Turbocharging the LT?

I can't wait for the SS (and also am not sure I could afford it lol), so I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas about turbocharging the LT version of the cobalt (obviously with the ecotec 2.2l engine). I know that the compression on this engine is up somewhere around 10:1, so I don't know how well it would work without risking blowing the engine. Also, the LT is only available with an automatic transmission (as far as I know). Could this engine/tranny combo handle the boost and power I would be putting into it without modding internals such as the pistons?

there are several turbo kits available for the ecotec, that push power up to around 250hp. The only weak link in the internals of the ecotec would be the connecting rods which give up around 300hp and the crank can only handle around 400-450hp. Naturally if you are running 350-400hp in a forced induction setup you would want forged pistons. Other than that. I would say any of the current ecotec turbo kits would work just fine.

there are several turbo kits available for the ecotec, that push power up to around 250hp. The only weak link in the internals of the ecotec would be the connecting rods which give up around 300hp and the crank can only handle around 400-450hp. Naturally if you are running 350-400hp in a forced induction setup you would want forged pistons. Other than that. I would say any of the current ecotec turbo kits would work just fine.

Gm ran test and blew a an ecotec with stock 2.2 internals at 283hp. All 4 rods blew at the same time causing some pretty catastrophic damage.

here is kit that doesn't have an intercooller although the i/c kit can be added at $995

http://www.cavalierconnection.com/online_catalog.htm

The EcoTec on the Ion redline and SS S/C are both destoked 2.2 Ecos hence the 2.0 displacement. They lowered the comp ratio to prevent the rods failing. This also helps to prevent Detonation. Although I wouldn't run regular gas in it at all and this lower the risk of detonation.
The compression ratio was dropped to 9.5:1 from 10:1 to allow for 87 octane and decreased rod stress. If you put stronger rods you could run more boost. It currently runs 12 psi so this gives you an indication ofhow the rods were swapped out to enable this relatively small amount of boost. I wouldn't top 8 or 9 on stock internals.

Laxman I have 2.2 Cobalt TurboCharged, With Larger intercooler, Im around 230 to 240hp now, thats not much but its alot since the Cobalt is so light, I still have Automatic also, I havent had any troubles yet but never know...also I have Boost Controller, I have it running between 14 & 16psi most of the time...The accelration is awesome and I have already smoked 2 Cobalt SS with Stage 1 Kit set up, Which they are Sticks so you gotta know how to hit the gears if you wanna win I paid 3400$ for my turbo with the Intercooler also from Turbonetics if you want the site to order a kit in the future here it is http://www.sportcompactonly.com/product.aspx?p=102194&c=43&l=2

I dont see how your running a turbocharged cobalt 2.2. It is impossible with the computers in the car right now. Tuning is coming out next year sometime. So until then your b.s. without pictures or video

First off you dont have a turbo kit so give it up! no companies are selling a good enough system to break the 2.2 computer yet. so you are running stock fuel computer, witch is shit. i did a lot of reseach on the turbo kits for the cobalts, i took it to several tuning shops 3 machanics and to 4 chevy dealers! and this is what i got from everyone who new what they where talking about... the 2.2 has 10.0:1 compression(very high, only good for N/A) with these internals you could only run up to 4 psi of boost, safley. at about 6+ psi you are looking at some big problems. sorry guys but turboing is a bad idea cuz you will spend a good 2000 plus before you even get the kit, thats for setting your car up for the turbo. then you got to buy the kit and instal it. i would raher sell and buy SS or spend that 4+ grand on other things you could do to your car, cams intake full exhaust header lowering kit inerior bodykit... it goes on.

and for the one who was not sure about getting a LT in stick... you can

Interesting, there is a turbo kit out for the Solstic 2.4L VVT. And.... that engine (with higher compression) can run 8 lbs of boost SAFELY.
http://www.turbo-kits.com/solstice_turbo_kits.html

Oh.. .and looksie.... a 2.2 Ecotec kit. 8 PSI on stock engine???
http://www.turbo-kits.com/cavalier_turbo_kits.html

10:1 compression isn't that high these days. With varial timing, cam phasers, advances in ignition.. you can run a turbo or s/c on a 10:1 compression if the engine is build right.

