Cobalt SS Turbo right for me? HELP!
03-12-2014, 06:19 PM
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Cobalt SS Turbo right for me? HELP!
Hey everyone, need your help making a decision if the 2009 Cobalt SS turbo is for me!
I used to own a SRT4 and I loved to work on it. I am looking for a car to work on and have fun with. I am more of a mechanic than a racer so speed is not a super concern. Graduated, got a good job, bought a BMW M3. Its a great car but honestly IMOP overrated and expensive. Its also not shade tree mechanic friendly. There is no service/tech manual available..so your on your own with no torque specs, assembly, etc. The problem is further complicated in that the engine itself is a 25k engine, German technology, and high tech. Honestly working on a 25k engine is not fun and not worth the risk! On top of that the after market and parts in general are crazy expensive. The M3 has also had issues regarding - bearing failure, causing motor failure. This problem is starting to come up more and more with owners.
So, I start looking around for a car that was inexpensive, had lots of room for improvement and would be fun to work on.
So my questions are:
1. Are the after market parts fairly inexpensive?
2. Service Tech manual available for purchase?
3. Engine fairly easy to work on?
4. Engine reliable? Any known problems with the Cobalt SS Turbo 09? Bearing problems? Timing belt snapping? cylinder failure? Anything? Please alert me!!
I ask about 09 and I am fixing to buy it after I hear what everyone says....
6. Negatives of car?
Please comment on the 6 questions above ...and if you think based on what I mentioned this car is what I am looking for.
I used to own a SRT4 and I loved to work on it. I am looking for a car to work on and have fun with. I am more of a mechanic than a racer so speed is not a super concern. Graduated, got a good job, bought a BMW M3. Its a great car but honestly IMOP overrated and expensive. Its also not shade tree mechanic friendly. There is no service/tech manual available..so your on your own with no torque specs, assembly, etc. The problem is further complicated in that the engine itself is a 25k engine, German technology, and high tech. Honestly working on a 25k engine is not fun and not worth the risk! On top of that the after market and parts in general are crazy expensive. The M3 has also had issues regarding - bearing failure, causing motor failure. This problem is starting to come up more and more with owners.
So, I start looking around for a car that was inexpensive, had lots of room for improvement and would be fun to work on.
So my questions are:
1. Are the after market parts fairly inexpensive?
2. Service Tech manual available for purchase?
3. Engine fairly easy to work on?
4. Engine reliable? Any known problems with the Cobalt SS Turbo 09? Bearing problems? Timing belt snapping? cylinder failure? Anything? Please alert me!!
I ask about 09 and I am fixing to buy it after I hear what everyone says....
6. Negatives of car?
Please comment on the 6 questions above ...and if you think based on what I mentioned this car is what I am looking for.
03-12-2014, 06:24 PM
#2
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Check out ZZP for parts what do you plan on doing to the car?
03-12-2014, 06:44 PM
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I don't know yet!
Just want to know if it is a good platform to work on.
Intake, Full exhaust, FMIC, larger turbo, suspension upgrades, brakes...everything..!!
Just want to know if it is a good platform to work on.
Intake, Full exhaust, FMIC, larger turbo, suspension upgrades, brakes...everything..!!
03-12-2014, 06:49 PM
#5
So my questions are:
1. Are the after market parts fairly inexpensive? I would say so, a tune alone should show about 300 HP to the wheels and 350 torque to the wheels. Fully bolted and you can see more, then aftermarket turbo choices are available.
2. Service Tech manual available for purchase? Yes
3. Engine fairly easy to work on? From what I know, yes. If I ever blew an engine though I'd get an LDK (that is stronger) for $1500 and drop that in.
4. Engine reliable? Any known problems with the Cobalt SS Turbo 09? Bearing problems? Timing belt snapping? cylinder failure? Anything? Please alert me!!
I ask about 09 and I am fixing to buy it after I hear what everyone says.... The engine is reliable and can handle 400+WHP when properly tuned, you'll often see 500 WHP. The problem is the transmission which is known to grenade with fast spooling turbo's and high HP. To rectify this there is a conversion for a 6 speed F40 transmission or a 4.45 final drive ratio F35 (4.45 gears are now in short supply but this is still the much cheaper option). The only major engine problem would be the porous block issue which will show itself my 40k normally and gives you a new motor from the dealer. Lastly the intake valves are known to get gunked up since nothing is sprayed on them with direct injection and in stock form you have some oil getting into the intake (Powell makes a system to eliminate this).
