Hello all,

Im about to purchase a 09 Cobalt SS LNF. And i would like any and all insight as to what you guys would suggest as far as a build list for everything. Ive got mostly everything i think is correct in my list and i am open to anymore suggestions or changes.

The list is as follows,
Cobalt LNF/LHU Turbo Upgrade – ZZPerformance
LED Headlight Conversion Kit – ZZPerformance
ZZP Ecotec Billet Engine Mount – ZZPerformance
Outer Tie Rod - Ecotec – ZZPerformance
MOOG Front Sway Bar End Link – ZZPerformance
MOOG Sway Bar bushings for Cobalt SS – ZZPerformance
ZZPerformance Cobalt Front Sway Bar
Suspension & Brakes – ZZPerformance
Ecotec Front Trans Mount – ZZPerformance
ZZP Rotated Rear Trans Mount Gen3 – ZZPerformance
BC Racing Coilover – ZZPerformance
GM Stage 1 Sensors – ZZPerformance
LNF Downpipe Gasket – ZZPerformance
LNF/LDK Camshaft Bolt – ZZPerformance
Cloyes Ecotec Timing Chain & Guide Set – ZZPerformance
3 inch Stainless Steel Cobalt LNF Catback Exhaust – ZZPerformance

Like i said im open to any suggestions you guys may have. The car is also stock other than the porous block being replaced with a brand new LDK block from zzp.
Thanks for looking.

 

I guess my first question is what are your power goals? What fuel will you be running?

 

im not really looking for specific numbers just whatever i can make with what i got after i save up a bit more money im also gonna get forged internals.
and ill be running pump gas

 

Made some notes between products

 

Things you will likely need. If your control arms still have shitty gm “voided” rear control arm bushings they tear like paper. Get some spherical ones from Powell ottp or moog (moog ones are relatively new I can’t speak to them for quality. My powell ones are one of the best mods ive done.
depending on your power goals that turbo kit may be overkill and will be a bit on the laggy side. If your looking for a solid 400-450whp you may want to look at the z54 or zzp zfr 6758. It will be more responsive than the s257 in the full turbo kit.
if your goals are well over 400whp or your planning on running e85 or a mix e47 etc. you will need fuel mods.
options include zzp s2 cams with fuel lobe upgrade. ( upgraded valve springs will be needed and suggested regardless if your getting over 400whp)
z06 mechanical fuel pump upgrade bigger injectors 5th injector and meth injection are all adders that can be combined I won’t get into detail here without knowing your power goals.
based on what you have lined up there your going to need an upgraded clutch before long. Lots of guys run the gmpp upgraded clutch it bats way out side it’s suggested weight class. There are lots of other options as well if you are planning to go big power. I e seen this hold over 500whp for years on several cars on the forums and local. (Slicks would be the killer here)
Chances are your trans won’t last long at much over 400whp some guys get lucky and driver mod helps. ( I’m on my original stock clutch and trans at close to 400whp.
your probably gonna wanna get horsepower tuners of your own and laptop as well if you don’t already have.

 

i was looking at the tuebo upgrade kit because it listed as having the aftermarket charge pipes and intercooler from zzp which by itself is currently out of stock with just the intercooler kit. the upgrade kit also included the ecm and turbo downpipe.

 

i was also looking into getting hp tuners i would have to learn how to tune myself. do you have any suggestions on other places that offer aftermarket intercooler kits.

 

It is a complete kit in that regard.
If you switched to one of the other turbos I mentioned you would want to add a downpipe and intercooler kit to the mix.

what are your power goals.

 

if zzp is saying there intercooler kits aren’t in stock I would question weather they have a set for the turbo kits either.
might be worth emailing them if your spending that kinda $$

I would get zzp setup if I were you. Used to be several options I honestly don’t know who makes these kits if anyone else anymore.

 

You can get remote tuned if you have your own HPT it involves paying someone to tune you and sending logs to them so they can make adjustments. I wouldn’t just jump in and try tuning yourself if your not experienced. Not the easiest platform for that.

 

What are your power goals?

 

i would say 350-400 range not to picky on waht i can get with the mods im gonna go with right out of the gate

 

HP Tuners MPVI 3 – ZZPerformance
This is what i need correct?
i already have a laptop i can use

 

Okay. That turbo kit is major overkill for those goals.
honestly get the z54 turbo
3” downpipe and zzp intercooler kit.
you won’t need fuel mods or valve springs or anything and may even get away with your stock clutch.
turbo is responsive and fun and will leave you a bit of head room if you wanna go e47 or spray meth later.

