Hello all,
I just purchased a 2008 Cobalt SS several weeks ago, which is only the second car I've ever owned and the first high performance car.

I really want to do some mods, but I'm a newb and don't really know what I'm doing. First, I'd like to do some mods that wouldn't require a tune. In my initial research I'm interested in a K&N Typhoon short ram intake. Also, I noticed that GM has a turbocharger upgrade that gets you around 30 hp or so, and if that doesn't need a retune I'd be interested.

Let me know what your suggestions are, and also if you have any experience with the two mods listed above and if they require retunes.

Also, I keep hearing people referring to a ' GM package 1'. I looked it up to see how much it was but I couldn't find anything. Is this the same thing as the GM turbocharger upgrade I mentioned earlier.

Thanks for the help!

 

Here's your "stage upgrade" that GM sells for the SS/TC
Cobalt, Solstice, HHR Stage Kit 19212670HK - Crate Engine Depot
It only needs to be retuned by a dealership.

I also have a Hahn CAI and i love it. I did not have a tune for it either

 

im running the gm stage 1 kit and love it! more power...more boost... and all still covered by your warranty...i got it off ebay for 400 bucks then went to the dealership and got the re-flash for another 100. Well worth the money! you wont break stuff and throw codes like these other idiots....oh and did i mention YOU KEEP YOUR WARRANTY! you simply swap out your two map sensors, one on top of intake and one by the bottom of radiator on your intercooler pipe, then put on your new emissions stickers that come with it, then drive it to your dealer for a reflash with your proof of purchase code.....dont forget that or they cant access the tune....dont worry about driving it without the tune, it wont do anything and wont throw codes, it doesnt even know there is different map sensors installed until the new tune goes on

 

I have the Trifecta Tune and i still have my warranty lol

Triefecta tune and Clear Image Automotive boost tubing and intake will do you justice!

 

dont buy an intake if you dnt want to tune. just got a drop in filter and thats it... charge pipes, downpipe, exhaust is about all you wanna do without tuning but its recommended. the cars are finicy

 

The "GM Turbo Upgrade" also known as GM stage 1 IS A TUNE. it's 2 sensors and a retune. It's just a canned tune though, it doesn't factor in any mods. I will agree with whyyoumadson? and say don't get an intake if you don't plan on getting a tune.

 

I'm afraid I don't know all that much about tunes never having dealt with one before. I thought the concept was to put the car on a dyno and tweak things such as AFR, spart timing, etc. to get the max power from the engine. Are you saying that you just install this thing and it's tuned and good to go, or do you have to take it to the dealer to get it tuned after installing the stage kit?

Thanks for all the help!

 

BWAHAHAHAA!!! Would you like me to pull up the 100 or so threads about issues with GMS1 sensor installs?

 

You don't have to go to a dyno to tune. Many tuners can tune your car driving around on the street. You do make adjustments to all that stuff like you said. With the GM stage 1, you can either go to a dealer to get the sensors installed, or do it yourself, but a dealer will have to flash the tune on to your ecu. It should take them an hour or so to flash the tune on. They don't do any custom work they just upload the file that GM sends them.

 

That sounds simple enough, I think this will be the first mod for my Cobalt! Only problem is I have a check engine light right now ugh

 

well welcome to the club!... I was there not soo long ago.. asked alot of the questions that many of the people who have been on this site for awhile have probably seen 20-100times as new people picked up these cars... so don't feel like people are pouncin on ya since you're new.. all of these guys were new once too...

that said the GMS1 is a nice upgrade for keeping the car in GM's happy land... keep's the warranty in check.. boost your HP / TQ output to respectable levels... think about it this way... 10-12 years ago, Camaro's / Tran's AM were making just a bit more horse power than you do at stock and there was even less of a difference with the GMS1 tune add-on...

but like turbo's usually are, they are finicky... they require a balance of air, fuel all while under boost... and have a ECU computer that's as powerful as most any other car I've seen... there are alot of smart people here to help guide you through some of the issues you will ultimately run into as you're doing your mods... and there are some turds too soo be mindful of that....so, if you get the GMS1.. and you go to the dealer, hopefully they have actually done a upgrade because many havent.. ( I was the first at my dealer when I did mine ) so, my suggestion is .. if they install it for you.. make sure they sodder the wiring connections.. I would not use the stock connectors as they have had issues ... its going to cost in the 400buck range.. which is why you might get some flack from others who will say that for that money you can do a better more powerful tune... but its really up to what you want to do with the car... you can GMS1 tune it.. then trifecta or HP tune your car after and it will keep the GMS1 tune in its logs and if you ever need to go back into the shop.. you can revert it back to the older tune... or, you dont have to.. stick with the GMS1.. intercooler.. exhaust.. and have a nice day..

these cars remind me of getting into motorcycle racing.. at first... you're a bit timid.. you dont think you'll ever need or want the extra horse power.. then you get on it.. ride around for a few months and you want the upgrade... its called an "addiction" and I think it happens to just about everyone here lol..

dont forget to search the forums.. there are alot.. you'll get the hang of it...

you can find out your current issues with the CEL by hitting up a good auto parts store.. or hit the dealership to see what the code is... could be as simple as the gascap not being on tight enough.. to some other issue like the DCFO which I just learned about ... which is essentially how the mixture runs lean during engine breaking... but that shouldnt be an issue in your current stock form I dont think...

but anyway.. have fun with it...

 

Thanks for the message MajorCB! I appreciate the help.

Just to make sure I don't do something really dumb, how can I check to make sure my car doesn't already have the GMS1?

 

you'll want to look for a couple things... if it was done properly by a dealer, the kit comes with stickers that will be under the hood... first give away... if not, then the connectors to the upgraded sensors will have white wiring and the sensors themselves will also be the key... if you don't know what this looks like, there are a couple of threads you can search... one is at the top of main LNF page under all you want to know about tunes... there will be some pictures of the tune package... you can also just google the GMS1 sensors under the hood and look at the images that pop up.. you'll figure it out fast if you have it on there or not... or, if you're really not sure... the dealer, since you may be taking a trip down there anyway to diagnose your current CEL... will be able to tell you if your ECU has been flashed with the tune or not...