<img src="http://cobaltss.net/articles/ss62.jpg" align="left" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="5">Besting a 600 HP Nissan Skyline and nitrous-charged Volkswagen Jetta

BUTTONWILLOW, California - Timing is everything, and the timing of the new Cobalt SS Supercharged's introduction couldn't be better. As Chevy's new sport compact performance car debuts in dealer showrooms, it already has a record-setting pedigree. Driver John Heinricy piloted a race-prepared Cobalt SS Supercharged on a challenging road course at the Buttonwillow Raceway Park, besting both the legendary Nissan Skyline and the new Volkswagen Jetta by more than seven seconds. The Cobalt SS, which is based on Chevy's new factory-built front-wheel-drive Super Sport, posted a time of 1:58 around Buttonwillow's #13 track configuration, which was fast enough to eclipse the marks set by the All-Wheel-Drive, twin-turbo Skyline (2:05) and the nitrous-charged Jetta (2:07).

"It was an absolute blast to run the Cobalt SS flat-out on the Buttonwillow track," said Heinricy, current SCCA driving champion and GM Performance Division's Director of High Performance Vehicle Operations. "GM Performance Division and the Powell Motorsports crew gave me a perfectly prepared car, and the Ecotec engine ran flawlessly."

A television crew from Speed Channel's Street Tuner Challenge was on hand to direct the day's competition at the track. The Street Tuner Challenge chose three vehicle makes representing North America (Chevrolet Cobalt SS), Europe (Volkswagen Jetta) and Asia (Nissan Skyline) and followed each team throughout a 13 week build competition. The Cobalt build team was comprised of engineers and designers from the GM Performance Division and Powell Motorsports, while the Nissan Skyline was built by XS Engineering and the Jetta was assembled by Autobahn Designs. The final time attack race served as the build completion and the culmination of Speed Channel's taping. For program times, please check Speed Channel's web site at http://www.speedtv.com.

The production Cobalt SS Supercharged has strong performance credentials in factory trim. Powered by a supercharged and intercooled 205-horsepower, 2.0-liter Ecotec DOHC four-cylinder engine and equipped with a tenacious suspension developed on Germany's famed Nurburgring race track, the production Cobalt SS Supercharged will bring more heat to the already red-hot sport compact segment.

GM Performance Division created the Cobalt SS for this time attack competition to demonstrate the ultimate capabilities of the four-cylinder, supercharged Ecotec engine and Chevy's new front-wheel-drive "tuner" car. The program was led by the GM Performance Division, in collaboration with Chevrolet, GM Powertrain, GM Performance Parts, and GM Design. Powell Motorsports, in Blackstock, Ontario, Canada provided vehicle preparation and logistical support for the successful assault on the time attack.

"The Cobalt SS surpassed every expectation we had going into this competition," said GM Performance Division Executive Director Mark Reuss. "We came to Buttonwillow to demonstrate the performance and reliability of the Ecotec engine on one of the most demanding tracks in the world. The Cobalt SS, driver John Heinricy, and the entire team performed to the highest standards. We're out here to be the best, and today we proved that Chevy and GM race to win."

Enthusiasts will be able to catch a live glimpse of the Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged this November at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas. It will also run on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 in Super Street magazine's Time Attack at Buttonwillow Raceway Park.

http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/large/84913_cobalt2.jpg



Time Attack Cobalt SS Supercharged Specifications

Body/chassis structure: Uni-body

Body material: Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber doors, hood, decklid, rear wing, front splitter, roof

Chassis material: Two sided galvanized steel, carbon fiber roof

Suspension


Front: Macpherson strut, no front bar, increased spring rates, Ohlins adjustable struts

Rear: Twisting beam with adjustable sway bar, increased spring rate, Ohlins adjustable shocks

Wheels: 9.5 x 18, 9.5 x 17

Tire size


Front: 245 40 17

Rear: Same as front

Tire brand: Hoosier DOT

Brakes: 111.6 / 296 x 1.02 / 26; vented discs front 0.6 / 270 x .55 / 14; solid discs

