cobalt ls vs. 04 cavy
Senior Member
Joined: 08-17-08
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
it all depends on where your at and what your willing to compromise... me? I had a nice trade in when i got my SS, payments are 300 bucks, insurance is 300 every 6 months (Im 27), so when i was shopping for a car, i wanted a reliable fuel efficient 13 second car. add the tune and your trapping close to 110mph. Now, im not saying that you cant get that performance out of an LS, I just wouldnt go that route because of the mechanical failures along the way. Now if you build up a drivetrain, brake system, and engine with longevity in mind, you have my applause. Just remember the TC is much more than just a 260hp car... (LNF potential, LSD, FE5, F35, brembos, ESC, Brembos, Decent stereo) Youll have to compromise somewhere because if you factor half of those things in parts and labor, your spending ALOT of money in chunks. You get to a point where itd be sooo much cheaper to buy a used SRT4...
Senior Member
Joined: 04-21-08
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach
You make no sense. Built not bought can go anyway, whether you build it yourself or pay someone to do it. To me building it yourself falls more so into the category but either can work. My car was built completely by my husband and myself.
Not everyone can afford to pay the money upfront for a built car. When I bought my car I couldn't afford the sc so I went to a base base base model cuz that's all I could afford. When money allowed and my warranty was up (which was about 2yrs ago because I drive A LOT) then we started on the big stuff. If your not in a rush you can actually build an LS for under what one would pay for the higher models. Specially year for year.
INCLUDING my paint job, body kit and cost of buying the actual car, I paid LESS for my car DONE then I would have going out and buying the supercharged at the time and it comes in damn close to what people are paying for the TC. My car WILL outrun a stock TC and probably even a mildly modded TC. And the icing on the cake is it's EXACTLY what I wanted looks, performance and creature features wise.
Not everyone can afford to pay the money upfront for a built car. When I bought my car I couldn't afford the sc so I went to a base base base model cuz that's all I could afford. When money allowed and my warranty was up (which was about 2yrs ago because I drive A LOT) then we started on the big stuff. If your not in a rush you can actually build an LS for under what one would pay for the higher models. Specially year for year.
INCLUDING my paint job, body kit and cost of buying the actual car, I paid LESS for my car DONE then I would have going out and buying the supercharged at the time and it comes in damn close to what people are paying for the TC. My car WILL outrun a stock TC and probably even a mildly modded TC. And the icing on the cake is it's EXACTLY what I wanted looks, performance and creature features wise.
but when people do say built not bought thats not what they are talking about. and a stock SS/TC isnt "built" like you say. its a stock car.
i
Oh and as someone else said... insurance = cheaper. car payment = cheaper. Finding geniune parts at a great price = cheaper. Watching the extremely pissed off tc owner in your rear view mirror as you just spanked his ass with your grocery getter... priceless!!
when you say your car is faster than a SS/TC, does it handle and brake like an SS/TC? or is it just as fast in a straight line? i doubt it handles and brakes the same. what is done to your car? just wondering since its much better than a SS/TC.
i think its cool you built a LS, but i still think it costs more.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-14-09
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 0
From: New England
its cool you built your car yourself. i dont think there is anything worng with that.
but when people do say built not bought thats not what they are talking about. and a stock SS/TC isnt "built" like you say. its a stock car.
i
sure you have cheaper insurance but your also insured as an LS and if your car is hit or stolen, it will be hard to get all the money you put into it from the insurance company. trust me i have had this problem before(15k in reciepts and insurance only gave me 6500)
when you say your car is faster than a SS/TC, does it handle and brake like an SS/TC? or is it just as fast in a straight line? i doubt it handles and brakes the same. what is done to your car? just wondering since its much better than a SS/TC.
i think its cool you built a LS, but i still think it costs more.
but when people do say built not bought thats not what they are talking about. and a stock SS/TC isnt "built" like you say. its a stock car.
i
sure you have cheaper insurance but your also insured as an LS and if your car is hit or stolen, it will be hard to get all the money you put into it from the insurance company. trust me i have had this problem before(15k in reciepts and insurance only gave me 6500)
when you say your car is faster than a SS/TC, does it handle and brake like an SS/TC? or is it just as fast in a straight line? i doubt it handles and brakes the same. what is done to your car? just wondering since its much better than a SS/TC.
i think its cool you built a LS, but i still think it costs more.