6. Negatives of car? Amazing handling and power but lackluster interior, if you can deal with some squeaks and rattles it can be a great car.
Please comment on the 6 questions above ...and if you think based on what I mentioned this car is what I am looking for.
1. Are the after market parts fairly inexpensive? I would say so, a tune alone should show about 300 HP to the wheels and 350 torque to the wheels. Fully bolted and you can see more, then aftermarket turbo choices are available.
2. Service Tech manual available for purchase? Yes
3. Engine fairly easy to work on? From what I know, yes. If I ever blew an engine though I'd get an LDK (that is stronger) for $1500 and drop that in.
4. Engine reliable? Any known problems with the Cobalt SS Turbo 09? Bearing problems? Timing belt snapping? cylinder failure? Anything? Please alert me!!
I ask about 09 and I am fixing to buy it after I hear what everyone says.... The engine is reliable and can handle 400+WHP when properly tuned, you'll often see 500 WHP. The problem is the transmission which is known to grenade with fast spooling turbo's and high HP. To rectify this there is a conversion for a 6 speed F40 transmission or a 4.45 final drive ratio F35 (4.45 gears are now in short supply but this is still the much cheaper option). The only major engine problem would be the porous block issue which will show itself my 40k normally and gives you a new motor from the dealer. Lastly the intake valves are known to get gunked up since nothing is sprayed on them with direct injection and in stock form you have some oil getting into the intake (Powell makes a system to eliminate this).
6. Negatives of car? Amazing handling and power but lackluster interior, if you can deal with some squeaks and rattles it can be a great car.
Please comment on the 6 questions above ...and if you think based on what I mentioned this car is what I am looking for.
03-12-2014, 06:52 PM
#6
If you aren't looking for big power and semi cheap to fix then a cobalt is a good option. Handles well and easy bolt ons and tune will do you well.
We have direct inextion so our valves like to coke. Our brakes need attention. Aftermarket isn't perfect but its damn good
We have direct inextion so our valves like to coke. Our brakes need attention. Aftermarket isn't perfect but its damn good
03-12-2014, 06:53 PM
#7
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Ya I think it's easy to work on. One thing to look out for is that the trannys are weak so with an after market turbo you can blow them pretty easily but there is a 6 speed swap. I've heard of people running around 500hp on stock engines
03-12-2014, 07:33 PM
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03-12-2014, 07:34 PM
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Answered too on Your Cobalt. But the suspension can be set up for handling with Powell parts which I have and it makes it so much fun. The stock brakes are very good although there are some common issues, one is the pins getting stuck in the caliper, another is the rear brakes need some service (about every oil change) otherwise it's common to have them wear way too fast.
Amazing information! Sorry for posting this thread on two forums...wasn't sure which one was more active!!
Like I mentioned above is the porus issue only on 09s...cause I was about to pull the trigger on an 09 with 28k miles...!! Help!
03-12-2014, 07:42 PM
#11
No not only 09's mainly 08's and by 10 they had it fixed and this site is much more active. There is still the slight chance it'd have an issue but I wouldn't be overly worried. If you don't mind me asking what are you paying for this car, does it have the G85 package (adds an LSD) also the RPD (performance display instead of a boost gauge) is a nice option.
03-12-2014, 09:16 PM
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Here is the one I was looking at:
Cars for Sale: 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe in Amherst, NY 14226: Coupe Details - 366819202 - AutoTrader.com
I dont see that they listed LSD...I thought they all came with LSD? No RPD either...
Tell me what you think guys!
Any special place to look for these cars? I have been looking for about a month everyday and its impossible to find a low mileage black one...
I have been searching nationwide craigs list, auto trader, and cars.com....not allot of options.
Cars for Sale: 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe in Amherst, NY 14226: Coupe Details - 366819202 - AutoTrader.com
I dont see that they listed LSD...I thought they all came with LSD? No RPD either...
Tell me what you think guys!
Any special place to look for these cars? I have been looking for about a month everyday and its impossible to find a low mileage black one...
I have been searching nationwide craigs list, auto trader, and cars.com....not allot of options.
Last edited by Darkone; 03-12-2014 at 09:21 PM.
03-12-2014, 11:32 PM
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So, I think I can handle a cobalt SS...
I may be new to the Cobalt, but not new to cars...
Come to the M3 forum pal, ...and I bet you will look like a newb too...