Hello,

I use to use this site a long time ago. Had a 2006 LS. Sold it before getting stationed in Kodiak, AK.

Anyway I always wanted a SS/TC. I was about to drop 28K on a brand new Challenger RT but realized how impractical it would be here. I car shopped/researched for a while and came back to the Cobalt SS. I really wanted a brand new car but came to my senses and decided a nice used SS would be a much smarter buy. Better gas mileage and as fast as the challenger.

So a lot of my knowledge has been forgotten about this platform. I want to do some basic modifications. The car does indeed have the LSD which will do just fine here in AK.

Found these light wheels
Enkei Racing PF01 Bright Silver Paint

they are 18x8 and only weight 18.6 lbs.

After that I only want to lower the car around an inch or so. What are the "best" springs to lower the SS/TC approx 1" give or take. I want to lower it just a little for looks/handling and keep the stock shocks/struts. It seems as though the stock SS/TC sway bars are pretty good, is there much to be gained there with aftermarket sways? We have some nice winding mountain roads here I can run in the summer time. I like better springs for the improved handling/braking/traction. Also as far as the sways, if I were to upgrade, is one lacking more than the other causing understeer/oversteer. Do guys ever just upgrade either the front or rear sway to a particular brand/size?

is anyone tuning these on the road? I have some awesome stretches of road here where I can safely run this car. But don't/won't have access to a dyno. Best tuner? HP tuner?

For performance I think I will be doing basic mods like CAI, downpipe/exhaust, and tune. Other than that I want to improve the handling. I bet a lot of guys ask this stuff, I have been looking through this site and am having trouble getting a good grasp on the basics.

 

I don't know anything about wheels, but the Pedders springs seem to be the most popular on this site. They lower you down a little, but not too much, and supposedly improve handling. The front sway bar is great. You can try to find a Powell Hardcore bar for the rear, but these cars handle great from the factory. There's really no need to waste money on anything. PM Wangspeed about suspension stuff. He tracks his car more than anyone on this site.

 

thanks a lot man. We're on the same page. I have to fly to anchorage and bring it back to Kodiak on a ferry. So I haven't got to drive it yet. But I might very well like it stock. I doubt it, but I might....

also, when I can get pointed in the right direction like this it really helps a lot, because now I am able to research pedders and powell, which is helping a lot.

 

I have researched intakes on here and have narrowed it down to either the AEM, K&N SRI, or Hahn intake.

I want a catless downpipe, most likely 2.5". I'm figuring the 2.5" will be the best size for where I want to make power. When/why are guys running 3" downpipe and 3" all the way back? What power levels and rpm range?

probably a charge pipe kit, I researched OTTP, turbo xs and injen, is there power to be had here? Whats the best kit? I know "best" is subjective

Then a good exhaust system. I would only install these parts when I am able to tune for it, whenever that may be.

also considering an aftermarket intercooler. It gets kinda cold here and I want something real durable/reliable. Sounds like this goes well with new charge piping.

Also, can boost be increased on these engines through the tune, or do you have to adjust or replace the BOV/wastegate? I need to research how the system works and what components it uses to control boost.

 

Pedder springs for handling. Though Powell is coming out with his own that will be better. Powell Hardcore rear swaybar. Powergride endlinks are a must. Better control arm bushings from him too. He is the one to contact for all you suspension needs.
Downpipe choice is up to you. Get 3". Stay stock exhaust. No need to upgrade. Or muffler delete if you want it loud. 24 psi trifecta tune and you'll be set.

 

Stock exhaust is 3in, in my personal opinion i would keep the stock cat back, but get a high flow cat ot catless downpipe, if you for sure want it to be loud some of the time get a catted downpipe and before the cat get an electric cutout, get a trifecta tune, or a terminator tune (if your still in fl) you can Forget about the intake, just get a k&n drop in air filter in my opinion your won't need a true cold air at all unless you are going for a bigger turbo, with an intake you have about a 30 percent chance of throwing a code randomly from what I have seen, when you get tuned I would suggest getting hot side charge piping the cold side ic pipes are fine (the ones above the motor) the aren't

 

Don't run anything less than a 3" exhaust on a TC. There's just no reason to run anything less, in fact I don't think anyone even makes a 2.5 inch downpipe for one. Remember that the TC uses 3 bolt flanges, so exhaust parts from a 05-07 Ss will not work

Reason why I will say avoid the aem and Hahn is because I see way too many stories of wet filter issues from cold air intakes from driving in rain. For reliability purposes I prefer an Sri.