Exactly. It will take someone with really good professional skills to top off what the engineers at GM performance did in the first place for the ss/tc. Will ur LS be fast? No doubt, but usually cars that are engineered to be a certain way they should stay that way, not saying u cant build ur LS, just saying it would be more practical to start of with an ss/tc. Ur LS with the ZZP will run good and fast for a few months and so on and will give out with its first problem. Why? Certainly because its not engineered. When I say engineered that goes for forged internals,braking,handling and stock motor handling all the power. If you wanna make Seabiscuit out of a donkey be my guest!
Member
Joined: 11-14-08
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: The Barn
Actually, my car was appraised for my insurance company and my rates didn't rise. I was told outright by my broker that if I didn't get it appraised pic and reciepts wouldn't mean a damn thing, you have to have an appraisal to assure that you will infact get at least part of what the car is worth.
Performance wise, there is nothing done to my car that would result in me HAVING to do internals or what not. Having the funds to do such mods only makes the possibilities higher. Then again, you can do that with any car whether it's an LS, TC, Camaro, Mustang etc.
The only thing I don't have that the TC's do is the brakes. For now what I have stops my car no problem but they are a spring project and are in the near future.
My suspension... could it be improved? yes, but for now the sportlines, 17inch rims and BFG KDW's handle fantastic and they are all I need for now until I decide if I want to upgrade or not. It handles just as good if not better then the TC... whether you chose to believe me or not is up to you.
My entire fuel system was upgraded to support the mods, it's cooled out the ******* ass with an aftermarket heat exchanger from OTTP that's BIGGER then the ZZP one, dual bypass, and meth injected. We debated doing the option B but found there to be no point. When vince tuned my car we had him look at the temps and he said they were great.
Exhaust, 2.5 inches is all these cars need. Most people only buy an exhaust for the sound and quite frankly I love how QUIET my car is. It performs well and there is no need to go bigger. Hell most V8's don't NEED a 3inch. You do get to a point where your not improving power if anything your losing it.
My interior, I have the TC seats in it, I have an aftermarket head unit (which most people do), I have all the guages I need (boost, wideband plus the stocks, an interceptor may be in the future). I don't have A/C, I hate A/C it makes me get really nauseas, I don't have traction control, I don't like it. Our Lincoln LS has traction control and it's a pain in the ass, same with ABS that my car does not have. We also put power windows and locks in it.
My car has been the way it has been for the past 6 months and so far no issues at all.
Mods list?
Engine:
2.8 pulley
60lb injectors
ported supercharger
ported throttle body
dual bypass
OTTP heat exchanger
meth injected
spec stage 2+ clutch
Wideband
Boost guage
ss/sc exhaust
ss/sc fuel rail
upgraded fuel pump and filter
trifecta tuned
Interior:
TC seats
pioneer avic D3 head unit
Exterior/suspension:
SS/SC body kit
two tone custom paint with air brushing
4% tint
ATL Sonix black rims painted to match my car wrapped with 225/40/17 BFG KDW
Eibach sportlines
Total cost:
Car: 13,000
body work: 4,000
engine: 2,500
interior: 1000
Grand total: 20,500
There is more I would like to do to the car that would obviously put me well over the cost of your average sc or tc but to pull it up to speed or beyond a car that you can go out to the dealer and buy, this is the numbers.
We saved THOUSANDS by doing all the work ourselves. The only thing it went out for was paint. So if you don't have the know how to do it all yourself (or the majority of it) then these numbers are going to be waaayyy off. If you can't find the stuff at the prices we did... then your numbers are going to be waaaayyy off. If you don't have any of this available to you then yes in the long run you're better off just buying a car from the dealer if you want dollar for dollar.
I like to think the car was smartly built and all aspects taken into consideration with room to improve it further down the road. Unfortunately I do not have dyno numbers, nor do I have a time slip as of yet. One of the cars major downfalls is a) driver error, I need way more seat time then I've got with it how it is and b) I still have the stock driveshafts which need to go. I know my driveshafts wont support the power its putting down at the track and I need the car for a DD so until spring time I won't risk it. I'm sure if I sat here and thought about I could find all kinds of downfalls on the car that needed upgrading just like you can. But for what is done, it's well done and done at a do able price.
I never look back on what we've done with my car. It's more then I could ever dream of out of a base model G5. Anyone who knows the car and has seen the before and after progress in person can appreciate the work that has gone into this car.
Car in question: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/pictures-videos-64/project-rocket-%2Aholypoop-load-pics-%2A-193265/
I need to re orgranize some of it though because I stole the break down from another thread I did a while ago lol.
Oh and don't get me started on the "GM engineers" if you only knew how much **** we fixed that the "GM engineers" couldn't figure out. Biggest find would have to be that GM decided that the pulley didn't need to be bolted onto the supercharger regardless of what Eaton advices and they just put a little push cap onto where a bolt SHOULD be. Ford figured this out? Why can't GM cuz let me tell you... friction is not enough to keep that pulley.
