Stage 2 questions (couldn't find in other posts)
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New Member
Joined: 01-12-12
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From: East Troy, WI
Stage 2 questions (couldn't find in other posts)
Hey guys, Thinkin about going stage 2 once winter is over. So far my car is bone stock, i was looking at the stage 2 kits from both gm and zzp, so here are some of my questions.
1. Is the stage 2 kit worth the money?
2. Does it affect mpg and reliability? I have a warranty with a bank so the warranty will void but im paying for it, so i would cancel my warranty. But not if my cars gonna blow up a week later.
3. Difference between GM and ZZP, i know zzp is cheaper but gm dosn't void warranty but i dont have the gm warranty anyways.
If you guys can help me out that would be great, i have been trying to read all i can but i just cant find out what i wanna know, THanks!
1. Is the stage 2 kit worth the money?
2. Does it affect mpg and reliability? I have a warranty with a bank so the warranty will void but im paying for it, so i would cancel my warranty. But not if my cars gonna blow up a week later.
3. Difference between GM and ZZP, i know zzp is cheaper but gm dosn't void warranty but i dont have the gm warranty anyways.
If you guys can help me out that would be great, i have been trying to read all i can but i just cant find out what i wanna know, THanks!
And honestly, this motor is pushing 8 years old. Every question has been asked and answered on this site. Shouldn't be hard to find the answers you're looking for.
stage 2 gained me a little mpg. seriously though mods on a stock blower sc dont affect reliability. how you drive affects it. if you commute daily and only romp on it from time to time she will last just fine. if you thrash her no mods will still result in dead.
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Joined: 05-27-11
Posts: 165
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From: Virginia
its worth the money for zzp's. id go a head and get a custom tune tho. canned tunes FTL and the stage 2 kit is very reliable and gas milage will go down bc you are putting bigger injectors in. and zzp recently changed there stage 2 injectors from 42 pound injectors to 50 pound injectors. theres my 2 cents 
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its worth the money for zzp's. Id go a head and get a custom tune tho. Canned tunes ftl and the stage 2 kit is very reliable and gas milage will go down bc you are putting bigger injectors in. And zzp recently changed there stage 2 injectors from 42 pound injectors to 60 pound injectors. Theres my 2 cents .
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Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,564
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
Hey guys, Thinkin about going stage 2 once winter is over. So far my car is bone stock, i was looking at the stage 2 kits from both gm and zzp, so here are some of my questions.
1. Is the stage 2 kit worth the money?
It's worth every penny. when i want stage 2 about a month or two ago, my car felt like a new machine when you floor it. still does! Either kit you get though, get a real tune afterwards.
2. Does it affect mpg and reliability? I have a warranty with a bank so the warranty will void but im paying for it, so i would cancel my warranty. But not if my cars gonna blow up a week later.
MPGs, no, i was getting 24 before and still am. Reliability, also not really. i could have SWORN there was a thread on here called "how reliable is stage 2 over stock" and there were at least 50 positive replys saying everything was fine. The only thing u might have to worry about is ur clutch, and maybe ur axles (both relatively cheap fixes) oh, and TIRES!
I still havent cancelled my warranty but probably should (look at my sig) because i dont think the bank wants to cover my ass haha
3. Difference between GM and ZZP, i know zzp is cheaper but gm dosn't void warranty but i dont have the gm warranty anyways.
probably zzp, i went the ottp route myself. find a thread on that maybe
If you guys can help me out that would be great, i have been trying to read all i can but i just cant find out what i wanna know, THanks!
1. Is the stage 2 kit worth the money?
It's worth every penny. when i want stage 2 about a month or two ago, my car felt like a new machine when you floor it. still does! Either kit you get though, get a real tune afterwards.
2. Does it affect mpg and reliability? I have a warranty with a bank so the warranty will void but im paying for it, so i would cancel my warranty. But not if my cars gonna blow up a week later.
MPGs, no, i was getting 24 before and still am. Reliability, also not really. i could have SWORN there was a thread on here called "how reliable is stage 2 over stock" and there were at least 50 positive replys saying everything was fine. The only thing u might have to worry about is ur clutch, and maybe ur axles (both relatively cheap fixes) oh, and TIRES!
I still havent cancelled my warranty but probably should (look at my sig) because i dont think the bank wants to cover my ass haha
3. Difference between GM and ZZP, i know zzp is cheaper but gm dosn't void warranty but i dont have the gm warranty anyways.
probably zzp, i went the ottp route myself. find a thread on that maybe
If you guys can help me out that would be great, i have been trying to read all i can but i just cant find out what i wanna know, THanks!
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,564
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,564
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
however, put on an intake header downpipe, some other goodies and a hot chick in ur passenger seat and ull be pushing more than that!
