Hey all, over the next two to three weeks I plan to purchase a black cobalt SS/SC. I have a few questions, some which are incredibly newbie in the automotive world so bear with me.


1. Is it worth it to pick up a limited slip differential? What exactly does it do in laymen's terms?

2. Is the 2.0 Supercharged verison of the cobalt the best way to get speed, the cars salesmen made it sound like until the charger kicks in around 4000 (when i test drove it) the 2.4 litre SS is actually faster...I like the feel of the charger but do you think its worth the extra few thousand? The extra cash isn't a huge deal I just wan't some opinions...

3. Flangeless or high polish rims? Any real difference for 500 bucks?

4. Is it possible to install subs, a head unit, and an amp in newer vehicles, I got the impression its a hell of alot more difficult then in my 91 Supra haha...

5. What are some preformance parts that won't kill me that will help bring out the power in my soon to be new car?

6.Anything else I should know?

 

1.YES no one tire fire

2.YES the supercharger kick's in at ANY RPM. it spins faster than the motor and makes boost. you prolly only herd the whine at 4k. bc of a stock intake.
3. cant tell ya
4.it is but its hard becuase of onstar.. call metra
5. stage 2 with intake and GMPP header and exhaust
6.dont slip the clutch..

 

Well the salesman was definately b.s.ing you...the supercharged model is much faster...they tried to pull that one on me. This is actually one of the easiest cars I have ever put a stereo in...battery in the trunk makes it nice. Head unit is no big deal...I recommend crutchfield. GM has stage kits for the SS/SC that bring out the beast but beware they will pin you as one who races and will try to screw you if something ever goes wrong...and it probably will.

Which leads me to this...I have 27000 miles on my car and the tranny is pretty much shot and they refuse to fix it under warranty because they say i abuse the car which is bullshit...it has NEVER been to the track and I dont even race people on the street hardly at all because most of the ones that want to race arent worth the gas...Overall i would say the cobalt ss/sc is a very nice car for the money and it will definately get up and go but the reliability is not great and Gm service SUCKS.

 

I've driven 5 speed all my life, and on the test drive of an SS/SC i was fine. these are just some questions I have...

 

get the lsd for sure...........and the sc makes boost way before 4 grand. maybe thats when it will start to get close to the full 12 lbs but you get decent boost long before that.....o and the polished rims are def hot.

 

I'm the last one to ratbag a car, short of maybe reving it a bit higher to let the turbo/charger kick in during driving vehicles would reving it to say 4500 make the tranny turn to **** ? Because I actually felt a large boost it was around 4000 the charger actually starts to haul ass...

 

Welcome to the site! You have some great questions! But let me recommend you do a little searching. However since your new here i will be glad to help you out.

1) The Limited slip differential (aka G85 or LSD) is definately worth the money. Its primary function is to maintain traction during hard cornering by transfering power to the wheel with traction. Some people also claim its advantageous during launches (not confirmed though)

2) The 2.4 is a great car without a doubt, but the SS/SC is superior in every category in regards to performance PERIOD. Your dealer is an idiot of he told you the blower doesn't kick in until 4 grand. The purpose of a blower is to give you power whenever you hit the gas.

3) I vote gunmetal rims, but chrome is nice. But that 500 bucks could go towards aftermarket mods....

4) Subs, h/u, and amp should be no problem with anyone who knows what there doing. Just make sure you get the right installation adapters, tools, etc.

5) Without a doubt, GM stage 2 should be your first mod. Followed immediately by an Ingalls torque dampener (or turbotech engine mount) and GM cat back exhaust. These are all warranty safe and will make it into practically a brand new car performance-wise.

Hope this helps and again, welcome!!

 

i feel like the clutchs and trannys in these cars are really hit or miss. i push mine hard daily and street race most fridays and i havent had a single problem with either. o and i ve got almost 20 k miles on it............so what im trying to say is that some have good luck with the stock parts and others not so much.

 

I would say not but it will be hard for you not to take it above 4500 rpm...if thats all you do then it doesnt seem to me that speed is very important to you so the 2.4 may actually be a better choice for you...I am not too familiar with them so I do not know if they are as problematic as the sc. Stage 2 gm kit raises the redline from 6200(?) to 7200(i think thats what the numbers are...its close at least). It is much more exhilarating to take it above 4500rpm...trust me

 

LSD keeps the wheels from slipping known as wheel hop. Limited slip makes the torque balance out between the 2 front wheels.

