Any must do mods before I get tuned ?
 

Hi there,

Bought a Cobalt TC a few months ago and I was planning on getting it Trifecta tuned this spring. The only mod I have so far is a K&N SRI and I am planning on getting a TurboXS downpipe + catback. Those 2 mods + my tune is the only thing I was planning to do on the car, as it will have a nice sound + will go fast enought for me.. But I was wondering if there are any parts I should change so it's safe with the tune ? I know it will make more power and just want to be sure that nothing break because of that.

Also, I've read a few time that people change the " bolts on ", but I've made a research and couldn't find what it is.

As you can see I am pretty noob on the subject and just want to make sure that I don't anything bad to my car.

Thank you.

charge pipes I believe. but im not an lnf guy.

I'd personally get charge pipes and an intercooler at some point and make sure you have the 3 bar sensors when you get tuned. Lastly I'd recommend HP tuners with a remote tune for best results.

The downpipe and intake are really all you need. Unless you care about your engine bay looking pretty don't bother with aftermarket charge pipes- been tuned well over a year now on stock intercooler and charge pipes without problem.

Downpipe, intake, and tune are gonna give you the biggest benefit of anything really. Charge pipes are a preventative maintence in case the stock plastic ones break. A larger IC would be nice cause it does a good bit with cooling. 3 bar map sensors would be ideal if you plan on running anything more than 21-22 psi.

Full bolt-ons consist of a downpipe, intake, charge pipes, and intercooler.

I would get the upper charge pipe and intercooler in addition to your dp and intake. That cheap plastic charge pipe can crack and looks like garbage anyhow. The plastic end tanks on the stock IC are known to bust when tuned.

If you wanna push 20+ psi boost I suggest getting 3 bar map sensors on hand to put in right before you tune, can't run these cars stock tune on 3 bar so literally have to do the sensors when you get it tuned

I need to get a 3 bar maps before I get tuned.

I just got mine. Tom is literally the best customer service guy at CED. It cost me about $150 for everything I needed.

I'm guessing CED has them the cheapest?

Just the best place to get the kit. There is another thread somewhere and someone put links to all you need. 2 sensors, 2 o rings, and 1 plug and play set. The pigtails that you would have to cut and solder into the factory wiring is about $99, and the plug and play no cutting are about $102... So you tell me which one you'll use... Lol.

Alright thanks for the info guys. It does help me a little bit even though not everyone is saying the same thing :lol:

I plan on getting a 20-21 PSI tune, I don't really want more than that for safety purpose. With that said, do you guys still think I need to change the IC + charge pipes ? If yes, where is the best place to buy that ? I saw that ZZP is selling the full package with IC + charge pipes for 749$, is this the best deal I can get ? What are the other brands I should look for ?

Also, with the 20-21 PSI tune I should not need the 3 bar map sensors right ?

Thanks again !!

i have a full zzp setup. my friend put together a hahn setup cheaper though. look around and you may find something

Okay for 20-21 psi you won't NEED the map sensors but you'd be on the brink, and could blow them and you can't have two different bar sensors so you'd have to replace both if you blow 1 and decide then to upgrade.

The stock charge piping and intercooler can take 20-21 psi but its plastic... I rather reliable so I bought the zap kit for 750 myself too.

As for Hahn piece together being cheaper, its made of steel and can rust and I have a Hahn intake that was on when I bought the car and its rusting, not something you want on an intake component so I'm replacing it with k&n. I recommend zzp for the ic and cp.

I personally have zzp ic pipe kit and intercooler, Catless dp. Will have k&n intake, and turbo xs exhaust.

quoted for agreement

3 bar map sensors for tune

Honestly for the price of assurance and piece of mind just get the 3 bar incase you happen to go more psi later, never know :P

Yes, I could always buy the 3 bar sensors just in case since it's not really expensive. The IC + charge pipes on the other hand, if I don't need to change them I'd rather not to :lol:

Very surprised I've been running stock intercooler and pipes plus stock map sensors on 23-24lbs of boost for about 5 years now without a single issue. Knocks on wood.

Do you have the 3 bar sensors or the stock 2.5 one ?

Stock

Most people running 23-24psi tunes are still on stock MAP sensors, 3 bar is not necessary.

People rag on Trifecta but many members are happy with their Trifecta tunes, myself included.

If you want an IC and charge pipes after you get tuned I doubt you'd have any issues with that, intake and downpipe are the main things that need tuned for.

I'm happy with my Trifecta aswell but I have heard alot of people complain about customer service lately. Granted I got my tune from them 5 years ago I'm not sure how it would be if I get an update. I would like one soon but still don't know about them.

i emailed trifecta about a retune months ago and no answer..i put a dp on after my tune and haven't had a problem and still noticed power gains, started with a k&n sri i personally think a air intake is most import first mod plus makes turbo sound like tits

The best way to get a Trifecta tune is to go through a good vendor. They will make sure to get you in contact with Vince. When I was doing my tuning I never waited longer than 48 hours to have my new file sent because I got my tune through BNR.

I do plan on going through a dealer, so hopefully if I ever need a re tune I will be alright.

And thank you for all the info guys, it's really appreciated. Maybe some of my question were obvious to you but your anwers really helped me alot.

I think I'll go only intake + DP + Catback for now. If something ever breaks then I'll most likely buy the whole IC + Charge pipes kit and hopefully getting a re tune won't be too much of a pain in the ass.

Once again, thanks for taking the time to answer me it's really appreciated.