bigstiffler

i was searching online getting ready to order my gm stage 2 but then i came across the gm stage 3 for a few dollars more. i know what the stage 2 produces & stuff like that but i cant find anything about the stage 3. which would u guys buy?? & y?? & how much does it cost for the dealer to install the stage 2?

DaREDss

well you need stage 2 before you can get stage 3 for starters

DTM2188

Yes, you need to buy the Stage 2 first and then the Stage 3. Stage 2 takes power up to 245 hp I believe and Stage 3 takes it up to 260hp I believe. Stage 3 will also void your warranty since it is for off-road use only (the pcm that is).

bigstiffler

ok forget bout the stage3 i read that the only way u get the 260horsepower is that u need to run 100octane.. about how much does it run to install the stage2 @ the dealership so it doesnt void my warrenty?

DaREDss

mine it was 1100

t5munoz

Man if you do the stage two yourself it saves you money, it is not that hard

LandonElf

Yea mine was around the same as DaredSS, because i bought it soon after it came out and during a time when they were all on backorder. Prices have apparently dropped though. What will really kill you is labor.

I would STRONGLY recommend you buy the kit from crateenginedepot.com yourself and then just take it to you dealer to have it installed.

JohnfromVA

never have the dealer install simple stuff like that...cams and stuff i can understand...never things like spark plugs and injectors...the hardest is getting the old pulley off the supercharger

ssilver

Most dealers i've talked to will void your warranty if they don't have proof a dealer did it.. mine was 850 installed after tax. Get s2 from crateenginedepot.com or attempt to have your dealer match the price.. then have a dealer install it. Every dealer I've talked to will send you back to the dealer that put it on..

Exhaust REALLY opens up stage 2

LandonElf

You have a good point but...

1) If something goes wrong with the kit, warranty issues could arrise because a professional did not install it. And isn't the whole point of buying GM stage 2 to be warranty safe??

2) For noobys like me and many other people, messing with fuel injectors and especially removing superchargers to strip off a pulley are definately not easy.

3) You have to take it to the dealership to get it reflashed anyway!

For many experienced guys on this site i would say go for it, install the kit yourself. But the OP is obviously new to the Cobalt platform and probably has no business taking a blower apart.

bigstiffler

i have no problems doin plugs and injectors but i dont wanna mess up the supercharger pulley... but the point of me getting that gm stage 2 was to keep the warrenty if i wasnt worrid bout it i'd rather order the intense stage kits. i was gonna order it from cobalt-addiction.com because i heard crateengine has it on backorder

EDIPROJEKTZ

the stage 3 pulley will void your warrenty.when i bought mine they told me as long as you dont get the pcm your ok.now my intake gasket blew and they will not cover it because of the stage 3 pully.If i were you wait till after you warrenty for the stage 3 parts

LandonElf

A couple points

1) If they told you one thing and didn't honor their promise, then i think its time to raise some cane and talk to a manager. but thats just me

2) According to your mods list. You only have the stage 3 pulley and no stage 2 kit. Is this true? If it is, then i totally understand your dealer voiding that warranty. Thats a 2.99 pully on the stock injectors/stock belt/stock tune and is a perfect recipe for disaster.

OZERMAN

www.winnersaturnparts.com has them in stock for 562.50 currently

EDIPROJEKTZ

i fixed my mods list.sorry about the confusion.I had stage 2 on the 2nd week i bought the car. but they are now going to fix my car under warrenty.dealership has a new manger that say that its gm parts and they installed it so its covered

LandonElf

Cool dude. This isn't the first time i have heard of a dealership warrantying GM stage 3. Good luck and post some numbers !

betterthanbad

I was told from my dealer that GM stage 3 is just stage 2 with GMPP headers and cat back in one package. That's it.

LandonElf

In that case, i'm GM stage 3!!!!

But seriosly, to clear up any confusion.

Stage 3 = stage 2 + 2.99 pulley + dual pass intercooler + stage 3 PCM

The exhaust upgrades are highly recommended but not required.

betterthanbad

I'm quoting a dealer in Canada. You are quoting your dealer in the US. I'd like to hear one or two more independant dealers quoting a "stage 3" and what it really is. It's possible that each dealer can offer a different package and then decide to warrenty it or not but it's not the same everywhere!!!!!!

LandonElf

I don't quite understand what your saying. The GM kits are inarguable. GM Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 are the same thing no matter what country your from. Crateenginedepot.com has all the info you need.

However your dealer may be offering special "upgrade kits" or something, but do not get them confused with GM stage kits.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 maintain the factory warranty, as long as a GM tech installs it.

Stage 3 is considered off-road and is at the discretion of your dealer to warranty. Some will, some wont'.