Powertrain


Engine:


ECOTEC LSJ Supercharged

With Stage 2 Kit: Larger injectors, 77.9 mm pulley

Engine displacement (cu. in / cc): 2000 cc

Horsepower maximum (hp / kw): 265 hp (SAE)

Torque maximum (lbs-ft / Nm) 270 lb-ft

Transmission: F35 5 spd mt with 4.45 final drive

Dimensions


Height (in / mm): 55.7

Length (in / mm): 180.3

Width (in / mm): 67.9

Wheelbase (in / mm): 103.3

Track


Front/rear (in / mm): 57.1/58.1 nominal

Weight (lbs / kg): 2300 lbs


CONTACT(S):
Jeff Holland
GM Western Regional Communications Manager
Phone: (805) 373-9748
E-mail: jeffrey.holland@gm.com


Official media.gm.com link;
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=2&docid=19244

Official media.gm.com link;
http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet?target=http://image.emerald.gm.com/gmnews/viewpressreldetail.do?domain=2&docid=19244

Cool beans mang.

awesome ...most interesting thing to me was this



ECOTEC LSJ Supercharged

With Stage 2 Kit: Larger injectors, 77.9 mm pulley

Engine displacement (cu. in / cc): 2000 cc

Horsepower maximum (hp / kw): 265 hp (SAE)

Torque maximum (lbs-ft / Nm) 270 lb-ft


give us a great idea of how much power the stage 2 will actually put down

awesome ...most interesting thing to me was this



ECOTEC LSJ Supercharged

With Stage 2 Kit: Larger injectors, 77.9 mm pulley

Engine displacement (cu. in / cc): 2000 cc

Horsepower maximum (hp / kw): 265 hp (SAE)

Torque maximum (lbs-ft / Nm) 270 lb-ft

Yeah, very interesting. I wonder if those number may be underated as well??

Edit: Wait a tick...I just noticed your info says you're in London. Are you an American living in London, or are you actually English? Cause if you're English, that seems a bit strange to me that you'd have a Chevy, as I was under the impression that all of Europe thinks American cars are crap. :lol:

Edit #2: OR, you live in a town somwhere in N. America named London...this one just came to me, heh.

the skyline was over 800 hp not 600


the cobalt made 235 when dyno tested , which i thought was pretty dam weak for a build up

it was great watching them cook the stock skyline , and get outta control in the stock VW , then nuke the VW they built up on a 50 shot

also the built skyline had a bearing problem so he had to slow up way before the corners

also the cobalt was a striped out race car , the VW and skyline had 2 or more seats , and alot more interior stuff

it was a great show , i laughed the whole time

:cssNET: Impressive :cssNET:

Sweeet!!!!

the cobalt made 235 when dyno tested , which i thought was pretty dam weak for a build up

That's an 11% flywheel to wheel drop, not to bad at all there real world #'s wise.

I agree for a build up though on an LSJ 265HP isn't much compared to other GM prjoects. Were they just possibly trying to show the ability of what official parts GM will be selling by just using the Stage 2 kit? That would make sense marketing wise once the Stage 2 kit is finally released.

Moving this puppy to front page news.

the skyline was over 800 hp not 600


the cobalt made 235 when dyno tested , which i thought was pretty dam weak for a build up

This is the same dyno that they originally got 189 hp from on the stock engine so I think these are good numbers fro just a pulley and larger injectors.

I'm impressed one hand because its brand new car.

On the other hand, I'm not sure the car was built to the spirit of the rules they laid down. I also don't think it was totally fair to put a car prepared by an outfit that builds racecars on a regular basis, has experience building Cobalt SS racing cars, has full support from GM's small car division and its racecar engine building arm (Katech) vs basically a bunch of novices in XS and ABD who do NO PROFESSIONAL racing whatsoever.

I fault XS a bit by using a car with parts that are not easily found in short notice (fault wheel bearing). They could have built a Silvia clone based on a 240SX and found just about any replacement they needed right at the local Nissan dealer.

