Hello everyone.

First I'd like to make it clear that my thread here is based completely on research and reading that I have done on the forums here. My auto knowledge is lacking and I am here to look for suggestions/improvements to my proposals.

I've got an 08 SS/TC with ~58k on the odometer. The only aftermarket upgrades to my knowledge include cold air intake, stainless steel charge pipes and a recirculating blowoff valve setup. I have had a tech tell me that the clutch isn't a stock clutch...but I don't know what a stock clutch feels like so I have no clue...

Now onto the juicy parts! If possible I would like to list the parts that I am interested in purchasing/installing and I was wondering if I could get some more professional advise from the great and knowledgeable cobalt SS owners on these forums. These are the upgrade I want to do this year and I have some questions on them too.

All of the parts I want to use are from ZZP.

• Opel HP direct injection fuel injectors
  
• LNF performance cams - I am unsure weather I should get stage 1 or stage 2. I am also curious if I should be upgrading the valve springs if I decide to go down this route
  
• LNF stainless downpipe
  
• 3 inch stainless steel cobalt LNF catback exhaust - I also have a few questions here. I have some decisions to make with the resonator and/or muffler delete options. I am aware that both options will make my car louder. While I would like my SS to sound a little meaner, I do not want it to sound extremely loud. I'm looking for a nice balance between *mean* and *not loud enough to get pulled over for it*.

I also have some other bigger ticket items that I am curious about.

• F40 6 speed transmission conversion. I'm curious about if I should look into getting this done. I have read about the 4.45 gears for the f35. Both options seem to be an upgrade over the stock trans but they come in at different price points. Money isn't really a problem since I have a decent job and I am single and I don't have kids. Would this be a good investment if I am going to be looking at acquiring bigger power/torque?
  
• Another item that I was looking at is 3 bar map sensors. I am still using the stock map sensors.
  
• I will probably most likely upgrade to the ZFR turbo.

So what I'm looking for is any possible tips or suggestions for my current build thoughts and in what order I should do them in. Although I said money isn't really an issue, I am not exactly filthy rich. I would probably have to do these upgrades in stages if at all possible.

I will also be contacting ZZP to schedule dyno-tuning after each stage of installations.

Thank you for your time reading my post and I look forward to learning about improvements to my build project.

 

I don't think it's worth it to spend the money for the cams if you stay with the stock turbo (same thing as far as the Opel HP injectors), but if you upgrade to the ZFR, then I think yes. But I'm sure guys with more experience will be able to give you the right advice about that

 

Do all the bolt ons first. Downpipe, intake, exhaust, pipes, 3bar sensors, and a tune before moving on to more. Cam and the injectors are about worthless unless running out of fuel. Trans wise is a different ball park. 6speed costs a good bit more than the f35 4.45 trans but they aren't an everyday find. Without a doubt the zfr is damn good turbo and makes a good bit of power for what it is.

 

Don't forget to get new intercooler. Zfr will possibly blow ur plastic end tanks on the stock one, if not that , if u hit a bump. For Safty sake I'd also get upgraded rad, also plastic end tanks that have broke on a few of us. Injectors and cams buy with ur Zfr. But if ur gonna be pushing enough power with Zfr to need them, then ill probably want Pistons and rods as well

 

Oh hey tomj77, I forgot that I also have an aftermarket front mounted intercooler. Sorry! I appreciate the thought though its definitely important. The previous owner actually installed the stainless charge pipes and front mounted intercooler because the plastic pipes blew up on him! He showed me the original piping when he sold it to me and it blew up right where it went into the intercooler.

 

What are the benefits of the 6 speed? Does it provide a performance increase at all?

 

Get the injectors and go e85.

 

Better gas mileage, built stonger, can take more abuse

 

Honestly I would go with what Wert told you. Full bolt-ons, ZFR, clutch and a good tune. You should be in the 400 range and I don't think cams and valve springs are necessary for that kind of power. Then the trans would be up to you which one you prefer. Your car will be a monster with that setup. Make sure you get some good grippy tires if you will get the ZFR

 

Wert, do you think he should also get the engine and tranny mounts?

 

I would recommend getting all the bolt ons done, especially the downpipe and a good tune, and try e47 before dreaming big. You may find out that it's fast enough, and that traction is at the limit the way it is. 400 hp sounds really good, but there are also issues along with it, namely traction problems.
You will also need to do some non motor upgrades like trans mounts and better rear control arm bushings, unless you want really bad wheel hop, even if you just go e47. Wheel hop kills your transmission, as does getting on it under 3,000rpm. I would highly recommend Powell for these parts, as I think they are the best. (I've had the ZZP ones).
Personally I think the car is more usable 0-100 without the zfr/6 speed. But if you are only looking at 60-120 then the zfr is better. No traction till 60mph sucks if you are dig racing.
My 2 cents.

 

So what type of power can I expect without the zfr and full bolt ons, tune and e47?


Also dies the zfr still have a problem with traction if 1st gear is reduced by the zzp tune?

 

As always depends on the dyno used but you could be 335-345 to the wheels, depending on who tunes you.
The zfr will have traction problems with 1st gear reduced to 15psi. A stock turbo with full boltons on e47 will also, that's why I'm suggesting you go that route first. Zfr will also have problems In 2nd. Stock will also, somewhat, if over 20psi. One of the first things I did was get the gm stage 2 factory tune that only bumps you up to 22psi in 2nd-5th, and gives you like 25 more hp. Just that much totally changed traction in 2nd gear. Boltons and 25psi tune bumped another 30, and changed things even more. Ask the guys with zfr's what it's like to live with them. Above 70mph they are great, below that you have to have really good tires and suspension setup to fully utilize them.

 

Hey 63 Nova,

I really appreciate all of your constructed posts. I definitely want to do this right and the things you post make a lot of sense. Is this where AWD cars come ahead? I definitely have experienced a bit of wheel spin from the line, but I thought that was just due to my low skill with the power haha. I just got the car last May... I have definitely gotten a LOT better driving it though. From what I have experienced.... 1st gear off the line can be kind of slow sometimes due to excessive wheel spin, but once you're in 2nd gear...power for days.

 

With a tune 2nd gear is spin for days unless you have your boost limited. Even in 3rd when passing cars my esc activates as I pull out and step on it and I'm just on a budget stock tune.

 

Like I say, bet all your boltons done, and a good tune, that will give you all the benefits from the boltons, then decide if you need the bigger turbo. It always sounds good to have the high horsepower, but fwd cars with limited tire size can be a handful. It's a juggling act in trying to put the power down, without breaking the tires loose. If we could fit a 275-45-18 on our cars the only thing we would have to worry about was the trans. No doubt these cars being tuned, fully bolted could run mid 12's if traction wasn't an issue.

 

I didn't see you specify catted or catless downpipe, but catless will make your exhaust quite a but louder, even with the rest being stock. I ran a catless dp with 3" catback, a resonator, and no muffler. It was stupid loud, and I like loud exhaust. I recommend getting a 3" muffler as well.

 

I planned on running a catted downpipe because I live in NW suburbs of chicago and they do emissions testing.

 

See my post for the video of my car doing some pulls on the ZFR, E47, 4.05 tranny, etc, etc. You'll see how 2nd gear reacts until the tires are kinda heated up on the 3rd pull.

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/2-0l...4/#post7494149