535hp from a 2.2L Ecotec

[Dave]

535hp from a 2.2L Ecotec which has NOT been destroked... http://www.j-body.org/gallery/sema2004/phase5.php Items of note: -GM ported cylinder head, cams, gears and balance shafts, which we all knew were available -aftermarket pistons and rods (no-brainer for high boost) -AEM ECU -Garrett GT35R ball bearing turbo, water/air intercooler and voila, 535hp!

[JonyyB]

CHEVROLET LAUNCHES ENTRY-LEVEL COBALT SPORT COMPACT DRAGSTER
LAS VEGAS – Chevrolet will broaden its sport compact drag racing program in 2005 with the introduction of the new Cobalt Phase 5 dragster. Unveiled today at the SEMA Show, the production-based Cobalt Phase 5 race car features powertrain, chassis and safety components developed by GM Racing – including a 500-plus horsepower race-prepared Ecotec engine that inspired the Phase 5 name. This demonstration vehicle is designed to show sport compact drag racers how they can build their own front-wheel-drive Cobalt dragsters using GM and aftermarket parts.

“Chevrolet has been the cornerstone of drag racing since the debut of the GM small-block V-8 nearly 50 years ago,” said GM Racing director Doug Duchardt. “Now Chevrolet will revolutionize this distinctly American sport again with the introduction of the Cobalt Phase 5. Developed and tested by GM engineers, this race car is an example of what sport compact performance enthusiasts can do to create their own Cobalt race cars.”

The heart of the Phase 5 Cobalt is a turbocharged 2.2-liter Ecotec engine that’s been modified to produce 535 horsepower while retaining 65 percent of the production engine parts. The race car features GM and aftermarket components, including a race-prepared Hydra-Matic 4T65-E automatic transmission, suspension upgrades, and performance electronics. It is anticipated that some independent teams will race their version of the Cobalt Phase 5 in 2005.

“Chevrolet has captured the attention of sport compact tuners across the nation through its PRO FWD sport compact drag racing and top-level NHRA programs,” said Fred Simmonds, GM Racing drag racing manager. “Now GM is opening the door for them to race with Chevy by offering components specifically engineered for sport compact drag racing. Starting with the new Cobalt’s world-class architecture, a sport compact racer can install components of the Phase 5 package as his or her time and budget allow.”

The Cobalt Phase 5 dragster was created by the same team of GM Racing engineers who developed the championship-winning front-wheel-drive race cars driven by Nelson Hoyos and Marty Ladwig. GM Racing is literally writing the book on building a competitive front-wheel-drive sport compact drag car: An instruction manual will guide enthusiasts through the step-by-step modifications to prepare a production Cobalt for quarter-mile competition.

“The individual components of the Phase 5 race car are designed for straightforward installation,” explained Carmen Smith, GM Racing program manager for sport compact drag racing. “We have created a car that racers can build in their own shops using available parts. For example, the front suspension includes GM production uprights and an aftermarket coil-over kit.”

Many of the components of the Phase 5 package are available from GM Performance Parts, including a ported Ecotec cylinder head, competition camshafts, adjustable camshaft drive gears, neutral balance shafts, and a race-prepared transmission. The rear suspension is a bolt-on assembly from the Cobalt SS Supercharged with an upgraded sway bar, five-bolt hubs and disc brakes. Items such as the turbocharger, engine management system, struts, shock absorbers and safety equipment are available from aftermarket suppliers.

Safety is the No. 1 priority at GM Racing, and lessons learned in other GM programs have been applied to the Cobalt Phase 5 dragster. The Cobalt race car incorporates numerous safety features, including a six-point roll cage, a six-point safety harness, racing seats, an onboard fire suppression system, SFI-spec roll bar padding, a crushable steering column, and steering wheel-mounted transmission controls.

The four-cylinder Ecotec has many of the virtues that previously propelled the GM small-block V-8 to greatness: simplicity, versatility, reliability, innovative design, smoothness and boundless potential. The Ecotec engine family – GM’s first global engine design – is a class leader in power, torque and refinement. It features lightweight aluminum construction, four-valve cylinder heads and dual overhead camshafts.

The Ecotec has already established its performance credentials by winning championships and setting records from Pomona Raceway to the Bonneville Salt Flats . The turbocharged Ecotec engines that propelled GM Racing’s front-wheel-drive Cavalier and Sunfire entries to championships in the 2004 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series produce more than 1,200 horsepower.

“Chevrolet became the most successful manufacturer in drag racing by supplying the basic building blocks that winning racers need,” said Duchardt. “That’s a tradition that began with the ’55 Chevy, and continued with Corvettes, Impalas, Camaros, Chevelles, and Monte Carlos. Now a new generation of sport compact enthusiasts can discover drag racing with the Chevy Cobalt Phase 5 program. GM is opening the sport to a young and diverse group of racers while demonstrating the capabilities of our production cars and engines.”

Chevy, the most successful manufacturer in American motorsports, will also compete in the marquee PRO FWD and HOT ROD sport compact classes in 2005, as well as the Funny Car and Pro Stock categories in the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series.

Cobalt Phase 5 Dragster Specifications

Chassis: Unitized body and frame with roll cage

Body: Steel with RK Sport composite hood

Height: 55.7 in / 1415.4 mm

Length: 180.3 in / 4580 mm

Width: 67.9 in / 1725 mm

Wheelbase: 103.3 in / 2624 mm

Track: 57.1 in / 1449.7 mm front; 58.1 in / 1476 mm rear

Weight: 2,740 lbs.

