Just snatched up a 2010 Black SS on tuesday, still have my '07 Red SC I have to sell. I have a couple of silly ?'s that maybe some of you TC guys can help me out with.

I have the RPD digital unit and I did a 'reset' on it, and now on the right side of the gauge I get what gear I'm in, and I can't for the life of me get it back to where it displayed fuel pressure and IAT.

Also, what are some of the easiest and cheapest ways to get the turbo spool sound to be louder? I don't wanna drop $$ on an intake just yet, if there are any good how-to's on an air box mod. I didn't see one for the TC, I did it for my SC tho.

Then there's the mods... I am more than happy to drive this car stock for a while, but when it's time for more power, I might either 1) rock the stage 1 LNF upgrade and call it a day, keep my warranty (Powertrain until 2/15/2015!!!) OR is it better to buy a 2nd PCM and get a real tune?

I FAILED MISERABLY modding my old SC... I got the OTTP stage 2 tune for it. they couldn't get my tune right, finally sent my stock PCM in, murphy's law says my trans is going to blow so it did, damn wheelhop (OTTP stage 2 mounts didn't help...) and well, flooring in 1st caused hop, car was loud, throws misfire codes, flex pipes broken 8 times... worked on it all the time, ec etc. quieted it down, fixed flex, fixed code with hotter plug (regular temp) and now ready to sell.

I wanna do it right this time. I am not messing with stock PCM, unless I get stage 1 lnf upgrade. Or is it really worth it to install the sensors and such myself, get a 2nd PCM, and get tuned? stage 1 whp/wtq are about 280/300 right? How much more can be had with a stock tune? what is the best aftermarket tune for reliability? I'll take that over an extra 20 to 30 hp any day of the week, I wanna rock a tune that'll be stable and n ot throw codes or blow up my turbo

thanks in advance, and I am very., very happy with my new TC. If only I knew 2 years ago how freakin awesome this car was I would have never modded the old one and blown it up!! Launch control + No lift shift + better suspension, bluetooth, better door locks & seats, the list goes on as you all know....

 

On your RPD push in the dial and then turn it.

I could take a good crack at the rest, but I'll let more knowledgeable members do it for your sake.

edit: I'm bored so here's my 2 cents.

First get the GMS1 upgrade. It's a night and day difference in power and you get to keep your warranty which, based on your situation, I think is important. Then if it were me I'd get a K&N SRI. It's probably the best intake for the LNF - won't throw any codes when set up right, godly sound, most consistent fuel trims. Worth the $ imo.

As for aftermarket tunes i'd go with Trifecta. They will make your car stupid fast, and they've tuned enough Cobalt's by now that the tune is going to be stable and fairly safe. The real problem is that all that power the rest of the car starts falling apart. The clutch will go to hell in no time, intercooler end caps blowing off, charge piping pipping off as well as other things iirc. You have to build your car up a bit before getting tuned if you want to be safe. Also I think it makes sense to experience the progression of power available on the car; from stock -> GMS1 -> tuned -> etc. It will keep you happier longer

So yeah, hope this helps. Congrats on the car. Oh and post pics!

 

wow, thank you so much for that info! yea i guess charge piping popping off, and "other things" sounds a bit too much for a car I just dropped $18k on. I love tellin my dad about how much of a better car this is than the SC I modded to hell with every bolt on possible, and he says "and enjoy it, if it breaks take it in to Chevy worry free" and I like that.

I don't need this new car to fall apart just yet!! It's so smooth and the clutch feel and engagement is fantastic. OMFG the launch control (NO WHEEL HOP WOOHOOO!!!) and then -> no lift shifting the 1-2 shift with a few turbo backfires -> spinning 2nd and peacing out, only to get to no lift shift again for 3rd = a ******* blast.

I think I'll go the GMS1 route this time. To think I did OTTP last to save $200, only to spend $2700 on a new tranny cuz my warranty was shot... The dealership stated my custom tune as the reason for denial of warranty services. They fixed my Dad's LS2 '05 vette's blown up 2nd gear under warranty after he powershifted it with street slicks, go figure!

Thanks for all of the reassurance I need. To all that have trifecta tunes, god bless and enjoy your faster-than-mine cobalts, I just have a bunch of mod-unfriendly dealerships around me on Long Island...

 

oh and yes pics will go up soon, my girl took a bunch of nice shots with her camera at dusk in port jeff station will upload shortly

 

u want turbo spool, then u need the k&n intake, spool is very loud and so is blow off

 

Trifecta= stupid fast? Hahahahahanahna please

 

lol such obvious trolling. Go away.

 

Not sure I agree with a lot of that.

If you have a good local tuner with hp I'd do that. But that's more personal opinion.

Your charge pipes will be fine. A few people cracked them. Most just change them for looks.

Same goes for the intercooler. Most people broke them by hitting something not from a tune.

Learn to drive and the clutch will last too unless you really increase your power.

 

I popped a factory intercooler on the stock tune one cold morning. No previous damage whatsoever.

I would consider getting an aftermarket intercooler for that reason alone. However I know some have weld issues on the side tanks.

 

Synapse IC's had that issue.

 

If your going to get GMS1, make sure you get the new update plug and play connectors from Crate Engine Depot as most dealerships **** up GMS1 installs by not doing the wiring correctly.

 

Me troll? Lol.. Really? I didn't know I could do that. I heard it takes skill! But honestly hptuners over trifecta anyday

 

I want to keep my warranty intact. I had my old balt modded and this one doesnt need what the sc did. The sc needed mounts, it hopped from day one, the tc doesnt. The sc needed stage 2 cuz its a 14.6 car stock, hell rsx type s used to keep up (almost)

This tc is great; faster, smoother, etc. Id paint my parts before i replace them. Charge pipes break? Chevy will fix it for me. And yes i saw the crate engine depot kit with the plug and play adapters, very nice.

I'll get the stage 1 for extra power n the warranty coverage. Not looking to get my ***** busted. Unless any1 knows of a place to get used blank ECUs cheap. I dont have $$ to buy extra stuff i dont need, so stage 1 and done.

Stage 1 dyno #s are about 280 whp and 290 torque yes? What's the best #s for trifecta or hpt tune on a STOCK tc? If I'd only pick up a few more HP then its not worth it to me, I'd be over powering the clutch and then im back where I started with the sc lol.

Thanks for all the replies. Btw... Which intake seems to be the best at NOT throwing codes, heard k&n Sri throws codes for some

 

Yup, I completely agree with your line of thought. Keep your warranty and get GMS1 then be done with it. It's going to be much faster than your SS/SC with none of the problems. Win, win.

And definitely go for the K&N intake. It's pretty much unanimously agreed upon to be the best intake for the LNF.

The only thing is you have to rotate the filter slightly to get the best fuel trims and to prevent throwing a code. It's super easy and here's a pic for reference