I just bought a 2008 cobalt SS, but due to the dealer pricing opportunities that GM was offering at the time, I had to take the SS they had on the lot. This was fine (black, low wing, full sound, sun roof, etc.) except I didn't get the Limited slip diff that I wanted to get in there.
With tax returns inbound, I wanted to finally get the factory LSD installed, but when I called the local dealership, the guy went on and on about how astronomical it would cost, how I'd have to replace the entire ECU (rather than reprogram it?! ); he wouldn't give me a hard figure though.

Has anyone else tried to do this, or had any experience with this? I want to do this because I'm hoping to get the stage kit installed (when it comes out) and possibly take the car to a track day, but I'd be an idiot to do this on the stock full-slip diff.

Thanks!

 

No need to reprogram an ECU . That dealer is crazy man. Unbolt one and bolt up the other. Internally they are different but the shift cables and engine housing to trans housing holes are the same. Crate engine depot sells them but they are more expensive then the regular trans.

Note: Having LSD does not make a difference in a straight line

If your doing auto cross then I would have it

 

Thanks for the response; AutoX would be in the future, if I enjoy the regular track day (Limerock Park up here in CT offers regular open-track days) - the LSD would be more for me to get the power to the ground, especially once the car's been upgraded with a stage kit.

I figured that it would simply require putting the new LSD in, dropping the old one out. The ESC wont need to be reprogrammed to handle the different differential?

I'm heading over there tomorrow @ 8am so I'll post up what the parts department talks about. I personally do not like dealing with dealerships, but I want to retain the factory warranty and having them put in the LSD would retain that.

 

I think what the tech means is there is a different ecu calibration for LSD cars so the Brake LSD simulation on the Non G85 is turned off. Your going to be spending at least a couple grand at a GM dealer

 

Installing an LSD is not a simple matter of "dropping one in". Your looking at an absolute minimum of 12 hours labor, and probably $250 in parts BESIDES the LSD itself.

As far as the calibrations go, from what I have been able to tell all TC's have the same EBCM calibration

 

do the 2009 cobalt SS/TC have a LSD

 

as an option, yes

 

Just a quick update:
Went to the dealership, they're actually not too concerned with switching out the Full slip to the LSD (they said that's not where the big cost will be, past parts). Their concern lies with the electronics and the ECU - the GM certified parts guy wasn't 100% sure on that though (I'm actually only the second '08 SS serviced there, ever), so he's checking with GM and is supposed to get back to me today. I'll post up with the results.

 

They told you labor wasnt gonna be the big cost? ROTFLMFAO

What else would be the cost then?

The EBCMs are the same. As far as i cant tell from the cars Ive checked they even have the same software calibration. And even if they didnt GM could update the VCI so you could get it installed.

I am VERY interested to hear what is to be said.



:waiting:

 

haha. boy, i think it would be better to just get a whole new tranny, and swap them.

 

tranny swap would be the way to go if you could find one, id wait till 16 year olds start wrecking these things left and right.

 

The Tranny swap would be cheaper? How come? Sorry for being a bit noobish, but my experience with cars is limited to my eclipse (and then mostly electronics). The problem I have is I'd like to retain the factory warrenty as long as I can. Regardless, they haven't gotten back to me yet, sorry for not updating sooner.

I'm calling them today, because from what everyone's saying these guys probably don't know what they're doing / talking about.

 

Id say that was a fair assumption