XFE gearing swap

[stevey_frac]

Hello all,

I'm wondering if anyone can shed any insight on swapping the taller gearing from a Cobalt XFE into a regular cobalt. I THINK it should be a straight up bolt on if i can find an XFE tranny in good condition. It would give a good drop in FE. I'm also wondering if it would be cheaper to just swap out the gears in the diff (as i think it's the final gear ratio that they changed)

-Steve

[theunchosen]

No experience with the cobalt.

Trans of the same make and year should have the same parts(mounts anyway) so. . .?

[stevey_frac]

This would be a 2007 car, attempting to mate up to a 2008 or 2009 Tranny. I think it's the same.... BUT...? Surely someone has done this somewhere? To me it's just begging for longer legs... I role down the highway at 2300 RPM, and like, 30% engine load. The XFE is definitely a step in the right direction.

[stevey_frac]

I think i might stop into a transmission shop, and see what they think. If they quote me hundreds of dollars that'll be a no go for now at least. It's probable they'll say 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

On a side note: I've been spending too much time on the site. I've yet to do any big mods, but i'm thinking of doing a front air dam, wheel skirts, moonies, i've already decided to switch to synthetic fluids, and i'm seriously looking at an ignition kill switch, because i've been EOC coasting down hills for the past two days.

LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME! :P

[metroschultz]

I have a buddy who works for the local Chebby dealer.
I'll ask him if he knows the answer to your query.

[stevey_frac]

Originally Posted by metroschultz

I have a buddy who works for the local Chebby dealer.
I'll ask him if he knows the answer to your query.

I would greatly appreciate that!

[theunchosen]

I'm a little hesitant to be optimistic about it.

Different model years past 2000 tends to mean parts aren't identical. Alot of manufcaturers do it on purpose to help out dealers(a large part of dealer revenue is parts and repair). If the parts are more difficult to salvage and repair then they get more business.

That said. . .cobalt might line up. The dealer acquaintance will enlighten us though. . .^_^

[cfg83]

stevey_frac -

This may or may not help, but here are some similar threads about an XFE tranny into a Saturn Ion, which also uses an Ecotec engine :

Saturn ION XFE? - SaturnFans Forums
Gas Mileage For Those Interested - SaturnFans Forums

I also think they just changed the final drive just like you said.

Here's another website with lots of gear ratios :

Manual Transmission Ratios

CarloSW2

[cfg83]

stevey_frac -

More GM tranny stuff :

2009 GM Car Engines & Transmissions

CarloSW2

[stevey_frac]

Interesting reads. Looks like no one has done it though. From everything i can tell, the transmissions are the same, but the XFE has a taller final drive ratio. That means the difference is in the differential, and shortly thereafter i'm out of my league. I wish it was a simple as the Saturn fifth gear swap.

I do believe that it is more of a difference then 50 RPM at 60 MPH. The car i drove was very agressively taller geared when I was car shopping.