulty ignition switch, though we can’t understand why the owner would continue driving it this way instead of taking it to the dealership for the recall.
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Here’s my much quicker guide, as an Epsilon I owner.
* Upgrade the seats. HHR SS seats are dirt cheap and give you much better lumbar support. Just make sure you buy a seat that matches your Cobalt (airbag, power options, etc)… and it should bolt right on.
This is the only part of the guide I haven’t done yet, but I have a Saab 9-3 seat on-order for my G6, and I look forward to putting it in, in just a few weeks.
* Upgrade the radio head unit. A Panasonic-built UUI radio will work just about anywhere. See: http://www.christopherprice.net/upgrading-your-mid-2000s-general-motors-radio-with-a-usb-port-2773.html
* Add GM Bluetooth. See: http://www.christopherprice.net/how-to-add-gm-bluetooth-and-possibly-remotelink-to-your-mid-2000s-chevrolet-pontiac-saturn-or-cadillac-2847.html
* Brakes: Go 4 wheel disc. You probably don’t need the Brembo kit, but all-discs will help.
* Suspension: GM FE3 & FE5 parts are dirt cheap, but choose wisely as they are built for improved track handling… and the wrong parts will make potholes worse.
The ’05-’07 SS/SC G85 Recaros are pretty sought after, and the ’08+ SS/TC are well-regarded as well.
I personally have the Recaros in my 2007 LT, and they’re absolutely fantastic. Since my 2007 has the passenger weight sensor and the Recaros do not, I was able to find somebody selling theirs, and now I no longer have a “Service Airbag Soon” message – and have a working passenger airbag.
’08+ SS/TC FE5 shocks and struts are by far the best bang for the buck. You’re talking about Nurburgring tuning, with an actually-affordable price (especially compared to Konis or Coilovers).
My car is running ’08+ FE5 struts/shocks, with the 24mm SS/SC FE5 front sway bar, SS/SC FE5 cast aluminum control arms (vs. FE1 stamped steel), thicker Moog end links, SSC lowering springs (Powell YYZ springs are by far the best – but the SSCs are high up on the list, and offer a lower drop), and the Powell Hardcore 1.25″ rear sway bar. Rides great (still, avoid potholes), and with the 225/40R18 Direzza ZII tires, handles absolutely fantastic.
As far as engine goes, I’ve installed an M62 Supercharger off the SS/SC, 2.9″ pulley, ported throttle body, 42 lb/hr injectors, SVT Cobra Heat Exchanger, ZZP Header, 2.5″ stainless catted downpipe, 2.5″ SS/TC catback, all with a Trifecta Tune.
The exterior I’ve kept looking subtle. Stock LT fascias (and up until I purchased my 18s – I ran 15″ steelies, and still do when it’s too cold to keep the ZIIs on), blacked out headlight housings, Niteshaded and cleared (spray-gun) taillights, Black bowties.
The only thing that potentially gives anything away is the triple gauge pod, especially at night. The exhaust is relatively mellow at normal throttle levels (at WOT, it’s incredibly loud – you can see straight through the factory SS/TC muffler), and the heat exchanger isn’t visible behind the stock fascia.
Brakes are next on the list – I’m a 4-lug car, so I cannot easily swap to Brembos. TCE makes a big brake kit, and if I’m correct, it should bolt right up, just using a different hat on the rotors.
The Cobalt is a nice light car (mine with a full tank of fuel, and my two 12″ subs in the back) still came in under 2950 lbs, and all the modifications can make it a blast to drive – especially when someone isn’t expecting it.
The ignition switch is hilarious in this video. He even got a close up at the end!!! that dude did not care about the recall- Too awesome!!!