Performance wise, there is nothing done to my car that would result in me HAVING to do internals or what not. Having the funds to do such mods only makes the possibilities higher. Then again, you can do that with any car whether it's an LS, TC, Camaro, Mustang etc.
The only thing I don't have that the TC's do is the brakes. For now what I have stops my car no problem but they are a spring project and are in the near future.
My suspension... could it be improved? yes, but for now the sportlines, 17inch rims and BFG KDW's handle fantastic and they are all I need for now until I decide if I want to upgrade or not. It handles just as good if not better then the TC... whether you chose to believe me or not is up to you.
My entire fuel system was upgraded to support the mods, it's cooled out the ******* ass with an aftermarket heat exchanger from OTTP that's BIGGER then the ZZP one, dual bypass, and meth injected. We debated doing the option B but found there to be no point. When vince tuned my car we had him look at the temps and he said they were great.
Exhaust, 2.5 inches is all these cars need. Most people only buy an exhaust for the sound and quite frankly I love how QUIET my car is. It performs well and there is no need to go bigger. Hell most V8's don't NEED a 3inch. You do get to a point where your not improving power if anything your losing it.
My interior, I have the TC seats in it, I have an aftermarket head unit (which most people do), I have all the guages I need (boost, wideband plus the stocks, an interceptor may be in the future). I don't have A/C, I hate A/C it makes me get really nauseas, I don't have traction control, I don't like it. Our Lincoln LS has traction control and it's a pain in the ass, same with ABS that my car does not have. We also put power windows and locks in it.
My car has been the way it has been for the past 6 months and so far no issues at all.
Mods list?
Engine:
2.8 pulley
60lb injectors
ported supercharger
ported throttle body
dual bypass
OTTP heat exchanger
meth injected
spec stage 2+ clutch
Wideband
Boost guage
ss/sc exhaust
ss/sc fuel rail
upgraded fuel pump and filter
trifecta tuned
Interior:
TC seats
pioneer avic D3 head unit
Exterior/suspension:
SS/SC body kit
two tone custom paint with air brushing
4% tint
ATL Sonix black rims painted to match my car wrapped with 225/40/17 BFG KDW
Eibach sportlines
Total cost:
Car: 13,000
body work: 4,000
engine: 2,500
interior: 1000
Grand total: 20,500
There is more I would like to do to the car that would obviously put me well over the cost of your average sc or tc but to pull it up to speed or beyond a car that you can go out to the dealer and buy, this is the numbers.
We saved THOUSANDS by doing all the work ourselves. The only thing it went out for was paint. So if you don't have the know how to do it all yourself (or the majority of it) then these numbers are going to be waaayyy off. If you can't find the stuff at the prices we did... then your numbers are going to be waaaayyy off. If you don't have any of this available to you then yes in the long run you're better off just buying a car from the dealer if you want dollar for dollar.
I like to think the car was smartly built and all aspects taken into consideration with room to improve it further down the road. Unfortunately I do not have dyno numbers, nor do I have a time slip as of yet. One of the cars major downfalls is a) driver error, I need way more seat time then I've got with it how it is and b) I still have the stock driveshafts which need to go. I know my driveshafts wont support the power its putting down at the track and I need the car for a DD so until spring time I won't risk it. I'm sure if I sat here and thought about I could find all kinds of downfalls on the car that needed upgrading just like you can. But for what is done, it's well done and done at a do able price.
I never look back on what we've done with my car. It's more then I could ever dream of out of a base model G5. Anyone who knows the car and has seen the before and after progress in person can appreciate the work that has gone into this car.
Car in question: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/pictures-videos-64/project-rocket-%2Aholypoop-load-pics-%2A-193265/
I need to re orgranize some of it though because I stole the break down from another thread I did a while ago lol.
Oh and don't get me started on the "GM engineers" if you only knew how much **** we fixed that the "GM engineers" couldn't figure out. Biggest find would have to be that GM decided that the pulley didn't need to be bolted onto the supercharger regardless of what Eaton advices and they just put a little push cap onto where a bolt SHOULD be. Ford figured this out? Why can't GM cuz let me tell you... friction is not enough to keep that pulley.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-14-09
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 0
From: New England
Actually, my car was appraised for my insurance company and my rates didn't rise. I was told outright by my broker that if I didn't get it appraised pic and reciepts wouldn't mean a damn thing, you have to have an appraisal to assure that you will infact get at least part of what the car is worth.