Engine: 2.2L Ecotec I-4

Displacement: 134 ci / 2189 cc

Horsepower: 535 hp @ 7800 rpm with 28 psi boost

Torque: 367 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm with 28 psi boost

Transmission: Modified Hydra-Matic 4T65-E 4-speed automatic

Suspension: Modified Cobalt strut-type independent with coil springs front; modified Cobalt semi-independent torsion beam rear

Wheels: 15 x 9 front, 15 x 4.5 rear (Motegi)

Tires: 24.5 x 8 front; 24.0 x 4.5 rear (Mickey Thompson)

Brakes: Vented disc front and rear

Cobalt Phase 5 Dragster Components

GM Performance Parts CNC ported cylinder head (#88958640)

GM Performance Parts adjustable cam gear set (#88958613)

GM Performance Parts camshaft set (#88958648)

GM Performance Parts neutral balance shaft set (#88958615)

Wiseco piston, pin, and ring set

Eagle connecting rods

GM Racing modified Hydra-Matic 4T65-E 4-speed automatic transmission

Cobalt SS Supercharged rear suspension assembly including disc brakes, upgraded swaybar, and five-lug hubs

Garrett GT35R ball bearing turbocharger with water-to-air intercooler

AEM fuel management system with coil-on plug ignition

Fully adjustable front struts and Walker Evans Racing rear shock absorbers

Eibach front coil-over springs

Airlift rear suspension air bags for ride height adjustment

Recaro racing seats with Schroth six-point safety belts

Six-point safety cage

Onboard fire extinguisher system

[SilverCSS]

Beautiful. The only thing that bugs me is the torque. I'm hoping to create a bit more with my tuning. I always like near the same, or more than HP if I can help it. Either way, you can argue with 535hp on an engine with 65% of its components being stock. That is just..amazing. I think GM is doing a great service to the sport here.

[zstyle]

IMHO GM is really starting to lead the industry in 4cyl engine developement with the Ecotec program. The Ecotec's potential matched with it's reliability and versatility is amazing.

[RedCavyRS99]

i miss my eco now that its gone

[Dave]

One thing I have confirmed with this engine - I was afraid that the HP numbers they quoted may be on alcohol or methanol. That is not the case though. This engine can run on pump gas (premium) or race gas (ie 101+ octane). So this engine is VERY realistic for any of us to build, with enough money of course.

GM will be releasing a book explaining the buildup of this car. The book will include all the details to allow anyone to build their own version of this engine, and this car.

Also, this car currently runs the 4T65 transmission - but that is because they wanted to display currently available technology at SEMA. Now that the show is over, the car is returning to the shop to test their race 4T45. If all goes well, that transmission will also be offered from GMPP. The 4T65 causes the engine to sit forward, as is visible in the picture below, but the 4T45 would mount just like stock, which means no frame modifications will be necessary.

[batman_blk]

So when is this bible for this car coming out?

[Keebler]

well damn..i posted a recent article in modified mag in another thread that was basically the same damn post an jonel..but smaller. c'est la vie... i tried

[Racecrafter]

.......... and look at that awesome carbon fiber hood!

(OK that was a bit self serving, I couldn't help myself.)

RC

[Co-What?!]

DAMN SEXY very awsome shi-ott! i wonder tho.. . . waht kinda 1/4 times do you think it will pass??

[jdkindle]

It will be a low 11 second car, and possibly even quicker, but the aim is to run 10's with it for sure. If you would like to see a little more about how we are involved, visit our website at www.kindleracing.com

-Jeramy

[econorocketZX3]

This is so promising. A domestic with an actual aftermarket basically before it gets released.

This is so the opposite of what I'm dealing with trying to work a Ford. I love my car but its like pulling teeth to find someone to tune it, or someone worth a crap to build a motor.

I will most likely be looking at a 2.2 coupe and doing something similar to the car above.

Thanks for posting this info!

[Arwes]

Originally Posted by jdkindle

It will be a low 11 second car, and possibly even quicker, but the aim is to run 10's with it for sure. If you would like to see a little more about how we are involved, visit our website at www.kindleracing.com

-Jeramy

I see you guys did fairly decent for your first run with the Phase 5 Cobalt. Good luck on the next race!

[jdkindle]

Thanks for the feedback that we have received so far. We were very pleased with the first time out for the car. The motor we are running is a very basic setup as of now. The only thing in the head is valves. We are running with a stock head and cams to see what you can actually do with them. The 12.94 was actually letting off near the end due to the fact that it was in competition, and she actually broke out. That pass would have been in the low to mid 12.80's.

Our next race is in two weeks at Virginia Motorsports Park. If any of you are in the area, we encourage you to come out and take a look at the car. We will be tuning this motor and turning up the boost a little, so check back for new E.T.'s.


We could also use one person to help us out during the weekend. Your duties would be very basic, but we will get you in the gate, show you around a little and introduce you to anyone you may want to meet and show you what it is like to be at the starting line. If anyone is interested, you can e-mail me at jdkindle@kindleracing.com or fill out the comment form on our website and we will arrange the details. We will need this at pretty much every race from now until the end of the season; you can see our full schedule at http://www.kindleracing.com/our_schedule.htm

Please let me know if you have any questions about anything. The 'cookbook' for the car will be released soon; the engine builder for GM said it was his goal to complete it fully this week.

[plyboy-illest]

NICE

[jdkindle]

just a quick update........last week in testing, went 12.58

this weekend we will be in Alabama, then the next weekend we will be at IAS in Atlantic City....hope to see you there!

[DJNateGnau]

YES!!!





COBALTS RULE!!! ECOTECS RULE!!!