So i just bought a 2006 Cobalt SS 2.4L non-supercharged. I'm starting to get into racing, but im not really sure where to start, ive never worked on a car newer than 1973(all resto projects). What kind of things do i need to pay attention to, what are good ways to increase horse power, more power for less money is definately a welcomed thing. Ive been trying to find headers for it, but i can only find headers for the 2.0 and 2.2 engines, is the 2.4 just a bored out version of the 2.2?

any recommendations on performance ideas and threads that may contain more information would be great. The biggest concern really is the 2.4L versus the 2.2L and 2.0L engines, and my difficulty finding parts that are specific to the 2.4L

thanks for any help.

 

there are a fair amount of parts that will work from the 2.2L to the 2.4L there are not very many parts that you can take from the 2.0L. now a good mod to help put the power to the road is motor mounts and/or tranny mounts to help rid you of the dreaded wheel hop. now intake, exhaust, injectors, and a tune would be a good start.

 

Any header that fits the 2.0 will fit the 2.4. Open up the intake with a GMPP performance intake or a K&N intake. GMPP cat-back exhaust is a good choice (performance best, touring quieter). Tuning is not easy as you need HPTuners and would need someone that knows how to do it. Check out CED's website for GM accessories....http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...arts-C144.aspx

As a side note the 2.4 and 2.0 use the exact same exhaust manifold -- this manifold also fits right on the 2.2 so yes all three engines have the same basic arrangment. Your 2.4 has VVT, and a larger intake and TB then the 2.2.

 

I know for a fact you can use most/all 2.2 intakes (CAI) and exhaust. Those should bolt right up. I don't know about anything else, since I havent really looked into it. Just search around here on the forums, I'm sure you'll find an answer.

 

First off buy a Cold Air Intake. Then a header from ZZP or CA, with high flow downpipe and get a full catback system. Then motor/tranny mounts and after that a tune.

 

Im gonna tell you one car guy to the next, Don't expect the kindove gains you would get from Performance parts on an older or bigger engine. Your not gonna drop half a second with an intake and headders for $400.

 

Turbo it!!! MUAH

But really, for some cheap HP. Get exhaust and cold air intake, and a tune.

The exhaust systems will fit the 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4 alike.
The cold air intakes are the same for the 2.2 and 2.4.
Tuning would be 2.4 specific as they have a different ECM.

 

So I dont know bout all these computers, when i tuned my older cars id just set the timing mechanically, set my points, and all that good stuff, the ecm im guessing is an onboard computer, can i access this via usb or some other maybe serial connection, and if so where? (i actually work with robots and embedded programming if i can find the chips and computers i could tune it if its tuned via electronics). or is it more complicated with these cars than that?

So a CAI would be a good first one, ive looked around at a few of these different mods i can do, but then comes to picking which one yields the most power, anybody got allegiances to some good brands and maybe some reasoning (im a technical kinda guy, so numbers are great).

and yeah i wasnt expecting to drop a second for a few mods on a 4 banger. Wish i could afford the gas on the others, but 8 mpg in the city just isnt cutting it anymore.

 

Unfortunantly with computers comes licencing and "Leagal liability" So loosening a distributer nut and turning a dist while shooting a Strobe at the harmonic balencer is now buy this 500 program and edit charts and you gotta pay another 50 bucks on top of that if you wanna tune some one elses car. Barely bloody the knuckles taking off those pain in the ass ECU clips.

 

Forced induction is your friend when it comes to small engines like these.

 

turbocharging worked for me...$38.00/hp compared to $42.00/hp for an intake.

 

damn, so where do you go to get it tuned, doesnt exactly sound like i can do that myself...

 

Tuning is definitely not for the novice..If you read though the threads on the subject you come to the realization that it doesn't always work either. We're waiting on more info and tests on the Jet performance module that mounts on the ECM and is supposed to provide more performance (2 versions). Some have installed them but we haven't gotten any good tests that prove/disprove the performance increase yet -- runs about $230.

 

Getting a good air flow going is the best way to start. Intake and Exhaust; manifold and catback (yes, you can take it from a 2.2l) and then you go from there. Injectors, tuning, etc.

One thing to remember; fast and cheap isn't reliable, cheap and reliable isn't fast, reliable and fast isn't cheap.

 

Here's the best piece of advice you'll find in this thread. Keep it on the track so we don't have another thread with all the members doing this:

R.I.P.

 

i guess ill be doing the fast, reliable...expensive route...just gonna take longer, Ill just start a thread on performance stuff, unless there is already one out there, thanks for the info though guys.