 

Well i like my k&n intake, dejon charge pipe and trifecta tune. You could look on modern performance for the k&n intake. And i really think more than anything the charge pipe you get is more for the look you want. I thought the injen would be better before i got the dejon but now that i have the dejon i really see no difference between them. I have a few friends around me that have the injen pipe so I can compare pretty well. And the trifecta tune you could find in group buys where when you buy the tune you get a free cable to put the tune in. Also another thing i would highly suggest is ottp stage 2 transmission mounts. They make such a difference. They eliminate the torque steer and wheel hop.

 

wow thanks a lot for all the info! Exactly what I was looking for!

cleared a lot of things up for me, I really appreciate it.

I haven't used this site for a long time. I actually live in Alaska and haven't updated all my stuff yet.

thanks again!!

so what are the ways to increase boost? I have a basic understanding of turbo systems. I know boost is a product of restriction and such, but typically with all things being equal (weather/elevation, mods....), two identical SS/TC one running a max 30 psi and one running a max 20 psi, the engine running 30 psi should be producing more hp. correct? More heat sure, but most likely more power?

Two more: how about GMS1? worth it?

and I want to delete my rear spoiler. I read some threads but do not know what the xmas tree plugs are everyone talks about for plugging the holes.

 

Not sure about those rims, for springs I'd suggest pedders if you don't want much of a drop and better handling with stocks. For SRI I'd say K&N and for other stuff ZZP would be my preference.

For tuning you'll definitely want Trifecta or talk to Terminator2 he'll hook you up with a good tune since you're in FL.

 

A tune is key, 23-25 is the most I would run...... But the reason a tune is key is because you could do any and every bolt on..... And gain nothing, the ss/tc has a learn down system on it so without a tune the ecu will make you be at 260hp and 260 tq

 

ok so what about the GMS1? I just read it gets rid of the "learn down". So what will GMS1 do with other mods like intake/exhaust? And is there a benefit to installing GMS1 myself? And then just using a trifecta tune, as I am not close to any chevy dealers to "reflash"

and how does the turbo produce more boost? Is it (a BOV or something) electronically controlled?

 

Boost is controlled by the wastegate, which is built into the turbo, and is controlled by the ecu. All you need is a tune to control boost. Don't buy anything like a manual boost controller, it's a waste of money. GMS1 is fine, but if you don't intent on keeping your warranty anyways, don't waste your time with it.

 

Gms1 is overpriced, turns the boost up on the ecu a lil and gets rid of the learn down sys. But costs twice as much as a trifecta tune if not more(also comes with sensors) trust us get trifecta, the hidden tune so you can have 2 separate tunes talk to Vince or the people from clear image automotive fore more

 

ok, does a good tune from trifecta do what the GMS1 would have done? I bought the car used with 16k miles, no warranty as far as I know, it's an 09.

how are products from superchips? They have some "tuners" for our cars. Any good? Worthwhile? Enough adjustabilty?

 

A good trifecta tune will make a lot more power than GMS1. Could easily be 30whp or more difference. And you still have powertrain warranty. 5 years/ 100k miles.

Don't waste your money on superchips tunes. They were fine, way back before GMS1 came out. But GMS1 makes the same numbers and doesn't void your warranty unlike a superchips tune.

 

congrats on the car! rear sway bars make a very noticeable difference, I would definitely recommend one. these cars do handle great from the factory but they're tuned to understeer a little from the factory to be safer and a rear sway bar reduces that by a lot and will make driving it a lot more enjoyable.

as for the rims, I believe I read somewhere that stock ones are 19 or 20 lbs so if performance is what you're after, there's not much to be gained from buying those rims, unless you're going to autoX or hot lap and looking for tenths of seconds.

 

awsome! again thanks for all the help I'm getting. Sounds like trifecta is the way to go. Those wheels are also 8" wide vs. 7.5" wide for the oem's

how much power are guys getting with say, intake/charge pipe, 3" catless downpipe and a good trifecta tune?? what seems to be typical? 300+ HP?

 

oh okay, that's great. didn't notice that they were 8". good luck modding!

 

Im also in the tampa area, and I am getting tuned by terminator2 in the next couple weeks. Via HPT

 

ok I finally updated my profile. I no longer live in FL, I live in Alaska.

thanks again for the help. My goals for mods are:

Pedders springs
powell hardcore rear sway
will probably stick with stock wheels because of cost
Rear spoiler delete

3" catless downpipe
muffler delete
either K/N SRI or just a drop in
injen charge pipe (hot side)
trifecta tune

 

What about Ottp transmission mounts lol....youll see once you start driving it lol. There is so much torque steer.

 

And remember, the CABs in the car you are buying are probably done. They will need to be replaced.

 

correct me if I'm wrong someone but 300+hp and 340+tq depending on the boost levels

 

Cabs? :-)