Stamina

The LSD/G85 package can be quickly checked by lifting up the carpet in the trunk that covers the spare tire area. On the metal, to the left of the spare tire area, is the build sheet sticker. If you see G85 listed on the list of codes there, it's got it.

The downpipe is the biggest bottleneck IMO. Many companies offer quality downpipes. ZZPerformance (ZZP), ClearImage Automotive (CIA), Modern Performance (MPx), etc.

The next big thing would be an intake mod or intake. This can be the "airbox mod" that ZZP devised, or a full-blown intake solution, like a Hahn CAI, K&N SRI, AEM CAI, etc.

Catbacks don't give huge gains with this car, so they could be thought of as more of a sound mod, unless you've got an agressive tune and other bolt-ons. MPx sells a nice 3" one that sounds pretty good and won't rattle on the back axle, even if the car is lowered.

If you plan on tuning the car and upping the boost a bit, I would recommend buying new charge pipes. Injen, CIA, ZZP, etc. all sell them. The stock plastic ones do not seem to hold up too well under the additional boost. Several have cracked/exploded.

Also, be careful about bottoming/scraping the front. The stock IC is aluminum with plastic end tanks, and has a condenser bar low on the bottom that can get ripped off or crack the plastic end tanks, causing a boost leak. Hahn sells a nice IC, but it's pretty expensive. ZZP, Badmab, and others sell nice full-metal alternatives.

For suspension, Pedders seems to have the best performance springs. If you're looking for a drop, then there are many options out there.


About tuning:

HP Tuners (HPT) is a software suite, and you'll need to find a tuner that uses it. Terminator2, Backyardturbo (BYT/BYT*SS*Turbo), and others on this site sell proven, strong, reliable tunes. You may also be able to find a local shop/tuner that uses it, if you don't want to buy the hardware.

Trifecta Performance is a company specializing in remote tuning. You can rent/buy a cable to load tunes yourself from Vince, the tuner, or you can go through a local dealer who will do all of that for you.

SSlobalt

rukkee

iTrader: (3)

How bad can a non- LSD SS really be ? I've had it in both of my cobalts so i don't have any experience without it . I was reading where the equal length axles really help out with evening out the power distribution. I know when turning and trying to get on the throttle the inside tire will light up but if you aren't an auto Xer I wouldn't call G85 a deal breaker.

For all you guys without limited slip...... is it really that bad in day to day spirited driving?

CudaJoe

iTrader: (1)

20-22 psi tune is fine with everything on the car stock.

I'd get a downpipe, intake, charge piping, and intercooler though.

yes, you will make 300whp with the tune, lol. Its alot of fun.

Grishbok

YES. It is a massive difference. Without it, you will plow the turns, and nullifys the effectiveness of a left foot brake. The LSD in this car is a MASSIVE advantage in high speed cornering and hard acceleration and helps minimize wheel hop.

ford

I would agree its a different experience but not a bad one. About the only thing i regret with the 09 ss is the GMS1.

northvibe

iTrader: (1)

LSD should of been standard...that was dumb..a $400 option? thats @#$@#$ cheap! in the MS3 it was standard...

rukkee

iTrader: (3)

Is it at Herb Connolly Chevrolet ? If it's the Sport tincoat red SS it has G85 according to the VIN.

07SSYellow

iTrader: (7)

i say all the Downpipes are roughly the same as you go to diff vendors, but i will say this, if u buy an intake dont skimp out get the good one which would be the K&N SRI, probably the best intake for our cars

BK05SS

Had a fully bolted and tuned supercharged and upgraded to an SSTC, great summer daily driver with GMS1 and some other fun stuff It's a very fun car to drive, test drive it and if you like it, go for it!

Jhezzy

I just bought my 08 cobalt SS a month ago. I love it. Mine was 16k with 18k miles on it. Also it was completely stock.

blackbird

Different from the Neon, the SS Turbo has a better torque-based engine management that reduces power output while the steering wheel is turned and also has traction control. It also has an ABS brake-based limited slip system that is functional when traction control is not used ("TCS OFF", "Comp Mode", and "ESC Off"). It is by no means a replacement for a the torque biasing, helical gear limited slip included with the G85 option but if you only drag race or daily drive the car it isn't as bad as some other high power front drive cars. I'd still suggest trying to find a G85 car though if you place an emphasis on handling and placing power down while going in other than a straight line.

Rissa

Woo get it! My dealer told me if I were to get any option with the ss/tc then it should be the LSD, and he too thought it was stupid that it didn't come standard.

northvibe

iTrader: (1)

megan racing cheap, catless and angled bung ya i'm loving the k&n sri

Mark Aubele

I am a straight male so I turn that garbage off the second I get into the car. Car is useless without G85, especially when you can just drive down the street and buy another one that has it for the same price, these cars aren't exactly all that rare.

CudaJoe

iTrader: (1)

wtf you smokin?

They are pretty rare cars.

Mark Aubele

Not rare enough to buy one with no LSD.

O9cobaltSS

if your deff looking for a fwd car, BUY ITT sstc=fwdKing

rukkee

iTrader: (3)

The SS/TC's aren't the easiest cars in the world to find for sale....... When i see one on a lot, i always stop and look lol. All the Cobalt SS's are rare..... IMHO

Mark Aubele

Find Your Car: Used Chevrolet Cobalt Listings Near Trafford, PA 15085 - AutoTrader.com

27 within 300 miles of Pittsburgh, only searching autotrader. Like I said before, not rare at all. Not as common as a standard Cobalt, but by no means rare.

blue05ss/sc

Im from MA and have been looking fr a TC...is it the black one in dartmouth? If so it dosnt have the RPD idk about g85 i test drove that 1 theyve had it for a while seems to be hard to find a decent used 1 in the area

rukkee

iTrader: (3)

And when i search the same exact location for a Civic SI ........I get 296 lol.

When i search the Boston area for ss/tc's I found 3 within 200 miles.... they aren't common.

Find Your Car: Used Honda Civic Listings Near Trafford, PA 15085 - AutoTrader.com

bobbyhill31286

iTrader: (2)

found 23 within 300 miles of me
Find Your Car: Used Chevrolet Cobalt Listings Near Essex, MD 21221 - AutoTrader.com

blue05ss/sc

This^^

brainchasm

iTrader: (3)

6 within 200mi of Las Vegas, only 1 is a turbo...

And, it's a sedan (same as mine), srtc (same as mine), no LSD (same as mine, doh!), used, with 16k mi on it, for $19495...

I got mine new, a year ago, 80mi, for $17500.

Dealers are funnay.