Hey, does anybody know if either the 5.3L LS4 from the Grand Prix GXP or the 4.6L NHP Northstar V8 from a front wheel drive caddy will fit into a modified cobalt engine bay? I know that you can jam a 5.3L into a grand prix, but they also carry a 3.8L V6 stock, what do you guys think, anybody have any experience or any ideas? extra engine weight could help to keep the tires on the ground too. Thanks hopefully this is do-able :nuts:

Chassis will need to be big time strengthened, and the overall upset the balance, but i think it would look cool.

thought about this, but it would cost a lot and be a bitch

but it would be fast as fuck lol

short answer, it's possible if you have enough money. you will lose many, many things that make the cobalt driveable on a daily basis though.

instead of getting a new engine, why not just get a turbo, and build up the engine you have.

short answer, it's possible if you have enough money. you will lose many, many things that make the cobalt driveable on a daily basis though.

instead of getting a new engine, why not just get a turbo, and build up the engine you have.

u would not lose anything to make it drivable, just get some fat ass tires

my dads monte ss with the ls4 gets low 20s for mpg and he drives it hard

im sure everything could be wired up to keep it working like a cobalt with a big engine

u would not lose anything to make it drivable, just get some fat ass tires

my dads monte ss with the ls4 gets low 20s for mpg and he drives it hard

im sure everything could be wired up to keep it working like a cobalt with a big engine

you would lose things like power steering, windows, abs, most all of the electronics, would need a new tranny, etc. newer cars have everything so tied in with the electronic systems, that interupting those systems causes them not to work.

if you could work it out, it'll be a monster!

cobalt with a sound of V8

you would lose things like power steering, windows, abs, most all of the electronics, would need a new tranny, etc. newer cars have everything so tied in with the electronic systems, that interupting those systems causes them not to work.

so your kinda getting to : if he could get the wires all sorted out then it would work but only do it if you know how to wire and that wiring would be a huge pain in the ass

You'd just have basically a trailered drag car, like D4 was saying. None of the electronics would work with the swapped ECM, you'd need all new suspensions, brakes, and on and on and on.

so your kinda getting to : if he could get the wires all sorted out then it would work but only do it if you know how to wire and that wiring would be a huge pain in the ass

that's the thing, it won't work. there's nothing to figure out with the wiring, it just won't work. it would be ok for a track only car, but without everything working it won't be worth it for a street car.

by the time you finally get it to work, as a track only car, it's not worth the money spent on the upgrades, because you could have had a faster car for less money, and still have it be driven on the street.

that's the thing, it won't work. there's nothing to figure out with the wiring, it just won't work. it would be ok for a track only car, but without everything working it won't be worth it for a street car.

by the time you finally get it to work, as a track only car, it's not worth the money spent on the upgrades, because you could have had a faster car for less money, and still have it be driven on the street.

not true, u could do the swap and get the ls4 turbo kit that puts out a lil over 500hp, it would be crazy

i dont think you understand nike...theres alot of hsit that just wouldnt get alon, ie power steering, ABS modules, ECM, PCM, suspension parts, brakes, transmission, etc.

this isnt like a honda swap where everything seems to just drop in place. Itd be a HUGE pain in that ass.

and thered probaby be very little room to fit turbo related parts under there after all is said and done.

that's the thing, it won't work. there's nothing to figure out with the wiring, it just won't work. it would be ok for a track only car, but without everything working it won't be worth it for a street car.

by the time you finally get it to work, as a track only car, it's not worth the money spent on the upgrades, because you could have had a faster car for less money, and still have it be driven on the street.

