so i was on the cobalt addiction website looking around and came across all the different stages they have put together. Which is kinda nice to look and see what you could expect if upgraded. I know gm has a stage 1 and 2, which i haven't heard any complaints about. just wondering what you all thought about the CA upgrades. For the price, i don't think its not too bad. is it worth goin some where else for the upgrade? what do ya think are the pros and cons? tell me what ya think!

 

It kind of depends on how small of a pulley you are willing to go with.

 

true...i've read that too small of a pulley isn't really good for the engine though

 

check out my vids on www.youtube.com search black06g85 track passes and dyno runs for some of the c/a modded cars

 

I have a stage 5 minus the heat exchanger. With a base tune I put down 262. afr was very safe as was the timing. Had a custom dyno tune done and made 280.

 

You should stick with the GM stage kits instead of going aftermarket, beacause of the warranty. and installing the kit requires having a GM tech upgrade the ECM. If you have it done anywhere else you might void the warranty.

 

Paul, what what your best ET? I'm assuming this was when it was making 296 whp.

 

true true about the warranty....but who needs a warranty anyway? hahaha jk. i suppose it would be a pain in the ass if needed to have the ecm changed again for some reason...would have to send it back and wait again.

it 296 hp safe for this kinda engine? pistons and all.....read some bad stories about the engine not holding up to the power....

 

13.36@105.50 and nope that was at @280ish whp since I changed exhausts and didn't have the 3" side exit on the car, also was tuned down a little bit for that day too. Also didn't have the heat exchanger in the car for the last few track outings so I was combating heat soak, even with the meth too.

my car has been fine for 24,500 miles now (19,000 modded like this) no issues cept a broken set of stock axles, still on the stock clutch too. IT's all in the tune and how you drive your car. I'm gonna see how much more the motor can take, doing the turbo swap starting this wednesday, should be up and running Friday night and aiming for @350 whp on stock internals.

and warranty is BS anyway, one time I took my car in , got redflagged by the rep and had my warranty voided anyway

 

well good luck on the swap....should purr like a kitten when all said and done.....just with 350 hp backin it up

i suppose....the more you abuse your car, the quicker things wear down...all on the driver and the tune

 

that's why I bought a spare motor to build up for the just in case. But I have 2 cars so as long as one is running I"m good. For a daily driver I really wouldn't push past stage III with some more bolt on's. I did drive my car daily for a year to and from manhattan with stage VI with no issues, but i"m also 28 and don't thrash my car all the time, but I did put @ 50 passes at the track with the car too.

 

yea, i was looking at the site and don't really want anything more than a stage 3. i've got a work truck to get me to and from work (obvious) and usually just drive to cobalt for pleasure purposes. don't live in a big town so most of the driving is hwy driving. not like driving through downtown chicago or anything like that. just want something to give me a good performance ride without worrying too much about the internals

so would be wise to go with another upgrade or stick with gm? i've already put performance mods on, so they'll probably axe my warranty anyway

 

You could get the Ca stage kits which are great, or you could build your own kit for less money, and get your own custom tune.