2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged

The Cobalt SS/SC

Introduction
Projects
Maintenance & Repairs
Events
Adventures
Notes

Introduction

The Cobalt SS/SC is a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged and it is my daily driver.

Why a Cobalt and not something with more pep like a Mustang or Camaro?

That's a lesson I learned a while ago.

While Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, etc are awesome performance cars, they have their drawbacks as daily drivers. To start, while the gas mileage in modern Muscle Cars is decent, it isn't adequate for me as a daily bump-and-grinder. Second, the cost of ownership is just too high. Third, maintenance is a nightmare on a car I both drive every day and race regularly. Fourth, not racing a Muscle Car is just a huge waste to me. Finally, rear wheel drive isn't a great arrangement for inclement weather.

What is a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged? It's a really beefed up economy car with a 205-horsepower, GM Ecotec 2.0L 4-cylinder topped with a twin-screw roots blower that's nearly as big as the engine itself. In fact, the Eaton blower was designed for a larger displacement V6 engine and GM's engineers decided to plunk it onto the tiny 2.0. It's also a low-volume factory track car that was the personal pet project of the head of GM Performance Engineering. It was built to dominate the sport compact market and in its heyday was used to thrash everything in its class in road racing.

While I love the car, I wasn't looking for a high performance daily driver when I bought it. Even though it isn't as expensive as a Muscle Car, it's still not even close to as cheap as the 2002 Saturn SL2 it replaced.

Health issues and an accident that totaled my Saturn SL2 forced my hand and I fell into this car. It is hands down the best daily driver I've ever had — even if it was a little worse for the wear when I bought it.

Maintenance & Repairs

Longacre Pro Precision Tire Gauge

Is there an advantage to precision instruments like the Longacre Racing Products Pro Precision 4.5" Tire Gauge?

That's a valid question and in my personal experience I've formed the opinion that there definitely is.

In fact, I've wanted a quality tire gauge for years, but never gotten around to laying out the cash to buy one — there's a reason, they aren't cheap, and I'm poor.

That's a situation I've recently corrected and you can check out this review of the Longacre Pro Precision Tire Gauge to see if it really was worth it.

Posted: 12/19

Ryobi 18V One+ Project Wet/Dry Title Image

Ryobi 18V One+ Project Wet/Dry Vacuum

I have the same problem vacuuming out my car, that I do with pumping up my tires — the fuse blows on the only electrical plug-in I have access to.

After great results using both the Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator and the Power Inflator, I decided to give their Project Wet/Dry Vacuum a try.

To find out how well the cordless Ryobi 18V One+ Project Wet/Dry Vacuum did vacuuming out the Cobalt SS/SC, check out this review!

Posted: 11/19

Riding Dirty

Man, the Cobalt got dirty going to Glacier this year.

Posted: 11/3/19

Ryobi 18V One+ Power Inflator

Recently I tested the Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator to pump up the tires on my project cars, but found it too large to fit in the Cobalt SS/SC for extended road trips.

To remedy that issue, I picked up their handheld, trigger operated Power Inflator.

Check out this review to see how well the Ryobi 18V One+ Power Inflator performed on my most recent road trip into Glacier National Park.

Posted: 8/19

Getting Tired

The original factory tires on the Cobalt SS/SC were Pirelli P-Zero Rossos.

Posted: 8/4/19

Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator

I've needed a convenient way to pump up the tires on my cars for years, but haven't ever gotten around to doing anything about it.

The persnickety nature of the Cobalt's tires have finally gotten me to do the deed and I chose this Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator to do it.

Read on to see how well it performed.

Posted: 7/19

Fussy Tires

Tire pressure on the Cobalt SS/SC with the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires is finicky.

Posted: 7/21/19

Getting the Cobalt Ship Shape...Again

There's really only one thing I'm a pro at, and it's crastinating.

Posted: 2/10/19

Still Paying for My Road Trip

After I got the Cobalt SS/SC back from the dealership, I took her to get her fourth windshield replacement of the year.

Posted: 2/3/19

OTC OBD I & II Scan Tool 3211

For years I avoided cars that require a scan tool for diagnostic work.

Once I was forced to buy them (I've owned three, so far), I avoided working on them.

Only recently have I run into a problem with the Cobalt SS/SC that I actually benefitted from having a scan tool, so I broke down and bought one.

After extensive research, the tool I chose to purchase was an OTC OBD I & II Scan Tool (P/N 3211). It straddles the line between cost and professional capabilities.

Follow along with this review to see how I was able to use it and how well it worked for me.

Posted: 1/19

Dealing with the Problem Child

Ah, the challenges of dealing with a finicky performance car as a daily driver, touring car, and for one single night five years ago, a race car.

Posted: 1/27/19

Cobalt SS Quarter Window Seal Title Image

Cobalt Re-Work

I know body shops hate re-work, but here's the thing, the Cobalt needed some help after its recent stint in the body shop.

Posted: 12/30/18

Putting on the Ritz

Badges ain't like they used to be.

Posted: 12/23/18

Unfinished Business

I got the Cobalt SS back from the body shop in record time — but the body work isn't done.

Posted: 12/16/18

And the Rains Came

As I write this, it's still summer, but fall is letting me know it's coming.

Posted: 12/9/18

Third Time's the Charm

I wish.

Posted: 12/2/18

Cobalt Thrash-Fest: Phase 2

Phase 2 of the After Vacation Cobalt Thrash-Fest is complete.

Posted: 11/25/18

Dealing with the Dent

Dealing with the repairs to the Cobalt has been a bit of a whirlwind since I got back from vacation.

Posted: 11/18/18

Busting the Cobalt's Ball Joints

I've discovered that being the owner of a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged and using it like a normal car — to transport my ass from point A to point B — means revisiting front end repair over and over and over again.

Posted: 11/11/18