Well I have a 2009 cobalt ss and want to basically keep it to bolt ons and i was wondering what are the best bang for the buck mods (besides tune). Was thinking of running a hahn catback or even get some charge pipes but was wondering what mods are actually worth the price as far as quality/performance. Car currently is all stock other than a k&n short ram and ZZP catted dp.

 

all depends how you drive and what your looking for. Some would say get coilovers and slam that thing to the ground. others would say shoot for horsepower with headers and such. some would probably recommend suspension mods such as a rear sway bar. depends how you drive and how you are going to use the car.

 

I too have a K&N SRI. I also have a ZZP downpipe, but catless. I recommend upgrading to GM Stage 1 until you decided to get an all out custom tune. I love this car on GMS1. I also bought a ZZP intercooler package for mine, but it hasn't shipped yet.

I'm very particular when it comes to exhaust. I played around with different exhausts a lot when I had my SS/SC and I definitely won't be going back to any loud exhaust what so ever. From what I've read, a bigger catback exhaust is also a great add-on to these cars.

Aside from what I already have, I MIGHT get a 2.5" catback later on down the road. I eventually plan on getting a custom HP Tuners tune, and doing some suspension/handling upgrades and calling it done.

 

wont ever see a track most likely just get me around town because I dont wanna drive my trucks everyday. So something thats not going to murder the fuel mileage while still making it fun to drive

 

ya from what i have read catback is a good idea and hahn being 3 inch is the biggest that I know of. Injen boasts 18hp gain off upper charge pipe but i just dont see how thats possible, maybe someone can proove that right or wrong?

 

ya but is the stage1 worth $500? You can get more out of a tune for half the price can't you?

 

badmab DP best $135 you'll spend, it'll improve spool time as well as HP and TQ

 

GMS1 is only good if your trying to keep your warranty, if not, then go HPtuners or trifecta, if you plan on doing custom tune get intercooler and charge pipes since you already got an intake, youll be pushing 300+ HP with a good tune

 

I meant to add, at least get the GMS1 sensors before tuning. That's just what I've read. I bought my car from a member on here with GMS1 already installed, so I have no experience driving it stock or tuned. I have read that it's beneficial to have the GMS1 sensors at least when getting a tune.

 

That depends on elevation.

Catless downpipe + tune and the car is a beast. Intake for turbo spool noise.

 

I hate to be the d!ck to say it, but have you tried searching? There's several threads just like this one and many people will just ignore this one.

Now, that said, the best bang for your buck would be catless DP, SRI, and a custom tune. If you're trying to keep your warranty, then GMS1 MIGHT be worth it, you can still have the SRI and DP, but the gains won't be the same as if you actually have it tuned for the mods. Catback adds minimal HP/TQ, mostly for the sound. Same goes for the charge piping.
I would NOT recommend "upgrading" to GMS1 especially while you're undecided which route you want to go, that's usually around $600-$700 installed. That right there is a price of a catless DP, SRI, AND the custom tune.. I'd SAVE YOUR MONEY until you figure out whether you're going custom or just want to keep it stock/GMS1 until the warranty runs out.

As far as 2.5" catback, if you have an LNF (08-10 Cobalt SS/HHR SS) you ALREADY HAVE 2.5" catback, so replacing that piping with exactly same size would serve no purpose whatsoever. If you're doing it for the sound - just replace your stock muffler with a high flow muffler of your choice that sounds the way you want it to. If you're planning a custom build with 350-400 WHP/TQ, then 3" would make sense, other than that, you'll be dumping $400-500 on a catback to maybe gain 10 HP... not really worth it IMO. Again, this is covered in quite a few threads out there.
again, where did you read that? catback gives you minimal gains. our stock catback is already pretty free-flowing. as far as intercooler/piping upgrade, yes, your timing could be adjusted since you're getting more air, but the gains would be minimal if you look at the "best bang for your buck" as you're asking in your initial post.

the best bang for your buck mods are like this: Custom tune > Catless DP > SRI > everything else. Then again, search is your best friend if you want to avoid disappointment/getting flamed all the time for not searching.

And welcome to the site!

 

Ah. I learn something every day on here. Thanks.

I'm at sea level here in south Mississippi so I guess either way it doesn't matter. I'm so cautious about getting a catback though. I love how quiet my catless dp/stock catback is under normal driving conditions. No drone or rasp under any circumstance. It wakes up a little under WOT. If I got an aftermarket catback it would need to sound as close to the stock setup as possible.

On my old LSJ that wasn't possible at all.

 

Intake is also for shorter route for the air to get to the engine/intercooler rather than trying to suck air through all the restrictive factory piping... EDIT, but yes, it's mostly for noise, just like the catback... At least intake is a lot cheaper...

 

Yeah the LSJ exhaust all sounds like ricer exhaust, sorry to say. the GMPP one is nice.
I think the best sounding exhaust for SS/TC is stock, but if i had to buy one I'd either go TurboXs FL or GT.

 

Oh boy. If i could do it all over, this would be my order
1. K&n intake
2. Badmab downpipe
3. 3" mpx exhaust (stock exhaust is already 2.5")
4. Dejon intercooler piping
5. Zzp intercooler
6. Tune
7. 245/35/18 tires
8. B/c or D2 coilovers

goodluck

 

ya i did some searching and got a whole lot of rambling for the most part, so sounds like tune is the best bang for the buck everything else is just minor improvements to performance, thanks for the help.

 

Agreed

 

Easy killer! I'm just speaking from the little experience I have. I'm pretty new to the LNF too, so forgive my LSJ thinking ways. Sound is DEFINITELY a big issue with me, but I also want to get something for my money. I'm not going to shuck out hundreds just to achieve the same sound as stock. I've already got my eye on the TurboXS GT cat-back, and also the ZZP chambered cat-back. I'm looking at full bolt ons and calling it quits until the car is paid off and I'm driving something different everyday. 400 whp is by no means my goal. A quick, grocery-getting, unsuspecting "sleeper" is my goal, and quiet exhaust is part of that. Hope my perspective helps someone

 

You have a 3" dp and 2.5" catback stock. Catless 3" dp plus 3" catback usually adds 15-17 whp or so when used with a tune.

 

Yes a good custom tune is by far the best mod for the LNF. Up to 65 whp and 120 wtrq over stock.

 

Thank you sir, good to know! I will definitely make sure mine is 3" then before I get you to tune my car!

 

You are welcome sir.

 

rotated tranny mounts

 

The learn down on the stock tune will kil your bolt on's. A tune is a must.

 

After 4 years, I STILL only have a ZZP catted DP, ZZP IC, and an E47 tune. It's all you really need for everyday use.