heza

Just a quick story relating to my commute home from work this afternoon, but I felt it was necessary because I'm curious about the potential for such a meeting.

Driving home from work (~70 MPH on the freeway) I noticed a black Chevy Cobalt SS behind me. Since there was the typical wall of cars blocking all three lanes at less than speed limit, I threw the "frisky" card and maneuvered my car in front of the wall and carried on.

As I glimpsed my rear view mirror, I saw said black Cobalt gingerly scooting along following my path. Next thing I see, is Cobalt nose in my periphery. I turn my head to look over, and the Cobalt driver makes eye contact and then the supercharged 2.4 let it's nasty fart out the exhaust tip. By the time I considered dropping into third to play, he was already two car lengths beyond me. Figured I'd get a formal invite to play rather than a I'm-better-than-you-"ricer-fly-by."

With that said, how do you think a Cobalt SS (supercharged variant) would do vs. the heavier TL-S with manual tranny starting at around 70 MPH? I don't street race, but deep inside I'd like to know how the TL-S would fair.

Maybe I should check the Cobalt forums to see if there are posts about me getting whooped on the freeway.

NOTE: I use ricer-fly-by loosely as an understood term for anyone who blows past someone who's not really racing, or ready to race.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

You would annihilate him easily unless he's tuned and bolted.

r3devi7

iTrader: (2)

Ran a buddy in his 07 Civic Si, some bolt ons, got beat by car length to 40~115. Pretty decent I thought for an Auto 04 Base.

heza

Not sure I've ever heard a Cobalt open up before, but this car sounded much like a SRT-4 even with my windows closed.

JoeTL'81

All I can say about Cobalt SS is that my friend got one (TURBO, 08’ I think) and his pushing around 375hp to the wheels with stock turbo. The thing is a beast!

AtlM5

without serious boltons+tune youve got him...however if its an SS/TC modded goodluck..even stock

TylerT

iTrader: (1)

The HP per $1000 you spend on a SRT4 / Cobalt SS is cheap.

Not uncommon to see these things pushing 280 - 300whp, I don't sleep on them.

Hockeyman

if it sounded like a skittle it was an 08+ SS/TC LNF Cobalt, stock for stock it would be very close as they are capable of high 13s from the factory. Throw a tune and some minor bolt-ons and they can easily get deep into the 12s on the stock k04.

If it was an 05-07 SS/SC LSJ cobalt then you would hear a very high pitched whine, and it would still be pretty close if he was lightly modded. You would take a stock one, but truth is most of them are not stock. Some switch their supercharged cars to turbo with trememdous gains so watch out for the LSJ/T cobalts.

BTW all the FI cobalt SS models are a 2.0L, not a 2.4L. The 2.4 was available in the NA cobalt "sport" and the base ss model (smaller wheels, auto, no ground effects). Check out cobaltss.net or gmsportcompact.net for some good cobalt forums.

akertulis

even if they do pull on out TLs there still thinking in the back of their head damn thats a nice car!

Bankz

I think the SS cobalts are sleeper cars,the 08 version is pushing about 280hp stock

Hockeyman

It's 260hp/260tq but yes, they are sleepers and with a tune only that'll bump up to 300hp/330tq. On a car that weighs 2900lbs it makes for a fun ride!

SatinSilverAV6

iTrader: (2)

A stock Colbalt SS Turbo is capable of high 13's easy with traps in the low 100's. That is the one to watch out for!

Ruby

sounds like fun, wonder if they're reliable.

Rockstar21

iTrader: (1)

if you buy used.. probably not.

Hockeyman

exactly, if you get a used one it has probably been beat on and/or returned to stock. But there are a few out there that are unmolested. It's all in the tune, mine has been reliable as ever, and modded from day 1 pretty much. Approaching 50k not and not 1 issue mechanically...been down the track dozens of times

pmptx

Fast in the TL, now faster in the "slowbalt".

I lost to one in my TL by about 1/2 car length from 40-80.
They are light and have better power to weight than the TL.

Would be more fun in the S with some mods.

lumyeinjun

iTrader: (1)

Those new Cobalts are no joke. The fastest front wheel drive in the world is a turbo cobalt. Did 7.4x @ 202 in the quarter mile I believe drag racing isn't our forte, the 3g likes to play in the twisties

vhtran

^ Weird ... Any car that dips into single digit time are unlimited class already.

unlimited class = deep pocket = they can have their car's exhaust pipes sticking out the front bumpers if they want.

lumyeinjun

iTrader: (1)

sorry, I should probably add that this was a professional drag race team
http://www.ladwigracing.com/racecar.htm

still says something about that turbo engine though; it's very capable.

ineedmyfixofacura

iTrader: (2)

if it was stock, you'd smoke him no issues, I ran one and I thought he was toying with me by not running...turns out they are just really freaking slow. Althought my friend has one with pully, injectors, clutch/flywheel, exhaust and a tune...SMOKESSSSSSSs my legacy gt.