Yo.

Well, I've been doing alot of thinking lately about my car, and I'm probably gonna just buy it out at the end of my lease. I have a little under 2 years left. It's almost out of warranty (yes, she's got some miles on her), so I figured I'd start diving in. I already installed an Injen intake (short ram for now, and that's probably how it'll stay), a DC strut bar, Mobil-1 synthetic oil, always 93, and I take amazing care of it. I don't really want to get into the internals or anything like that bacause I'll still need it daily-driver-able. lol. I can't aford to have it down for the weekend. So I'd like some input on a few questions that just randomly popped into my head the other day while writing down some plans. Bear with me. lol. Don't hate, just help out...

1. I've heard about s/c guys installing an Ingalls Torque Dampener. WTF is that and would it help on my 2.4? I'm thinking it helps with torque steer maybe?

2. Lowering springs. I think the Coby would look great with a drop. But I remember hearing that if you use your stock FE3 set-up that it only drops like an inch. That still the case? How do you get more? I'm not replacing the whole set-up for awhile, if ever. lol.

3. Is the only thing that makes the FE5 an upgrade from the FE3 just larger sway bars? If so, how big are they? Would it be better to go aftermarket or just find OEM s/c ones?

4. The infamous HP Tuners mod. Tranny tune FTW. I'm an auto (long story), and I honestly don't mind too much. Afterall, rush-hour traffic FTL. But it'd be nice to tweak it a bit. Who do you go to to do that, how much, what all can safely be done, etc?

5. Our cars are the old-style suspension in the rear, correct? So there's no possibility of a rear strut bar, right?

6. Has anyone found a cool replacement for the stock auto knob? Any that work? I bought a factory '00+ style Eclipse knob on the Bay awhile ago (the ball one that looks like a baseball), but the bottom was the wrong size. Until I remove my center console, I find it a burden to switch between D and I with the button on the front, and it'd be alot easier if it was on the side or the top, but don't want one of those gay APC ricey ***** with a dragon or something on it. lol.

7. Anyone selling pre-blacked out rear marker lenses? Not the tails, but the side markers. I removed my bulbs awhile ago for a cleaner look (and GOD does it look better), but I'd still like the lens to be even more hidden. You can always go DIY lens tint, but I'd rather not waste 5 sets in the process. lol.

8. Basic mods for the 2.4? I really like my 2.4. I do. It's a nice engine that makes very usable power, and get's pretty good mileage. Anything you can do to it to make it better? I did notice a very welcomed improvement on throtte feel after the intake though!

9. My friend is selling a few Auto Meter gauges. He has a couple air-fuel ratio gauges for sale. A white Phantom one and a black Cobalt one. Would this gauge help me at all? lol. It depends on who I ask on what answer I get. I'm betting on not at all since I'm not boosted or anything, but it's a nice gauge... lol.

10. Plugs and all that ****. When do you change them? what do you reccomend? You replace them once every like 2 years, I could care less how much it costs. Just tell me.

11. How shitty will me ride quality be (even more so) if I add s/c 18's in place of my n/a 17's? Factory size tires and all that...

12. Cleanest NON GAY sounding aftermarket exhaust set-up on an auto? Input? I'd love an aftermarket set-up, but I don't want to be THAT GUY. You know the one. Aftermarket N1 exhaust on an auto Topaz that goes *rrrraaaaaaAAAAAA UHHHHHHHH UNNNNNNNNN* Yeah. That guy.

13. Seats. I hate my factory seats. Period. I'd like to get factory s/c or RL Recaro's, but they're hard to find. Let's say that I found a good deal on a set of factory EVO Recaro seats... What'd it take to get those in there? Backseat accessability really isn't too big of a deal. Or is it really just better the find the ones made for the car?

Thanks for bearing with me. Please take a minute or five to respond. THANKS!!!!

 

u can add the dampner..not gonna do much..i wud do the auto trans mounts by cpp
go with the eibach spring..they drop like 1.5inch i think
im running a awesome tranny tune/tune on my car that a lot of ppl want auto 2.4 owners
i wud stick with basic bolt ons..u already have intake, so header,downpipe,and catback n tune
if u go with gauges..dont get a narrowband..do a wideband if ur going to be tuning..its a must
riding the 18's i wudnt doubt u get get wheelhop..i get it but wud b worse with 18's
i have the gmpp exhaust..sounds great,not ricey. i got it for like 400 with tip(check out youtube and type in cobalt 2.4 fly by and ull find mine)

ne other question pm me

 

I have a 2.0 but I'll try to help to my fullest...

1. It is mainly used for wheel hop, which I don't think 2.4's have a problem with, I don't think it helps with torque steer.

2. Depends on the springs... Eibach sportlines give what... 2 inch drop?

3. go aftermarket

4. local tuning shop... varies for prices everywhere and also depends on if you use a dyno... you'd have to call them to see if they can help you.

5. I'm pretty sure you could do it if you wanted... not 100%

6. Theres 100s of different if not 1000s of shift knobs out there for you. Most come with different size adapters.

7. just use nightshades... I don't think anyone sells them preblacked out as there probably isn't enough demand for it thanks to nightshades. If you are just blacking out you won't need any extra sets.