Performance wise, there is nothing done to my car that would result in me HAVING to do internals or what not. Having the funds to do such mods only makes the possibilities higher. Then again, you can do that with any car whether it's an LS, TC, Camaro, Mustang etc.
The only thing I don't have that the TC's do is the brakes. For now what I have stops my car no problem but they are a spring project and are in the near future.
My suspension... could it be improved? yes, but for now the sportlines, 17inch rims and BFG KDW's handle fantastic and they are all I need for now until I decide if I want to upgrade or not. It handles just as good if not better then the TC... whether you chose to believe me or not is up to you.
My entire fuel system was upgraded to support the mods, it's cooled out the ******* ass with an aftermarket heat exchanger from OTTP that's BIGGER then the ZZP one, dual bypass, and meth injected. We debated doing the option B but found there to be no point. When vince tuned my car we had him look at the temps and he said they were great.
Exhaust, 2.5 inches is all these cars need. Most people only buy an exhaust for the sound and quite frankly I love how QUIET my car is. It performs well and there is no need to go bigger. Hell most V8's don't NEED a 3inch. You do get to a point where your not improving power if anything your losing it.
My interior, I have the TC seats in it, I have an aftermarket head unit (which most people do), I have all the guages I need (boost, wideband plus the stocks, an interceptor may be in the future). I don't have A/C, I hate A/C it makes me get really nauseas, I don't have traction control, I don't like it. Our Lincoln LS has traction control and it's a pain in the ass, same with ABS that my car does not have. We also put power windows and locks in it.
My car has been the way it has been for the past 6 months and so far no issues at all.
Mods list?
Engine:
2.8 pulley
60lb injectors
ported supercharger
ported throttle body
dual bypass
OTTP heat exchanger
meth injected
spec stage 2+ clutch
Wideband
Boost guage
ss/sc exhaust
ss/sc fuel rail
upgraded fuel pump and filter
trifecta tuned
Interior:
TC seats
pioneer avic D3 head unit
Exterior/suspension:
SS/SC body kit
two tone custom paint with air brushing
4% tint
ATL Sonix black rims painted to match my car wrapped with 225/40/17 BFG KDW
Eibach sportlines
Total cost:
Car: 13,000
body work: 4,000
engine: 2,500
interior: 1000
Grand total: 20,500
There is more I would like to do to the car that would obviously put me well over the cost of your average sc or tc but to pull it up to speed or beyond a car that you can go out to the dealer and buy, this is the numbers.
We saved THOUSANDS by doing all the work ourselves. The only thing it went out for was paint. So if you don't have the know how to do it all yourself (or the majority of it) then these numbers are going to be waaayyy off. If you can't find the stuff at the prices we did... then your numbers are going to be waaaayyy off. If you don't have any of this available to you then yes in the long run you're better off just buying a car from the dealer if you want dollar for dollar.
I like to think the car was smartly built and all aspects taken into consideration with room to improve it further down the road. Unfortunately I do not have dyno numbers, nor do I have a time slip as of yet. One of the cars major downfalls is a) driver error, I need way more seat time then I've got with it how it is and b) I still have the stock driveshafts which need to go. I know my driveshafts wont support the power its putting down at the track and I need the car for a DD so until spring time I won't risk it. I'm sure if I sat here and thought about I could find all kinds of downfalls on the car that needed upgrading just like you can. But for what is done, it's well done and done at a do able price.
I never look back on what we've done with my car. It's more then I could ever dream of out of a base model G5. Anyone who knows the car and has seen the before and after progress in person can appreciate the work that has gone into this car.
Car in question: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=193265
I need to re orgranize some of it though because I stole the break down from another thread I did a while ago lol.
Oh and don't get me started on the "GM engineers" if you only knew how much **** we fixed that the "GM engineers" couldn't figure out. Biggest find would have to be that GM decided that the pulley didn't need to be bolted onto the supercharger regardless of what Eaton advices and they just put a little push cap onto where a bolt SHOULD be. Ford figured this out? Why can't GM cuz let me tell you... friction is not enough to keep that pulley.
Performance wise, there is nothing done to my car that would result in me HAVING to do internals or what not. Having the funds to do such mods only makes the possibilities higher. Then again, you can do that with any car whether it's an LS, TC, Camaro, Mustang etc.
The only thing I don't have that the TC's do is the brakes. For now what I have stops my car no problem but they are a spring project and are in the near future.
My suspension... could it be improved? yes, but for now the sportlines, 17inch rims and BFG KDW's handle fantastic and they are all I need for now until I decide if I want to upgrade or not. It handles just as good if not better then the TC... whether you chose to believe me or not is up to you.
