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

Cobalt SS/SC and the Ryobi 18V One+ Dual Function Inflator/Deflator

Ending on a Win

I've got some good news:

Posted: 3/29/20

Warming Things up

Holy crap that was frigid.

Posted: 3/15/20

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

Crossing the Finish Line

It's finally over — I mean, I finished the project!

Posted: 10/7/18

Cobalt SS Detailed LSJ Engine Title Image

Down the Homestretch

Cleaning the Cobalt: Day 11.

Posted: 9/30/18

Compounding, Polishing, Glazing, and Waxing, Oh My!

Day 10.

Posted: 9/23/18

Cobalt SS Polish and Compound Title Image

Final Polishing for the Cobalt SS

Boy, that title is misleading.

Posted: 9/16/18

Completing the Cobalt's Headlights

The Cobalt's headlights are finally complete.

Posted: 9/9/18

Day 7: Cobalt Headlight Heaven

On day seven of Cleaning the Cobalt SS I put in another four hours for a total of 29...so far.

Posted: 9/2/18

Repaired Cobalt SS Engine Cover Title Image

Day 6: More Clay Barring for the Cobalt

Day six and six more hours of cleaning.

Posted: 8/26/18

Mothers Speed Clay 2.0 on the Cobalt SS/SC Title Image

Clay Barring the Cobalt SS

In my stupor the last two nights, I forgot an important step: clay barring the paint.

Posted: 8/19/18

Engine Cleaning Oopsie

I had big plans for day four, primary of which was to finish cleaning the engine compartment in the Cobalt.

Posted: 8/12/18

Cleaning the Cobalt's Go Parts

Day three: I've almost finished cleaning the engine.

Posted: 8/5/18

Cleaning the Cobalt SS: Day 2

I spent another three hours on the Cobalt today.

Posted: 7/29/18

The Cobalt's Dirty Little Secret

I have a confession to make:

Posted: 7/22/18

Adventures

Getting Weird

I had a plan.

Posted: 8/25/19

On the Road Again

I grew up with the open road.

Posted: 8/11/19

Looks Like We Made It

There's a first time for everything.

Posted: 5/5/19

Out of Arizona

LOL!

Posted: 1/20/19

Lookin' for Adventure

In whatever comes my way.

Posted: 1/13/19

Cobalt SS on Going to the Sun Road Title Image

Triumphant Return Home

Aaaaand, I'm back.

Posted: 10/21/18

Road Testing the Detailing

It took all of 30 or so miles to ruin the 61 hours of detailed work I did on the Cobalt.

Posted: 10/14/18

Going for a Joy Ride

I recently got the Cobalt back from the dealership after getting some much-needed repairs taken care of and when I got home, I found My Speed Demon randomly popping up in unusual places.

Posted: 4/22/18