I would have bought my car without the LSD.

If you want performance without having to pay extra for it then the SS Supercharged is the best way. Thats why its the top model and is more expensive. The SS non supercharged is still quite capable but its not as fast stock.

I have an aftermarket head unit and sub it wasnt a problem with me however I dont know much about the new stereo in the 2007 models.

Rims are subject to personal tastes. Get which ever ones you think look best.

 

im fairly sure the rev limit is 7000 on stage 2..........not sure tho........shouldnt you know since you have it?

 

Yeah I guess I should but when I am taking it up to an rpm that high the best thing to watch is the road obviously...besides that the tach. on the cars lags a bit behind the actual rpm from what I have heard...

 

yeah man i know im just givin you **** i never watch my tach

 

You are right. Stage 2 has an RPM limit of 7000.

 

Are theyre any good pictures that show the Flangless vs high polish rims clearly? Gm's site sucks when choosing which ones you want in the built my cobalt area.

Typically when do you guys shift gears in your SS/SC, I want to enjoy my car but don't want to ratbag it to the point of destruction.

I think Ill get LSD 95% of people say go for it.


All this talk of stages, what does it mean?

I'm glad to hear subs/headunit isn't a difficult task, as i always thought in brand new cars it would be a real headache...even still I'll prob get it done professionally...which leads me to my next head unit question. Will I lose the XM radio, whatever other features come with the standard headunit (what are the said features anywas?) if I switch to a new unit?

ps. Thanks for the welcome, glad to be hear.

pss. Thanks for baring with my lack of real vehicle knowledge.

 

Buy mine, save a ton of money and when you are ready throw an after market clutch and lsd in it Atleast those were my plans down the road, still undecided about the LSD though being its really all about the corners.

Check my sig for details I'm pretty close to Canada.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I want a brand new car...even though yours is practically new, I want to own a car from stock, and do everything myself down the line...I've always owned cars 20 years old and for once I want to be the first owner of a car as goofy as that sounds

 

If you replace the head unit you will loose XM radio unless you get an aftermarket XM tuner.

There are GM stage kits that can be purchased at GM dealerships and dont void the warranty. There is Stage 1 which is new injectors and Stage 2 which adds a smaller puller a smaller belt and a a higher RPM and a new flash. All of this changes the boost to be higher. For more information check out this thread https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/show...ight=stage+rpm

One thing I have noticed about the SS/SC compared to other vehicles is that you really need to shift at a higher RPM. I have noticed that in the lower gears if I shift before 3 then my clutch is more likely to slip.

 

Don't drive it off the lot without picking it with a fine tooth comb. Make sure the paint is good all over. Check to make sure everything works. Make sure there's no scratches inside and out. Watch alignment in the first few weeks ----they tie them down tight on the trucks for shipping and could be funny the first little while. Have your seller take a "first ride" with you to check things out. Make sure all rims are matching in color. All cars have some kind of miliage on it even being new, however, too much could mean a joy ride or two compliments of the dealer staff!! Check for chips in the windshields. Make sure all the buttons work on everything. I think that's about it................oh....check the wipers even if it is a sunny day.

 

Here are pictures of the 2 2007 rims stock (sorry about the quality it was night and raining when i went to the dealership and took this)

Polished

 

Hmm the gunmetal (i assume thats flangeless) almost look nicer then polished on black if you ask me (blacks the colour I'm getting too. A question, how much of a deal did you guys strike? I'm an 18 year old guy with a single mom, and I suck at haggling but I know if you do it right you can shave a couple hundred if not thousand off the price they want so I'm bringing a family friend, but I'm curious what kind of deals you guys actually pulled off.

Also what grade of gas do you guys use, along with do you run synthetic or regular oil?

 

I would also choose the stock rim with black.
You have to use premium unleaded in the SS/SC and you need to make sure that it is top tier gas and not junk. I go with Shell 93. Different people like different brands thats mine.
The SS/SC requires synthetic oil (GM recommends mobile1 5W30)

 

You've all been incredibly informative, thank you, Ill makesure to post some pics as soon as shes mine.