Hey guys,

So, I was wondering. I know that for anyone who said "going to manual from an auto in a Cobalt would take far too much money" that's a valid statement. However, what if you bought a complete parts car ,and theoretically swapped everything out. Likewise, tranny, linkage, shifter, pedals, ECU, etc. Would that be doable? If so, would it need to be another 2.4? I'd assume because of the ECU. But is the tranny the same? Even if you got a complete 2.2, could you swap everything out, and just locate a 2.4 manual ECU? I mean, I really don't see how it wouldn't work if you have a complete parts car to do this with.. Not saying I do, but just wondering.. Because if I end up keeping this car long-term, I'd like to swap to manual (if possible) and do a full motor build with boost..

Anyone? I can't be THAT crazy..

 

Is it possible, yes. Still gonna cost alot cause a "parts car" won't be cheap. Other then the engine and ECM I believe that every thing drive line should be swappable.

 

That's what I figured.. Now, if you got an SS s/c as a parts car, you could then also, more or less, swap all of the s/c stuff also, and thus only needing a 5-speed 2.4 ecu to tune for boost, correct?

 

back when I did the research, I checked into even getting the ecu re-configured instead of swapping. From the talk I had with the pro tuners, this is possible. The only question I still havent answered is if there is a difference in sensors, connectors, and so on.

Still, this is all a very large project to undertake without help from a professional.

 

I would assume. It's very much all just talk, but I was just wondering if it would work.. It's not like my Olds where I just get a motor, bolt it in and fire it up.. lol But I figured I'd check. I would probably only do it with an SS s/c so I can go boost too..

 

So basically:

Buy an SS s/c as a parts car.

Swap over the entire tranny set-up to run manual.

Swap over all applicable s/c stuff, then finish what you need.

Find 2.4 manual ECU, tune for boost.

Drive away happy with a s/c 5 speed 2.4.

The basic set-up?

 

You might need to check to see if the F35 is compatable with the LE5.

You might need to find a LE5 parts car that has the F23 instead.

 

So just find a 2.4 manual would be the best bet? Then just get the ZZP turbo kit.. haha

 

fixed.






If you just bought a drivable ss/sc as a parts car, that list would go

buy an ss/sc parts car

sell 2.4 SS

 

But that's not the idea here. lol

 

I know, that's why I added in the totaled car part. I'd love to see someone actually do this for less than the cost of buying a new one, and make us all eat our words.

 

haha Well maybe if Cobalt resale values weren't ass..

 

I think I fixed it.

 

Many cavalier/sunfire owners have done this. I know it is not the same exact car, but it is very possible. The frame is the same, and it "can" be done.

We sell conversion brackets for the cavalier/sunfire, we were one of the first to do it back in the early 2000's.

 

haha If I did that, I'd just go for a t/c.. Or a Corvette.. haha

But yeah, anything can be done with money!

 

has anybody put the f35 in the le5?

this

 

I think you also need things like BCM, all wiring harnesses for things like all marker/brake lights, etc. basically you would need just about all the wiring/ computers out of a parts car and swap them into yours. Everything is tied into everything else in new cars.

 

sub'd for hopefully some useful information

 

Just get a turbo kit from ZZP for your Auto and call it a day. 260HP is still fun in an auto. And a whole lot less money.

If I had an LE5 my mods would be the following.

Forged pistons / Rods
ZZP stage 2 with 60# injectors.
And a great tune.

 

bump

 

dont the auto trans have a limit too as far as torque goes?

 

Auto trans on these cars is rated pretty high. The F23 is only rated to 170 ish lb/ft, but there have been people running way higher than that just fine.

 

According to all the posted sources I've researched the 4t45e is rated for 200-210ftlbs engine torque, people seem to quote gearbox torque which is a different animal and much higher @ 300+ ftlbs. The lower figure is the correct one, any stage 1 project with a auto tranny and some preventative maintenance like tranny coolers and regular atf/filter change outs should function just fine if not subjected to constant abuse. The auto HHR SS made 217 ftlbs so obviously GM felt comfortable warrantying that level of twist in its transmission.

Personally I'd start to get nervous past 250ftlbs, but ZZP has a 4t45e upgrade in the pipeline that is good for around 100+HP (their words) but no word on torque...

 

You'd be spending more time and money than it's even worth. It would be a complete nightmare, I promise you this.

 

The J-body cars were not as dependent on their electrical and computer systems. The primary issue in doing such a swap is the electrical and tuning nightmare in making the car accept the manual transmission. The automatic Cobalt's are designed to go into gimp mode anytime it thinks something is wrong with the automatic transmission (Which with a manual swap, it flips out because it expects to recieve inputs from the 4T45e). Physically, you can make all the manual components mount up fine in the cobalt. It's just wrapping one's head around the electrical.