Its a lighter car with better ideal balance and could make 300-400hp easy. The Siliva is not only a good drifter but excellent time attack car and road racer because of its IRS rear supension and less heft than the Skyline which even using the R32 chassis tips the scales at around 2900lbs.

They should have known GM would have come loaded for bear and doesn't want to loose.

If GM really wanted to put down sick HP numbers, all they had to do was drop in a mildly detuned Ecotec drag motor in the car and it would easily been realiable, powerful and impressive.

They went for light weight and reliablity by going with basically a blueprinted engine and small pulley upgrade on the engine, combined with an free-flowing exhaust system.

I know Mike Kojima personally and while he's a proven club style road racer, he does not comparable to multi-time SCCA Runoff champion John Heinricy, who has also spent time behind the wheel of Pratt & Miller's Caddy CST-V World Challenge racecars and laps vs professional racers at a competitive winnable pace.

Especially when Mike has never turned laps in anything like that Skyline which had never turned a wheel in competition, when GM has feedback from about 3-4 Grand Am Cup cars to pull from.

Hmmm....

ABD was at a total disadvantage because of the automatic trans and the newest of the new for 2005 5 cylinder engine in the Jetta that has NO AFTERMARKET support whatsoever.

How does a car with a basically stock struts, Eibach Pro Kit Springs and street rubber be competitive with two cars on racing rubber and both sporting adjustable coilover suspensions?

In the final breakdown of this series its flawed, badly like alot of other new shows of this type, including "Pinks".

If they are going to pit tuner shops vs factory supported efforts they should have at least leveled the playing build somewhat by making GM build a streetable car with functional A/C, Interior and Stereo system.

Overall I enjoyed the series and I look forward to seeing a new IMPROVED show next time.

Don't forget to watch ^^ http://www.speedtv.com/programs/384/

This is the same dyno that they originally got 189 hp from on the stock engine so I think these are good numbers fro just a pulley and larger injectors.

I dont' know where you got 189, the stock SS they dynoed right before they dynoed the built up one put down 211 hp.

Yeah, very interesting. I wonder if those number may be underated as well??

Edit: Wait a tick...I just noticed your info says you're in London. Are you an American living in London, or are you actually English? Cause if you're English, that seems a bit strange to me that you'd have a Chevy, as I was under the impression that all of Europe thinks American cars are crap. :lol:

Edit #2: OR, you live in a town somwhere in N. America named London...this one just came to me, heh.
London, Ontario :).

Permafried-

STAGE 2!!!!!! Yay...

Stage 2 Baby Oh Yeah :cssNET:

I want stage 2 ...and just think all that power with a 80 mm (3") pully ...think of the stg 2 with a 2.8" , it makes me giddy

All this talk about stage 2 made my pants wet..... :nuts:

I want stage 2 ...and just think all that power with a 80 mm (3") pully ...think of the stg 2 with a 2.8" , it makes me giddy

I was thinking the same thing. Just thinking about that, a new intake, and a full exhaust. Can you say 300hp!!!

I dont care what it costs, the stage 2 will be worth it, and it will be included with the factory warranty!

I dont care what it costs, the stage 2 will be worth it, and it will be included with the factory warranty!

I know how you feel but lets hope it's cheap enough still so that we can go and buy an Oreo cookie blizzard at dairy queen after words to celebrate :lol:

here is the SpeedTV article:
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/automotive/lifestyle/20047/

All I want to say is <3.

Does anybody else want that front lip?!?!?!? Because I do. :)

if the stage two is only a pulley and injectors, then just putting a 2.8" pulley on is probably still safe, since GM is going to make the car run rich with the bigger injectors. And did they metion any computer up grades.

