Ok guys so Im starting to make plans for what Im going to be doing for mods this spring, and I just want to get some input from people with turbo experience seeing I dont have any haha.

First Im planning on doing a CAI and exhaust, I already understand the benefits with these because it doesnt differ any from a N/A car. Where my lack of forced induction knowledge gets me lost is here... Im looking into doing Dejon's IC piping and a BOV (no sure which yet). My question is, does it makes sense to do IC piping without an aftermarket IC? I know it will improve flow from the stock piping but will it really make that much of a difference without a bigger IC? Finally, because of GMs lovely "learn" feature Ill be doing a tune as well, most likely Trifecta's.

Hows this sound? Anything Im missing that would go good with this plan? Im trying not to go to crazy with this because its my DD and my main focus is still dumping money into the Vette haha. Im trying to stick with relatively small mods, ie. no IC. So hows it sound?

 

The charge piping provides minimal performance gains until you start upgrading to a bigger turbo, but the main benefit is that the stock plastic piping is prone to break. Thus, aftermarket is more reliable and will last longer if you do a lot of spirited driving.

When you say exhaust, do you mean cat back? The downpipe is probably the biggest bottleneck. The DP is the exhaust pipe that goes from the turbo to the catback flange. It also has the cat or cats. The catback swap will net you the most sound or noise depending on your point of view.

 

I dont know about the exhaust yet because I really dont want too much noise because Im not a huge fan of loud 4 cylinders, although the SS TCs dont sound too bad. I know about the down pipe, Im actually a mechanic and just put a Cobb on an STI the other day. If anything I might do just a downpipe and nothing from the catback, or maybe a muffler thats not too loud, but I dont know yet.

As for the IC piping, the only reason I was planning on getting it was to go with the BOV. I know theres not any real need for a BOV, but whatever haha. So do you think it makes sense to get the piping? You cant put in a BOV with stock piping can you? Im a mechanic at a local shop but like I said I really have no experience when it comes to performance upgrades for turbos, I just know the basics of how the system works.

 

I would do the tune first. I love it!

 

best money spent for best gains is
tune + DP and no mufflers

 

I'd do intake and exhaust with a tune and you will be over 300WHP easy. For your needs this would be your best bet IMO.

 

Yeah, if you really have your heart set on a BOV, then get the charge piping to match.

 

why not wait for the gm tune? the learn down feature becomes a learn up feature so it wont effect u anymore and u get to keep ur warrenty which is a plus.

 

because if they act like GM it will be PIG rich and limiting your potential

 

Alright cause thats my main question. I would like a BOV, but my heart isnt set on it yet, I still have to decide if I think Ill get sick of it. So you think I should get the piping if Im going to do a BOV? Is it even possible to put a BOV on stock piping?

When you say NO muffler do you mean no aftermarket muffler, or a muffler delete?

Im not sure where I want to go with the exhaust yet because this car is my DD and my Vette is already loud as hell, Im trying to keep this car somewhat civilized. Plus, I have liked all the sound clips Ive heard of people with exhausts on their TCs, but Im still not sure how I like 4cyls with aggressive exhausts.

 

if i were you i would look in to vulcanturbo.com for charge pipes, there the cheapest on the market and there a quality product, i would go to hahn racecraft for an intake, and i would do a catless 3inch down pipe, but first you so get a tune i would make that the first thing you do, you wont need a bov upgrade if you do the intake it is a great deal louder when you get and intake, my set-up stock turbo- hardened custom charge pipes, custom 3inch intake, and bigger intercooler 28x8x3.5 , 3inch custom catless downpipe, and a custom tune, i had it at a dynoed far over 300whp

 

yea i've been thinking of putting all hahn's stuff on the car when i get it, minus using that ppc tuner. pshh.. lol.. does hahn have that maxflow downpipe out yet? and i say screw the warrenty. lol. boo.

does hahn have a bov for the cobalt yet? hmm. that'd be cool. i'll get one when do a turbo swap for sure but that will be a few years more than likely. i wonder how loud it is. can anyone put a video up or record it if they have one. i jus wanna hear how loud it is and if id get annoyed by it

 

just do a search on you tube for cobalt ss turbocharged theres a ton of videos, well with my set up im still have the stock exhaust after the downpipe and it sounds really nice it wouldnt annoy anyone least i wouldnt think, with the intake and how loud the stock bov is now that might.lol if your going to get tuned make sure its with hptuners that ppc tuner is garbage in my opinion.

 

The stock BPV is really that loud with just an intake? Any chance of getting a video so we can hear it? Maybe instead of doing a BOV Ill just do Dejon's spring upgrade.

 

In all honesty, if you want to sound civilized, dont get the BOV. Get a new downpipe, a tune, and a CAI. Those 3 WILL net you the most. GM's stock exhaust is actually very nice considering its stock, and like batboy said the bottle neck is the downpipe. Also, dont forget, if you get it catless, remember about inspection, here we have to have a cat, ecspecially with the new rule they are enforcing here regarding inspections.

 

Yah Ive actually noticed since the day Ive had the car the stock exhaust was tuned suprisingly well and has a subtle by nice sound and gets pretty loud when you get on it. Yah we have tight emissions in MA but Im a mechanic and should be able to get a sticker either way, I still think Id go catted though.

Anybody have a good video of an SS/TC with an intake so we can hear the stock BPV??

 

Since nobody answered your question about whether you can install a BOV on the stock charge piping, I'll give it a shot. It's probably possible with some fabrication and modding, but why bother when the stock charge pipes are crap to begin with?

 

To be honest with the addition of an intake, the stock Bypass valve becomes way louder. If you want the blow off louder without upgrading to a BOV just get an intake.

 

Yah thats what Ive been hearing. Anybody have a video so we can hear it?