just curious how many boosted cobalts have ditched the standard for an automatic? if anyone here has then what was required? im very curious what mounts match up and what axles work with the auto. the 2.4 ss was avail in auto so im sure there must be a ton of things that are compatible but im curious if theres a shop yet rebuilding the 2.4s trans for street/strip.

 

ZZP and IPT do built 4t45's.
Only 1 person has done an 5spd to auto swap. Its a lot of work!
Also the 4T45 trans was used in a TON of vehicles so im sure theres other companies who work on them.

 

Auto will run slower. Plus its a ton of work

 

not if you're serious about drag racing.

 

Not after a certain power level. Plus consistency can win races as well.
What this man said.

 

im curious what a ton of work means. does anyone know if the auto trans uses a flexplate that bolts to the LSJ? or do you have to custom a flexplate for it? there are non ss cobalts running tens on automatics but only zzp is running 10s on the stick. as exciting as 12s are at the track im not thrilled about getting my doors blown off by civics running 11s with cheap turbo kits.

 

I believe flex plate needs custom drilling.

1. Redo trans mounts

2. Wire in TCM

3. Plumb cooling lines

4. Axles MIGHT be different. Not entirely sure.

5. Different master cylinder

6. Different shifter and cabling.

Thats all i can think of now

 

Engine mounts will be different as well. Auto engines are clocked forward towards the core support. That could cause other issues.

 

LNF flexplate from the HHR should fit.

Maven estimated 40hrs plus a whole auto donor car to do it right, lots and lots of work.

 

auto donor car is actually really cheap. since i dont need whats valuable from a wrecked car it wont be bad. i wouldnt dick with mounts id just change out the subframe for an auto subframe with the trans. im just considering atm. the computers for the autos are not in demand at all. so short money to pick one up. id love to see a post from someone who has done it. not sure ill be that lucky.

 

the 4t45e would be pretty much a bolt in, save for the flex plate. hhr ss auto flexplate will work so thats easy (at least now it is). the computer in the ss/sc is actually a pcm, it can do transmission control, however im not sure how to go about it, weather a segment swap in the firmware is needed, or if you can just plug and play.

honestly, if your going to the amount of work to swap to an auto, i wouldnt bother with the 4t45e. as you can build it to take some good power, the 4t65e is a far better transmission for power. its what gm ran in their drag cars, its what zzp runs in the drag car, heck, its what honda pro fwd cars run. its far from a bolt in, it requires an adapter to bolt it to the motor, a special flex plate, custom axles, and possibly a stand alone transmission controller (although it may be possible to set this up with the factory pcm and hp tuners. the control strategy isnt much different, however speed sensor inputs will differ). and of coarse its going to need to be beefed up. its not going to be a cheap thing to do, however if your building a motor for big power and your considering swapping to an auto for strength, its the way to go.

 

PM paul from NY about it. seeing as how your in mass, he could probably do it for you as well. or at least tell you what is needed/exactly how much time it takes