I will start by saying that I love my Cobalt SS S/C, but I was disappointed by this show. For all the potential GM had at their fingertips, I was disappointed that they only did the stage 2 kit engine wise. To make up the diference the gutted it. I thought it was supposed to be a STREET Tuner challenge...something that you could still use as a daily driver. I don't think that anyone would want to drive that down the street with such an obvious paint job and without a radio and A/C. I do want that carbon fiber spoiler, roof, deck lid, and hood. I think my Blue SS would look good with a carbon fiber racing stripe. :D

The Skyline GT-R would have schooled the cobalt on the track had XS been smart enough to update the rest of the drive train. As for the dyno test it was no contest, it has been boasted for years that the Skyline's 2.6 can be pumped up to around 500HP without changing internals. In Japan the Skyline had a racing class set asside for after it dominated the other classes for so many years. To run the Jetta and the SS against it is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. XS clearly had the potential to sweep the whole show, but lacked the common sense to do so.

ADB made the mistake of installing nitrous. Personally I would throw a handful of dirt directly into the intake before I ran nitrous...you get the same result in the end. It did look really good though. I'm not a fan of the new Jettas, but I wouldn't mind owning one that looked like that.

Here is a video of a Skyline GT-R's potential. This was tuned by Mine's.
http://videos.streetfire.net/Player.aspx?fileid=36035AA1-2B82-4AC1-87BD-771358852BEC&p=0

Skylines have been tuned to well over 1000hp for Top Speed racing. Not much use on a road course when exiting a corner could mean alot of uncontrollable wheels spin and maybe a wrecked car in the process.

I too would have been more happy with a Street based car which would be competitive.

I am not impressed with Stage 2 if that's all it put down was 235hp. Now that the SRT-4's days are numbers, when production ends in Nov when the factory shuts down. The SS will be the class leader in output but far short of what the SRT-4 did with Stage 2 which put the car closer to 270hp.

235hp better get 13 second 1/4 mile times...

If you go over to insider.speedtv.com, the CCR Producer Dan Woods post over there on the Sport Tuning broad. He will answer my questions which is basically a repeat of the post I made here.

insider.speedtv.com

I am not impressed with Stage 2 if that's all it put down was 235hp. Now that the SRT-4's days are numbers, when production ends in Nov when the factory shuts down. The SS will be the class leader in output but far short of what the SRT-4 did with Stage 2 which put the car closer to 270hp.

235hp better get 13 second 1/4 mile times...

235HP to the wheels, 275HP to the flywheel.

there were a few deciding factors in why the SS finished 1st...it definitely wasn't the quickest or best handling car there so I wouldn't exactly call it a victory but it was a cool show to watch.

there were a few deciding factors in why the SS finished 1st...it definitely wasn't the quickest or best handling car there so I wouldn't exactly call it a victory but it was a cool show to watch.

Wanna watch it again?

It was the quickest car that turned laps at Buttonwillow by some 4-5 seconds. Reguardless of how powerful the Skyline was, XS was ill-prepared with an untested car compared to GM's litterally 100's of racing miles with a simlar car.

The Skyline's best laptime was 2:05 mins and the Cobalt was 1:58 and that's an forever on road course.

The deciding factor was GM brought out the heavy guns in Powell Motorsports, an experienced road racing team in the Rolex Grand American Cup Championship and driver they used for this test/race.

Highly modified Skylines in the US that are reliable are very rare because of the lack of OEM replacement parts if something breaks.

It took the better part of 4 years for a Skyline to last long enough to win Sport Compact Car's Ulimate Street Car Challenge. So its of no suprise that this car untested, broke down in competition.

STC will return next summer...

235HP to the wheels, 275HP to the flywheel.

I never talk in terms of flywheel, those stats mean nothing.

Stage 2 SRT-4's are doing over 270hp at the wheels, not at the flywheel.

Once owners stop being chicken around their "new" cars, you'll see some Cobalts run 13's, maybe even 12's...

I never talk in terms of flywheel, those stats mean nothing.

Stage 2 SRT-4's are doing over 270hp at the wheels, not at the flywheel.

Once owners stop being chicken around their "new" cars, you'll see some Cobalts run 13's, maybe even 12's...

Once people get over the warranty issue is more like it.

Sweet !

Once people get over the warranty issue is more like it.


