I've been reading the forums for a while now just seeing what everyone is doing with their cars. It occurs to me that these LSJs are pretty pricey to mod. If I only wanted a cheap catback, headers, and intake I'd be looking at over $1000 retail. That may get me all of 25whp. That just seems like a poor investment of HP/Dollar. I come from the mazda world and I built an engine, turbo system, stand alone EMS etc etc for less than $3500. I keep tempting myself to at least get an exhaust but even a pace setter catback, headers and home made down pipe would run me over $500.

Dont take this as complaining because I dont know if I will ever force myself to mod this car (warranty). It just doesn't make much sense that any company could possibly sell a $650 exhaust system for a Cobalt. I can only assume the reason costs are high is due to the economy/sales and no competition. I hope as time goes more companies will make parts for these cars so prices of mods are affordable for everyone. How much have you guys wasted on your cars?? Or do I dare even ask?

I only bring this up becaus I have dreams of 260whp. By the time I do a pulley, injectors, I/H/E, and tuning I will probably be over $1500. And I still probably would be at the 240hp range at best, depending on my motor. Anyway, I guess I'm looking for a miracle story where someone has been able to get good results w/out busting the bank. Thanks if you read all my dribble haha.

 

Good mods cost $$$$

I'm at around $2800, but $1600 were rims/tires.

 

Pay to play i guess...

 

One of the reasons I got this car was because it was cheap to mod. Look at the price of modding a BMW, etc. and you will fall on the floor.

I dyno'd over 260HP with a 2.9, tune, intake, stg 2 injectors, and cat delete with magnaflow catback. Cheap to do and I have also taken down Speed3's with the mods you list.

 

Righto. AutoMartUSA doesnt make an exhaust for our cars.. and CheapPartsAmerica doesnt make headers for our cars, like they do for hondas and stuff...

 

I don't think any of us would consider the money we have spent on our cars as "wasted".

I don't even want to think about how much I have spent, because if it was just about the money and not the car I wouldn't have done any of it. I love my car, how it looks and sounds now that I don't regret any of it.

 

Let me add.. I got my Magnaflow catback for $500 shipped, new. It is not hard to find deals, just keep at it!

 

I personally think this car is rather cheap to mod.

 

who says you still can't put together a nice turbo setup for 3500?

 

this car is pretty expensive to mod if u put it up next to a srt4.
They are very cheap to mod.

 

All depends on who you know and where you buy your parts from. I have not paid retail for anything.

 

http://www.mandrelexhaustsystems.com...alt/Categories

330 dollar exhaust.
don't get their downpipe thats for turbos.
new pulley and hub from here = 60 used 90 new
stage 2 belt = 40-60
60# injectors and harness = 120 bucks average
tune could be fairly cheap if you make friends or find a local tuner.
trifecta does them for around 200.
heat exchanger (intercooler for lsj) = 160 from cx racing (search ebay)
you can make your own dual pass, and your own option b tank. for like 30-40 bucks in parts. thats what i did.
intake = 100 used.

find some deals.
it can be done for a fairly decent price.

 

I disagree

 

 

i feel that most mods are fairly priced for this car... I just bought an 07 SS for my daily driver and not even a week went by and the car is in the shop (i love the mod bug). I also have an 07 infinity g35 coupe... the exhaust for my G was 1553 shipped. so $500 for an exhaust on a cobalt is a price i dont mind paying lol it all depends on what you are looking for. search around for group buys or find a product u like and look at different sites to find the cheapest price

 

You have to pay to play. There isn't as many cheapo parts available for our cars like hondas and such. Once I figured out how much I spent into my car so far I couldn't believe it but, oh well I did everything the way I wanted it and with high quality and top of the line parts. Overall I've spent around $10,000 in parts but thats due to my rims, Head unit and such. Thank god I installed everything my self The main thing to do is shop for deals and specials some used items but be careful going used.