I saved some loot and I'm a modding nOOb
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Joined: 06-06-10
Posts: 246
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From: Kitsap, Wa
I saved some loot and I'm a modding nOOb
I am going to keep this as succinct as possible. I grew up fixing cars with the old man so I know my way around mechanicals quite well from a repair stand point. I can rebuild a manual transmission no sweat. I've only ever overhauled three different engines and two are still running quite nicely with 250k miles between two post resurrection and if I never dismantled a Beetle engine again it would be too soon 
. I have a nice tool box and can make use of it to get my stuff turn key again.
What I have never done is fiddled with the factory recipe.
I have this 2010 Turbalt and am very interested in making some mods if I can maintain or improve reliability and specifically :
Smooth out cold idle until in the 90-130 degree coolant range
Improve fine throttle response while cold.
Sweeten up but not increase the overall sound level of the exhaust note (I like it but I am sure it can be done)
Improve 60 to infinity acceleration (not really needed but hey since we're here)
Not that I am unhappy about any aspect of performance but anything that would noticeable add svelte to the operation of the engine throughout the performance range.
Beyond my light laundry list which could go untouched and I'll keep driving this thing until someone wrecks me out with a grin I have some questions I am embarrassed to ask but I'd like someone with Cobalt specific knowledge to answer (hopefully in reference to the SS/TC application):
Why would i want to change my fuel rail?
Is a cold air intake really worth bothering with and what is it really going to net me?
*deleted line*
If I ever want to do some burnouts, what modifications should be made to facilitate this and how will this affect reliability of suspension and steering components. How will this affect the driving dynamic?
Honestly, this car in my book is the ultimate commuter. This thing is so fun from a handling standpoint and otherwise so civil when I am not getting on her (I have a friend with and 07 STI and another with an evo VIII and both can't believe how quiet the turbalt is in all modes) and both are generally annoyed that racing around and getting up to speed that generally speaking, it depends on how each driver is doing that day that determines victory.
I love this car and after that the dealer took care of the three issues that cropped up within a month of delivery (leaky headlight, improperly hung door @ factory, and rattly rear deck) I can say its been a great ride and if I can improve it, I want to put the money down.
Thanks for the consideration and responses and lastly, what is the official forum word on the GM stage one software flash and MAF kit?
. I have a nice tool box and can make use of it to get my stuff turn key again.What I have never done is fiddled with the factory recipe.
I have this 2010 Turbalt and am very interested in making some mods if I can maintain or improve reliability and specifically :
Smooth out cold idle until in the 90-130 degree coolant range
Improve fine throttle response while cold.
Sweeten up but not increase the overall sound level of the exhaust note (I like it but I am sure it can be done)
Improve 60 to infinity acceleration (not really needed but hey since we're here)
Not that I am unhappy about any aspect of performance but anything that would noticeable add svelte to the operation of the engine throughout the performance range.
Beyond my light laundry list which could go untouched and I'll keep driving this thing until someone wrecks me out with a grin I have some questions I am embarrassed to ask but I'd like someone with Cobalt specific knowledge to answer (hopefully in reference to the SS/TC application):
Why would i want to change my fuel rail?
Is a cold air intake really worth bothering with and what is it really going to net me?
*deleted line*
If I ever want to do some burnouts, what modifications should be made to facilitate this and how will this affect reliability of suspension and steering components. How will this affect the driving dynamic?
Honestly, this car in my book is the ultimate commuter. This thing is so fun from a handling standpoint and otherwise so civil when I am not getting on her (I have a friend with and 07 STI and another with an evo VIII and both can't believe how quiet the turbalt is in all modes) and both are generally annoyed that racing around and getting up to speed that generally speaking, it depends on how each driver is doing that day that determines victory.
I love this car and after that the dealer took care of the three issues that cropped up within a month of delivery (leaky headlight, improperly hung door @ factory, and rattly rear deck) I can say its been a great ride and if I can improve it, I want to put the money down.
Thanks for the consideration and responses and lastly, what is the official forum word on the GM stage one software flash and MAF kit?
Last edited by rchiwawa; Oct 26, 2010 at 07:02 AM. Reason: I read a sticky!
Senior Member
Joined: 06-22-09
Posts: 5,989
Likes: 7
From: Kathmandu
I am going to keep this as succinct as possible. I grew up fixing cars with the old man so I know my way around mechanicals quite well from a repair stand point. I can rebuild a manual transmission no sweat. I've only ever overhauled three different engines and two are still running quite nicely with 250k miles between two post resurrection and if I never dismantled a Beetle engine again it would be too soon . I have a nice tool box and can make use of it to get my stuff turn key again.
What I have never done is fiddled with the factory recipe.
I have this 2010 Turbalt and am very interested in making some mods if I can maintain or improve reliability and specifically :
Smooth out cold idle until in the 90-130 degree coolant range
Terminator tune
Improve fine throttle response while cold.
Terminator tune
Sweeten up but not increase the overall sound level of the exhaust note (I like it but I am sure it can be done)
ZZP catted downpipe.
Improve 60 to infinity acceleration (not really needed but hey since we're here)
Terminator tune, or for more racial improvements:
ZZP turbo upgrade package and clutch upgrade.