I'm sure thats what he meant ....but I am being a vagina about my warranty as well

awesome ...most interesting thing to me was this



ECOTEC LSJ Supercharged

With Stage 2 Kit: Larger injectors, 77.9 mm pulley

Engine displacement (cu. in / cc): 2000 cc

Horsepower maximum (hp / kw): 265 hp (SAE)

Torque maximum (lbs-ft / Nm) 270 lb-ft


give us a great idea of how much power the stage 2 will actually put down

what i liked was the 2300 lbs..... thats some weight savings!

Wanna watch it again?

I don't need to watch it again, the only reason the Cobalt pulled the best times is because the other cars could barely make it around the track. :lol:

Had they all been 100% with no problems the results would have been different.

This is unbelivable. A 275 hp cobalt SS beat a 600+hp GT-R? Everyone knows the GT-R is unbeatable. Even if that car has a bearing problem, beating it with a 275hp car is still unbelievable. Is the cobalt really that good? The Front drive chassis can actually handle that power and torque and beat the super advanced legendary unbeatable GTR!

Does anybody have the video of this? It's a must-see!!

I noticed that some of you complained that the low 275 hp, I'm really disappointed. Anyone knows this ecotec can handle like 1000+ hp, but this is real course racing not those stupid drag races that most people in America only care about. More can only result in slower lap times, because its front drive chassis can only handle that much. That's also a reason the BTCC Astra race car is also about 280hp but NA. 300 is probably the best most power most front drive cars can handle, so the BTCC limit is set to that as well.

posted previously,...

Don't forget to watch ^^ http://www.speedtv.com/programs/384/

P.S. the show is being run as a series ... I am going to call SpeedTV to see if they have a full copy that can be sold

but i don't have cable tv. Is there a download on the web site?

It was on tv while i was at a restaurant, so i couldnt really hear it, i wish the episode was on the website, im sure it's possible for it to be taped and transferred to the web :-D

Yeah somebody really needs to get that video on here for everyone to see

I have it recorded on my hard drive, I love tv tuner cards. I don't know how to send it. Plus it is a large file, around a gig. It also has the NOPI tunervision where they test drive the Cobalt.

I have it recorded on my hard drive, I love tv tuner cards. I don't know how to send it. Plus it is a large file, around a gig. It also has the NOPI tunervision where they test drive the Cobalt.

If you don't know how to or can't compress the file, the best way to share it would probably be to use some file sharing software like limewire. Tell us what you use, when you'll be online, and what the file is called. Once a few of us have the file we should be able to distribute it to all the members that want it before long.

you know how to make a torrent file? that would be best

I don't use peer-to-peer programs, and I have no idea what a "torrent file" is. I have someone working on trimming it up right now, might be a while though.

I was thinking the same thing. Just thinking about that, a new intake, and a full exhaust. Can you say 300hp!!!

don't forget those headers :cssNET:

Here is a video of a Skyline GT-R's potential. This was tuned by Mine's.
http://videos.streetfire.net/Player.aspx?fileid=36035AA1-2B82-4AC1-87BD-771358852BEC&p=0

Wow, and I didn't know bubbles was on the team!!!!!! :lol:

That's Great, but it sure doesn't look stock. Slicks...? WTF..

the skyline was over 800 hp not 600


the cobalt made 235 when dyno tested , which i thought was pretty dam weak for a build up

it was great watching them cook the stock skyline , and get outta control in the stock VW , then nuke the VW they built up on a 50 shot

also the built skyline had a bearing problem so he had to slow up way before the corners

also the cobalt was a striped out race car , the VW and skyline had 2 or more seats , and alot more interior stuff

it was a great show , i laughed the whole time

Hey I got an 05 ss/sc with pulley and coldair waiting on exhaust, to see the weak number increase in hp and tq was a great dissapointment. Acctually the SS showed the smallest increase in hp and tq of all three cars, granted the jetta (a nice looking car) still had less power aswell as the driver of the 800 hp (not 600) monster was not familiar with the righthand drive car. I don't see a diffinative victory here. The show even ended with all three teams holding up a checkerd flag (who won?) "We did!!" Street Tunner Challenge was a cool show but the time format that the did kind of sucked. They spent a good 11 mins per car, the intro was to long the end they showed too much footage of next weeks show and as interesting as the clips about drifting and street racing were they in my opinion were to long or not needed in this show. I wanted to see more footage and tech info per car per show. I hope they do the show again with three more cars (WRX non sti, Srt neon, RSX possible...that would be informative i think)

