Ok, I know I'm no expert on the SS platform, but I feel like I know enough about it, in addition to knowledge gained from working on other cars, to do a mild build on my SS. So please, feel free to voice opinions, give suggestions, and add anything posted in this thread.

So I bought my 2006 Cobalt SS/SC used at a dealer for $6,000. It had 98k miles on it. It had a GM stage 2 factory, a p.o.s. used JVC single din headunit, a no-name 3 gauge pillar pod, Autometer wideband, and Autometer voltmeter on it when I bought it. It seemed garage kept because there was minimal rust on the undercarriage and no rust anywhere else. The clear coat was peeling a little, but I paid it no mind. Since then, it now has 120k miles on it and I've done a little modding; GMPP catback, no name intake, ZZP 2.5" catted downpipe, ZZP front mount, ZZP short shift mod, ZZP aluminum shifter bushings, ZZP LNF shifter bracket, option B, ZZP dual pass, ZZP tune, Pioneer touchscreen headunit, Hawk ceramic pads, and drilled and slotted rotors. I've also added 18" Vision wheels and Nitto NT555+ tires to it. It's Victory Red with the Evo mod, black spoiler, black housing halo headlights, black tailights, black side markers, black 3rd brake light, 50% tint on the front, 20% on the port and rear, 6000k hid headlights, and 3000k hid fogs lights. That is what I have done thus far.









Now that it is winter, I'm putting it up. It's going into my garage and getting overhauled. My plans are as follows, from exterior to performance: fresh midnight black paint, hi-shine 2 stage clear, new grille, black housing OEM headlights, LED Concepts halo rings in red, led tailights, led 3rd brake light, 2.8" pulley, modular hub assembly, ZZP shorty header, ZZP 3" intake, 60# injectors, LSJ upgraded clutch, lowering springs (undecided), short throw (undecided), a new tune, and maybe a few other oddside and ends like arm rest, shorty antenna, etc. Hoping for a little more power/torque, and a little bit more firm ride. Hoping for at least 280whp. I'm also gonna clean and repaint parts of the motor and trans along with parts of the suspension and brake components. Not show car quality but something that'll shine up nice and have some power to back it up with. Thoughts, comments, and concerns are welcome. Thanks guys!

 

No don't lose the red!!!!!! Lol guess I'm partial though haha


Should make for a nice buld!

 

Where did you find the GMPP Catback? I can't find one anywhere…. Dealership said they were discontinued.

 

I have a black one, trust me do anything but black unless you want to clean it all the time. They look great clean but they don't stay that way any length of time. I like the red, and it's much cheaper to repainted if you don't change the color.

 

Oh believe me I am too. But I've owned a lot of red and would kind of like a change lol I've been debating on 3 stage pearl white too

I bought used from someone near me. I couldn't believe it either lol he managed to have a mint condition stock shift knob too. I grabbed both before they were gone lol

Oh yeah I know how hard black is to keep clean lol white too. But I have to disagree with you on cost. Black is black, so paint can be any brand and it'll look the same. Red is much different. Victory Red in DBU factory color code is $278 a quart. The clear coat fade needs sanded down and redone, which is more than half the car. I might as well redo the whole car instead of blend the original color, so I'd need at least 2 quarts to do it, so there's $556 in paint alone. Include all other materials and I'll be well over $1,500-$2,000 in paint alone. With black, it's $116 a gallon in Omni Plus. With better clear and 2 stage, it'll shine up nice and be durable. I worked in my step dads body shop for 5 years and I consulted him about all this lol but still thank you for the info