My entire fuel system was upgraded to support the mods, it's cooled out the ******* ass with an aftermarket heat exchanger from OTTP that's BIGGER then the ZZP one, dual bypass, and meth injected. We debated doing the option B but found there to be no point. When vince tuned my car we had him look at the temps and he said they were great.
Exhaust, 2.5 inches is all these cars need. Most people only buy an exhaust for the sound and quite frankly I love how QUIET my car is. It performs well and there is no need to go bigger. Hell most V8's don't NEED a 3inch. You do get to a point where your not improving power if anything your losing it.
My interior, I have the TC seats in it, I have an aftermarket head unit (which most people do), I have all the guages I need (boost, wideband plus the stocks, an interceptor may be in the future). I don't have A/C, I hate A/C it makes me get really nauseas, I don't have traction control, I don't like it. Our Lincoln LS has traction control and it's a pain in the ass, same with ABS that my car does not have. We also put power windows and locks in it.
My car has been the way it has been for the past 6 months and so far no issues at all.
Mods list?
Engine:
2.8 pulley
60lb injectors
ported supercharger
ported throttle body
dual bypass
OTTP heat exchanger
meth injected
spec stage 2+ clutch
Wideband
Boost guage
ss/sc exhaust
ss/sc fuel rail
upgraded fuel pump and filter
trifecta tuned
Interior:
TC seats
pioneer avic D3 head unit
Exterior/suspension:
SS/SC body kit
two tone custom paint with air brushing
4% tint
ATL Sonix black rims painted to match my car wrapped with 225/40/17 BFG KDW
Eibach sportlines
Total cost:
Car: 13,000
body work: 4,000
engine: 2,500
interior: 1000
Grand total: 20,500
There is more I would like to do to the car that would obviously put me well over the cost of your average sc or tc but to pull it up to speed or beyond a car that you can go out to the dealer and buy, this is the numbers.
We saved THOUSANDS by doing all the work ourselves. The only thing it went out for was paint. So if you don't have the know how to do it all yourself (or the majority of it) then these numbers are going to be waaayyy off. If you can't find the stuff at the prices we did... then your numbers are going to be waaaayyy off. If you don't have any of this available to you then yes in the long run you're better off just buying a car from the dealer if you want dollar for dollar.
I like to think the car was smartly built and all aspects taken into consideration with room to improve it further down the road. Unfortunately I do not have dyno numbers, nor do I have a time slip as of yet. One of the cars major downfalls is a) driver error, I need way more seat time then I've got with it how it is and b) I still have the stock driveshafts which need to go. I know my driveshafts wont support the power its putting down at the track and I need the car for a DD so until spring time I won't risk it. I'm sure if I sat here and thought about I could find all kinds of downfalls on the car that needed upgrading just like you can. But for what is done, it's well done and done at a do able price.
I never look back on what we've done with my car. It's more then I could ever dream of out of a base model G5. Anyone who knows the car and has seen the before and after progress in person can appreciate the work that has gone into this car.
Car in question: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=193265
I need to re orgranize some of it though because I stole the break down from another thread I did a while ago lol.
Oh and don't get me started on the "GM engineers" if you only knew how much **** we fixed that the "GM engineers" couldn't figure out. Biggest find would have to be that GM decided that the pulley didn't need to be bolted onto the supercharger regardless of what Eaton advices and they just put a little push cap onto where a bolt SHOULD be. Ford figured this out? Why can't GM cuz let me tell you... friction is not enough to keep that pulley.
wow 20 grand... and what are your performance specs? whp? tq?
Senior Member
Joined: 04-21-08
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach
Actually, my car was appraised for my insurance company and my rates didn't rise. I was told outright by my broker that if I didn't get it appraised pic and reciepts wouldn't mean a damn thing, you have to have an appraisal to assure that you will infact get at least part of what the car is worth.
Performance wise, there is nothing done to my car that would result in me HAVING to do internals or what not. Having the funds to do such mods only makes the possibilities higher. Then again, you can do that with any car whether it's an LS, TC, Camaro, Mustang etc.
The only thing I don't have that the TC's do is the brakes. For now what I have stops my car no problem but they are a spring project and are in the near future.
My suspension... could it be improved? yes, but for now the sportlines, 17inch rims and BFG KDW's handle fantastic and they are all I need for now until I decide if I want to upgrade or not. It handles just as good if not better then the TC... whether you chose to believe me or not is up to you.
My entire fuel system was upgraded to support the mods, it's cooled out the ******* ass with an aftermarket heat exchanger from OTTP that's BIGGER then the ZZP one, dual bypass, and meth injected. We debated doing the option B but found there to be no point. When vince tuned my car we had him look at the temps and he said they were great.
