My car: 2009 SS/TC with 193k kms

I've owned the car for almost 9 years and it has served me well as a daily driver. I still use it to get myself to and from work and everywhere else. I've always wanted to modify the car with a tune to make it more alive but was always hesitant due to wanting to keep it as reliable as possible. I now have found a decent job that I find allows me to have some spendable income so I am interested in giving my car some love. Underneath is pretty good there is only a small rust spot on the inside driver door near the bottom and a very small spot starting on the tip of the hood. I plan to take it and have it done right and that is the same attitude I want to have with performance. Right now it has a ZZP high flow cat dp and K&N SRI. I have ordered KW v1's, Injen CP and a Vibrant Muffler since I cannot stand the muffler delete cold starts anymore lol. I have also ordered GMPP clutch (hoping my flywheel is ok to use) and 3 bar GM sensors. The next thing I was going to buy was an Intercooler from ZZP hoping it goes on sale soon since shipping to Canada is a bitch. I found SSKev and want him to be the one to tune my car because he's been around since I can remember! I am not looking to run a crazy tune I just want the car to recognize the performance parts it has. I have made it a goal to really learn about the car which I will be reading all the how to's and info posted over the years. I also am fortunate to have limited access at my friend's dad shop (limited meaning I can do some work however I can pay for his dad's place to work on it) What would be the steps to take to find out if my car is able to be turned up performance wise by tuning it? Should I wait and save until I can afford a turbo swap from ZZP? I will hold off on installing my new clutch until everything is ready to go or my OEM breaks. I would be more than satisfied with ~300whp.

Long story short car is old I want to modify it however need it to be super reliable without costing me everything I make lol. Any suggestions?

 

300whp should be pretty easy. Mine dyno'd 300.4 whp. stock turbo, ZZP "canned" tune on 91 pump gas, K&N intake, forge bypass valve, catless DP, 3 Bar map sensors, stock intercooler, stock lower (cold side) charge pipe, Injen upper (hotside) charge pipe.

I have thing about people not replacing the flywheel, when they do a clutch. It's a lot of work to tear it all apart again to replace the flywheel. I always say better safe then sorry. On top of that you say you are going to hold off until the OEM goes out, I'm pushing about 340whp stock clutch with 135k miles. so you may never need to replace it.

Also about ZZP they don't really do any sales except for Black Friday, and cyber weekend sales.

 

Damn eh you've got more miles than mine! That makes me feel better knowing yours has held up for this long and hopefully longer. If I get tuned I was definitely going to install the new clutch since I've already ordered it and would like peace of mind since I've heard GMPP clutches can handle a lot. As for the flywheel I know its stupid expensive to get a brand new OEM one ordered so which brand would you recommend I look into? Again really trying to make sure I do this right because if I could have my car last me a long time I would be grateful as heck. Ah damn I was hoping 4th of July there might of been a sale so may have to wait until November.

 

The LuK flywheel is like $100 and people have had good experiences with those.

 

Ya I see that available on rock auto. Is it really better than the OEM? I've seen some people received a china knockoff.

 

I don't know about how it is vs. OEM. Another option is ZZP. They have an OEM replacement flywheel for $150. I would figure ZZP wouldn't risk their reputation with selling cheap crappy parts.

 

Reading all of that makes me think of the age old saying,

"cheap, reliable and fast" pick two.

Do it right or don't bother doing it all. If your budget can't support your build, then just leave your car alone. You have managed for 9 years and you have been content with what you have. Enjoy the next 9 years the same way or choose to do a build the right way.

Cheap, reliable or fast. Choose two.

 

I meant for the post to sound like I am wanting to do it properly by taking all the steps needed to give it a little more power due to the mods it will have. If I need to wait until I can afford a part it will sit as is!

So far I read mixed reviews saying people shouldn't machine their flywheel and buy a new one, others have machined their old flywheels and reused, and lastly I have read that the OEM flywheel is meant to last unless it gets fucked up. I have taken my car to the strip once and maybe a few trips to mexico but other than that it gets drove the speed limit so I can imagine it hasn't been beaten on too much however I still want to do it right so if looking for a newer flywheel is best then I will do so before I get tuned.

I still am looking for insight on what steps I should take to see if the car can handle a bit more power such as doing a compression test.

As to the question, stay reliable and a bit faster

 

By choosing reliable and faster, you know it's not going to be cheaper.

Reading what you are asking about the flywheel, stock vs after market, after market flywheels are lighter and stronger than stock. I will say that my choice was an after market flywheel, simply because it didn't try to make the stock flywheel better, it was better than stock. The Fidanza flywheel I chose for my 2006 DD was far superior to the stock flywheel and well worth the money.

