So I finally did it, I ordered my Stage 2 Kit the other day and I am eagerly awaiting it's arrival. Now my question is, what kind of mods should I look to do after the (Much later that is) Stage 2 kit install to improve performance. I have thought about the following; get the GMPP Cat-back system or get an Injen CAI. Not sure yet. What about HP Tuner for my car, would I see noticeably gains with that in a re-tune? Looking for ideas and suggestions.

 

i would think about helping airflow b4 a retune.. like an intake, header, down pipe, etc.
maybe even do cooling mods like a second heat exchanger. with that stuff a re-tune would help ALOT.. with just stage 2 and a good tune(pig rich... therefore add to the airflow^^^), i dont think it will be a whole lot faster, but your air/fuel ratio will be much better. this improves driveability, durability, and gives a little power gain

 

I agree, go with the intake and exhaust. Don't forget about traction mods such as engine mounts, traction bars, or engine dampners as well.

 

I have Ingalls TD for now, any specific traction bars that someone could recommend, now I have heard that the engine with the stage II kit does run a little rich, should I look into getting the Injen CAI to help the Air/Fuel Ratio?

 

get a header downpipe cat back intake and retune the sloppy gm tune and youll be set

 

^^^x2. As for traction bars, BWoody is the only one that I know of that makes them for us so far.

 

ok get the intake, but you gotta think of it like a before and after type deal.. you do something before the engine, you gotta do something after to make things flow freely. i heard the downpipe is the biggest problem. it has some kind of collection plate in it that is quite restrictive

any one, correct me if i'm wrong

 

Well, I think that's what I am going to do. Works towards the Injen CAI and follow that with the GMPP Cat-Back system. I did see some honed headers that look promising on Cobalt-Addiction, thinking about picking one of those up.

 

good luck, and let us know how it works out for you

 

I will keep you guys informed, thanks for the advice and suggestions.

 

Well, looks like I will be waiting a while for the Stage 2 Kit, ordered it on 2/27 from CrateEngineDepot and it still has not shipped, in the meantime though, I got my Polished Injen CAI and it looks like my GMPP Performance Cat-Back exhaust shipped today. Which looks like I can install the GMPP Cat-Back this weekend.

Question: If I install the Injen before I finally get the Stage 2 Kit, do you think the dealer will question the intake, or should I wait until after I have installed the Stage 2 Kit to install the CAI?

 

I waited till after stg 2 before I put an intake on personally....

 

Yeah, that's what I was told as well. I guess patience is a virtue, I figure if I've waited this long, what's another few weeks!

 

Oh Yeah, got my GMPP Cat-Back today, and just could not wait. Installed it in about 2 Hrs (Had to take a break for dinner). Sounds sweet and looks great. This was probably the easiest thing I have ever installed on a car, well not really! As soon as I get some pics I will post.

 

Just got my Stage II kit yesterday afternoon (3/26), It's already in the shop this morning being installed! Can't wait till they call me up and say it's ready!

 

You're gunna love it, let me tell you

 

Nice, after I installed the GMPP Cat-Back I noticed a difference in power, wasn't much, but I have driven her enough times that I can tell the difference. How much of a difference will I notice with the Stage II?

 

Just got Stage 2 done on friday. Have JBP Vortex CAI and GMPP exhaust. You can DEFINETLY tell the difference! LoL.. the 7k redline is what I noticed the most I think, and the power seems to be more constant and smoother!

 

stage 2 wakes the car up a bit. you will definitly notice it. it will plant you in the seat more. (a stock ss s/c really dosen't put you back in your seat)
it can't be described.. if you haven't had the chance to get in a stage 2 (or better) ride, i highly reccomend it.

*note: you will notice that under WOT, your stage 0 balt takes a little bit to get to 12psi (your max psi). on a stage 2 car, 12psi is almost instant, then builds up to 15-16 depending on the air density in your region

 

Man you guys are making me anxious for them to call!

Thanks for the info!

 

Sorry, I forget to post, but I have been having to much fun driving this damn car. Wooohoooo, damn this car is sweet! Well my Injen CAI's been sitting in my computer room for about four weeks now, I think this weekend will be time to install it now that the Stage II is installed.

 

Dude, you'll LOVE the supercharger whine with that injen. Just be sure to check your clearance, and put some rubber around the edge of the hole from the engine bay to the wheel well (I am going to put some fuel line that I slit down the middle on during my next oil change)

 

Hot damn, I'm in the process of getting stage 2 and this just makes me want to get it all rolling!

Thanks for inspiration guys.

 

Thanks for the info and advice, I plan on doing the install this Saturday, so I will keep what you said in mind.

These guys were not kidding when they said you would love the performance increase. I do have to tell you though, I was used to the redline on my Cobalt before, now it's weird because on the first run I shifted when I would normally shift, however, the second run I went closer to the new redline and it was sweeeeet!

One more thing sealy, make sure to make the service department aware that you know exactly what has to happen for the kit to be installed. Such as, the fact that the Supercharger has to be removed for the pulley to be taken off because it is pressed on, verify they have the tool to remove the pulley, and let them know that according to GM it should only take 1.5 hrs for the install. Then make them aware of what you are willing to pay for. When I went to the service department, I let them know all of this and then told them that I would be wiling to pay as much as 3 Hrs of labor; they only charged me 2 Hrs of labor. So the total cost for my Stage II kit was $560.95 for the Kit (That’s with shipping), $184.44 for labor, which comes to a total of: $745.39. That’s $4.61 less then the list price of the Stage II kit alone.

 

Click on the link in my sig that says "Went to the dyno"
There is what you are in for with an injen, stage 2 and gmpp exhaust... my dyno sheet is linked with my numbers