Auddasea

Hey guys I'm going to start doing some mods on my car finally.. I re financed recently which got the payments a little lower so I can spare the extra cash.. But I need to know w/ which mod do I start with? For example a lot of people don't recommend the 2.4 intake until you have a intake and full exhaust system....

Which should I start with?!?!

Intake
Mani 2.4
Or Full Exhaust... (Down Pipe, catalytic converter, exhaust)

And what is some good brand names but that will also show good increases in hp?

I hear injen is good for intakes, and borla is great for the exhaust... Any recommendations?

Oh and also I want to put some 3rd gen projectors in... can you guys explain what makes a good set of projectors and what doesnt? There so many brands and im like ugh?? haha

Thanks guys!!

So I was just reading an article that was saying you should not mod a low end car... a new intake, mani and exhaust amounts to maybe an extra 10hp at the wheels?? If this is true I think im just going to make my car look nice and forget any engine mods...

007CobaltLS

I don't know what you've done to the car yet, but perhaps you should just put some springs on it and the projectors to start with.

On a 2.2, you definitely won't get big hp numbers with simple bolt-on's...the biggest increase I can think of on an N/A is cams, but that's not exactly bolt-on. The only way to really get any power is FI. You should get a little more than 10whp with intake, 2.4 mani, and full exhaust. You won't get a whole lot, but you should get more than 10.

K&N and Injen are probably the 2 most common intakes and for header/dp there are a ton out there, just depends on what you want to spend. A cheap priced, yet decent exhaust is the Tsudo. I believe it's around $250 (not sure if that's shipped or not though).

ml2242

Injen Intake, GMPP sport catback sounds the best in my opinion, XTC downpipe is cheap and for a header the lsj header is fine or pacesetter.
But if you have more money id go zzp mid-length header dp with a gmpp sport catback

2007victoryred

My votes

Intake- Injen (can be a SRI or CAI)

Cat-back- Tsudo (inexpensive and doesnt sound ricey)

Header & DP- I would say ZZP or you could go a little cheaper and go with an lsj mani and dp!

Hope that helps!!

o3nisoaso3

Do intake and IM first. then exhaust. then cam and 2.4 TB if you wanna go that far. maybe tune after full bolt on then retune after cam n tb

oldskool

I have a cavalier L61 with the LE5 intake mani, 62mm TB, rksport intake, and 2.5" exhaust with LSJ pacesetter header. I can tell you after extensive HPT tuning that your injectors will be maxxed out and you will need at least 30lb/hr injectors and a tune to maintain a productive AFR. It's nice having steady power to 7k rpm though

I agree with the post above that you should start with the intake mani and intake of your choice...

zack93

where can u find the 2.4 intake mani and the lsj exhaust mani ,dp , catback?

o3nisoaso3

nice mods man. i maxxed out stock injectors at 6200 with all the mods i have. i am running about 92% idc with current mods on the stock lsj injectors (32lbers) soon I am going strait to like 79lb and gt3071r turbo lol

note cobalts have 56psi fuel rail pressure so injectors act like a higher poundage over what they are rated at. the 32 in my car are almost like 40

you can get them from places like gmpartsdirect.com or newgmparts.com or ppl on here sell them most time its all used but it works the same. good luck with your quest for more power

zack93

oh thanks i knew about gmpartsdirect but they charge an arm and a leg it seems like.