The mod bug bites again...

[millster]

I have NO idea what has gotten into me. I always wanted to do a little work on the Vibe but never got around to it.The Cobalt is not going to be so lucky. Sometime around May (pending a couple of upcoming photo gigs) the Cobalt will go under the knife. So far my plans are simple:Progress lowering springs (1.5"F 2"R)Tsudo N1 Stainless CatbackProjector headlamps with LED halos (HID if funding allows)Red lens LED tail lampsModified airbox with conical filterIt's headed into the shop tomorrow for my usual "I can't stand it anymore, everything is going wrong" service appointment to have the steering knock, squeaking suspension, strange hesitation, non-operational fuel gauge and few other little issues fixed prior to the start of modding. Also, to celebrate the near end of my warranty.Stay tuned. I'm hoping this all pans out to plan.

[ramenboy...]

woohoo! go millster!!!!! i've seen a 'fusion' cobalt sedan lowered, with a body kit. looks slick.can't wait til you get started...

[millster]

Ooph... no body kits for me. I'm worried enough about dragging the stock body parts once it's dropped. I've just decided that I can't stand the raked back-end on the thing anymore. The Progress springs will level it out and drop it down on the tires a bit.

[AKLGT]

millster, if you are looking for a low cost but good HID kit, plug and play, check out http://www.xenonexpert.com/apexcone_sale.html. They have group buys and low prices all the time. I bought my kit from them back in Oct and took me 30 mins to do the install.

[kevera]

I almost missed this thread.Way to go Wes,and don't forget to take some pics.

[millster]

Thanks for the tip on the HID, Hope. Those prices ARE pretty good. I'll have to see what I end up with once I get the first part done.Oh and Kev, you better believe there will be pics. This is just the first wave of stuff going on with the car. And before anyone says anything about all show, no go... I tried the go early on. Stayed stealthy with it because I wasn't sure how it would pan out. About as well as I thought and I'm now looking at alternatives.

[NibCrom]

How about a supercharger?

[ColonelPanic]

Oooh! HID BLUB!!!!!! but no bodykit!!!!!!!!!!!! Sounds like the Cobalt has lots of modding potential. You must flaunt the LED tail lights, that'll make folks jealous that they can't get 'em. I would say with the problems you've had it may be a good idea to extend the warranty but modding the snot out of a car with a warranty you had to pay for probably wouldn't be in your best interest. Looking forward to seeing the results.

[millster]

See, that's the problem. Too little out there right now for the 2.2L. There are some guys who have done early adaptations of the 2.0L SC to the 2.2 and I'm waiting to see how those pan out. Turbo is, at the moment, a no go on that car. Too little space for the stuff I want and too little is known about the ECU on the 2.2L to get it tuned to be safe.

[GoLowDrew]

As a fellow Coblat LT owner, I'll share my 2 cents.Getting rid of the 4x4 look is a good idea. With your 16" wheels, it would look real tight. You can get used (and New) FE3 (SS) suspension for the Cobalt. Howver, the rear is still a bit high. That's why aftermarket springs will look the best (lower at the rear).I agree there isn't much one can do with the 2.2L. In my case, auto trans. So IMO, why bother. Whatever I do, I won't really notice the difference. Cobalt can look cool rolling around. Anything less than an SS (Sports) will not offer much go.

[Sublimewind]

You know you might consider a cheaper alternitive to the LED lamp housings... I've seen LED bulbs that have 4-5 "arms" on them that pivot and open to look like a "flower" with LEDs up each of the arms... you pivot them all down to a point, push it through the housing and they open up to make a much wider dispersion bulb... Something to consider is all..

[millster]

Definitely sticking with aftermarket on the springs. I don't like the look of the SS springs on the LT. I've seen it and it still looks like and excited dog with its (removed) up in the air.I'm definitely not really looking too much into performance parts. In fact, I think I might even hold off on the exhaust. After getting an outside listen to what's on there now... I think anything louder would sound silly. Sublime, that's definitely something to consider. I'll have to see if they make anything that will work with my car. I'm sure they do. Would definitely be cheaper. That was a little way off in teh distance anyway.

[Sublimewind]

I'll see what I can dig up, most of what I wrote about comes out of truck magizines..

[GoLowDrew]

Quote, originally posted by millster » In fact, I think I might even hold off on the exhaust. After getting an outside listen to what's on there now... I think anything louder would sound silly. If you have a 350Z/G35, a Hemi V8, or VW 2.0T we would want to hear more of it. I don't think anyone want to hear more of a GM 2.2L. If we look under the hood, GM tried real hard to keep that puppy quiet. There is a real chance of making it sound like rice if it's not done right.

[millster]

The exhaust I was looking at is the only one that I have heard that didn't sound ricey... which is odd because it's the one that most closely hits the LOOK. But honestly, driving through the parking garage with the windows down and hearing the stock exhaust rumble and burble... I'm thinking it might make enough noise as it is.

[AKLGT]

please don't rice the car by adding a large coffee can.

[GoLowDrew]

Are you planning to do wheels too? BTW, are you also on any Cobalt site?

[VforVIBE]

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »please don't rice the car by adding a large coffee can. You mean fart car?

[millster]

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »please don't rice the car by adding a large coffee can. Well, it's a canister muffler but it's not really ricey. It still looks classy since it's designed for the car, the only thing you see is the tip and it's very modest.Quote, originally posted by GoLowDrew »Are you planning to do wheels too? BTW, are you also on any Cobalt site?No plans for wheels at this point. I like the 3LT alloys, honestly. 16s give me a little extra cushion on the roads around here too. I'm on a couple of the Cobalt sites, yes. I think CobaltSS.net is the only one I really joined, though. The others I just lurk.

[GoLowDrew]

Quote, originally posted by millster » I think CobaltSS.net is the only one I really joined, though. The others I just lurk. Me too. Same name.