SCCAForums.com

18 x 7.5's.

160mph top end.

Nurburgring in 8:22

"No lift" shifting to maintain boost.

GXP motor.

Brembo's

Don't know about camber/FSM/crash bolts stuff yet..

OH!

$23.5K w/lsd

Should be at dealers anytime now.

Thoughts?

FM

I was wondering the same thing. Looks pretty good on paper. Looks horrible in person. :)

Van 

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1986 Trueno GT-S (DSP), 1989 Honda Civic Si (HS)
Autocrossing on the cheap.

HAHA! I look horrible in person too but I go ok.

I wonder abouut camber and tire clearance.

I am excited to drive one. I am surprised that a LSD is an "option". It should be standard on that car.

Could just be another SRT-4, and have trouble turning and putting down power.  I wonder if GM performance will come out with some sort of GXP package for it to address it's potential shortcomings?

-Brian
 

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89/189 STS/STX '89 Civic Si

I guess it all depends on the LSD and how effective it is.

If it can turn but not burn, then it might have a chance.

FM

Edmunds gave it a good overall review....

 

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=125288/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/new/2008/chevrolet/cobalt/100919271/roadtestarticle.html&articleId=125288

 

 Van

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1986 Trueno GT-S (DSP), 1989 Honda Civic Si (HS)
Autocrossing on the cheap.

Fastmike:

Thoughts? FM

It should do well..... if no else enters the class.

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Matt Murray

I am perfectly capable of learning from my mistakes. I will surely learn a great deal today.

I was thinking it may have a really good shot...that is before they let the 135 in DS.

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2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
Sponsored by AgileAuto.com
D.C./Philly Region - 3 STX
cardomain.com/id/piknockout

Seems similar in specs to the Mazdaspeed 3... lots of power with narrow wheels.  I'm surprised that more people aren't trying the mazdaspeed 3.  Mazda has good contingency money. 

The Cobalt SS is a couple hundred pounds lighter than the mazdaspeed 3 though. 

 

 

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John Vitamvas
stranoparts.com / TeamWTF.org '04 Z06

It remains to be seen just how "good" the 135i will be in DS.  I think the lack of a diff will not be a good thing, and have heard reports that the "e-diff" thing kind of works, but also that it cooked the brakes in short order--on street tires.  That will only get worse on R-comps.

I'm not sure the old Cobalt with a diff isn't a good DS car to be honest.  I've only driven open diff cars, but they handled quite well.  I can't see how more power would be bad if the diff works at all.  At the very least it's driving 2 tires vs. one in the 135i, weighs a lot less and we know the BMW won't have much if any camber.  The Chevy likely won't have much either, but could have some. 

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Sam Strano
Owner--Strano Performance Parts
800-729-1831

Not positive they are the same, but the Saturn ION Redline has the option of a LSD as well and they are basically the same car. The LSD is a quaife.

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STS class '96 Saturn SC-2

01 FS Z28:

we know the BMW won't have much if any camber.  The Chevy likely won't have much either, but could have some. 

 FWIW, the ION Redline FSM allowed "slotting" the front struts to a defined limit for camber adjustment.  Supposedly you could get almost 2* negative.  Would be surprised if the 'balt SS Turbo was different. 

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Once you go Mac, you never go back!

The more I think about this car, the more I am talking myself into it.

Probably should buy 2 of them...A white one and a black one. That seems to be the most effective method....LOL!

DS beware! Fair warning!

FM(ZOK for sale?)

But Mike, where will you find Bilstein dampers for this car????

 

And from what I've heard the quaife diff is really good on the car.  I just hope the general doesn't screw up the gearing.   

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BS RX8

Here is quote my buddy found...

"The Cobalt chassis team discovered that the suspension worked better on the Nordschleife with somewhat less rebound control than initially estimated, but with firmer spring and stabilizer bar rates. The result is a reasonable ride out in the real world, with plenty of body-motion control for fast track or road work.

Still trying to find out more about the car but I am getting jazzed up. So far, I think it can get it done in DS with a good driver.

It sure get's it done at the Ring.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordschleife_fastest_lap_times

LOTS more research to do about autox stuff... I REALLY need know how fast in 2nd gear!!!

FM

Fastmike:

I REALLY need know how fast in 2nd gear!!!

Transmission

	GM Powertrain Sweden F35 5-speed manual
Gear ratios: (:1):
First:	3.38
Second:	1.76
Third:	1.18
Fourth:	0.89
Fifth:	0.70
Reverse:	3.17
Final drive ratio:	3.82:1

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Chike Dellimore - Blue Ridge/Washington DC Regions
2006 Galaxy Gray 6MT Mazda RX-8 (B-stock)
Former 2006 Steel Gray 5spd WRX (D-stock)

"I have a lot to work on...crazy is still on the list."

Ugh....That's depressing...

I was hoping for 62ish on the stock tires.

At least the car has great low end tq. It does kind of fall flat on the top revs so maybe this is ok?

http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en/product_services/2008/HPT%20Library/Ecotec/2008%20LNF/2008_20L_LNF_Cobalt%20SS.pdf

Doing the math with a 24.9 tall R tires at 5300 gets 58mph so this is not so depressing.....

FM

And FWIW, not that Sport Compact Car is the greatest resource, but they have called it possibly the best FWD car made, comparing it to the ITR.  Had a lot of great things to say.  If only I weren't so averse to buying American, no offense. 

 But the car does seem to have a lot of potential, especially if a TSB allows for more camber and the LSD can put the power down.

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2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
Sponsored by AgileAuto.com
D.C./Philly Region - 3 STX
cardomain.com/id/piknockout

Yeah, looks like 2nd tops out at 69mph on 245/35-18 tires, but it doesn't look that bad, since it has decent tq at 2k.

 

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89/189 STS/STX '89 Civic Si

Well...

 Since they are finaly getting to dealers' lots / showrooms now, I should be able to get a comparison between my non-LSD SC car, and a turbo model.

Everything I've been readin/hearing on the car has been super-positive. The people that liked the last car seem to think this is HUGE improvement and say the car is one of the best FWD Spo Coms to come out in a long time.

Where my car is just good in a striaght line and has decent stock brakes and good transitional qualities...they feel the car is great in all categories.

Really want to get one out on course to do a decent evaluation. Seeing as mine is one of a handful of STOCK SS's left out there.. and even fewer that autocross one.

 

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Brian Huber
2006 Cobalt SS-Supercharged
#58DS
Official car of One-Wheel Drive Racing's 2008 Solo campaign...
If you aint last, then you aren't driving this car.