I'd like to build up my Pontiac G5 from the ground up, im not talking about a race car just a well blanced ride from suspension, handling,tranny and performance but done the right way. I'm not an expert by far when it comes to the mechanics but i have help from my dad 20 years experence and friends who are in school for automotive carears and id like to use this as a learning experince too, So I'd like to know from you fellows what are the weakness's of the Automatic 2007 Pontiac G5/Cobalt 2.2(samething). I would like real info not replys like "buy a new car" or "get a ss" lol, id like to work with what i got over an extended period of time.
What i have right now as mods is limited> B&M Shift Plus, K&N Typhoon Shortram Intake, Eibach Sportlines.

Thanks in advance,
Thomas
as i get replys i will make a list here:

Engine
-Forged Rods
-Forged Pistons
-full exhaust
-Eaton M62

Tranny(Auto)
-Safe 350-400?

-Axels safe 400hp?

Suspension
-Struts

Braking
-SSBC Force 10 2-Piston Performance Brake Kit-Front
http://www.autoanything.com/Cart/Cart.aspx
ETC...

 

The weakness of the car is the rods and pistons. Replace those and your car should last through a lot of HP.

Struts are also a week point.

You also need a good tune for your car. That makes all the difference.

 

Rods have always been the problem but while your at it , it makes sense to do the pistons also and then have the crank balanced, the upper end usually isnt a problem unless you rev too high or you get to a point where your outflowing the head which is usually in the 300whp-350whp range

 

dinner bump

 

um. lack of power? lol jk 2.2's are monsters. um rods check pistons check thats all ive really heard having trouble

 

just build for power until something internal breaks... then upgrade

i would seriously suggest either turbo or s/c it... best bang for ur buck on the stock internals

and way faster of any N/A build

 

thanks for the input guys so rods and pistons are a def. how about handling and brakes?

 

Personally I wouldn't even consider investing any $$ into the 2.2 in terms of performance. If you go na: port and polish, intake, header, catback it'll still be slow and you've invest a lot of money and time If you want to make decent power FI is the only way to do it. Granted, it's a new car and there goes your warranty. If i was to mod my new '09, I'd go with some quality coilovers, strut and sway bars, possibly a rear disc conversion.

 

...whats wrong with investing $$ into performance for a 2.2 if you go boosted?

 

Thanks for your input buddy he asked for help not to be told that it's not worth spending money on it... the truth about the matter is the same could be said about all of us tuning our 4 bangers he has his car and we wants to improve it. Come on man but ya as for advice... coming from someone with a supercharged car, i don't know how crazy you want to go but i would seriously consider going turbo... You have have the potential for alot more power and i know that the supercharger just isn't cutting it for me... but again it's your car and you have to pretty much do that for your self
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BUILD!

 

rods and pistons first on a turbo build for 300whp??

what about the tranny and axels etc.

lets say i want 300hp on my 2.2


whats a list??


any suggestions fellas..??

 

for 300whp, pistons and rods should be swapped to forged. full exhaust should also be added. 5sp you'll probably want a better clutch and some mounts to avoid snapping axles. aiththe auto, you're fine for probably around 350-400bhp.

those are your required mods..then theres suggested mods, but thats just for optimal perofrmance...it wont harm your car to run without them

 

thats all true but i would do axles too, personally i went the tow truck route and i prefer not lol and i could see the 2.2 axles holding up better then the tooth picks they put on my ride lol thanks GM are you auto or manual... and question for HunterKiller89 how does your transmition hold up are you running the stalker?

 

yes sir. stock everything. the stock auto trans is rated for 315tq. it was made for V6 engines

you really wont need axles unless you're wheelhopping. theres several 400whp cobalts on stock axles. they dont have wheelhop

 

lol i know i have experienced wheel hop but when mine went it was a clean shift from first to second. oh well i guess if i would have learned how to not bounce the **** out of it to begin with i wouldnt have my RL parked waiting for axles lol so whats your time in the 1/4

 

i haven't ran it at a track yet

 

Come on your from LA you could go any day lol Jk... Do you have any plans of going to the track or just built a fun street car... I have mine parked in my igloo waiting for axles i wish i could go racing

 

i wish i could go to the track in the balt as well but its parked in my parking spot till more funds come in

 

i really dont have much of an urge...mostly just curiosity of how the car will do. A lot of members on here want me to run though, so im sure i will come spring.

 

There's nothing wrong with it, it's just something I wouldn't do, just my opinion. You're investing thousands of dollars into an 'enterprise rent-a-car', just doesn't seem feasble to me. As mentioned earlier, you've now lost all warranty.

 

please read my 1st post.

yea i would prefer to build it slowy and right the idea of crusing till something breaks is not very appealing, FI is on my list i would love to turbo, Yes im an AUTO

 

Boosting the car is cheaper but build the motor and put a SC/Turbo on it and it will destroy

 

rental car? so if you have leather, all disc brakes, a supercharger and xm your now a corvette? please if you have no usefull info, dont post here. and dont insult my car $16,000 may not be alot of cash to you but im a college student and this car means alot to me and i dont care whats feasble to you, have nice day

yes i agree, in the future turbo for sure, im just getting the ideas in motion then research and then the little issue of making the money to make this happen lol

 

Alright so i'm a little pissed now alright, maybe im taking you out of context but come on he didnt ask for your opinion he asked what some suggested upgrades were for his car. You are running around the cobalt forum with probably a stock 2.2 with no intention of doing anything but telling this guy not to bother with it. First off there are probably more appealing project cars to everyone, i see you have an srt4, personally not a huge fan of neons but i'm not usually the kind of guy to go out of my way to talk ****... especially on the internet but it even says in his first post that he doesnt want to hear it's not worth doing so rather then just leaving you go and tell him it's not worth doing and as for your rental car bullshit i'm glad you watch car and driver lol is that where you stole that from? anyways i'm going to get on with my day because frankly this is a waste of time and not really on topic have a good one

 

The base cobalts were not intended to be bought for speed, they are an eco cars and affordable, there's nothing wrong with that at all. There are some quick 2.2's out there and props to them for doing a build, my comments have been taken the wrong way.

In my initial post I mentioned that doing N/A mods is purely a waste of money, if you buy an header, catback, intake, 2.4 manifold etc. You're still going to be slower than the Camry next you with 2 kids in the back seat.

I said that the only real way to make it worth while is going F/I, with that being said hopefully some of the 2.2 guys that have gone S/C or T/C can chime in with what worked for them.