Recap from before: I ordered stage 2, the 1 to 2 kit somehow got ordered (around $440?) instead, and was "non returnable", I gave in after a month and just ordered stage 1. (around $525)
Apparently Fed-ex lost it twice..from what I was told, and I don't disagree that, that might have happened, as personal packages I've got from them have issues too, but it arrived yesterday finally..
Today, installation was $342.43 (did I get ripped on installation?) They had it since 8am and I watched them pull it into the garage, was told it was ready about 3:30pm..

What I noticed on my way home:
No highway testing yet, but what I noticed is at the red light, the car no longer "knocks" from the engine, was stationary enough to make me think it was off. Shifting between the gears was really smooth compared to how it was before, felt like an automatic. The 7000 RPMs is great and when passing someone that SC really screams! (I've got injen CAI installed too).

It really handles the addional power well, as I thought I lost power from the smoothness but when I looked down expecting about 40mph from how i'm used to how the car feels, it was over 80mph. Going to need new brakes soon, and clutch from what I hear.

BUT, I love it, and can't wait to test it out against some locals.
Car feels like a different car..(in a good way).

And to think, I never would've known anything about this kind of stuff if it wasn't for

 

You got fucked on installation. I was quoted on an hour of work if I were to get stage 2 installed. 80 bux and hour. I watched them install my stuff today so they didn't screw me.

 

thats the best deal on here ive read about

 

Most dealerships I have been to, the guys are kinda not nice and stuff but the place I bought my car, there all extremely nice and friendly... Just another plus that goes along w/ buying the car.. No wayyy it should take them more than 2 hours to do it... If they say so, you should set up a hidden cam and blackmail um if they are dicking around. That way you can talk um in to giving you free stuff .. I'm gonna video tape the ppl who are going to do my tint because I've heard they drive your car around and stuff and smoke the tires.. My sub box was sideways last time I dropped it off at this place.. I figured if I catch them in the act I can talk them into a dvd player for my car.. ahha im cruel.

 

Not cruel but certainly evil...............HEE HEE HEE!!!

 

Hi ajent -

Thanks for the post - I'll beinterested in hearing your opinion as you get more experience with the stage.

I appreciate your taking time to let us know.

best regards-

mqqn

 

i did the install myself it was deceptively easy. took me 3 hours but i didnt have all the parts to the pulley puller.
anybody could do it.

 

congrats on the blue bolts!

 

i paid 190 for the install for a 2 and a half hour job. you got ripped BAD!

Get used to the drive dude and your clutch will be fine. Stage 2 for a couple days now and I see no need for a new clutch. Getting a new clutch would only be an improvement over the stock part and nothing more. I would sooner say new tires before a new clutch

 

I paid about that for installation...doesnt make me feel as bad, but we did get ripped

 

Doesn't that void the warranty ?

 

i dont think so. my dad is a gm engineer so i get a slight pass for warranty stuff.

 

I installed my stage 2 myself (my first install) but I do work as a tech at a chevy

dealer. It took me about 1 hr, 15 minutes to install everything (didnt get in any big

hurry) and about 35 minutes for the reprogram (reflash). 15 minutes was on the phone

with techline and the other was programming.

Oh I did use the zzp puller

best $635.00 ive ever spent.


oh.. going to get my new toy today - Yamaha FZ6

 

No the warrenty is still good. and I'm glad to see at least one other person paid that for installation. lol

 

yea thats alot for the install & you could have saved money by just getting the right kit first off but it's all done now so enjoy your new found power as I love the STG 2 & you know you have to pay to play

I'd recomend getting the stiffy motor mount with the STG 2 as it stopped the wheel hop for me & after investing $800+ in the STG2 the extra $169 for the ingals stiffy mount will make it better to apply that extra power to the road with out wheel hop.

The reason I say this is after the STG2 was install I blew a CV boot & I blame it on wheel hop even though they covered it under warranty I still don't what to blow out my half shafts once every 6 months or so & all the hop can't be good so I thought I'd just share this with you before you run into the same thing

 

Cool, I'll keep that in mind, maybe that will be my next purchase.

 

I paid 315

 

315 here too.
Got mine installed yesterday as well. The one problem I am having is my redline is more like 6700 than 7000. Does anyone know if that is normal?

 

I paid 635 for the stage 2 kit plus tax = $673.10 Install took them about 1.75 hours and I watched most of it. Instal was $126.88 for a total of $799.98 for the kit on the car.

You guys got ripped.

But I love the stage 2 kit and am already looking to improve on it. That is after I get a new clutch of have the part that is making the clutch slip fixed.
About 3k after my kit went on the clutch started sliping.

Later

 

No thats not normal, I get to 7000 no problem.

 

i am not sure if it is normal or not BUT for each year and each model capable of using stage 2, there are specific flashes for those specific cars. The dealer knows which one to install obviously by knowing the year of the model then the settings are installed to your specific model. The range appears to be 6800~7000.

 

Oh I wasn't aware it varies. Only thing I noticed is that the back of the needle was on 7000 before I shifted, and it didn't bounce, so maybe I was actually over, I haven't pushed it to see where the limiter kicks in.

 

mine kicks just before 7200

 

I would think this is because the stock tach is not 100% accurate. IMO.

 

I checked with the dealer near me a month or two ago. They didn't have the number for the parts for stage 1 or 2 so I asked if they were connected to the web. They were. I said,"go to cobaltss.net and check out the front page thread". They were impressed and said they were not aware of any cobalt site. They also agreed on the install time based on the thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I'll get mine soon.
I have a lease and do not wish to void any warrenty based on that alone. I would love to take advantage of the Intense offer(or other mods.....................I've got plenty of cash for it) but will have to do with GM only products and install for now. I can live with that for a while without being ashamed of my car like some people think. I drive daily and use my car for work................which I can write off for tax purposes. I love the car and want more power but not at the expense of loss of warrenty or loss of money to the government. I just play be the rules....................Is that so wrong????????