New Cobalt Owner Need Tips!!
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Joined: 01-05-12
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From: Brenham TX
First off I would say to verify that your car is stock. Mostly I mean check that you have the stock sensors and not the GMS1 sensors. I bought a used 08 cobalt TC back in december and discovered that I had GMS1 on it and someone installed a homemade lower charge pipe that was causing problems.
Next, if you don't have GMS1 I reccommend you either get it, or plan on a build for another tune. The stock tune has a 'learn down' feature to where no matter what upgrade you put on it the car won't let you put out more power. Since you still have your powertrain warranty at this point (unless you have over 100k miles) I would go with the GMS1 (disables learn down) and BUY THE PLUG AND PLAY CONNECTORS FROM MODERN PERFORMANCE. buying these makes for an easy install and avoids major headaches. Whoever installed my GMS1 did a terrible job and I've had all kinds of problems with it. Last week I replaced the charge pipe and rewired the lower sensor and now it's been doing great but it was a major headache having to do all that. Trust me, those connectors are well worth the extra $100 or whatever it is.
If you go the GMS1 route your next step should be to buy the K&N SRI. It sounds amazing and works great on our car. I would stay away from a CAI because they are notorious for sucking water into your engine. The K&N SRI is a great upgrade for both sound and performance and you avoid the risk of damaging your engine.
Next, if you don't have GMS1 I reccommend you either get it, or plan on a build for another tune. The stock tune has a 'learn down' feature to where no matter what upgrade you put on it the car won't let you put out more power. Since you still have your powertrain warranty at this point (unless you have over 100k miles) I would go with the GMS1 (disables learn down) and BUY THE PLUG AND PLAY CONNECTORS FROM MODERN PERFORMANCE. buying these makes for an easy install and avoids major headaches. Whoever installed my GMS1 did a terrible job and I've had all kinds of problems with it. Last week I replaced the charge pipe and rewired the lower sensor and now it's been doing great but it was a major headache having to do all that. Trust me, those connectors are well worth the extra $100 or whatever it is.
If you go the GMS1 route your next step should be to buy the K&N SRI. It sounds amazing and works great on our car. I would stay away from a CAI because they are notorious for sucking water into your engine. The K&N SRI is a great upgrade for both sound and performance and you avoid the risk of damaging your engine.
Joined: 12-23-09
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
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Joined: 06-22-09
Posts: 5,989
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From: Kathmandu
Take it from the people who have been around a while: buy a downpipe and an intercooler from ZZP and start off with a Trifecta tune. That's all you need to start off, and will keep you happy for a year. Charge pipes are worthless, IMO. I've been running the stock plastic (heat-soak resistant) pipes since 2008 with ABSOLUTELY no issues. Intakes aren't going to gain you anything much for the cost. Downpipes are about $250. A ZZP intercooler is about $350. A Trifecta tune, which will give you the switchable tune for two different boost levels of your choice are great for starters and is about $320. With a good downpipe, you're making around 300 reliable hp, for about $1000. Don't waste money on a bunch of crap, if you're not sure whether or not you're going to be in this game for a long time. Like ZZP says, "Go fast, not broke." Don't go for flashy ****, go for good, reliable horspepower.
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Joined: 10-08-09
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From: I have no idea what I'm doing.
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Joined: 10-08-09
Posts: 10,445
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From: I have no idea what I'm doing.
Catless DP (well under $200 from ZZP)
Your choice of tune. No need for GM 3bar sensors unless you go with the full GM upgrade.
DO NOT skimp on fuel (octane or quality)
DO NOT skimp on oil. Use Mobil1 (or Mobil1 Extended Performance), Pennzoil Ultra, Quakerstate Ultimate(really good oil for little money), or other very high quality oil that exceeds GM4718M standards.
Your choice of tune. No need for GM 3bar sensors unless you go with the full GM upgrade.
DO NOT skimp on fuel (octane or quality)
DO NOT skimp on oil. Use Mobil1 (or Mobil1 Extended Performance), Pennzoil Ultra, Quakerstate Ultimate(really good oil for little money), or other very high quality oil that exceeds GM4718M standards.
GMS1 sensors usually have a blue/white label on them, stock dont.
Stock sensor on intake manifold has 2bolts, GMS1 only has 1
Stock sensor on cold side(lower) charge pipe has commector pointing UP, GMS1 connector points BACK
Stock wiring is USUALLY colored, GMS1 wiring is USUALLY white
Stock sensor on intake manifold has 2bolts, GMS1 only has 1
Stock sensor on cold side(lower) charge pipe has commector pointing UP, GMS1 connector points BACK
Stock wiring is USUALLY colored, GMS1 wiring is USUALLY white
Joined: 12-23-09
Posts: 12,643
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From: Mt. Pleasant S.C.
I think GMS1 sensors and the dealer flash and are more expensive than the return value. You could do a downpipe and a tune for the same or less money and get better return for your dollar.
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Joined: 03-14-11
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From: Halifax, NS
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Joined: 10-08-09
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From: I have no idea what I'm doing.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-22-10
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 2
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Got GMS1 and a catless downpipe, made the car absolutely nuts compared to stock.
Got tired of the stink after a couple summers and got rid of the DP.
Still fun to drive though, sounds very... interesting and that 20psi of spool turns heads. Our boosted 4cyl sound like alien spaceships im told :P
Got tired of the stink after a couple summers and got rid of the DP.
Still fun to drive though, sounds very... interesting and that 20psi of spool turns heads. Our boosted 4cyl sound like alien spaceships im told :P
Honestly I found this page on Dejon's website very helpful while trying to wrap my head around what modification I should make, why, and in what order.
Also I would recommend staying away from GMS1. It's simply too expensive for what you get, and since your car is an 08 it's almost out of warranty anyways.
Also I would recommend staying away from GMS1. It's simply too expensive for what you get, and since your car is an 08 it's almost out of warranty anyways.
Senior Member
Joined: 08-19-09
Posts: 7,665
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From: Windsor NS
Honestly I found this page on Dejon's website very helpful while trying to wrap my head around what modification I should make, why, and in what order.
Also I would recommend staying away from GMS1. It's simply too expensive for what you get, and since your car is an 08 it's almost out of warranty anyways.
Also I would recommend staying away from GMS1. It's simply too expensive for what you get, and since your car is an 08 it's almost out of warranty anyways.
unless you go with a custom tune don't bother wasting your money on other boltons. you won't see much in the way of power gains unless you are tuned for them. but if you've got money to burn then go for it.
Last edited by Cobalt_Daddy; Jun 2, 2012 at 04:48 PM.
Ok GMS1 is not expensive. i got it for $480 from Crateenginedepot and it cost me $78 for in the install and flash. so $550-600 for a nice power gain that keeps your warranty. yes you can make more power from an aftermarket tune for a little less but GMS1 is not by any means expensiveand you don't have to worry as much about breaking things which is easier to do when you make more power than GMS1. it all depends on what you want out of the car. don't let anyone tell you that Trifecta, HPTuners, or GMS1 tunes aren't as good as the other. they all work great and suit different peoples needs.
unless you go with a custom tune don't bother wasting your money on other boltons. you won't see much in the way of power gains unless you are tuned for them. but if you've got money to burn then go for it.
unless you go with a custom tune don't bother wasting your money on other boltons. you won't see much in the way of power gains unless you are tuned for them. but if you've got money to burn then go for it.
Trifecta has a group buy that gets you the tune for $345 right now. Once you remove warranty from the equation, I would say Trifecta is a better value all around, and it would be very had to argue otherwise I suspect. That's all I'm saying.