For discussion of all things Powell!!
Put in the new mount today john, much better than the last one i had from ... Cough, cough
but im jus glad this one is in and the fitment and directions were perfect !!!
No more wheel hop... Burnouts for days lol
but im jus glad this one is in and the fitment and directions were perfect !!!
No more wheel hop... Burnouts for days lol
Hardcore Bar and Lower CAB review
A month ago I contacted John and asked him where to start for my 2009 Cobalt SS to make it a better autocross car while still using it as my year-round DD.
John recommended the Hardcore RSB and the lower CABs. Fair enough. I live close enough that I drove over to his garage and thoroughly enjoyed the visit as he installed the parts (RSB I could do easily but NOT the lower CABs). Well worth the reasonable labour fees for the visit alone.
Review: big difference on the track but modest on the street = all good.
On the street I don't notice the ride being any rougher although an expansion strip mid-corner makes the rear hop a tiny bit more. So far, so good.
On the track: Wow.
I autocrossed the car once last year and then again this past weekend. The same guy was there both times and he is in a late-model Miata with Direzza ZII tires and he can drive that thing! Last year he was about 3 seconds a lap faster. Last weekend? A quarter of a second. I gained about three seconds and almost beat this car and driver.
I started off with the same tire pressures as last year: 38 F / 42 R. Last year it was hard to make the rear rotate and the front pushed moderately.
Last weekend on the first run, the back end started coming too much yet predictably. I lowered the rear tires 1 PSI each run and then upped the front by 1 PSI till I was around 39 F / 39 R. This was the setup for my best time and it felt the best.
Now I can easily tune to loosen up the rear as much or as little as I need. Invaluable.
John told me the CABs would help the front bite but I was a wee skeptical. Dang! I believe I can say I had no push at all. This is all the more amazing because I am using Hancook Ventus V2 500 treadwear performace all seasons that came with the car until I can buy better tires.
I can hardly wait to autocross on good tires when I hope to spank a few S2000s and Miatas
John, thanks again for the go-fast goodies and support for the Cobalt community. Hope to see you again as the budget permits
Regards,
Rick
John recommended the Hardcore RSB and the lower CABs. Fair enough. I live close enough that I drove over to his garage and thoroughly enjoyed the visit as he installed the parts (RSB I could do easily but NOT the lower CABs). Well worth the reasonable labour fees for the visit alone.
Review: big difference on the track but modest on the street = all good.
On the street I don't notice the ride being any rougher although an expansion strip mid-corner makes the rear hop a tiny bit more. So far, so good.
On the track: Wow.
I autocrossed the car once last year and then again this past weekend. The same guy was there both times and he is in a late-model Miata with Direzza ZII tires and he can drive that thing! Last year he was about 3 seconds a lap faster. Last weekend? A quarter of a second. I gained about three seconds and almost beat this car and driver.
I started off with the same tire pressures as last year: 38 F / 42 R. Last year it was hard to make the rear rotate and the front pushed moderately.
Last weekend on the first run, the back end started coming too much yet predictably. I lowered the rear tires 1 PSI each run and then upped the front by 1 PSI till I was around 39 F / 39 R. This was the setup for my best time and it felt the best.
Now I can easily tune to loosen up the rear as much or as little as I need. Invaluable.
John told me the CABs would help the front bite but I was a wee skeptical. Dang! I believe I can say I had no push at all. This is all the more amazing because I am using Hancook Ventus V2 500 treadwear performace all seasons that came with the car until I can buy better tires.
I can hardly wait to autocross on good tires when I hope to spank a few S2000s and Miatas
John, thanks again for the go-fast goodies and support for the Cobalt community. Hope to see you again as the budget permits

Regards,
Rick
I can vouch for YYZ. Another 1st place in DSP with Powell parts. XXX bar feels great. Too bad the surface was rough so I couldn't utilize it to its full potential.
I'll have to wait for the online results to see how I did compared to others.
I'll have to wait for the online results to see how I did compared to others.
Well, I don't know if it's the new non-void bushing or the fact that I'm using a proper spacer instead of a bolt but after swapping out the engine mounts dem vibes are pretty much gone
I wasn't able to find out as I ran last and there was a huge huddle around the final times. I'll update you when results are posted online.
Another gentleman in my class had a 2008 Cobalt SS, expect some additional business in the future from him
Another gentleman in my class had a 2008 Cobalt SS, expect some additional business in the future from him
John,
how dicey is it to run slicks for autox/ track days on LSJ knuckles ?
i really wana do it but those gm knuckles are pricey.
i knw u only broke them on the proving grounds and i saw that corner lmao
how dicey is it to run slicks for autox/ track days on LSJ knuckles ?
i really wana do it but those gm knuckles are pricey.
i knw u only broke them on the proving grounds and i saw that corner lmao
Looks like Heinricy got 13th in his class. Must have had an off day as he did quite well at the last event.
I beat him raw time by .053 seconds. Had a quick chat in the beginning and I mentioned I was running some of your parts. He was on slicks (I believe Hoosiers) and T3 springs along with some sort of tune from what I could tell.
http://detroit-scca.org/e107/e107_fi..._day_final.pdf
I beat him raw time by .053 seconds. Had a quick chat in the beginning and I mentioned I was running some of your parts. He was on slicks (I believe Hoosiers) and T3 springs along with some sort of tune from what I could tell.
http://detroit-scca.org/e107/e107_fi..._day_final.pdf
Last edited by ssyellow; May 27, 2014 at 04:57 PM.
Looks like Heinricy got 13th in his class. Must have had an off day as he did quite well at the last event.
I beat him raw time by .053 seconds. Had a quick chat in the beginning and I mentioned I was running some of your parts. He was on slicks (I believe Hoosiers) and T3 springs along with some sort of tune from what I could tell.
http://detroit-scca.org/e107/e107_fi..._day_final.pdf
I beat him raw time by .053 seconds. Had a quick chat in the beginning and I mentioned I was running some of your parts. He was on slicks (I believe Hoosiers) and T3 springs along with some sort of tune from what I could tell.
http://detroit-scca.org/e107/e107_fi..._day_final.pdf
The next car and were tenths faster than jh. T3 springs are not a good as what you got. But you still had to drive it so damn fine job!!
Good. I got some trick arms with bearings I can maybe do some trick shafts you be golden. And choice of 5x110 or 5x 114.3. Just swap the studs. Talk
Via email.
Cheers.
Thank you. I've been told by friends I can drive quite well, your parts allow me do an even better job at it.
New non-void bushing for the rear mount? I replaced my torn ottp(stock cab) bushing with a powell replacement but haven't driven yet.
Originally Posted by qwikredline

This awesome, I was on the site before I joined the site lol.
I was with Jer (coppertop01) when he popped by John's shop for something a few years back.
On another note, I'll be picking up stage 2 rotated mounts, Option B kit and a new IC pump from John & Gloria soon.