If you can afford to wait and save money to do it right, then that is your best option. It has been 9 years, another year or two is fine. This I know from experience.

 

update! Parts are arriving this week

Currently installed:

ZZP Catted DP
Vibrant Muffler
K&N Intake
ZZP Short Shifter

To be installed:

GMPP Clutch
3 Bar Map Sensors
KW v1 Coilovers
ZZP Solid Shifter Bushing
ZZP Steering Rack Spacer
ZZP Intercooler
Injen Upper Charge Piping
ZZP Lower Charge Piping
ZZP Dual Gauge Pod (AeroForce Interceptors)

Work to be done:

Timing Kit
Compression Test
Valve Cleaning
Transmission Fluid

 

what did you end up chosing for the flywheel?

 

Spoke to my tuner, GM dealership guy and my friend who all said they would recommend using the GM OEM flywheel than buying a 100$ cheap version. As you even said you haven't changed your stock clutch which would imply your original flywheel is doing its job with a tune making more power and more miles than what mine has. There is nothing wrong with my clutch either I am just upgrading it.

If my mechanic mentions my flywheel needs to be replaced when he is doing the clutch job I will order another one.

 

Have since installed:

3 Bar Map Sensors
KW v1 Coilovers
ZZP Solid Shifter Bushing
Injen Upper Charge Piping

went with ZZP lnf tune as they had a great deal for black friday and I scored an HPTuners unit for a good price. Car is running well with the tune!

I sadly had 2 hiccups 1 while installing the new MAP sensors I broke the vacc line on the lower cp and then my upper cp came undone on a WOT pull.


@blu3_v1p3r I have purchased a flywheel the XACT Prolite - 600595 hoping to get the gmpp clutch done this summer even though with the tune the stock one hasn't given me any issues yet.


Future plans:

ZZP Intercooler
Upgraded Mounts
New Wheels
Fix Body
Upgraded Turbo

 

Aftershok good luck with your build brother. I'm in the process of rebuilding my 2007 Pontiac G5 GT Sedan. Pretty much full suspension rebuild including performance upgrades such as powell suspension parts yyz springs. For power upgrades i'm doing a supercharger off of the lsj cobalt ss. Just got a few more small things I have to get and then start the process of having her ready for the spring/summer to enjoy.

 

Thank you! Powell makes top quality suspension parts so that is a good choice! Good luck with your build maybe post a thread and update us.

 

Update!





Just made a birthday order from ZZP! Which includes:

- Intercooler
- Moog Sway Bar End Links
- New Strut Tops
- Spark Plugs

Also have the other order coming from GM:

- Various Bushings
- Intermediate Shaft
- Rear Brake Caliper


Next purchase will be from Powell for his stage 1 mounts finally I have slacked on that. And maybe some new EKM3s

 

Looks very clean Bro. Those parts will be a nice upgrade for your car. Another good place to order parts from is Rockauto. Their prices are pretty decent and shipping isn't as much compared to ZZP who only deal with UPS which is a good thing considering you are shipping to Canada like myself.

 

Thanks man really appreciate it! Good to know is there no duty from them?

My ZZP parts come tomorrow and lucky me didn't get charged any duty fees only taxes!

Also looking at a new wheel set up possibly will update with more pics.

 

FedEx only charges the shipping rate and whatever taxes for your province. For example I get charged 15% since I'm located in Nova Scotia. Not sure how much they charge in Ontario. But the good thing is FedEx doesn't charge brokerage fees like UPS which for us Canadians can get extremely expensive. Also I be careful with UPS because sometimes they do not tell about the brokerage fees until it gets delivered and will not leave your item until that brokerage fee is paid. If you got a tracking# I would double check to see if there is any additional charges that need to be paid. Trust me I know first hand because I was caught off guard a few times until I realized how UPS charges those additional fees lol.

 

Awesome I will definitely keep that in mind and nope nothing was owed except taxes so an ~800$ order only costed me an extra ~100$ for taxes.


Intercooler, End links, plugs and strut tops have arrived!

 

Sweet! Yeah I think once over a certain amount they can"t charge addition duty fees.

 

Just ordered PRS hardcore sway bar and stage 1 mounts

 

Sweet! Powell parts are awesome. I had to order a new cat converter mine is blown badly. Decided to go with a 200 cell metallic core this time as ceramic doesn't seem to last. I would luv to run catless but I know down here in NS I would not pass safety inspection.

 

Maybe you should consider purchasing my 09' sedan if that is something you want? I may be letting her go to a new owner that appreciate the Cobalt in couple of years?


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What? hahah