 

yes that’s the ticket. And two credits to unlock your car

 

is the z54 direct bolt on no extras needed?

 

ZZP LNF Turbo PCM - Email me an HPTuners file
VIN: 1G1AP58X997174399
Year of Vehicle: 2009
Model: Cobalt SS
Transmission : Manual
Intake Option: ZZP 3.25" Intake
Turbo Option: Z54 Turbo ($25.00)
Boost Option: 1st Gear Boost Reduction
Clutch Option: Stock Clutch
Senson Option: GMS1 S Bar Sensor
Fuel Type: I run 91 Octane
Injector Options: I run Stock LNF Injectors
Configure
VIN: 1G1AP58X997174399
Year of Vehicle: 2009
Model: Cobalt SS
Transmission : Manual
Intake Option: ZZP 3.25" Intake
Turbo Option: Z54 Turbo ($25.00)
Boost Option: 1st Gear Boost Reduction
Clutch Option: Stock Clutch
Senson Option: GMS1 S Bar Sensor
Fuel Type: I run 91 Octane
Injector Options: I run Stock LNF Injectors
Quantity−+
Remove
$234.99

ZZP Z54 Turbo
Quantity−+
Remove
$1,29999$1,299.99

HP Tuners MPVI 3
Credits: 2 Credits
Quantity−+
Remove
$49999$499.99

LNF Stainless Downpipe
Transmission: Manual
Quantity−+
Remove
$30499$304.99

MOOG Front Sway Bar End Link
Size: 9.86 Inches Long
Quantity−+
Remove
$2999$29.99

MOOG Sway Bar bushings for Cobalt SS
Quantity−+
Remove
$1399$13.99

ZZP Ecotec Rear Sway Bar
Quantity−+
Remove
$13999$139.99

Ecotec Front Trans Mount
Quantity−+
Remove
$9999$99.99

Ecotec Rotated Rear Trans Mount Gen3
Quantity−+
Remove
$10999$109.99

BC Racing Coilovers - Ecotec
Spring Combo: Standard 6k/6k
Quantity−+
Remove
$1,19500$1,195.00

GM Stage 1 Sensors
Quantity−+
Remove
$11499$114.99

LNF Downpipe Gasket
Quantity−+
Remove
$1299$12.99

3 inch Stainless Steel Cobalt LNF Catback Exhaust
Resonator: No Resonator
Muffler Option: Add Muffler
Quantity−+
Remove

this is the new compiled list

 

It comes with everything you need to install it yes. Technically it could replace the factory one without changing any other parts. It’s just highly recommended you replace intercooler and piping and downpipe which you are getting so perfect.

 

I do believe this is a pretty complete list. The suspension stuff is optional of course but I don’t see any bad picks there.

only thing I 100% think you should get is spherical control Arm bushings. Stock ones are garbage.
powell
ottp or moog.
moog ones are relatively cheap but I have no idea about there quality or longevity. They couldn’t be worse than stock.

 

You may want to get new banjo gaskets for the turbo coolant lines and a new gasket for the oil drain fitting.
and possibly a gasket for the turbo to exhaust manifold as well. You may get away with re using them but it’s a shitty thing to cheap out on and need or have leaks after.
Aside from things possibly breaking when you take them apart you shouldn’t need anything that I can think of. A couple of the remaining guys on here may want to chime in if I’m forgetting something

 

Just realized the intercooler and pipes isn’t on there. But I’m assuming that’s just because it isn’t in stock?
it’s not that the stock pipes are particularly restrictive but the plastic has a tendency of splitting and the end tanks of the stock cooler are also plastic and troublesome. You could probably get away with them for a bit if you need to wait on an intercooler kit

 

I emailed Zzp in regards to their intercooler kit being out of stock I also added the cold air intake as well

 

seems like a good choice.

 

honestly you could get close to the 350whp goal with minimal mods, such as tune, cai, upper/lower charge pipes, downpipe and engine mounts. the tune would be the biggest in gains and switch from pump gas to e47 and be able to run on stock hpfp.

 

I don’t disagree. But the power band is allot better on the z54 and not pushing as much boost.
making 350whp and making power right to redline feels amazing after being on the stock turbo getting choked at 5k rpms.
Also less of the trans and clutch destroying torque. (Not that it it isn’t fun having tons of torque low in the power band.

also at that power level it’s just getting sweet so a fair bit of room to grow with the larger turbo. Especially on e47 if he were to go that route.