simple engine question from a newbie
01-12-2007, 01:21 AM
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simple engine question from a newbie
Hi everyone , I just recently got my 2007 Cobalt ls coupe and I really love it, but being as it's m first car I had some questions I was hoping you guys could answer.
1. I need this car to last me a long time without falling apart or anything but I also like to have a little fun
is there anything wrong with accelerating abruptly from a stop up to whatever the speed limit is? I drive that way now but if there is a posibility of damaging the engine I'll change my style, I have two friends opinions one that drives like a grandma whoi says if I don't accelerate slowly the engines gonna die fast, and another friend who drives like I do who has an 02 Cavi who says the little eco tec should take it no problem. Keep in mind the majority of the time I accelerate I never pass 4ooo rpm.
2.) Kind of in the same vain what sort of maintinence should I do on the engine to keep it as smooth as it is now? I know my dad has a 2000 Corolla but if you go over 50 mph
it starts rattling and shaking in the engine bay, he says it's because its old and worn out I think it's because he didn't maintain it well enough 
and I don't want to make the same mistake because I need to and want to keep this car longer than 6 yrs.
3. Just for the guys in Pittsburgh PA, are there any groups or anything that meet around here? I mean a club or just a gatheing of tuners doesn't even haveto be all cobalt or anything just looking to learn all I can about my car and how to work on it, as well as meet new people interested in the same things as me! any help would be appreciated
sorry for the long post and thanks
Striker
'07 Cobalt ls Coupe in Victory Red 
1. I need this car to last me a long time without falling apart or anything but I also like to have a little fun
is there anything wrong with accelerating abruptly from a stop up to whatever the speed limit is? I drive that way now but if there is a posibility of damaging the engine I'll change my style, I have two friends opinions one that drives like a grandma whoi says if I don't accelerate slowly the engines gonna die fast, and another friend who drives like I do who has an 02 Cavi who says the little eco tec should take it no problem. Keep in mind the majority of the time I accelerate I never pass 4ooo rpm.2.) Kind of in the same vain what sort of maintinence should I do on the engine to keep it as smooth as it is now? I know my dad has a 2000 Corolla but if you go over 50 mph
it starts rattling and shaking in the engine bay, he says it's because its old and worn out I think it's because he didn't maintain it well enough and I don't want to make the same mistake because I need to and want to keep this car longer than 6 yrs.3. Just for the guys in Pittsburgh PA, are there any groups or anything that meet around here? I mean a club or just a gatheing of tuners doesn't even haveto be all cobalt or anything just looking to learn all I can about my car and how to work on it, as well as meet new people interested in the same things as me! any help would be appreciated
sorry for the long post and thanks
Striker
'07 Cobalt ls Coupe in Victory Red
01-12-2007, 01:28 AM
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The ECOTEC is a very well designed engine and can handle some a good share of abuse. All you need to do is the regular engine maintanance and nothing to worry about.
As long as you're not slamming the gas every 5 seconds, then yeah, it will handle it just fine...like said, it can take abuse, I know guys with turbocharged L61s who are just fine.
Good luck with the car.
As long as you're not slamming the gas every 5 seconds, then yeah, it will handle it just fine...like said, it can take abuse, I know guys with turbocharged L61s who are just fine.
Good luck with the car.
01-12-2007, 01:28 AM
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That's not even accelerating. Feel free to go up to 6000 in 2ng gear with the pedal all the way down. That's what this car was designed to do. And you should do that on a stretch where you can get up to 60Mph/100Kph legally, lol.
EDIT: That's for my 2.0 SC. For you, I still think 4000 RPM is NOTHIN to worry about.
EDIT: That's for my 2.0 SC. For you, I still think 4000 RPM is NOTHIN to worry about.
01-12-2007, 01:30 AM
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That's not even accelerating. Feel free to go up to 6000 in 2ng gear with the pedal all the way down. That's what this car was designed to do. And you should do that on a stretch where you can get up to 60Mph/100Kph legally, lol.
EDIT: That's for my 2.0 SC. For you, I still think 4000 RPM is NOTHIN to worry about.
EDIT: That's for my 2.0 SC. For you, I still think 4000 RPM is NOTHIN to worry about.
01-12-2007, 01:31 AM
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1.) Well, the LS is governed at 120, so I'll save you the unnecessary risk of finding that out yourself. And seeing as how it's not built to be a performance vehicle, I wouldn't go around flooring it like a pissed-off teenager unless you do the necessary mods to make sure the car can handle the abuse. I've seen far too many base model Corollas, Civics, Cavaliers, etc. at my buddy's shop because of that the kind of abuse they dish out to them. Engines, trannies, all the good stuff that pay his bills. 
