So, I am new to this site but not browsing it. I own a 2008 Chevy Cobalt Sport with an NA LE5 2.4L and auto trans, original owner with close to 197k miles on the car. I am wanting to use this platform to possible build a sleeper street and 1/8 mile car. I just don't know where to start and would like any help if there is any to be given with this car. Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome! Well it really depends on how much your budget is for the car. You have two options to make decent or big power. For decent power you use the stock M62 Supercharger from the 2005-2007 Chevy Cobalt SS/SC model and for big power you would have to go custom turbo or get a turbo kit already made from a company called www.zzperformance.com which you probably already heard of before. They have a lot of performance parts for the ecotec platform to get you at basically any level of power and overall performance you want.

 

The question is, what can the internals of the stock 2.4 LE5 handle? I have been looking all over this form and the internet and can not find the answers that I am looking for. There are some people out there stating that the stock crank and block can handle up to 900 whp and that the rest is junk. Then there are others that state that the stock crank and block can only handle up to 250 whp and that the rest is junk. I know I will need to replace the rods and pistons along with the rings for boost. I am just wanting to know what I will need to replace before I make the decision on going s/c or t/c. I also want to keep the car as true street as possible with making the most the whp as I can possible can. Again thank you for any advice and information.

I am wanting to get to as close as I can to 500 whp, if possible.

 

Well you wont get to 500whp on a stock 2.4 so forget about that. Even a built 2.4 with a turbo is probably around 400whp. Also on a stock 2.4 and since you are auto you really don't want to be over 250 anyway. The engine can probably handle a little more than that but you risk blowing it up. The 2.4 regardless of what year you have just isn't as strong as the LSJ or LNF engines. So if you do a turbo build and leave the engine stock you'll be fine at 250whp and the same goes for Supercharge. If you want to go higher boost or smaller pulley safely then you need to look into forged internals. If not you'll be on borrowed time with your engine.