Not that I am unhappy about any aspect of performance but anything that would noticeable add svelte to the operation of the engine throughout the performance range.
Beyond my light laundry list which could go untouched and I'll keep driving this thing until someone wrecks me out with a grin I have some questions I am embarrassed to ask but I'd like someone with Cobalt specific knowledge to answer (hopefully in reference to the SS/TC application):
[I]
Why would i want to change my fuel rail?
E85, but you don't need that.
Is a cold air intake really worth bothering with and what is it really going to net me?
Apparently, the intake does some good with a tune. K&N and AEM revised intake are the most popular.
If I ever want to do some burnouts, what modifications should be made to facilitate this and how will this affect reliability of suspension and steering components. How will this affect the driving dynamic?
OTTP mounts, upgraded clutch, new set of tires
Honestly, this car in my book is the ultimate commuter. This thing is so fun from a handling standpoint and otherwise so civil when I am not getting on her (I have a friend with and 07 STI and another with an evo VIII and both can't believe how quiet the turbalt is in all modes) and both are generally annoyed that racing around and getting up to speed that generally speaking, it depends on how each driver is doing that day that determines victory.
I love this car and after that the dealer took care of the three issues that cropped up within a month of delivery (leaky headlight, improperly hung door @ factory, and rattly rear deck) I can say its been a great ride and if I can improve it, I want to put the money down.
Thanks for the consideration and responses and lastly, what is the official forum word on the GM stage one software flash and MAF kit?
MAP sensors, not MAF. If you get it installed, get it done by a GM dealer that is KNOWN for doing good work on it.
. I have a nice tool box and can make use of it to get my stuff turn key again.What I have never done is fiddled with the factory recipe.
I have this 2010 Turbalt and am very interested in making some mods if I can maintain or improve reliability and specifically :
Smooth out cold idle until in the 90-130 degree coolant range
Terminator tune
Improve fine throttle response while cold.
Terminator tune
Sweeten up but not increase the overall sound level of the exhaust note (I like it but I am sure it can be done)
ZZP catted downpipe.
Improve 60 to infinity acceleration (not really needed but hey since we're here)
Terminator tune, or for more racial improvements:
ZZP turbo upgrade package and clutch upgrade.
Not that I am unhappy about any aspect of performance but anything that would noticeable add svelte to the operation of the engine throughout the performance range.
Beyond my light laundry list which could go untouched and I'll keep driving this thing until someone wrecks me out with a grin I have some questions I am embarrassed to ask but I'd like someone with Cobalt specific knowledge to answer (hopefully in reference to the SS/TC application):
[I]
Why would i want to change my fuel rail?
E85, but you don't need that.
Is a cold air intake really worth bothering with and what is it really going to net me?
Apparently, the intake does some good with a tune. K&N and AEM revised intake are the most popular.
If I ever want to do some burnouts, what modifications should be made to facilitate this and how will this affect reliability of suspension and steering components. How will this affect the driving dynamic?
OTTP mounts, upgraded clutch, new set of tires
Honestly, this car in my book is the ultimate commuter. This thing is so fun from a handling standpoint and otherwise so civil when I am not getting on her (I have a friend with and 07 STI and another with an evo VIII and both can't believe how quiet the turbalt is in all modes) and both are generally annoyed that racing around and getting up to speed that generally speaking, it depends on how each driver is doing that day that determines victory.
I love this car and after that the dealer took care of the three issues that cropped up within a month of delivery (leaky headlight, improperly hung door @ factory, and rattly rear deck) I can say its been a great ride and if I can improve it, I want to put the money down.
Thanks for the consideration and responses and lastly, what is the official forum word on the GM stage one software flash and MAF kit?
MAP sensors, not MAF. If you get it installed, get it done by a GM dealer that is KNOWN for doing good work on it.
Actually, HPTuners over a Trifecta tunable base file gets rid of the cat warmup the airplane mode.
Term is very good at HP Tuner tunes as is Backyard Turbo, aka BYT or Nick.
Term has some cam tables that smooth out the midrange quite well.
If you have HPTuners, many can tune via email and log/tweak it in, including myself.
BTW, My 4.4 sec 60-100 car is my daily commuter. Mods in profile.
You can get the GMPP sensors and load the base tune with HPT, there are some floating around. No warranty though. I'm so modded I wouldn't ever try to warranty anything.
Term is very good at HP Tuner tunes as is Backyard Turbo, aka BYT or Nick.
Term has some cam tables that smooth out the midrange quite well.
If you have HPTuners, many can tune via email and log/tweak it in, including myself.
BTW, My 4.4 sec 60-100 car is my daily commuter.
Mods in profile.You can get the GMPP sensors and load the base tune with HPT, there are some floating around. No warranty though. I'm so modded I wouldn't ever try to warranty anything.
Last edited by Iam Broke; Oct 26, 2010 at 08:59 AM.
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Joined: 09-27-08
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: delray beach, florida
pick up charge piping(with maf relocation if you like a loud bov), an intercooler, an intake, downpipe,a tune and if you like a louder car add a catback if you don't i'd probably do a new rear sway bar. I'd recomend that setup with whatever brand you feel most comfortable with
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