Stop all this "you cant boost ecotecs" non sense. I haven't been on this site in like 3 years. And still. You guys talk about this kinda stuff and really dont know that much. Hell I dont feel I know a whole lot but... thats why I keep my mouth shut on certain subjects.

Oh and as your subject on how much a trans can handle....the 4t45e can handle up to 280 ft/lbs of torque... So its not really a weak point untill you start upping the dosage of Vitamin B

Haven't any of you guys been to jbody.org? Plenty of guys on there have turbo'ed Eco's. They are mostly in cavalier's or sunfires tho. In the spring time I'll be one of them! It can and has been done.

Good luck

looking to boost and boast, huh? check www.maximumboost.net (http://www.maximumboost.net) they have stage 1-3 turbos.. just for the record... and they are cobalt fit, not cavalier....

looking to boost and boast, huh? check www.maximumboost.net (http://www.maximumboost.net) they have stage 1-3 turbos.. just for the record... and they are cobalt fit, not cavalier....

LMAO dont ever buy from that company, the fact that you recommended them makes you look retarded. Thats not a real company for one, all it is, is some kid who works out of his parents basement. He buys parts of ebay, puts them into a half assed kit and sells them. He knows little about cars and turbocharging them.

The 2.2 Ecotec is a great engine to boost 10:1 compression is not to high, ive seen those engines take as much as 22PSI with a stock block. You dont neeed to have software to tune the engine, there are other ways to tune it.

Yeah, such as a FMU. (Fuel management unit) This controls fuel pressure by the amount of boost. Although the best method of fuel management would be to get a megasquirt or something similar which would replace the factory computer.

yeah i have the ls level two and yeah you can get a turbo but the lag, 14 psi is goin to give you some bad lag which is not worth it cuz of the parts and and stages is not worth it. i would rather get a supercharger yeah i would have to do all thoses thing just like a turbo but no lag and better performance, get one upgrade like the pulley on the charger and the same as a level four turbo. and yeah i got the cheaps cobalt but think i dont have the wait of the window motors the door locks and i have the 5 speed in which i'm looking at the short throw shifter and one quick question where is the computer on the '07?

yeah i have the ls level two and yeah you can get a turbo but the lag, 14 psi is goin to give you some bad lag which is not worth it cuz of the parts and and stages is not worth it. i would rather get a supercharger yeah i would have to do all thoses thing just like a turbo but no lag and better performance, get one upgrade like the pulley on the charger and the same as a level four turbo. and yeah i got the cheaps cobalt but think i dont have the wait of the window motors the door locks and i have the 5 speed in which i'm looking at the short throw shifter and one quick question where is the computer on the '07?
It's much easier to make power with a decent sized turbo then with a supercharger. You can easily change the amount of boost and turbo's are much more efficient then superchargers as well, the turbo's main disadvantage being heat and turbo lag (Which you mentioned.) However, With the a turbo properly matched to your engine you don't have to worry about lag too much. If i'm not mistaken, I think the computer is on the passenger side under the dash. I don't own a cobalt though, i think i heard someone say that before.
EDIT: My guess would be a T3 .50 trim would be a good size for a 2.2 but you can research this for yourself.

I have a 2006 Colbalt LT I dunno if it is supercharged or what but this is what happens to my car. When I start the car it sounds like a super charger when u start it up cause you can here it whissle. When I take the car on the highway and I take it past 4000 rpm it starts to wissle and has way more power I don't know if it is normal or not. But I raced my cuzin 2005 sunfire and his engine is the same as mine and I had much more take off then he did.