Exhaust, 2.5 inches is all these cars need. Most people only buy an exhaust for the sound and quite frankly I love how QUIET my car is. It performs well and there is no need to go bigger. Hell most V8's don't NEED a 3inch. You do get to a point where your not improving power if anything your losing it.
My interior, I have the TC seats in it, I have an aftermarket head unit (which most people do), I have all the guages I need (boost, wideband plus the stocks, an interceptor may be in the future). I don't have A/C, I hate A/C it makes me get really nauseas, I don't have traction control, I don't like it. Our Lincoln LS has traction control and it's a pain in the ass, same with ABS that my car does not have. We also put power windows and locks in it.
My car has been the way it has been for the past 6 months and so far no issues at all.
Mods list?
Engine:
2.8 pulley
60lb injectors
ported supercharger
ported throttle body
dual bypass
OTTP heat exchanger
meth injected
spec stage 2+ clutch
Wideband
Boost guage
ss/sc exhaust
ss/sc fuel rail
upgraded fuel pump and filter
trifecta tuned
Interior:
TC seats
pioneer avic D3 head unit
Exterior/suspension:
SS/SC body kit
two tone custom paint with air brushing
4% tint
ATL Sonix black rims painted to match my car wrapped with 225/40/17 BFG KDW
Eibach sportlines
Total cost:
Car: 13,000
body work: 4,000
engine: 2,500
interior: 1000
Grand total: 20,500
There is more I would like to do to the car that would obviously put me well over the cost of your average sc or tc but to pull it up to speed or beyond a car that you can go out to the dealer and buy, this is the numbers.
We saved THOUSANDS by doing all the work ourselves. The only thing it went out for was paint. So if you don't have the know how to do it all yourself (or the majority of it) then these numbers are going to be waaayyy off. If you can't find the stuff at the prices we did... then your numbers are going to be waaaayyy off. If you don't have any of this available to you then yes in the long run you're better off just buying a car from the dealer if you want dollar for dollar.
I like to think the car was smartly built and all aspects taken into consideration with room to improve it further down the road. Unfortunately I do not have dyno numbers, nor do I have a time slip as of yet. One of the cars major downfalls is a) driver error, I need way more seat time then I've got with it how it is and b) I still have the stock driveshafts which need to go. I know my driveshafts wont support the power its putting down at the track and I need the car for a DD so until spring time I won't risk it. I'm sure if I sat here and thought about I could find all kinds of downfalls on the car that needed upgrading just like you can. But for what is done, it's well done and done at a do able price.
I never look back on what we've done with my car. It's more then I could ever dream of out of a base model G5. Anyone who knows the car and has seen the before and after progress in person can appreciate the work that has gone into this car.
Car in question: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=193265
I need to re orgranize some of it though because I stole the break down from another thread I did a while ago lol.
Oh and don't get me started on the "GM engineers" if you only knew how much **** we fixed that the "GM engineers" couldn't figure out. Biggest find would have to be that GM decided that the pulley didn't need to be bolted onto the supercharger regardless of what Eaton advices and they just put a little push cap onto where a bolt SHOULD be. Ford figured this out? Why can't GM cuz let me tell you... friction is not enough to keep that pulley.
Performance wise, there is nothing done to my car that would result in me HAVING to do internals or what not. Having the funds to do such mods only makes the possibilities higher. Then again, you can do that with any car whether it's an LS, TC, Camaro, Mustang etc.
The only thing I don't have that the TC's do is the brakes. For now what I have stops my car no problem but they are a spring project and are in the near future.
My suspension... could it be improved? yes, but for now the sportlines, 17inch rims and BFG KDW's handle fantastic and they are all I need for now until I decide if I want to upgrade or not. It handles just as good if not better then the TC... whether you chose to believe me or not is up to you.
My entire fuel system was upgraded to support the mods, it's cooled out the ******* ass with an aftermarket heat exchanger from OTTP that's BIGGER then the ZZP one, dual bypass, and meth injected. We debated doing the option B but found there to be no point. When vince tuned my car we had him look at the temps and he said they were great.
Exhaust, 2.5 inches is all these cars need. Most people only buy an exhaust for the sound and quite frankly I love how QUIET my car is. It performs well and there is no need to go bigger. Hell most V8's don't NEED a 3inch. You do get to a point where your not improving power if anything your losing it.