QFT!

i dont think you understand nike...theres alot of hsit that just wouldnt get alon, ie power steering, ABS modules, ECM, PCM, suspension parts, brakes, transmission, etc.

this isnt like a honda swap where everything seems to just drop in place. Itd be a HUGE pain in that ass.

and thered probaby be very little room to fit turbo related parts under there after all is said and done.

where theres a will theres a way

i bet it could be done somehow, like taking the whole ls4s internals, everything from the ls4 donor car and putting it into the cobalt body

kinda like the civette

not true, u could do the swap and get the ls4 turbo kit that puts out a lil over 500hp, it would be crazy

what you're not understanding is that none of the electronics in the car will work anymore. it's not about making power, it's about being able to drive the car.

where theres a will theres a way

i bet it could be done somehow, like taking the whole ls4s internals, everything from the ls4 donor car and putting it into the cobalt body

kinda like the civette

so after all the custom fitment to make this work, if it's even possible, you still have a 4 cylinder car. at that rate, what's the point.

money is better spent just building the engine, and keeping everything working.

Itd be THOUSANDS CHEAPER to just build the stock motor. Plus the amount of aggravation would way to intense for me to deal with. And in the end, if you just wanted a car and motor with no luxury features then youd have that.

Yes, theres always a way if theres a will, but does the will have money closley behind?

what you're not understanding is that none of the electronics in the car will work anymore. it's not about making power, it's about being able to drive the car.



so after all the custom fitment to make this work, if it's even possible, you still have a 4 cylinder car. at that rate, what's the point.

money is better spent just building the engine, and keeping everything working.

how would u have a 4 cylinder car if u took all the ls4 internals and shit out of the donor car and put them into a cobalt frame/body?

how would u have a 4 cylinder car if u took all the ls4 internals and shit out of the donor car and put them into a cobalt frame/body?

sigh...

you said internals... so, are you talking about a whole engine? or just the internals. there's no room inside the cobalt engine to put 8 cylinders. so you can fit 4. so either you're explaining it wrong, or not understanding.

that being said, if you put a different engine, you have to use the computer to control that engine. the computer that's controlling the new engine will not be compatible with the other systems in your car, meaning they won't work. you can't swap out everything, it doesn't work like that. at that point, you obviously have all the money in the world to spend on your cobalt, and if you have all the money in the world to spend on your cobalt you would just buy another car. or, fix up the engine that's already in it.

Long story short, its not gonna happen. I dont think anyone will do this. Just because of the hassel involved

buy a miata and put a Ls1 in it...lol

sigh...

you said internals... so, are you talking about a whole engine? or just the internals. there's no room inside the cobalt engine to put 8 cylinders. so you can fit 4. so either you're explaining it wrong, or not understanding.

that being said, if you put a different engine, you have to use the computer to control that engine. the computer that's controlling the new engine will not be compatible with the other systems in your car, meaning they won't work. you can't swap out everything, it doesn't work like that. at that point, you obviously have all the money in the world to spend on your cobalt, and if you have all the money in the world to spend on your cobalt you would just buy another car. or, fix up the engine that's already in it.

yea, swap out everything, engine computer, all of it, and run all the air conditioning and radio to the current stuff in it

it would be like a monte carlo/impala/grand prix with cobalt cosmetics

yea u could do this with a lot of money

my dad met the rich guys in florida when he was young, they had so much money they put 454s into chevettes and other tiny cars

yea, swap out everything, engine computer, all of it, and run all the air conditioning and radio to the current stuff in it

it would be like a monte carlo/impala/grand prix with cobalt cosmetics

yea u could do this with a lot of money

my dad met the rich guys in florida when he was young, they had so much money they put 454s into chevettes and other tiny cars

it was different with older cars because they didn't rely so much on the computers to run everything. what you're saying simply won't work.

it's like trying to replace your keyboard on your computer with a ps3 controller. even if you get the ps3 controller working with the computer, and you can move the mouse around with the joystick, you still can't type a sentance. same thing with the car.

it was different with older cars because they didn't rely so much on the computers to run everything. what you're saying simply won't work.

it's like trying to replace your keyboard on your computer with a ps3 controller. even if you get the ps3 controller working with the computer, and you can move the mouse around with the joystick, you still can't type a sentance. same thing with the car.

so what you're saying is that even if someone got the v8 running in a cobalt, they won't be able to type a sentence?? :lol:

so what you're saying is that even if someone got the v8 running in a cobalt, they won't be able to type a sentence?? :lol:

finally, someone gets it! :lol:

buy a miata and put a Ls1 in it...lol

Hell why not the 572 crate motor? :lol::lol:

Hell why not the 572 crate motor? :lol::lol:

or a custom LSX while we are at it.

