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Chevrolet Cobalt = Best Tuner Car?

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Old 04-21-06, 07:18 PM
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xknowonex
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Default Chevrolet Cobalt = Best Tuner Car?

Time Attack Results? http://superstreetonline.com/eventco...11_timeattack/

It has won many time attack events against cars with superior suspension configurations - EVOs, Skylines, STis - and against cars with much greater power advantage.


Specifications
• Stage 2+ Ecotec engine developed by GM Performance Division and GM Powertrain
o 264 hp @ 7000 rpm (344 horsepower @ 6800 rpm with nitrous boost)
o 230 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm (350 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm with nitrous boost)
• Eaton M-62 Gen 5 Hybrid supercharger
• Carbon fiber body panels (fenders, hood, doors, roof, decklid, side splitters and spoiler)
• Modified suspension, tires and brakes
• Glass replaced with Lexan
• Corsa exhaust system
• Fuel cell
• Nitrous oxide system
• Race paint scheme with sponsor logos
• Race wheels
• Minimal interior trim
• Full roll cage and side net
• Sparco race steering wheel
• Safety system per National Auto Sport Association race rules
• Sparco carbon fiber race seat
• Race gauge package
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Old 04-21-06, 07:19 PM
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Pictures of all the cars entered:

http://forums.superstreetonline.com/...ry.php?cat=548
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Old 04-21-06, 07:28 PM
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cobalt has one of the worst reliability ratings
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Old 04-21-06, 11:28 PM
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TheRupp
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Originally Posted by 4TehNguyen
cobalt has one of the worst reliability ratings
Yeah, come back in 5,000 miles against even tuned-out Kia Sephia's, and we'll see
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Old 04-22-06, 12:54 AM
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92 SC400
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I think you guys are missing the point. It's about being a good tuner car, not about reliability...
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Old 04-22-06, 01:04 AM
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GM spent so much money on that car.

I believe the 4th place honda S2000 had NOTHING done to the engine. C-west wanted to show what suspension alone can do to the s2k and I think that's pretty amazing since it's right behind the 800whp skyline.
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Old 04-22-06, 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by GSteg
GM spent so much money on that car.

I believe the 4th place honda S2000 had NOTHING done to the engine. C-west wanted to show what suspension alone can do to the s2k and I think that's pretty amazing since it's right behind the 800whp skyline.
exactly, it is GM sponsored tuner car...
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Old 04-22-06, 11:45 AM
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People always forget that "Money talks, bull**** walks"
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Old 04-22-06, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by SinisterSC
People always forget that "Money talks, bull**** walks"
Well, that's the whole point of this thread.....is this a bull * * * t car or not?

IMO...yes and no. I have not formally reviewed one, but what I have seen of it indicates that both its build quality and fit-and-finish is somewhat better than the Cavalier it replaces, though it still has someof that old GM cheapness about it.
Now...as to the question of it being a good tuner car, probably yes. A good deal of tuner and aftermarket parts are available at reasonable cost, though you have to be careful about modifying engines from factory settings. If you don't know what you are doing ( and too many do-it-yourselfers DON'T ) you can really screw things up.
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Old 04-22-06, 07:29 PM
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I think this is a great showing for GM
 
Old 04-22-06, 10:25 PM
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The most notable thing about it is that it handidly defeated other cars that are technologically superior and much more powerful. From what I've read, they didnt modify it that much other than stripping it down. The engine barely produced more power than stock and the rear beam suspension was retained. In comparison the other cars went with expensive turbo set ups, advance awd systems, expensive brakes
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Old 04-23-06, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by xknowonex
The most notable thing about it is that it handidly defeated other cars that are technologically superior and much more powerful. From what I've read, they didnt modify it that much other than stripping it down. The engine barely produced more power than stock and the rear beam suspension was retained. In comparison the other cars went with expensive turbo set ups, advance awd systems, expensive brakes
The car has:

SC
NoS
CF body panels
Lexan windows
full cage
full suspension

This qualifies as heavily modified. If a stock engined S2000 with only suspension mods can come close, I don't think the Cobalt can be called the best tuner car.

How about best tuner car if the only thing you don't change is the engine block?
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Old 04-23-06, 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by pvmike1
The car has:

SC
NoS
CF body panels
Lexan windows
full cage
full suspension

This qualifies as heavily modified. If a stock engined S2000 with only suspension mods can come close, I don't think the Cobalt can be called the best tuner car.

How about best tuner car if the only thing you don't change is the engine block?
Ok, with the SC, the car comes stock with a supercharger and makes 30hp more than the stock one
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Old 04-23-06, 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by xknowonex
Time Attack Results? http://superstreetonline.com/eventco...11_timeattack/

It has won many time attack events against cars with superior suspension configurations - EVOs, Skylines, STis - and against cars with much greater power advantage.


Specifications
• Stage 2+ Ecotec engine developed by GM Performance Division and GM Powertrain
o 264 hp @ 7000 rpm (344 horsepower @ 6800 rpm with nitrous boost)
o 230 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm (350 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm with nitrous boost)
• Eaton M-62 Gen 5 Hybrid supercharger
• Carbon fiber body panels (fenders, hood, doors, roof, decklid, side splitters and spoiler)
• Modified suspension, tires and brakes
• Glass replaced with Lexan
• Corsa exhaust system
• Fuel cell
• Nitrous oxide system
• Race paint scheme with sponsor logos
• Race wheels
• Minimal interior trim
• Full roll cage and side net
• Sparco race steering wheel
• Safety system per National Auto Sport Association race rules
• Sparco carbon fiber race seat
• Race gauge package
Hardly. You're comparing a fully tuned and heavily modded Cobalt FULLY factory supported by GM going up against cars from much smaller companies, as well as private ventures, who have much less money to spend on their cars than these. Some of those cars at the time attacks are even personal tuner cars. What I mean to say is some of those cars may have actually been driven to and from the time attack event by the owner, where as the GM modded Cobalt is likely a trailer queen and has to be trailered everywhere.

If Toyota had a fully factored backed TRD Corolla in this time attack, chances are it would have put on some serious pain onto most of the other cars ... but then it wouldn't be a fair comparison at all.
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Old 04-24-06, 08:07 AM
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I could also get just about any car tuned up. We have plenty of VWs pounding out 500 hp + south of the border and I hear B.S. all the time about what great cars they are, but what they don't tell you is how many things they have to endlessly fix to keep these cars running.

Granted, I would like to see Chevy do well just because it is an American company, but tuning up one of these things and not putting the same vehicle in the showroom for prices comparable to Japanese sports machines, won't get me into a Chevy dealer anytime soon.
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