2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
The Cobalt SS/SC
Table of Contents
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.
Projects
Maintenance & Repairs
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 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 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
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
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
Day 6: More Clay Barring for the Cobalt
Day six and six more hours of cleaning.
Posted: 8/26/18
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
Events
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
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
The Sweet Nectar of Summer
All Hallows Eve is nearly upon us and unless you live in an awesome part of the country that remains perpetually warm, fall is officially here.
Posted: 10/29/17
Notes
Bruno
Last summer, while the Cobalt SS/SC and I were vacationing in Glacier National Park, I was having breakfast and reading a magazine — something I don't normally have any time for due to my busy schedule.
Posted: 5/10/20
The Sound of Classics and Performance
As a kid I found myself enamored with the music from the late '50s, '60s, and early '70s — though, it wasn't contemporary for me.
Posted: 5/3/20
Vintage Driving
It's been a long time since I've driven a car with a carb.
Posted: 4/26/20
Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda
This was supposed to be the week I kicked Classics and Performance into a higher gear.
Posted: 4/12/20
Space Planning
One of the more difficult aspects of building a structure is figuring out how much space is needed.
Posted: 4/5/20
COVID-19
Many of us are stuck in our homes and it isn't looking good at the moment.
Posted: 3/22/20
The Call of the Open Road
Around this time of year, the yearning to hit the open road gets intense for me.
Posted: 2/23/20
Car Butts
I like car butts and I cannot lie.
Posted: 2/9/20
Winter Wrenching
With the weather outside being so frightful and the inside being much more delightful, I've turned my thoughts to the buildings in my Hobby Complex.
Posted: 1/12/20
Winter Is Coming
Like me, most of the cars I like don't do well in winter weather.
Posted: 12/15/19
Hopes and Dreams
Man, I wish I had a shop to use my new Longacre Pro Precision 4.5" Tire Gauge in.
Posted: 12/8/19
Help Classics and Performance Grow!
Are you a fan of the Cobalt SS/SC?
Posted: 10/27/19
Goin' to the Drive-In
There's too much disappearing — good stuff.
Posted: 7/28/19
The Cobalt and a Malt
I happen to love a good chocolate malt.
Posted: 4/21/19
Getting Back in Shape
Posted: 11/4/18
Getting Some Shelby Action
Today I test drove a 2009 Shelby Mustang GT-500.
Posted: 10/28/18
Reconciling with My Demon
Today My Speed Demon and I made a big step forward: I introduced it to the Cobalt for the first time.
Posted: 3/18/18
Return of My Speed Demon
Guess what?
Posted: 2/18/18
The Definition of American Performance
Since it first rolled off of assembly lines in the mid-1960s, the Mustang has been an icon.
Posted: 1/22/17
Doctors and Mechanics
Here's an interesting fact: In one small way, a doctor and an auto mechanic are the same.
Posted: 12/4/16
Getting Blown
I'm a fan of multiple styles of powerplants:
Posted: 9/4/16
Progress, Innovation, and Automobiles
Today, things change at a fast pace.
Posted: 2/21/16
Happy New Year, 2016 Edition
Happy New Year!
Posted: 1/3/16
