I'm due for a new car next year. I'm really looking at either an HHR SS or a Cobalt SS. I need your help understanding the performance #'s of the C/SS.

What is a realistic 1/4 mile, trap speed, & 0-60 for a stock sedan?

What bolt on kits are available that are reliable and don't require a turbo swap? I had a SRT4 before and I chose the "custom setup" path and I hated it. I was always messing with it trying to make it faster. And I SUCKED AT IT!!

Now I have a Charger SRT8. A CAI and a light retune got me a sub 13 sec 1/4 mile! Very reliable setup and I don't have to spend time messing with it!

So I'm looking for my next car to be priced below the outrageous SRT8's sticker, yet as close to the SRT8 1/4 mile times as possible. Hence the Cobalt SS. But I'm curious how far I can get (performance wise) with the Cobalt SS platform using reliable bolt-on kits! I want to bolt on enough butt-dyno power to put a smile on my face as close to the SRT8 as possible. But still has to be near-stock reliability because it will be used as a company business vehicle.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

The numbers most of us everyday drivers are going to put up on stock tires are going to be 14's in the quarter at anywhere from 100-105 mph. Sixty can be reached in under six seconds.

Bolt on's without a tune are useless performance wise because of the learn down feature present on the car. The best path for getting a power gain at a decent price would be to get an aftermarket tune through Trifecta or Superchips or even the GM Stage Kit.

 

Most everday drivers are not running 13.8. That's a pretty good time.

 

The fastest stock SS/TC on this forum ran a 13.5x @ 105mph (slowstang) or so, with our fastest tuned time being 12.75 @ 113mph (revhigh18), though I believe that was on stock rubber. The magazines have cracked off 5.5s 0-60 sprints (see Car & Driver), so figure a few tenths can be shaved off that by an experienced driver.

Bang for the buck performance is easy to obtain with this car... Get a Trifecta tune and light bolt ons, and you'll be pushing north of 300whp and 320wtq, minimum. From there you just need rediculous driving skill to get good E/Ts (a.k.a. maintain traction).

 

if you run the car on a 95 degree humid day you'll get somewhere between a 14.3-14.5. Hottness kills times. lol.

 

13.5 stock?? That seems pretty fast for a bone stock car. What is a typical 1/4 mile & trap? Use a moderate 2.2s 60' time as a base...

I'm starting to learn more about this car. I'm a business professional in sales, so image is very important. A Cobalt SS is already a little borderline on "immature", so I need to keep the profile very low. So exhaust sound is very important as well. I can't have a loud exhaust when I idle into the parking lot. The SRT4 was ridiculous with a 3" turbo back exhaust... So keeping that in mind, can someone answer the below two questions:

Exactly what parts would be involved for a reliable fast setup for a business professional using a Trifecta tune? The tune itself, CAI?, wastegate?, is an e-cutout exhaust available? What would be the performance #'s

Exactly what parts would be involved for a reliable fast setup for a business professional using a GM Staged kit? The tune itself, CAI?, wastegate?, is an e-cutout exhaust available? What would be the performance #'s?

Thanks in advance!

Temperature accounts for almost 1 full second in the 1/4 mile? 13.5 in ideal conditions, 14.5 in hot conditions?? That's crazy!

 

Honestly, a downpipe makes the biggest difference I thought. A catted one with the stock exhaust sounds mean and sexy under throttle without being too loud. It's actually deep sounding both on and off throttle. It sounds loud though the first time you start it up each day, but that would probably be just you and would apply no matter what exhaust option you had. I've gotten many compliments on it... even from old people if that makes any difference (since they usually don't like the stuff that's plain loud but with no substance).

The intakes available for it are generally causing issues short of somebody tuning them out.

An E-cutout sounds loud but not necessarily good on our cars from what I hear.

If you're looking for the most no-nonsense performance in a presentable form, I'd go with a tune and catted downpipe. That would be it. There are incredible gains made off of a good tune alone, and the downpipe opens it up much better on top of that.

Also, the car has a sport suspension that may be a bit tight for a client used to soft luxury cars. Maybe you could do Eibach Sportlines too soften it up just a bit and giving it an even sportier yet clean appearance. If you're just wanting to, it might also be nice to change out your charge piping from the stock plastic stuff to one of the metal options. I noticed that car sounded different overall from it and it gets away from some of the problems the plastic charge piping may have.

 

go buy a lexus is-f

 

^ not a half-bad idea for what you're wanting.

I love our car's but you want one that will be the right fit for what you're wanting and you'll need to do research to make sure the Cobalt (or anything else) meets what you're needing/wanting.

 

I have the ss/tc sedan, if you de-badge it it is a mad crazy sleeper. Stock the car does not sound too loud until you get on it. If you are transporting clients and such around though you need to look elsewhere. Even the sedan is small on the inside. The seats are comfortable but the suspension is sport tuned. You will feel more bumps than in a typical car. I think the hhr/ss has a softer ride, just my opinion. But if you want a fast car that keeps clients comfy look at BMWs.

 

Fast+Comfort=WRX STi 06-present (not a fan of the wagon tho)....... OR get a brand new Skyline, seats 8 comfortablY and very very inexpensive. EXTREME SARCASM

 

I appreciate all your input... But for those who say STI, Lexus, and BMW can go take a metaphorical jump in the Detroit river. You guys are killing me. SUPPORT NORTH AMERICAN BUILT PRODUCTS THAT USE NORTH AMERICAN COMPONENTS!!! Even if a foreign car is "built" here... for the most part the engine, tranny, bumpers, windshields, instrumentation panels, seats, etc etc etc... all come on a boat from another country. Support your local economy...