I have a 2006 Colbalt LT I dunno if it is supercharged or what but this is what happens to my car. When I start the car it sounds like a super charger when u start it up cause you can here it whissle. When I take the car on the highway and I take it past 4000 rpm it starts to wissle and has way more power I don't know if it is normal or not. But I raced my cuzin 2005 sunfire and his engine is the same as mine and I had much more take off then he did.


yeah sounds like you got one of the rare supercharged LT models. Gm was playing around with a smaller supercharger to put on the 2.2L, its hard to find cause its hidden underneath the engine. Its powered off the crank shaft. Makes low boost around 2 PSI or so at most. I think the engine is rated at like 160HP.


:rolleyes:

really I never new that

really I never new that
dude im so full of shit. . .:disappoin

yeah thought so

Laxman I have 2.2 Cobalt TurboCharged, With Larger intercooler, Im around 230 to 240hp now, thats not much but its alot since the Cobalt is so light, I still have Automatic also, I havent had any troubles yet but never know...also I have Boost Controller, I have it running between 14 & 16psi most of the time...The accelration is awesome and I have already smoked 2 Cobalt SS with Stage 1 Kit set up, Which they are Sticks so you gotta know how to hit the gears if you wanna win I paid 3400$ for my turbo with the Intercooler also from Turbonetics if you want the site to order a kit in the future here it is http://www.sportcompactonly.com/product.aspx?p=102194&c=43&l=2


You have got to have the smallest turbo ever!! I have a 2003 Cavalier 2.2 eco that only runs 9 psi and get 240hp. take the kit back and call Hahn Race craft. For everyone else, I suggest a little more research. Here's a helpful link. http://tunersource.gmblogs.com/Racer-Tech/ECOtec-L61-Build-Book

This link will tell you all of what you need to do to make 250 all the way up to 1400hp. It gives motor specs on what part will handle what horsepower.

For tuning...Go to http://www.hptuners.com/index.php
This is a helpful program for the GM cars.

Hptuners doesnt support the 2.2L ecotec in cobalts

First off you dont have a turbo kit so give it up! no companies are selling a good enough system to break the 2.2 computer yet. so you are running stock fuel computer, witch is shit. i did a lot of reseach on the turbo kits for the cobalts, i took it to several tuning shops 3 machanics and to 4 chevy dealers! and this is what i got from everyone who new what they where talking about... the 2.2 has 10.0:1 compression(very high, only good for N/A) with these internals you could only run up to 4 psi of boost, safley. at about 6+ psi you are looking at some big problems. sorry guys but turboing is a bad idea cuz you will spend a good 2000 plus before you even get the kit, thats for setting your car up for the turbo. then you got to buy the kit and instal it. i would raher sell and buy SS or spend that 4+ grand on other things you could do to your car, cams intake full exhaust header lowering kit inerior bodykit... it goes on.

and for the one who was not sure about getting a LT in stick... you can

Now for you. Your reseach is'nt good enough obviously, Stock computer can handle up to 325hp. As far as your reseach goes, the tuning shop probly said "buy a Honda." They don't sit around to research a Chevy 4 banger because of the reputation it has. It's not an import. Your machanics, probly some old guy that don't know jake shit about a 4 banger and the dealer, they don't deal with after market parts very often. The only thing they deal with, is people who don't research they're shit right and pop the motor because mommy and daddy will buy them a new one, only to pop that one as well.

Sooo, Who bought your car?

Hptuners doesnt support the 2.2L ecotec in cobalts
I don't see the cobalt and cavalier being much different since a cobalt has the same 2.2 ecotech.

Cavalier TurboRs the more you talk, the more it sounds like you dont know what your talking about.

A stock computer handles up to 325HP? WTF does that mean? And where the hell did you decide to make up this information at?

Reld-Line-Cobalt is an idiot, dont bother wasting your breath trying to inform him.

ANd yes the Ecotec motor in the Cobalts and Cavalier is pretty much the same engine, but the software that controls the engine are different. HP tuners does not support the Ecotec in the Cobalt. There is no tunning software available.

Cavalier TurboRs the more you talk, the more it sounds like you dont know what your talking about.

A stock computer handles up to 325HP? WTF does that mean? And where the hell did you decide to make up this information at?

Reld-Line-Cobalt is an idiot, dont bother wasting your breath trying to inform him.