My interior, I have the TC seats in it, I have an aftermarket head unit (which most people do), I have all the guages I need (boost, wideband plus the stocks, an interceptor may be in the future). I don't have A/C, I hate A/C it makes me get really nauseas, I don't have traction control, I don't like it. Our Lincoln LS has traction control and it's a pain in the ass, same with ABS that my car does not have. We also put power windows and locks in it.
My car has been the way it has been for the past 6 months and so far no issues at all.
Mods list?
Engine:
2.8 pulley
60lb injectors
ported supercharger
ported throttle body
dual bypass
OTTP heat exchanger
meth injected
spec stage 2+ clutch
Wideband
Boost guage
ss/sc exhaust
ss/sc fuel rail
upgraded fuel pump and filter
trifecta tuned
Interior:
TC seats
pioneer avic D3 head unit
Exterior/suspension:
SS/SC body kit
two tone custom paint with air brushing
4% tint
ATL Sonix black rims painted to match my car wrapped with 225/40/17 BFG KDW
Eibach sportlines
Total cost:
Car: 13,000
body work: 4,000
engine: 2,500
interior: 1000
Grand total: 20,500
There is more I would like to do to the car that would obviously put me well over the cost of your average sc or tc but to pull it up to speed or beyond a car that you can go out to the dealer and buy, this is the numbers.
We saved THOUSANDS by doing all the work ourselves. The only thing it went out for was paint. So if you don't have the know how to do it all yourself (or the majority of it) then these numbers are going to be waaayyy off. If you can't find the stuff at the prices we did... then your numbers are going to be waaaayyy off. If you don't have any of this available to you then yes in the long run you're better off just buying a car from the dealer if you want dollar for dollar.
I like to think the car was smartly built and all aspects taken into consideration with room to improve it further down the road. Unfortunately I do not have dyno numbers, nor do I have a time slip as of yet. One of the cars major downfalls is a) driver error, I need way more seat time then I've got with it how it is and b) I still have the stock driveshafts which need to go. I know my driveshafts wont support the power its putting down at the track and I need the car for a DD so until spring time I won't risk it. I'm sure if I sat here and thought about I could find all kinds of downfalls on the car that needed upgrading just like you can. But for what is done, it's well done and done at a do able price.
I never look back on what we've done with my car. It's more then I could ever dream of out of a base model G5. Anyone who knows the car and has seen the before and after progress in person can appreciate the work that has gone into this car.
Car in question: https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=193265
I need to re orgranize some of it though because I stole the break down from another thread I did a while ago lol.
Oh and don't get me started on the "GM engineers" if you only knew how much **** we fixed that the "GM engineers" couldn't figure out. Biggest find would have to be that GM decided that the pulley didn't need to be bolted onto the supercharger regardless of what Eaton advices and they just put a little push cap onto where a bolt SHOULD be. Ford figured this out? Why can't GM cuz let me tell you... friction is not enough to keep that pulley.
ive built a car just like you, and it was very rewarding. i was one of maybe a handful of people in 1999 that had a SR20DET in thier 240sx. it was fun, but i also wish that i would have spent all the money i did, on just buying a nice, quick stock car.
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From: The Barn
ehhh, really, unless I go with brembos which I won't my brakes wont put me that much past what ppl are paying for TC's, same with suspension. That being said, I'm not taking offense to what your saying I'm just pointing out that it CAN be done and at a reasonable price. Not everyone has the time, know how or even wants to build a car like this. They just want to be able to get in it and drive which I can respect. Just the "keep the car to what it's mean to be" grocery getter comments not from you buy the other poster is a little immature IMO.
Oh and for the record... when my car was stock... I used to take it to the track a lot just for fun. STOCK I should have entered it in NED's import wars as I could of taken half of the crap there
Oh and for the record... when my car was stock... I used to take it to the track a lot just for fun. STOCK I should have entered it in NED's import wars as I could of taken half of the crap there
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From: New England
ehhh, really, unless I go with brembos which I won't my brakes wont put me that much past what ppl are paying for TC's, same with suspension. That being said, I'm not taking offense to what your saying I'm just pointing out that it CAN be done and at a reasonable price. Not everyone has the time, know how or even wants to build a car like this. They just want to be able to get in it and drive which I can respect. Just the "keep the car to what it's mean to be" grocery getter comments not from you buy the other poster is a little immature IMO.
Oh and for the record... when my car was stock... I used to take it to the track a lot just for fun. STOCK I should have entered it in NED's import wars as I could of taken half of the crap there
Oh and for the record... when my car was stock... I used to take it to the track a lot just for fun. STOCK I should have entered it in NED's import wars as I could of taken half of the crap there
Last edited by StyleandSpeed; Nov 3, 2009 at 04:15 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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From: The Barn
I know I said the same thing. Shure it will be fast but what the GM engineers already did for the ss/tc you cannot compete with that on ur own. After all they did spend alot of time and testing their stuff. And look I picked my ss/tc for 17k and put like 600 dollars into it and im making over 300 whp with alot more potential. I report, you decide.