2.) As for the maintenance, just follow the schedule in the manual and you'll be fine. Just make sure to wash it! Victory Red is too awesome to have dirty!
3.) Don't live in Pittsburgh, sorry.
2.) As for the maintenance, just follow the schedule in the manual and you'll be fine. Just make sure to wash it! Victory Red is too awesome to have dirty!
3.) Don't live in Pittsburgh, sorry.
01-12-2007, 01:32 AM
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sounds like you drive like me, hard as you can off the light, you'll be fine, you might find you will wear down the center thread of your tire quicker(dont let dealer see that)
01-12-2007, 01:35 AM
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01-12-2007, 01:45 AM
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I hate the stripes now! never get them every yahoo feels the need to line up against you,it sucks when you got a cup of starbucks on the go,and your ego gets the best of me and i disreguard the coffee I was previously enjoying
01-12-2007, 02:18 AM
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01-12-2007, 02:29 AM
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stomping on the gas from a dead stop will wear the tires faster and put stress on the entire drive train. the engine may hold up but the transmission won't. also the cv joints may go bad prematurely. change the oil every 3000 miles and the transmission fluid every 50,000 miles. check the oil every time you fill up with gas. change the air filter every 10,000 miles. and the final piece of preventative maintenance....DON'T DRIVE LIKE AN ASS!
CLICK THE LINK UNDER MY SIG. IT'S A YAHOO GROUP FOR PITTSBURGH AREA COBALTS.
CLICK THE LINK UNDER MY SIG. IT'S A YAHOO GROUP FOR PITTSBURGH AREA COBALTS.
01-12-2007, 02:34 AM
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01-12-2007, 02:35 AM
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01-12-2007, 02:48 AM
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I owned a 91 Honda civic once. (best new car I ever had....... till the cobalt) I drove it for 7 years and put on over 120,000 miles on it. I beat the **** out of it after it was broken in. I used the accelerator like a light switch and it was more on then off. the car never gave any trouble. I am driving the Cobalt the same way except now that I modified I find that I cant be on it all the time or I will be put in jail....lol well I shouldn't laugh cause I know this is true because I had the police tell me so.
the point is that the S/C car is not a proven motor long term, but I dont believe it will crack up no matter how you drive it. that is the way it is. and if it does it wont matter how it was driven it will be a break no matter what. Just click off clean shifts with out speed shifting all the time to be easier on the gears and dont be hard on the brakes all the time. that is the way to save wear and tear and money for brake linings as well.
the point is that the S/C car is not a proven motor long term, but I dont believe it will crack up no matter how you drive it. that is the way it is. and if it does it wont matter how it was driven it will be a break no matter what. Just click off clean shifts with out speed shifting all the time to be easier on the gears and dont be hard on the brakes all the time. that is the way to save wear and tear and money for brake linings as well.
01-12-2007, 02:54 AM
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I owned a 91 Honda civic once. (best new car I ever had....... till the cobalt) I drove it for 7 years and put on over 120,000 miles on it. I beat the **** out of it after it was broken in. I used the accelerator like a light switch and it was more on then off. the car never gave any trouble. I am driving the Cobalt the same way except now that I modified I find that I cant be on it all the time or I will be put in jail....lol well I shouldn't laugh cause I know this is true because I had the police tell me so.
the point is that the S/C car is not a proven motor long term, but I dont believe it will crack up no matter how you drive it. that is the way it is. and if it does it wont matter how it was driven it will be a break no matter what. Just click off clean shifts with out speed shifting all the time to be easier on the gears and dont be hard on the brakes all the time. that is the way to save wear and tear and money for brake linings as well.
the point is that the S/C car is not a proven motor long term, but I dont believe it will crack up no matter how you drive it. that is the way it is. and if it does it wont matter how it was driven it will be a break no matter what. Just click off clean shifts with out speed shifting all the time to be easier on the gears and dont be hard on the brakes all the time. that is the way to save wear and tear and money for brake linings as well.
01-12-2007, 02:59 AM
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01-12-2007, 03:39 AM
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1.) Well, the LS is governed at 120, so I'll save you the unnecessary risk of finding that out yourself.
2.2 engines max out at 106mph due to a fuel line cut off by the ECU
01-12-2007, 03:48 AM
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01-13-2007, 01:21 AM
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That is correct, but the 15's shut off at 105. I knowcuz I can cruise at 104 no prob. Take it a step further and then you get that jerky feeling. My car has 53,000 miles on it now and so far it's been trouble free except for a warped rotor on the front passenger side.