ANd yes the Ecotec motor in the Cobalts and Cavalier is pretty much the same engine, but the software that controls the engine are different. HP tuners does not support the Ecotec in the Cobalt. There is no tunning software available.

It's been proven by others on car domain that the computer can't support over 325hp. then the car starts to run like ass. As far as who I inform, why is it your problem? Was it just something for you to type about? I just find it a little comical that people need to inform, the informer of the obvious. Now, on with me knowing what i know, I know alot more than you think. Computer wise, I'm not a rocket scientist, but I do know some about. I used HP Tuner as a reference of maybe they can help because they specialize in GM cars. For your reply on that, I was just saying I can't see them being that different, not really knowing if there is a difference. Wasn't trying to say that the program would work from a Cavalier. Not trying to be an ass but I guess your just shit out of luck.

lol your using cardomain as a source? lol sorry, those people on car domain are idiots, there are pleanty of people running over 325HP on the computer. The computer in the car is really no different than the computer your using to read this. All it does is run an operating software, that operating software tells the car what to do. The stock computer can make as much HP as you build the car to make. And yes the Cobalt and Cavalier computers are very different, its like trying to running Windows Vista on an Apple Computer. Hptuners has it in there plans to make software for the 2.2l Ecotec in the cobalts.

But honestly, i doubt you even have a turboed cavalier. Unless you bought the car already turboed just from these few post, its obvious you dont have the knowledge to turbo a car by yourself.

lol your using cardomain as a source? lol sorry, those people on car domain are idiots, there are pleanty of people running over 325HP on the computer. The computer in the car is really no different than the computer your using to read this. All it does is run an operating software, that operating software tells the car what to do. The stock computer can make as much HP as you build the car to make. And yes the Cobalt and Cavalier computers are very different, its like trying to running Windows Vista on an Apple Computer. Hptuners has it in there plans to make software for the 2.2l Ecotec in the cobalts.

But honestly, i doubt you even have a turboed cavalier. Unless you bought the car already turboed just from these few post, its obvious you dont have the knowledge to turbo a car by yourself.

Oh...you cought me.. your so fuckin smart...Do you stalk me in order for you to know all this? YOU must.
ok, enough with the smart ass remarks. believe what you will. If you wanna find out go to http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2609515. My friend and I put it all to gether ourselves. Now, lets be nice and stop the bull shit because I do have better thing to do. I don't like arguing with little kids that mommy and daddy let borrow their car. So go ahead and continue this by yourself. If you don't want to continue then, sit down, shut up , and eat your cookie. Have a nice day.

With one more thing I should add. If the computer can handle the power you say, Why in the hell is HPT needed? Why is a stand alone needed? Because the computer can fuction the fuel, spark, timming, ect. with all the power that is being added. HPT lets you tune fuel and so on.If infact the Stock computer can handle all of this, We wouldn't need HPT now would we?

lol wow. . . so instead you think the stock tune on a cobalt/cavalier can handle 325HP? I dont think you have the slighest clue as to how or what the PCM on a car does. You really dont have a clue what your talking about. I own and bought my own car, i live on my own, and i work hard for what i have and im 23.

Okay in an attempt to save yourself and not appear to have a total lacking knowledge of the car you supposedly have, just explain to me your turbo setup. How much PSI are you running? What timming are you running? What are your AF ratios? What size turbo and compressor are you running? What size fuel injectors are you running? And please explain to me what you are talking about when you say the stock computer can handle only 325HP? are you talking about the stock tune? a modified tune? are you saying even after modifying the tune the stock PCM can only make 325HP?

