Plan on boosting my 09 Chevy cobalt LS. Has 211k on the engine however it has been maintained well. Previous owner was on older guy that just used the car for work. My goal is around 350 hp. I know I will need to sink in some money hopefully no more than 5-6k. Believe I will need valves and valve springs, forged internals, clutch, timing chain kit, maybe headstuds, head gasket, 4 bar map sensor, pcm upgrades, axles, coil overs, injectors and fuel pump. If there is stuff I’m missing please let me know.

 

I would honestly suggest just getting an LNF or LSJ, you can find them in a good shape in the 4-8k price range. A full build with machine work is going to run you an easy 6k and your car will be down for a while even if everything goes perfect. Then you have to find a tuner that can get your car running correctly.

Just want to be sure you understand it's not an easy or straightforward thing to turbo swap the base models (when doing engine work), and from a cost standpoint the factory boost version is about the same price.

 

You’re going to need more than 5-6k

 

If I bought a factory boosted ecotec could I use my transmission? I’d have to swap the pcm engine harness and dash cluster I’d think as well

 

No, I meant buy a running driving already boosted Cobalt and just drive that.

 

That would be the easiest way to get a fast cobalt but I’m trying to keep mine because it’s my first car. Thanks for your input though m8

 

Then budget 10k to do the build and hope you don't need it all. But as @chevygirl2006 said it's going to be more than 5-6k to hit your power goals.

 

Even though I have high mileage I’ll probably boost it stock to make 230 ish and go from there. If or when I blow it up that will be my excuse to go all out.