You guys are nuts, you'd never get the ass end of the miata to stick to the ground HAHAHA :nuts: Ok, so let me ask you guys this question. Say "theoretically" that I take the engine, throw it in, strengthen the frame, make the tranny sync somehow, and install a standalone fuel system with the installation of the grand prix gxp PCM to control spark. Why would I need a different ECU? The PCM controls the engine. The ECU controls the peripheries correct? And yes, there would be ABSOLUTELY no room for the LS4 turbo kit, and how the hell are you going to keep the tires off the some bitch on the ground with 600 horse LOL I'm shooting for 300 NA horsepower, "MAYBE" 350. I realize the differential would have to be replaced with the race version and the driveshafts would snap like twigs under the immense power so race versions of them would have to be purchased. And it would probably shear the lug studs right off of the hubs LOL but how friggin' awesome is that, those studs can be replaced with ones capable of handling 700 whp. Maybe I need to post the question in the electronics forum and see if a wiring guru has any idea about what to do. Thanks for all the ideas guys. Just trying to brain storm. The main reason I don't want to build my engine is that A it would be a top to bottom build, everything from crankshaft to heads, custom turbocharger because the garret kit blows goats, intake, h/e, and custom 3" exhaust. That all as I've priced would be ballpark of 5 to 6 grand. This question stemmed because I have a guy who can get me an LS4 out of a 05' Grand Prix GXP with 6,735 miles on it for 1,000 bones, how sweet is that deal???? I realize that a new PCM, differential and driveshafts would have to be purchased, but I'd have to buy driveshafts to build my engine to 300 hp too :( The fuel management system would have to be installed on my car too as well as a new PCM to build it as well because it's an 06' and you can't tune the bastard because of that. So the way I look at it, I'm actually saving myself money if I can find a car guru who can wire the bad boy. I am in luck however because a close personal friend is the owner of an Indy car team so I'm sure he's got some mechanics who would love to make some money on a side job. What do you guys think now? Let me know whatcha think. And I don't want to buy a different car because I want to have the sleeper cobalt from HELL. Silenced exhaust so until it was goosed you would have no idea what was under the thing's skirt. Just that sudden OH SHIT factor as I walk away with your money hahaha.

P.S. My car is the stripped down LS manual with no power windows, door locks or ABS (I don't think anyways) So there are less systems to worry about keeping intact.

http://aplusperformance.com/apexiintegration/apexielectronics-power-fc/g-50091.aspx Total engine management that replaces the stock ECU and continues to function options like air conditioning, what do you think about this?

Just turbo ur car, save lots an lots of money and it will still be a sleeper an fast

i dont think you can turn if you do it
unless you make it turn like a forklift

The 5.3 engine itself only weighs 413 lbs., that's not thaaaat much more than a 2.2, I'm not expecting it to be that much more front heavy in corners, besides, it will be a strip car with that engine, no autocross with that engine hahaha. I'm guessing I'd probably only gain about 250 lbs w/ engine and trans.

Victory_red_SS can tell you all about how it's really easy and cheap to re-engineer a car.

Like i said earlier, If it was easy there would be a whole bunch of V8 cobalts running around.

theoretically you can do it. but why?

There may be no way to do it. I've been looking around and there is no manual transmission I can find that will link up to the engine. The GXP's, Monte Carlo's, and Impala's all came with a 4 speed automatic with paddle shift manual ability. NOOOT what I'm looking for. If I could've got an engine and tranny for 2,500 dollars I would've been all about making this work, BOOO. It's going to cost about 6 grand to turbo it and build the internals like I want to push 300 hp constant w/o nitrous, would've been cheaper with the v8 app """""Possibly""""" hahaha, guess I'll just start saving mad money to make this thing a turbo beast. The only thing that pisses me off is that the garrett kit sucks ass, I want a turbo that will push 15-20 psi not the 7-10 they are talking about. Need about twice as large of a turbo. Any ideas on that?

