So I was asked for some help on the subject of my A Pillars...

I will tell you what I did, you will see that it's easy but time consuming.

At the time there were no parts available for my car, you should be able to buy an off the shelf Pod or complete A-Pillar for the Cobalt.

Your SS comes with Boost/Vac but it's irritatingly in KPA in Canada. I hope it's in PSI in the US. I would have to change it to PSI or Bar if it were me, I have always dealt with PSI so KPA is dificult. Also, it's electronic and stock so who knows how accurate it is...

Decide right away if you like the stock Boost. If you do, I would add to the stock pillar. If not, I would replace the entire pillar but keep the stock indicator hooked up the the stock wires. Who knows what the ECU will do if you disconnect it. Just leave it hooked up somewhere under the dash if you plan to run a conventional aftermarket Boost/Vac

I went to the "Speed Shop" and found the closest Pod that would fit on the stock pillar. (None were made for the Protege) there is probably one for the Cobalt SS.


I formed it to the pillar with a heat gun by heating the plastic (May not be required) and trimmed the excess off.

Test fit it in the car, mark the spot and epoxy it to the pillar inside and Out.

Drill a hole in the pillar behind the pod for the wires etc.

Sand the entire area to scuff the plastic and apply bondo. Let it dry fully.

Start to shape the pillar with 100 Grit then wet sand starting with 120 then 200 then 400 until the pod is basically the nice even form ou want in your car. Dont rush this, make sure it's the correct shape. If you have to you can sand into the plastic pod and even the pillar to get the desired look and shape. If needed, apply more bondo to fill the holes and keep working on a smaller grit until it's totally smooth. If you can get to 2000 Grit Wet sanding, the bondo and plastic will be as perfect as the outside of the car and will look HAWT!

Here is a picture of the Pillar before Priming and Paint. It was basically ready to be sent away. Notice how you can see..

Grey = Stock A Pillar
Black = Autometer Pillar Pod
Pink = Bondo



Do both front A Pillars in the car like this. Get them ready for the Bodyshop so he does not have to charge for more time. He will have to sand and prime etc. Do not waste your time painting it yourself, It Will Look Like ASS. Take them to a pro Bodyshop and have them color match the pillars to the car. Looks killer.







Let me know if there is any more you need...

 

thats sweet. but the gm parts list says their will be a 3 pod pillar that will match already. but it is just not out yet.

 

oh yeah... why 4?

 

Because 5 would be too much...

 

Ok, For real, I wanted


A/F
Boost
EGT
Oil Presure..

 

Nice. i couldn't think of 5 to use. it would look way to overcrowded in your car. I think 4 looks good. even though I couldn't think of 4 to use either.

 

I guess you need the EGT gauge with the turbo right?

 

5 would totally not work.. There is no room for 5.

 

EGT is good because of two reasons..

If the Piston gets too hot it will melt.

If the the EGT shoots up, that is a good indication of a Lean Condition... BOOM!

 

So you did all the work, and sanded it, then just took it somewhere to have it painted glossy like that....?

What kind of place do you recommend to do this?

 

I never liked pillars with all those guages on it.
But yours looks awesome.
Think i'd be able to do mine in blue? Or is the texture that the pillar has too much of a problem?

 

come on man.. spill it. are you making them? because if i could get a second pillar i would make my own. but I would be afraid of getting killed by a flying A/F gauge if the airbag deployed.

 

100% Bodyshop only.

The paint is the exact paint that the car is painted with clearcoats.

 

If you prepare it well, there will be no texture

 

but our stock a pillars are textured. that is waht i think he is talking about.

 

Mine was as well, you must bondo and sand the front ones down like I did if you want this to look like mine..

 

So pretty much i need to take them the parts tell them what I want and they will bondo it sand prime and paint it alll? i mean i could prob bondo and sane it down, then i would just take it to a bodyshop


..and yes im making an attempt to make these, and what i dont understand is how everyone is like I dont want to get hit with a guage pod, well ok, i dont either LOL, but with the stock one you would get hit with the pillar too, I think the way they designed the a pillar is that it just pops out A LITTLE (enough for the airbags to come out under the pod) I dont think GM designed the Pillar to fly off in an accident, that would not be safe, even with the stock pillar.....