Other clones of the Cobalt?

PHerder

Well-Known Member
I was researching 2007 Cobalt SS/SC and found that the Saturn Ion Red Line and the Pontiac SS/SC are clones.

Looks like there were more Cobalt SS running around than the other "brands" so it will be easier to find a Cobalt SS rather than a Pontiac or a Saturn for the supercharged engines.

So it looks like the following makes/models are clones so our searches should probably include them also?

Chevrolet Cobalt - 2005-2010 (base and "luxury" models have the 2.2l)
Chevrolet Cobalt SS/SC - 2005-2007
Chevrolet Cobalt SS/TC - 2008-2010
Chevrolet Cobalt SS/Sport - 2006-2008 with the 2.4l LE5 (Unknown if it will fit the Goblin)

Pontiac G5 - 2005-2010 (base and "luxury" models have the 2.2l)
Pontiac G5 GT - 2005-2008 with the 2.4l LE5 (Unknown if it will fit the Goblin)
Pontiac G5 GT - 2008-2010 (SC)

Saturn Ion (2005-2007) (base and "luxury" models have the 2.2l)
Saturn Ion Red Line - 2004-2007 (SC)

Chevrolet HHR SS/TC - Late 2007-2010

Unknown if GM used the same engine mounts/sub frame in the other models (HHR or earlier models (<2005) of the Saturn Ion) so buyer beware!

YMMV!

Paul
 

Adam

Administrator
Staff member
We were recently at a salvage yard and got a very good look at the G5 and the later model Ion.

The G5 looks like it would be a perfect donor. It really is just a re-badged Cobalt.

However, the Ion does not look like as good of a match. We noticed several things that would not work with the kit as it is:

  • Gauge panel
  • Master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir
  • Coolant reservoir
  • Under hood fuse block
We are concerned that the difference don't end here and could really stack up. So at the moment, we can't recommend anyone use the Ion as a donor.
 

Justinreed7

I like anything that goes fast
A G5 only came naturally aspirated, there were no supercharged versions made. The G5 GT was a 2.4 manual or auto with 155hp
 

Adam

Administrator
Staff member
@Justinreed
Thanks for the info. Since you've got a lot of experience with your Ion, I'd appreciate it if you could chime in on the differences as you disassemble a Cobalt for your build.
 

Justinreed7

I like anything that goes fast
Will do, only differences that i can think of are cluster mounting and different location of the fuse box in the cobalt. Although, i dont think that eould matter much since were mounting it on the tank right?
 

Justinreed7

I like anything that goes fast
And of course the brake reservoir like you said in your earlier post. I honestly think you could use a quad coupe ion no problem, but why chance it if you dont have to.
 

PHerder

Well-Known Member
Only the engine and trans would be the same. When Lonny and Adam designed the Goblin, they used as much as the original car as they could, thus they used the instrument panel out of the Cobalt and the Goblin is designed to have it bolt right into the frame. Unknown if the instrument panel in the HHR is the same as the Cobalt AND if the other pieces in the Cobalt are the same as the other cars mentioned in my post above EXCEPT for the Pontiac G5 which is a direct clone of the Cobalt.

Things that are probably different are the engine cradle, instrument panel, front suspension pieces, computer...(?) It would take more research to prove that those pieces are the same (i.e. same part numbers?) than it would be worth. It would be expensive if someone purchased a HHR with the turbo motor and found that the engine/trans/computer was the only items that would work in the Goblin and the requirement to also purchase a Cobalt just to get the rest of the parts needed.

I am now only looking at the Cobalt and the G5 as donors.
 

northvibe

Active Member
The HHR has a similar cluster, same shape, but different internal design look



Mmmmm they also made an automatic 2.0 turbo...which could help some people, if they don't want manual. I suppose someone would have to dig in one....
 
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