There may be no way to do it. I've been looking around and there is no manual transmission I can find that will link up to the engine. The GXP's, Monte Carlo's, and Impala's all came with a 4 speed automatic with paddle shift manual ability. NOOOT what I'm looking for. If I could've got an engine and tranny for 2,500 dollars I would've been all about making this work, BOOO. It's going to cost about 6 grand to turbo it and build the internals like I want to push 300 hp constant w/o nitrous, would've been cheaper with the v8 app """""Possibly""""" hahaha, guess I'll just start saving mad money to make this thing a turbo beast. The only thing that pisses me off is that the garrett kit sucks ass, I want a turbo that will push 15-20 psi not the 7-10 they are talking about. Need about twice as large of a turbo. Any ideas on that?

why would your goal be a certain psi amount vs. a certain power amount? one setup putting out 7 psi can make more power than another setup making 15psi.

hmm, i know they put ls1 and ls2's into solstices and sky's without any problems, so maybe it would be possible?
idk, i dont know about all the custom stuff that woul dhave to be done, and it would probly be to damn expensive to even be worth it, especially considering the ls1 solstice swap is around 14k if i remember correctly

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzHKbMFvKYA&feature=related

http://racingconcepts.net/miata.html

think you need to read up more on turbos/engine building. No offense but you seem to have the F&F theory of cars. You cant just go throwing an engine into anything and have it work out.

The Garrett kit doesnt suck ass either. Its a really well designed kit for what its intended to do. Also you wouldnt need "twice as large of a turbo". Read up on there turbo theory page be fore you go spouting off.

guy did it in a cavy

yea, but a cavy isnt a cobalt.

northstar cavy (http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=46&i=363648&t=336308&p=1)

It's doable big guy, look up Fiero's with 5.3L LS4's same tranny I'd use for the cobalt, the tranny can be built from a junkyard for under 700 dollars, the engine can be pieced together for under 2000 for the full on shot. From there, Apexi makes a standalone ECU that can control the whole set up and not take away factory functions. As I said before I have a totally stripped down Manual LS so the only option I have is air conditioning anyways, so nothing to lose. The hardest part will be the chassis strenghtening and the welding of motor mounts, new radiator, and making room for the big some bitch. A 303 hp N/A Cobalt V8, but yeah, it would be a lot of work, but you're not the one doing it, so keep the negativity to yourself bud. PLUS the extra engine would help it from a dig over a turbo or highly supercharged cobalt with the light ecotec engine in it. Not trying to autocross the thing. I would then just build this engine, but hell, the turbo kit ALONE costs 3,700 bucks, waste of money for 70 hp, big time, that's why i want more bang for the buck, and I'm willing to put in the work, I can see you wouldn't be and you've made that perfectly clear. I didn't shit in your cereal so quit stirrin my kool-aid hahaha. :)

Im not pissin in your cereal on purpose. Im just saying. Wanting to do something and having it planned out, then putting it into action and succeding, especailly with this, are 2 diffrent things. and options really wont make a difffrence at all. All the electronics wouldnt want to agree. it can be done, but wow what a hassel.

That's why I'm getting everybody's opinion because other's experience is invaluable in situations like these. I'm still trying to put together what I want to do. I've got three different build options already outlined with all of the parts needed, whether it be turbocharging 2.2L, supercharging 2.2L, or jamming a big boy in there, haven't set my mind on one, just trying to find past experiences that will help me make my decision.

Just turbo or supercharge it and u will be happy :) and save lots of money instead of a big v8

just turbo. soooo much easier, and alot of fun.

I'm gonna change all the internals as well, Comp Cams makes a turbo cam, forged pistons, 60# injectors, new valve springs and assemblies, port and polished head. I think that that will an intake and custom 3" exhaust ought to make 300, what do you guys think? Do you use meth injections with turbo or just supercharged? I'm still gonna have to either piggy back my ECU to tune my engine or make it fully standalone because you can't tune my year, BULL CRAP.

why not put a second LSJ in the trunk and turn it into an AWD. It would be sick to hear 2 superchargers spin up

ha ha ha