Hi all,

I'm coming from an old 99 Mustang when I say this. I had only two "mods" done to it - a cold air intake and a tune - and it gained a metric ton of throttle response and decent amounts of power on top of it.

My 06 SS/SC I bought last year has an air box mod and I'm starting to wonder what I should order as my next upgrade soon. I'm not mechanically inclined at all so an easy "click and go" tune would be awesome - but only if it's worth it on this car. I doubt the car will ever see a LOT of mods while I own it. I've been looking at this, but if there's a better solution please link it up. Thanks!

http://www.modernperformance.com/product/Trifecta_Performance_PCM_Flash_05-07_Cobalt_SS/cobaltsupercharged_electronics

 

Yes, a tune (even stock) is worth it. Wideband mandatory for it to be truly effective. There is power to be gained in timing, afr, maf cal, removing trq nanny features. HPTuners is the only way to go, IMO. I've been using HPT since 06, tuned numerous cobalts, and hands down it is the best. Some will say Trifecta, but the results I have seen lend toward HPTuners

 

Is that Trifecta tune Modern Performance offers worth it? Even if I kept the cable $400 is cheaper then the SCT handheld Ford tuner collecting dust ever since I got rid of my stang, so that's pretty appealing.

 

Trifecta is definitely worth the money over any stock tune. If you wanna do tuning yourself go with HPTuners, unless you know someone who is willing to do a remote tune. Trifecta is an easy tune that allows for data logging and ezflash tuning. It's so easy a caveman can do it. HPTuners is for people who really wanna get hands on and wanna tweak their car as much as possible. It really depends on how far you wanna take your cand how much you wanna spend.

 

The bad thing with Trifecta is Vince can't see your afr. So he runs it rich. A trifecta tune is in the middle of a canned tune and custom tune. If you want to make the most out of a tune, HPT is the only way to go.

 

wicked basically answered your question. But I still wouldn't push those stock injectors. They are pretty much maxed from factory.

 

Well, not entirely true. I ran a 3" pulley untuned w/ boost bypass mod and had no issues. So had a few others before tuning was available. Some of the things I (and others) have done over the past 6 years would make people cry "you're gonna blow", such as a 2.6 with JUST 60's and a tune running 13.6@106. Nothing ever happened. I wouldn't recommend just throwing **** on the car tho. The stock file is rich enough that you can do a 3" pulley on the stock 34# injectors. By leaning out the stock file (say, 11.8 afr at wot) you'll loose injector duty cycle (IDC). This is a good thing, lower IDC means less strain on injectors.

Clifffnote: Tune your car, it'll be fun. Throw a 3" on if you want, but GET A WIDEBAND and read, read, read on HPTuners.com/forum

 

My engine is pretty much stock, and I'm eventually gonna get a tune after my warranty runs up this year. The thing that really bugs me is the rev hang, and I've heard there are a couple tuning tricks that can be done to correct it. I'll also probably go with stage 1 while I'm at it.

 

I'm interested in that turbo Volvo in your sig hah, anything done to it?

 

can i put a 3.0 pulley with no tune how much power do i get out of it?

 

You can, but nothing to be gained without doing the boost bypass mod. Search it. I have a buddy that ran this for 3 years, no problem. Stock tune is very very rich.

 

putting in a new engine at the moment. gonna do the Hg, timing, and all the seals (incl oil pump) on the new engine. it already has an intake, and im gonna put on a mbc, and the new engine came with the R ex mani. a friend already has dibbs on it but if he doesnt come thru id consider selling it to someone else.

 

Is it best to order Trifecta directly from them, or is it okay to get it for a bit cheaper on modernperformance? Is there any difference really, or am I just being paranoid? Also, how's it work? I assume the "cable" they ship is just USB for a laptop or something as opposed to a handheld unit like I was used to it with SCT?

I barely know much about engines at all beyond driving them, so I'd rather go for a pre-baked tune and get a little more fun out of it while staying safe. I think I'll steer clear of HPTuners for now.

 

hptuners is safe. you could come over to indy sometime with all our guys when chevycobaltss3 comes up and get a tune from him. you'll be very happy with the power gained and the car will be much safer than getting a canned or "half baked" trifecta tune. and you'll spend a fraction of the cost as well.

also i see you're talking about stage 1? don't bother getting just stage 1. at least get stage 2. stage 1 isn't really worth getting unless you're going to get a smaller pulley. stage 2 is a pretty noticeable difference over stage 1 and because of the tune you usually gain a few mpg along with 30-40 horsepower from stock and the car runs a little better.

 

Nice. I have a friend who loves the older Volvos, maybe I'll see you around sometime.

 

Canned tunes are the ones to stay away from. Go HPTuners. Get a real tune

 

Nothing against anyone but if i needed a new tune every time i modded a car i wouldn't want to pay for it... but what do i know...? Rhetorical

 

**** that, get a custom tune, yes its well worth it. Boost reduction in 1st is possible if you need it.

Don't go to ZZP, OTTP, Trifecta. ******* stupid. You pay top dollar for 1/2 assed ****. Go get a real tune at a local reputable tuning company with a dyno. Or talk to James Rakes.

Or just buy HPTuners yourself and start learn tuning, plenty of people will help you on forums.

 

I had my car tuned stock all the way to the point of maxing out the injectors... was night and day driving it after the tune, then I got 60's and had it tuned for them... was very pleased...then I got a s3 HE and dropped the pulley down to a 2.8.

So I did upgraded slowly, but yeah there was a major difference in the stock car once it was tuned.. had a s3 ss guy riding with me that was surprised at how hard the car pulled with just a tune.