BHowman1980 05 ss/sc with pulley and K&N best run 13.97@103mph

This is the same dyno that they originally got 189 hp from on the stock engine so I think these are good numbers fro just a pulley and larger injectors.
they had a stock red cobalt on the show and dynoed 212 hp the gm guys were suprised that it higher than advertised!! Where are you getting these numbers cause if your going to make up shit then at least get it a little closer to the truth

just goes to show hp isn't everything.

just goes to show hp isn't everything.


Oh no? its racing. hp and tq are THE most important deciding factor (assuming both drivers know what they're doing)

actually your tires and your suspension are the most important factor. the largest turbo in the world wont take as much time off your laps as a tuned suspension and some gumballs.

actually your tires and your suspension are the most important factor. the largest turbo in the world wont take as much time off your laps as a tuned suspension and some gumballs.

F-in A brother! Thats def one of the best things to have in racing. Look at NAscar and the crazy little things that make a diff in there sport!

actually your tires and your suspension are the most important factor. the largest turbo in the world wont take as much time off your laps as a tuned suspension and some gumballs.
x2 ^^^

All this talk about stage 2 made my pants wet..... :nuts:
hey dude,
is that a pic of your car?
if so,
how well does the CF hood fit? does it look perfect or are there gaps n shit?
where did you get yours? got a website for it?

Thanks.

the skyline was over 800 hp not 600


the cobalt made 235 when dyno tested , which i thought was pretty dam weak for a build up

it was great watching them cook the stock skyline , and get outta control in the stock VW , then nuke the VW they built up on a 50 shot

also the built skyline had a bearing problem so he had to slow up way before the corners

also the cobalt was a striped out race car , the VW and skyline had 2 or more seats , and alot more interior stuff

it was a great show , i laughed the whole time

Sorry for keep bring this thread back to life. But I agree with 97cavie24ls 235 to the wheel was pretty weak for a rebuilt engine with stage 2 upgrades but I was in shock when it beat the skyline in the time attack. I'm thinking about getting a cobalt SS/SC Soon. I just want to know where can I get some safe aftermarkets from or should I stick with Stage 2?

Sorry for keep bring this thread back to life. But I agree with 97cavie24ls 235 to the wheel was pretty weak for a rebuilt engine with stage 2 upgrades but I was in shock when it beat the skyline in the time attack. I'm thinking about getting a cobalt SS/SC Soon. I just want to know where can I get some safe aftermarkets from or should I stick with Stage 2?

you can build up the same parts included in stage 2 if you want many of the vendors here have the parts or just stage 2 available there is a page just for vendors you may want to look at.

Sorry for keep bring this thread back to life. But I agree with 97cavie24ls 235 to the wheel was pretty weak for a rebuilt engine with stage 2 upgrades but I was in shock when it beat the skyline in the time attack. I'm thinking about getting a cobalt SS/SC Soon. I just want to know where can I get some safe aftermarkets from or should I stick with Stage 2?

power is not everything. this was a stripped car. probably weighed next to nothing. weight is just as important as power. why do you think the lotus runs 0-60 in 4 seconds with 190 horsepower?

stage 2 is a good starting point. most people here get stage 2, then upgrade to a smaller pully, and bolt ons. make sure you do traction mods as well though.

Sorry for keep bring this thread back to life. But I agree with 97cavie24ls 235 to the wheel was pretty weak for a rebuilt engine with stage 2 upgrades but I was in shock when it beat the skyline in the time attack. I'm thinking about getting a cobalt SS/SC Soon. I just want to know where can I get some safe aftermarkets from or should I stick with Stage 2?


this source says that the Time Attack Cobalt made 264 hp / 230 tq and 344hp / 350tq on nitrous.. It weighed in at a low 2350 lbs

http://tunersource.gmblogs.com/Road-Racing