Now I will jump off my soap box and say that my company car plan restricts me to drive cars manufactured by the Big 3. Also, I'm looking to keep the price way down too. I spent way too much on the SRT8 and it sucks on gas. I want a less expensive car that gets better mileage. I'm also looking at an HHR... but it's lack of style or "coolness" is a big pill to swallow.

I can see where this thread may be going, and please try to keep it on topic. I'm still looking for some insight on the two questions I had above.

Thanks for all your input!!

 

Trifecta tune = ~$250 to ~$300 depending on which tune you want.

Stock car + Trifecta tune = Butt dyno approved, smiles all around. Roughly 40 to 60 whp gain depending on supporting mods.

I would make that your first mod if you do end up going with a Cobalt SS.

 

All i was saying is the cobalt is not a luxury or touring car, it does not have the comfort of high end leather, heated seats, heated mirrors, dual zone climate control and HID head lights. And not many American cars have these features. Now that I know you are set on buying an American car I would suggest you look into a g8 gt, another option is the new ford Taurus SHO when it comes out.

 

If you want to support NA automakers within your criteria, an SS/TC may not be ideal... I love mine and I'm also in business, but I'm only 22 so I feel I can get away with some things... I can still use the "I bought it when I was in university" excuse.

The car is quite loud idling when cold, even stock. The vehicle goes through a warm-up process where it idles at a higher RPM than normal. Couple this process with the fairly loud ticking from the direct injection's high-pressure fuel pump and you have a car that idles quite loudly - perhaps too much so if you're worried about being judged.

I'll also add that the interior of your car WILL rattle and squeak almost immediately; anyone who tells you otherwise is either incredibly lucky, deluded, or a flat out liar. Seriously, within 5,000 miles you'll feel like the interior is falling apart. If you're going to be embarrassed by a rattling sunroof and squeaky rear deck when you give co-workers rides, look elsewhere. My parents' 2000 Honda Odyssey with 130k miles rattles less than my near brand-new SS . In freezing cold weather, the shocks also make a TERRIBLE crunching sound over bumps - all Cobalts do this. This last one is perhaps the most embarrassing trait when giving others rides.

I love my SS/TC and it's perfect for my needs/price range, but if you want something more refined, maybe look at picking up a G8GT? I'd still recommend this car if it were only for your personal enjoyment, but I figured I'd tell you exactly what you'll be getting. If you need the extra refinement, you may wish to look upmarket.

Oh, and you can confirm the stock 13.56 @ 105 ET - look up slowstang, I think he has a slip somewhere.

 

my neighbor is a pontiac fanatic..he got a brand new G8GT and i must say..it looks amazing. GREAT paintjob, all around nice looking car. tinted would look amazing. definately look into it. quickly tho.

 

that's because it is built in australia and comes to the US on a boat. I hate that car... greqt car but chafes my **** because its not made here

 

hmmm. i understand. same with the GTOs right? oh well. how bout a nice 2001 chrysler town and county with a big ole turbo decal hot glued on the bumper? haha dont know if it was mentioned yet but how about mustangs? then again only 2 doors..

 

yup. another restriction is that the cars have to be 4 doors.

and actuallym you hit a soft spot for me. I have always said that if someone would make a mid 13s minivan, I would buy it in a heartbeat. then my wife can drive her cute little car and be happy.

so for now she'll drive the SUV and iLll drive the small car...

 

Does it have to be Chevy...Can it be the new Taurus SHO...twin turbo FTW. It will be AWD, biger vehicle and it will be nice. Ford has really stepped up to the plate in fit and finish.

 

Yeah, I had a post ready to go for the Taurus, but my palm pilot locked up and didn't post it. The Taurus SHO is WAY overpriced right now. Give Ford 2-4 years to really get their arms around this twin turbo V6, get the performance dialed in, and get the COST DOWN and it will be a great bang for the buck. But as it sits today, SRT8's are a better bang for the buck...

And it doesn't have to be Chevy... just domestic. We support our local economy here in Detroit... What a concept.

 

Apparently you already have your mind made up, so just get the damn car already! lol.. Anything else that has been suggested you have shot down in a blaze of glory, so just go for the cobalt already.. you'll love it..

 

To answer your question,

Two weeks ago, I ran a best of 14.25 @ 100.45 w/ a 2.28 60' time. It was so humid I had to turn on the front defrost just so I could see by the end of the track (it was dark.) I believe with less humidity, I would have seen closer to 14.0 @ 104, as magazines and other drivers seem to be able to produce these results. I have a coupe, however I was as close to stock weight as possible (left subs at home.)

I believe a 2.2 60' time in a stock Cobalt SS is fairly respectable, especially after working hard to get even that far. This car is plain hard to launch. Practice makes perfect... (but track prep doesn't hurt either!)

 

THANK YOU!! 25 posts of great discussions later and my answer finally appears! just messin with you guys.

those numbers are pretty darn good. anybody have insight on my other question? what about a staged GM kit 1/4 mile time & trap? what about the trifecta tune(s)? is there more than one?

and yeah... I think I have my mind made up... i've done a lot of research already and I live in detroit so cars are my life. I want to make sure the car I get is going to be fast enough. I love being the "near-stock king of the street" right now. and if I get a car that ends up making me the target that "I" am always looking for now with my srt8... I would rather drive a fusion hybrid and not compete at all. I would never get an Avenger RT. I would never get an impala ss. or a malibu ss. even the HHR SS is pushing it because of how poorly its setup to go fast. its all or nothing for me. and if I can get a low 13s car that GM will warranty with a staged kit, i'm all in.

thanks for all the help guys! hoping to see some typical track times for the staged kit/tunes soon.

 

Glad to help out a neighbour. I'm across the river