And besides the ss/tc is not overpiced compared to the LS. It has that sticker price for a reason. Does ur LS come with brembo brakes,tuned suspension, sport transmission and clutch, forged internals to withstand high tq and hp? So no its not cheaper to build ur own. Like I said im making over 300whp with a shabby tune. Could be makin much more if I retune. All for 17.5k total. You can beat that with an LS sorry. LS is good for what it is. Case closed. Im sure ur LS is faster then others but it is certainly not better the an ss/tc.
And besides the ss/tc is not overpiced compared to the LS. It has that sticker price for a reason. Does ur LS come with brembo brakes,tuned suspension, sport transmission and clutch, forged internals to withstand high tq and hp? So no its not cheaper to build ur own. Like I said im making over 300whp with a shabby tune. Could be makin much more if I retune. All for 17.5k total. You can beat that with an LS sorry. LS is good for what it is. Case closed. Im sure ur LS is faster then others but it is certainly not better the an ss/tc.
Stock cars performance wise can always be improved. LS or TC who cares what my car does or does not come with. We've already established that it's quite simple to make up for all that at a decent price. This will be MY THIRD TIME offering to go to NED with you how bout instead of IGNORING IT you take me up on it.
here in great big lettering to make sure you saw it BlackOnBlackSS, lets go to New England drag when the weather clears!!!!!!!!!!
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From: So Cal
LS has a completely different suspension...and all you have are lowering springs and tires, I don't see how it's possible, but show me some proof and I'll believe it, until then the answer is still no.
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From: The Barn
How am I supposed to show you proof? A video of me going around a corner showing the speedo? I think not. And no matter what proof I managed to show you'd more then likely still call bullshit. If you would like to come take a ride in my car you are more then welcome, but I don't see you doing that either.
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From: So Cal
Maybe you going around a road course or something...against a STOCK ss/tc. I think I'm pretty sure what the outcome would be. The reason people will call bullshit is because a lowered ls does not out-handle an ss/tc, especially if you still have your stock brakes. Ask anyone.
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From: The Barn
Maybe you going around a road course or something...against a STOCK ss/tc. I think I'm pretty sure what the outcome would be. The reason people will call bullshit is because a lowered ls does not out-handle an ss/tc, especially if you still have your stock brakes. Ask anyone.
I will also add. just lowered... no it wont. The right rubber makes all the difference. The tires on my car make night and day difference. I had my stock conti's on while my rims were being painted and it was no where close to the handling it had with the tires. Same with my snow tires I have no now. It doesn't handle as well as it did with the KDW's
Last edited by Rocket; Nov 3, 2009 at 05:52 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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From: So Cal
If you know first hand then you've done some twisty roads then? And can the TC vouch for this? Tires make a difference I agree(I have nittos now) but not enough to be better than a car that has proven incredible lap times. I just don't buy it, you should try some auto-x.
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From: The Barn
I have done road course, but it wasn't timed. And chicky... I do twisties on a regular basis.
I'm trying to find the list now this wont be of my car but another stock LS that's been lowered and he's even on stock tires. Granted it's an oval track so not much twisties but this car beat every other cobalt on the track that day.
I lie... one beat him. Look for the G5
http://www.falltour.ca/files/Ft2009Laps.pdf
Again... not my car, we couldnt make it to this unfortunately.
I'm trying to find the list now this wont be of my car but another stock LS that's been lowered and he's even on stock tires. Granted it's an oval track so not much twisties but this car beat every other cobalt on the track that day.
I lie... one beat him. Look for the G5
http://www.falltour.ca/files/Ft2009Laps.pdf
Again... not my car, we couldnt make it to this unfortunately.
Last edited by Rocket; Nov 3, 2009 at 06:08 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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From: New England
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From: So Cal
Exactly no one said ur car is a piece of **** LS, im sure you will run impressive numbers on a track with the mods you have and I imagine it moves with you dumping wads of money in it. Point is the ss/tc's are engineered from the start with performance parts, no one says ur LS will never be fast. And no one claimed their ss/tc's are gods. You've simple took words out of context. All we are trying to say it will never be a well balanced car like and ss/tc and if it will then you would have to spend more on it then what the ss/tc costs. Im sick of replying to this stupid thread when I've clearly made my point a number of times.