8. Header/ DP / Exhaust are always a nice touch

9. it would technically help you monitor your a/f ratio. I guess better safe than sorry if you really want another gauge, but if you don't really want extra gauges I'd say skip it. If you do get a tune though or boost you will definitely want one

10. Read owner's manual? I'm not 100% on this answer.

11. Well... the ride isn't THAT shitty in my ss/sc. I guess if you swap the FE5 suspension in it would help this (maybe?) but you will definitely notice a difference. I don't mind it at all

12. GMPP touring exhaust... or if you want louder GMPP performance exhaust

13. You would just have to get a new seat bracket probably. Seats usually aren't that much of a pain to switch out, except you will probably lose your airbag sensors unless you put them in somehow.

 

Awesome! Very helpful so far guys! Thanks!!

Where would I get brackets for the Evo seats into my Cobalt? Nothing would be pre-made, correct? I'd probably have to go custom?

Would the given drop ammounts be all around? Because I thought initially that it was only in the back for some reason? How much about would a shop charge to install and set-up lowering springs all around?

The CCP auto tranny mounts. what do those do? Same sort of idea as the TD?

 

You could probably just buy the brackets that match the evo seats and fit them into your balt. I don't think there have been any major problems with other members when switching out seats and putting in brackets.

I'm sorry the drop for the sportlines are SPORT KIT DROPS 2.0"fr/2.5"r(non ss) 1.0" fr/1.3"r(SS)

not the 2" I originally thought for the 2.4. But it still looks very good, you can look at other peopls's pics of it if you think you wanna go lower. I think the sportlines are pretty low as it is.

the drop only in the back you are thinking of is their Pro kit, that is only a 1/2" in the back and 0 in the front. Sportlines are lower as you can see

 

1. Love my torque damper, helps a lot with wheel hop.
2. Eibach sportlines. They are the most beautiful springs lol, great ride, great look
3. I think so, but I heard there is no need to replace any FE3 things with FE5 things.
4. Im sure there is a shop that can tune you up. Ive heard that he B&M shiftplus is nice though. Im a 5 speed so I dont know much about that
5. Progress rear sway bar. I have it and like it.
6. Im sure you can find something somewhere lol
7. No clue
8. Bolt ons, I/H/E. Apparently the JBP cams are nice too
9. AFR gauges are nice, I dont know if you need one though
10. No clue
11. No clue
12. Magnaflow. I love the way it sounds on my cobalt and I recommend it to everyone. You can get it kinda inexpensive on eBay
13. No clue

Happy modding!!

 

the ccp auto mounts are gonna elimate any form of wheel hop. and i would go with the gmpp exhaust..the magnaflow is too loud for my taste....imo

 

well;

1. Ingalls is good, go ahead, but you can get other mounts (tranny/engine) that will do more for you I believe. Check the vendors lists. Turbo Tech makes a bunch of good stuff I believe
2. No need to switch to the FE5 setup... go with eibach sportlines for the lowest drop I know of.. (If you switch more than that go with full coilovers, not FE5 stuff)
3. Not sure the diff in size or if that's the only diff, but definately go aftermarket. Unfortunately upgrading to the ss/sc parts isn't gonna get you much and it's gonna cost a lot.
4. you can tune with HPTuners however I am not sure the extent, especially with an auto (I'm 5spd)
5. Not 100% what you mean here but there is def. sway bars available for us.
6. My friend has an ls with an auto knob he put on it, however, again, I never looked into it since i'm manual.
7. there are several aftermarket light options that you can purchase "tinted" tail lights, but not side markers that I'm aware of. Definately gonna have to go the DIY route.
8. Mods depend on money, but basic bolt ons are your friend i believe, intake, exhaust header, downpipe exhaust, tune, sway bars (front/rear), bushings/mounts for handling, springs for handling, the usual suspects. You can also go into turbo's and Superchargers as well if you're looking for that kind of performance. Hahn makes the turbo kit for us, and chevy has a supercharger kit for us as well.
9. You can put the guages in, but help you? not unless you have a need to see what they're telling you lol. the wideband would be good for tuning, def. don't buy a narrow band, it's just not worth it.
10. I've been looking into plugs, and to be honest they're a bitch. From what i've found we can use the LSJ plugs, we have different ones (figured as much but it gets better...) to go a step colder for us is a bit more difficult because everywhere I found out plugs they're expensive as hell!! (between 14 and 25 bucks a plug!!!) as far as wear and tear on them...check and see... your dealer will be able to tell you as well as the manual the recommended change time, but it can't hurt to monitor it yourself so that if they need to be changed you can do it when they go bad.
11. your ride quality wont be THAT bad. you'll notice a difference, but it's manageable.
12. LOVE the text "sounds" lol. I have the GMPP performance and it's got a nice sound, but I'd go full custom. take it to mineke or whatever and have them fab you up a custom 2.5" setup with the muffler of your choosing, so it sounds how you want it. (also probably save you a wallet full of cash..)
13. Lost of people have aftermarket seats, they're fairly "standard" as far as fitting goes, just make sure you look at the measurements, and the features so that you get what you want. Brackets will probably be a must but they're relatively cheap (100 bucks or so for a set??) and super easy to install yourself.


good luck!!

 

like i said...pm me if uwant to know alot bout the tuning aspect

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmF0A_xuCgI