I am thinking of getting the Stage 1 kit in the near future, but I was wondering for those that have the kit if it is really worth it? I would like to go with the Stage 2, but since no dealer near me has ever done a stage kit install on a LSJ I really don't want them touching the SC. The intese kits nad other kits are out of the question at the moment, I enjoy keeping a full warranty. I know GM advertises the Stage 1 at 230 HP alone. For those have it, what are your real world dynos and improved trank times with the kit? Any imput would be appreaciated.

 

You got a good point there. I'm worried and been putting off having my dealer screwing things up removing the SC pulley with a Stage 2 install since they haven't done it before. Maybe a simple Stage 1 would be a good choice till they get someone else to be the guinia pig. Seems most here go straight to Stage 2, but anyone here who just went with Stage 1, how much of a difference did you feel? It is a 25HP increase, should be quite a good difference, I would like some input on this as well.

 

i was wondering the same thing...i already have a fast car and dont need my cobalt to be a rocketship, i bought it for a relaible daily beater

 

I can't answer your questions about how it feels but I can tell you I wouldn't worry about having a dealer install Stage 2 because a freaking monkey could do it. It's not like it's a tough job and I don't think you are giving the techs enough credit.

 

From the graphs I've seen, it's basically an UPPER RPM HP increase. Nothing in the low-mid RPM range.

So, you probably won't "feel it" at all. Most of what you feel when a car accelerates is the torque the wheels put to the ground to get the car moving.

Thanks to CrateEngineDepot.com for these pics.

Stage 1



Stage 2

 

I originally just went with a stage 1 and I was very happy with it. You really do notice a difference because of the higher redline. When you shift the engine doesn't fall out of its powerband therefore the car accelerates faster.

 

that seems to be the ONLY difference. they mark the 205@5600 and the 236@6800. that 205 prolly turns into 220ish at 6800.

 

If it keeps the car in the powerband, that's enough to have me sold on it. Did the stage tune seem to smooth out acceleration throughout the rev range?

The fact that I called three dealers, and none of them have even heard of the stage kits kind of has me skeptical. I just want to keep it a simple install for now, later on I could always put on a different pulley.

 

I only have stage 1 and i noticed the power pulling it out from the dealers parking lot . It was really noticable for me , but im a nut when it comes to my car , i can tell a difference in power when the weather changes 8). The 7000RPM redline makes that little bog going into 2nd nonexistant , and i notice that in everyday driving its way more smooth than stock. All in all the stage one was worth every penny , but i only paid $434 out the door flash and all . My dealer let me install it myself , all they did was flash it . I dont have any dyno or track #'s but the but dyno tells me its a nice step up .

 

my understanding is that what you "feel" is the torque....and since stage 1 barely changes your torque at all....all you will "feel" is the higher redline giving you more gear to play with.

Stage 1 is good if you intend to go aftermarket in the future with your own pullys and tunes.

otherwise if your looking for power and keeping warranty....get stage 2.

 

Well I would expect most dealers unless they have installed a few have no clue what you are talking about. There's a pretty good chance the person you are talking to at the parts counter or service department isn't a cobalt enthusiast and could care less what parts gmp has out for the car. However the techs in the back will know what they are doing whether or not they know what a stage 2 kit is. If you stick a pully, belt, and other goodies in front of a tech they are going to know what to do with them. I swear to you it's an easy install and any half assed mechanic can do it so if that's your only hold up from going stage two then just do it.

You are sitting here worrying whether or not stage 1 is worth it. We know stage 2 is, so why mess around with stage 1?

 

uhhh.....idiots.... get stage 1 and a pulley, wow....nexy question.


u can safetly run a 2.9 or 3.0 on thst stage 1 ecm....noobs

 

That may be true, but some people are more concerned with not voiding the warranty on a brand new car than they are with gaining a few extra horsepower.

 

When I was autocrossing, my car fell out of the powerband all the time. Stage 1 for me.

 

I bought Stage 1 with the 3.0 pulley (same size GM uses for Stage2) and a Stage 2 belt.INstalled it all myself well except for the reflash .The hardest thing to do was installing the belt. The other thing about the stage 2 upgrade is keeping the tires from burning up .(gonna be my next upgrade). Definatly feel a difference but would not spend the money to have the dealership install. Going on 2,000miles and no problems. Make sure to keep the stock spark plugs in till summer.

 

I have spoken with some reputable techs and service managers at these dealers, and no they are not what I would call enthusiasts. At first they said they would not even install it, and I had to basically agrue with them that it was infact a kit that was made by GM. I know it's an easy install, I know I could do it myself, it's the fact I don't trust someone else messing with my car. Since all stage 1 is some injectors and a reflash, I'll just keep it simple for them. I can always get a smaller pulley later on myself.

Oh, BTW, I don't have a cobalt.


Thanks for the obvious, see below.



Anyways, I'll be going with Stage 1 then.

 

Do you really think your telling us something special about the 2.9 and 3.0 running fine on a stage flash ? It helps when you read the post rather than just jumping to the bottom .

 

i was thining of going stage 1...basically i was in the same boat as u ....in the end ur gonna get used to that satge 1 or come across an srt4 thats gonna hand yo ass to u .. so i would go with the stage 2 so that u have the power and the warr. to backup ..or jus think of it like this your car is dump in more fuel in with the 42lbs injetors why not get the gmpp stage 2 kit that has a inter-changeable pulley so that u can get every bit of power out of ur cobaltmy point if ur gonna do it jus go all out so that u dont leave any questions about i wonder what the stage 2 feels like...thats my suggestion

 

My reason going with stage 1 was $$$, i couldnt afford stage 2 and wanted something to do to my car right away . I figured on going aftermarket with a pulley system or a 3.0 press on that looks stock for warranty .

 

Yeah I don't want to void my warrenty, but thanks for giving us some useful, expert advice . BTW looks like you're a "noob" to grammer and spelling . Later Your Majesty.

 

if you decide to go with a stage kit let me know, i still have a bunch in stock (stage one and two) and have the cheapest prices you're going to find

 

Any stage 1 to 2 upgrade kits , if so how much?

 

im a noob for my grammar on a car forum? clearly you go me there!

wow.. and fyi, u can get a pulley boys pulley that looks identical to the stage 2 pulley, the dealer would never know the difference, hence you keep your precious warrenty.

btw, i still have mine at 294 whp... go figure.

 

Dude, your cockyness makes you look like a moron. Especially when you don't have your facts straight. What Pulley Boys sells is just a RING. In order to use it you have to already have the hub from the Stage 2 kit.

 

Thanks again for you're useful info. Go sell some more parts on redlineforums, then tell people that you're going to supposedly "get some track times and dyno numbers first" before sending their stuff.