HRC/ Mitsubishi Super 16G Turbocharger
@ 9 PSI
Stock timming
Front-mount Intercooler
3000 gt Blow-off valve
335cc Fuel Injectors
Hi-volume inline fuel pump
Fuel pressure regulator
Spark plug gap @ 35
Stock Tune Computer (never been touched)
Car runs damn good for the last 2 years and smoked many SS cobalts

Stock computer tune can handle up to 325hp! and then you need to take the car and have it all tuned if you want the car to run smoothly. Usely, thats when HPT is needed or a stand alone. Other wise, if the car has more power than that, it will run rough, hesitate, esc.
good for you for what you have. nice to see you work for it insted of mommy and daddy buying it. Now, like i stated in the last note, how about we stop the bull shit because it is no sence in argueing with someone that you don't have a clue about. You can't honestly say what I have and what I don't, just the same I can't say about you. All we are going to do is go around and around. Not worth the time. Cool?

uhh the stock computer cant handle 325HP, i dont care if your doing it now or other people have done it. Its not safe to do. Go buy yourself a wideband and see what your air fuel ratios are. Im sure you are running very rich and that is the only reason your car hasnt blown up yet. Ask anybody who knows how to tune a car, you must tune the car for a proper af ratio. You are very lucky right now and that is it. IF your pushing 9 PSI and all you did was put bigger fuel injectors, you are very very lucky. Because what is happening is your putting alot more air into the engine, if you have to much air to fuel ratio your engine goes lean. When it goes lean this causes detonation that will blow up your engine. Lucky for you, your fuel injectors are pretty big and whats very very very lucky is that they are dumping enough fuel into the engine to keep it from going lean. Go have your car tuned by a professional and im positive he will tell you the exact same thing. BUt also getting a tune will make your car alot faster. If your running to rich, your flooding the pistons with gasoline that is robbing horsepower. Not to mention your also washing the cylinder walls and deluting your oil. Which will cause excess wear on the engine.

Trust me when i tell you, the stock computer isnt doing anything other than running the stock programing for the stock injectors and the stock power output. Basically your tricking the PCM. The PCM is thinking that at certain RPM and intake air, it should run the injectors at say 75% duty cycle. The car will assume that X amount of gasoline is going into each cylinder. But in reality Y amount of gasoline is going into each cylinder, and Y amount just happens to be enough to keep the engine from detonating. You need to get the car tuned.

if you dont believe me, go ask some people on www.jbody.org sign up and make a post in the boost section of the forum. They will tell you the exact same thing.

Wow theres a lot of dumbassary in here from the Cavalier kid.

First off, theres no such thing has saying a stock computer can handle XXX power. Simply because the computer doesn't give a shit how much power you make. All the computer does is simply tell the car when to fire the ignition and inject the fuel. And now in the Cobalt's it tells throttle percentage. And of course it still reads the MAF to determine when to do everything.

An ECM will not simply shit down at 325 hp or blah blah blah. The reason for tuning an ECM or getting a stand alone type deal is to accurately tune the computer outside of the resources it has built in. Thats the point of a tune.

A stock tune on ANY car cannot handle added Forced Induction. Every ECM in the world is limited to handle bolt on's simply because bolt on's merely alter A/F within a specified range to the stock tune. Adding forced induction on a stock tune is completely stupid. Back when I had my cobalt I looked into it, and simply you could only run 3-4 psi before fucking up the motor.

Plus I don't see why the hell this cavalier kid is arguing this. The Cavalier and Cobalt ECM's are completly different. The only similarity engine wise between the 2 cars are just that, the engine. None of the controls are the same or even close.

The GM build book does not exactly tell all on how to make a street car go fast. Simply because at one point they completly replace the block with a race block, something only about 4% of people would waste the money to even tackle.

On a good note for the 05/06 Cobalt LS/LT's a company by the name SCT FLASH is supporting the car, the tuning should come out later this summer. Its available right now through the Garrett Turbo Kit. HPT can only support the 07 Cobalt's right now because there was an ECM change.

i have my self a 06 ls. 2.2 eco and im boosting 12psi stock . easy no leaks no problems nothing at all just rips i have an auto R11 trans with some small mods with the TD05 evo 3 turbo i made my own setup i work at a full scale machine shop so makes life easyer i have more videos and pictures to upload then you will see proof completely stock motor.. but ecos def can be boosted .. very easy and i run my car hard im not easy on the pedal .