Sorry about these, just trying to get a feel for some of the first things I want to do. This is also the first car that I've had the desire to tune while it was still under Warranty - so that's the focus of a lot of this..

First off, what CAI are most of you using? I've looked at the GMPP - but I'm not so sure I like its design. Is the performance of the GMPP CAI equivalent to AEM, K&N, etc., or is it an inferior (or better..) product? If I buy a non-GM CAI do I risk voiding my warranty at all?

Second - for catback exhaust - are we married to the GMPP when it comes to warranty issues, or can we use any catback? For those of you using the GMPP - what's the biggest difference between the touring and the performance. And both are all stainless, correct?

Does installation have to be done by a GM mech to maintain warranty?

Finally - on an 07 2.4, does anyone know what the speed limiter is? I was playing around with it a bit yesterday but ir *really* did not seem to want to go above 118 or so, even though it had plenty of gear left in 5th and seemed capable of pushing more. I've read on here of guys having it around 130 - did they change the limit for 07s? Or do we just have a lot of drag that hits around 115 that makes reaching top speed more difficult?

Thanks - sorry again for the shotgun questions ...

 

I have the GMPP sports catback on my 2.0 ss/sc and absolutely love it. I would go exhaust before CAI.

 

I think that I am going to lean that way - exhaust first and then CAI - but I haven't decided yet. Economics will also be a factor, I'm pretty sure a CAI is going to run me a lot less than an catback plus tip.
I do like that from what I've read the GMPP exhaust is made by Borla - that's quality stuff.

 

The best overall intake is the Injen found on many vendors website (unfortunately I dont carry them yet).

The GMPP catbacks are good quality stuff, the difference between touring and performance is sound & a few hp/tq. If you want louder, go with perf. quieter go with touring.


Does installation HAVE to be done by a GM tech? No, however if its done wrong, then they will charge you to fix it.

Magnaflow (which I do carry) also has some nice exhausts avail for the cars,

as for the speed limiter, i have a 06 SS 4dr Auto, and ive punched it, and it usualy stays around 120ish with a decent head wind. However, with a nice back wind(wind pushing from behind) and some 93 octane + octane boost, ive gotten to 130.


But, it really all depends, anyone with HPTuners can remove your rpm limiter, speed limiter, as well as gain you a few more hp/tq.

If you wish to look at the magnaflow exhaust, goto http://www.tntautosport.com and navigate to the Cobalt > 2.4L > Exhaust section.

Thanks!

 

Thanks for the tips - I'll make sure I look your sight over soon. Just based on how it was acting, I was leaning towards the wind being the main factor..

 

ya, these cars arnt the most aerodynamic, but my car gets up to 120 in a hurry....but after that its just slow....

 

not to jack the thread but if i know somebody with hp tuners they can fix my governor????? issue?

 

Hey!! Not much - just trying to survive the rest of this work week with *nothing* to do at work..
But yeah, I live in Vermilion and work in Middleburg. I've got an 07 silver coupe 2.4, so if you ever see that around on the west side, it's probably me.
That's actually one of my favorite things about this car - the SS n/a seem so incredibly rare. I honestly haven't seen another like mine on the road yet.
What about you - what part of town?

 

As stated about 129 times on the forum, aftermarket parts DO NOT void your warranty unless GM can prove that a problem was directly caused by the aftermarket part. It's hard to imagine an intake or exhaust causing other problems, except for CELs due to some intake systems.

As for which intake is best, I like the GMPP because it can be made into a "ram air" system fairly easily. Click on the links in my signature to see a "how to" on installing the GMPP intake and making it functional through a hood scoop.

 

Very cool, and thanks for your help. You'll have to remember I'm new here - but I promise to be function sometime soon .

On the hood scoop, have you read/heard anything from folks with the full hood scoops, like those on cobaltaddiction? I like the look a bit better, do you think they'll work as well (I'm guessing yes if you faux the parts that aren't going directly into the intake..)

By the way - noticed you bought your stuff from Summitt, I actually drove by there today - and the Lordstown plant, had to go from Medina to Youngstown for work..

 

Check out the RK Sport hood at:

http://www.rksport.com/main/part_det...did=14&catid=4

This one's already ducted for the GMPP intake. I would have used it except (1) it came out after my mod, and (2) my mod only cost a couple hundred, including the striping. The RK hood is $595.95 and would still have to be painted to match (probably $300-$500 at least). That said, if I had the bucks I'd still buy one.

I only bought the scoop from Summit, but I've used them a lot in the past. I see their car at the NHRA nats each year.

 

Awesome, and thank you - you answered a question I was going to ask.

What did you end up doing in the event of snow/rain - or did you just not have any problems? I'm guessing with the GMPP and a ram-airish hood, I could just cut a piece of plastic to go over the top of the box in harsh weather conditions and it'd use the traditional wheel well air inlet. *scared shitless of hydrolock*

 

I've never had a bit of trouble. I've been through drive-through car washes that spray directly down the scoop and it had absolutely no effect (the engine was idling at the time). I figured if I ever needed to block it off I would just throw a trash bag over it and it would be sealed between the gaskets.

There have been a lot of discussions on this board on hydraulic lock, and I have been vocal in them. The low mounted CAIs are VERY succeptable to hydraulic lock. However, it takes submerging the intake to suck in enough water to cause damage. My scoop probably couldn't begin to injest that amount of water. Other shorty intakes are also safe.

I would never use a low mounted CAI because of this issue. It's one of the reasons I went with what I did.