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,564
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
oh and OP, the install, j.i.c. ur wondering, was easy as plucking a hair off your *******. took me and a buddy ~2 hours. you will need a press and a pulley tool. i'd recommend getting the gm performance book for the LSJ, it had step by step instructions with colord pikturez the hole way.
50lbs injectors stereo. Old stock ones or 42s made to 50s, easy to tune, but junk .. why limit yourself even further. Op if your higher mileage, go with a 2.9, stage two belt, dual pass, 60s and harness , bkr6eix Ngk plugs, catless downpipe, **** option b and you don't need a heat exchanger but is recommended and get a custom tune. Also you need to verify you engine is healthy enough to even mod.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-12-12
Posts: 81
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From: East Troy, WI
oh and OP, the install, j.i.c. ur wondering, was easy as plucking a hair off your *******. took me and a buddy ~2 hours. you will need a press and a pulley tool. i'd recommend getting the gm performance book for the LSJ, it had step by step instructions with colord pikturez the hole way.
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-12-12
Posts: 81
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From: East Troy, WI
oh with a zzp kit, say you get 60# injectors and a 2.8 pulley you SHOULD be pushing ~250 wheel horse, maybe lower becuase u dont have any other mods.
however, put on an intake header downpipe, some other goodies and a hot chick in ur passenger seat and ull be pushing more than that!
however, put on an intake header downpipe, some other goodies and a hot chick in ur passenger seat and ull be pushing more than that!
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,564
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
heat exhanger : aids in keeping ur cooling system from staying in hot temps. helps lower your IAT's (intake air temperatures) which is essential for boost to mean anything. same goes for the 'option b' and 'dual pass endplate'. i should be running all 3, only have a heat exhanger for now. anyone should tell you the more cooling mods, the better, because they prolong the life of your engine (mostly your supercharger though) and help keep your IATs down.
other supporting mods off the top of my head: intake (you can modify your stock one or buy and injen) these will do two things: give you ~10 hp, help open your blower to easier air flow, therefore increasing boost slightly. also will give you the sickest, loudest blower whine
Cobalt SS/SC Injen Intake vs Stock - YouTube
also, our header and downpipes are very restrictive, especially the downpipe. getting higher flow helps open ur ur system much like the intake does. now you will have unrestricted flow in and out.
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,564
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
that may be the case now, but most people wind up wanting more! these cars are addictive to mod because its so easy to go that much faster. i thought i'd be good after my intake. then i thought i'd be set after my exhaust, then stage 2. then i needed the heat exchanger. now i got all this other b.s. and want a gmpp clutch and a meth kit lol
anytime you take a production engine from its stock configuration you loose reliability
the stock stuff isent as bad as you think it
read this
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/2-0l...e-first-16806/
heat exhanger : aids in keeping ur cooling system from staying in hot temps. helps lower your IAT's (intake air temperatures) which is essential for boost to mean anything. same goes for the 'option b' and 'dual pass endplate'. i should be running all 3, only have a heat exhanger for now. anyone should tell you the more cooling mods, the better, because they prolong the life of your engine (mostly your supercharger though) and help keep your IATs down.
cooliong mods are mainly for recovery time
other supporting mods off the top of my head: intake (you can modify your stock one or buy and injen) these will do two things: give you ~10 hp, help open your blower to easier air flow, therefore increasing boost slightly. also will give you the sickest, loudest blower whine
an intake wont give you 10hp or more boost
Cobalt SS/SC Injen Intake vs Stock - YouTube
also, our header and downpipes are very restrictive, especially the downpipe. getting higher flow helps open ur ur system much like the intake does. now you will have unrestricted flow in and out.
cooliong mods are mainly for recovery time
other supporting mods off the top of my head: intake (you can modify your stock one or buy and injen) these will do two things: give you ~10 hp, help open your blower to easier air flow, therefore increasing boost slightly. also will give you the sickest, loudest blower whine
an intake wont give you 10hp or more boost
Cobalt SS/SC Injen Intake vs Stock - YouTube
also, our header and downpipes are very restrictive, especially the downpipe. getting higher flow helps open ur ur system much like the intake does. now you will have unrestricted flow in and out.
read this
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/2-0l...e-first-16806/
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: 01-12-12
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: East Troy, WI
that may be the case now, but most people wind up wanting more! these cars are addictive to mod because its so easy to go that much faster. i thought i'd be good after my intake. then i thought i'd be set after my exhaust, then stage 2. then i needed the heat exchanger. now i got all this other b.s. and want a gmpp clutch and a meth kit lol
Joined: 05-18-11
Posts: 39,564
Likes: 87
From: West Chicago, IL
yea i feel ya haha thats why im waiting till spring to do the other cooling mods. oh and meth is a cooling + horsepower mod that eveyrone seems to love!
