Its pretty easy to get on the forums and search to find the benefits of individual components, but I haven't found much detailing the order of installing different modifications. Maybe it isn't a big deal, but I didn't want to start throwing parts at the car if there is a "better" way of upgrading.

I still have a warranty, so I don't think I'll tune it right away, but can I still put a K&N or a high flow cat and cat back exhaust without the tune? Will pressure pipes benefit the performance without a tune, or is that something I should wait for till after I tune?

I just don't want to waste my money doing things out of order. With my situation (and I'm sure is the same for most), I can't just buy everything I want all at once. Just curious to see if there was a highly agreed upon mod path. Thanks!

 

i too am curious on the upgrade path.

from what i've seen it'd look something like..

Catless Down Pipe
Tune
Muffler Delete
Intake
Charge Pipes
Intercooler
Retune(i plan on going with HP Tuners so it can be retuned easily)

That is what i've gathered from reading, my car came with an Injen CAI and i plan to do a muffler delete then get a downpipe and tune next and go from there.

 

get all your bolt ons at once......THEN TUNE...........then get bored.........then upgrade turbo.........then retune

 

this basically, you dont gain power from bolt ons that arent tuned for

 

This...except don't get them all at once.....Look arround for deals buy them seperate INSTALL at the same time. Do not buy upper charger pipe and no lower one. etc etc. You have HP tuners adn trifecta as your "best" tuning options. Most people on here will tell you Trifecta or go home ( I would have to agree, amazing tunes). also GM S1 is a good start to see your Cobalts potential. Make sure you buy a Wideband too!

 

Everytime you get a bolt on, you need to get tuned for it in order to take full advantage of it. That's why I think (if you can afford it) it is better to get all the bolts on at once so you only need to tune it once and you save a lot of money on it. I think everytime you get tuned, it is about $ 250

 

im going to get all of my bolt ons and then next spring im gonna install then and get a tune

as soon as the zzp borg warner efr turbo becomes more affordable and avaliable ill upgrade to it

 

Dont forget your supporting mods if you go bigger. Clutch, flywheel, axles, Tans//engine mounts, Intercooler, E-85. Make sure you are going to make your power safely!

 

^ this is true.....but E85? why that for saftey?

 

Then trade it in for an Evo

 

I have to start to look for E-85 in New York. Don't even know if they have it

 

trading in for an EVO/STI or 5.0L Stang is the biggest Cobalt SS/TC owner cliche..........so unoriginal

 

and then sell it for an evo..

seems that's what always ends up happening

 

Downpipe alone picked up some midrange on my car... if you're worried about warranty then get GMS1... if you want more ricer noises like i did then get the K&N intake and a 3" catless downpipe.

I'm going from stock to K&N Intake, ZZP 3" catless downpipe and MPx 3" Mufflerless exhaust next week.

I'm looking into a C5 Z06 or 04-06 CTS-V or G8 GT lol

 

its like.....oh, i got my cobalt ss/tc finally where I want it........well, better sell it now and by an EVO........

yes I forgot about the G8/GTO......another cliche

 

yeah.. i dont know what it is about the evo that everyone thinks will make their life so much better lol

whatever though, everyone's gotta do what's best for them

 

Yea I know right? Why would someone want an overall better car? Why wouldn't everyone want a teenager car?

 

^lol @ your sig

 

Here's your real answer.

Yes you can install the K&n intake, a downpipe, intercooler, and the charge piping without having to tune in order for the car to function properly. Tune afterwards.

 

You don't necessarily need lower pipes, the stock ones flow pretty good. Just good to have them because metal is a stronger material. And it's not really that trifecta and hp are the "best" options, they're the ONLY options for a custom tune. And no, most people say go HP or go home, you'll never get a perfected, custom tune with Trifecta because in the end, you don't have the tuner sitting in the car with you actually feeling the car. HP Tune or bust. Trifecta is just the "EASY" way because they don't have to meet with an actual tuner. And most tuners will offer retunes for pretty cheap, so if you decide you need a tune revision later on it's not that big of a deal. Also with an SS/TC you do not need to buy a wideband because the stock 02 sensor IS a wideband sensor. If you buy an interceptor gauge it will tell you your wideband 02 readings, so an add on wideband is not necessary and would be redundant
Most tuners will do retunes for pretty cheap.
Well you will make more power on e85, and it acts as a good mod that can replace meth injection.

 

I went from G8 GT to a ss tc sedan, so pretty much I guess I must be disturbed.

 

i wanted an Evo and "settled" with the Cobalt SS/TC Sedan. I do want to pickup an Evo in a couple years, but I think the wife gets the next new car, she wants an SUV of some kind but has to wait a couple years until she's out of nursing school.

Why do I want an Evo, over the SS/TC.
- AWD
- Evo X > Cobalt styling wise, and to an extent, the IX MR is p.sexy
- Also huge community at evolutionm.net, which i've been a member of since '04~
- If I go with an Evo 8/9 the 4g63 is bullet proof and a TON of aftermarket support

Hmm...guess that's it really. Do i NEED AWD? I live in St Louis are and we see some snow. I'd prefer not to need dedicated snow tires, but I feel once the Cobalt is bolted on and tuned, it might become a necessity.

I have no qualms about picking up the SS/TC, I just feel an Evo gives me more.

 

I'm over in buffalo and there's only something like 2 or 3 stations that have it. one in lockport and one in the west seneca or something so idk were in NY you are but its pretty hard to come by around here.

 

nothing wrong with that man, i agree 100% i'd love to grab an evo in the future, but i see a lot of people who buy the cobalt and do nothing but complain about how much better evo's are.. i'd hope so considering the difference in price lol, not saying everyone who changed to an evo are like that but i've seen a fair amount of them on here

 

I picked up the Cobalt SS over an Evo/ wrx/ speed3 due to the price. Now Im glad I did because I barely spent any money on it and the rips wrx and evo ******** a new one . Not even going to get into the speed3 folks

And for those that say, run a turbo swapped one!!!! I ran a turbo swapped wrx with all the appropriate supporting mods making 350awhp and 360trq. I beat him by a car length with me having stock turbo, stock motor, a few bolt ons and a tune.