Specialized

Just picked up a 2008 Black Turbo. It has 133K miles, and it was in pretty rough shape as far as interior and exterior. I picked it up to have something a bit sporty to drive, and to try my hand at local AutoX.

After 10 or so hours detailing inside and out, my wife will now ride in the car. Fixed broken windshield, got the smell of 10 years of being driven by a smoker out, and buffed the paint back to an amazing shine...

I have been to 2 AutoX so far, and am having a blast :-) Not sure how competitive the car is, but with my inexperience as driver, I'm sure that the car is not what is holding me back right now :-) Seems like the little Cobalt might be a bit over matched in D Street by the WRX, Focus RS, and the Civic R's that are blasting to the top of PAX from little old D Street.....

Anyway, I am around middle of the pack in both class and PAX (but like 10 seconds back...) and learning each week.

This week I installed a new set of Bridgestone RE71's (replacing all-season Continentals) so anxious to see if that will knock a second or two off my time. Also ordered a Powell XXX rear bar, which I hope to have on soon. Next up are a set of Koni Yellows.... saving my pennys.

Anyway, maybe someone can answer this question:

Im getting a pretty good amount of torque steer WOT in 2nd gear. Is that just part of the charm, or should I be looking at steering components?

Anyway I plan to be pretty active here, so looking forward to learning from the experienced guys here!

Cheers!

Kolt

Do you have lsd?

steelmesh

Hi

Specialized

Yep. G85 option.

Kolt

Interesting, usually the lsd cars don't have much torque steer issues. Mine has a lsd and I don't seem to have any issue with torque steer on mine when I'm at the track. May have just a smidge of it at near wot in first but hardly any in 2nd/3rd and I'm running toyo all seasons. Have you driven with the new tires yet?

Specialized

Yes, driven the new tires around town a bit. Torque steer is about the same. I really dont notice it on the AX track, I guess because of lots of steering input all the time. I notice when I a messing around accelerating on straight road. Im kinda used to it, but I notice it scares the crap out of anyone else I let drive it for the first time....

Seems like in some other spot, I have seen CAB mentioned as a culprit in torque steer?

Kolt

Yea, worn cabs can cause issues. the stock ones flex a lot even when they are good. Powell cabs are the way to go.

michael23v

iTrader: (2)

If you get a full set of Powell cabs you will have no issues. they are amazing.

exninja

iTrader: (1)

I meant to reply to check the CAB's. If they weren't changed before they are completely shot. If they were replaced with stock they are completely shot if it's been more than 20K miles.

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

Nice find OP, nice to see someone taking care of an abused car

That is assuming they won't put him into a different autox class.

Kolt

Upgraded cabs really put you in a different class? How would they even know?

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

It's suspension modification, and usually, it's on the honor system.

Kolt

Interesting. I got a lot to learn about autox rules then.

07MetallicSC

iTrader: (16)

welcome. call powell and order everything. thank me later.

Specialized

Haha, will do.

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

There is a lot of truth here.

jdbaugh1

iTrader: (1)

The list of mods that won't bump you into a different class is extremely short. Basically can't change anything that would be a real performance enhancement. You're not even allowed to have a non-stock tune to stay in stock class. If you want to be competitive it would be better to stay away from mods. If you don't give a damn you can just run in the SMF class like I do. Sometimes it's competitive depending on who shows up but on a national level it wouldn't be.

Those RE71 tires will blow your mind compared to all seasons while doing AutoX. You will be surprised how much harder you can push it and still maintain grip.

Specialized

So to replace worn CAB, only option is to go to dealer, and buy stock?

jdbaugh1

iTrader: (1)

They are pressed in but people have done them at home a few different ways. I wouldn't pay a dealer to do anything. It doesn't have to be OEM it just has to be OEM equivalent for the rules.

Specialized

Yeah, I have seen a couple of Youtube videos, and it seems like it would be in my wheelhouse, both skills and tools, to do it myself at home. Just a little un-sure of what parts I can use. It there an "OEM equivalent" that wears better than what I would pick up at the Chevy parts counter?

jdbaugh1

iTrader: (1)

Check Rock Auto. Also the dealer is a perfectly fine option if you like spending money. I'm not telling you not to, just that I wouldn't. You can get actual OEM parts about half price online compared to the dealer.

Specialized

Update: While I doubt I got a lot better with two more events under my seat, I did install tires, and my PAX gap went from about 10 seconds to around 6! (Unfortunately for me, the consistant PAX leaders at our events are a pair of Focus RS also running DS.....) Next week Ill have on my XXX bar, and see if I can keep inching closer :-) I ordered a bunch of OEM steering parts, and will replace my CABs and let everyone know if that seems to calm the torque steer....