Hi there, I just want to start out and say that I really don't know anything about modifying my Cobalt SS SC but I have a decent amount of money to burn and want to know what I could do and who could do it for me. (dealership, etc) I know I am not being that specific but I really have never installed any mods ever.

 

Well the Stage 2 GM kit sounds good to me. Keeps the warranty and you get a decent hp and tq boost.

 

You should really drive the car around at regular and spirited speeds to see what you think should be improved. Then from their you could decide your mod path. Some may like more power, some more handling, some more traction and so on.

 

I think everyone would agree that we want more traction. lol 1st gear and traction don't even come close to belonging in one sentence.

 

"Well the Stage 2 GM kit sounds good to me. Keeps the warranty and you get a decent hp and tq boost"

Would I just go to my local dealership and ask them about it? Meaning, would they even know what I am talking about? lol. I have a few grand to spend on this so I want to do it right if at all possible. Thanks for the responses so far.

 

For my first mod I purchased a CAI and Stage 2 is in the works...

 

Stage 2 was my first. It is by far one of the best upgrades.

 

If you don't know how to... or don't want to do any major modification yourself... I definately suggestany of the GMPP parts... exhaust manifold... cat-back... stage1/stage2... your dealer will know all about these products.

 

if it was me i would purchase stage2 then work on the suspension like the ingalls damper then the tranny mounts ....... my next purchase after my pulley

 

I would go more along the lines of GM Stage 2 kit if your looking for an increase in power, then you could do an aftermarket CAI(Injen,AEM,K&N,Fujita) or go with an exhaust system(Corsa,Borla,Magnaflow,GMPP) and then you have the option of a smaller pulley, torque dampener, strut bar, and you always have the option of doing visual mods as well

 

You might not be able to help me on this but can dealers install pretty much anything for you or would you have to go to another shop?

 

One more thing, if I get the stage 2 kit, what should I be paying total (parts and labor)? Thanks

 

Bump

 

Yes they can pretty much install anything but they will rape you on labor. Shop around to find a more reasonable price.

As for your stage II question, I don't know sorry.

 

You in fact can buy and have installed GMPP parts at a Chevy dealer. You can also do both separately, in different places. Or you can buy GMPP at a dealer and then have it installed elsewhere.

Crate Engine Depot is a Chevy Dealer vendor here at the site and they can probably sell you the stage kits for cheaper then retail. Have them send it to you. Then take it to your local dealer and have them install it. You could do installation yourself if you believe yourself to be handy with engines, but ultimately you still have to take in it to get reflashed, so that's your choice.

I'd say do a stage kit and a torque brace to start. Move on from there.

 

Keep in mind that the warranty offered by GM regarding their Stage Kits is only honored if the product is installed by a GM Dealership.

 

a rule I've always tried to follow when modding my cars is start with parts that keep you safe such as brakes, suspension, and mounts. then from there move on to power. If you learn how to do your own work you can modify cars a lot cheaper and move through the modding process a little faster. i suggest when you go to the dealr try to pick up the LSJ build up book. it gives step by step insturction on making a monster machine.

 

ture but if you've ever taken your car in to get warranty work done you know it's like pulling teeth.

 

Ok so I ordered the stage 2 kit but I was quoted by the local dealer a labor price of $84 per hour which seems pretty steep to me. I have gotten some warranty work done there before and they were excellent but should I look around?

 

Not if you find the right dealer. I searched GMPP for Performance Dealers and called around till I found one that plays ball. I actually drive 45 minutes to get out to my dealer, but it's worth it cause they don't give a **** if I had a Turbo hanging off the manifold. It's all about the dealer. I've had my car in quite a bit between the Stage II, the recalibration and the fact that the guy messed up a fuel injector O-ring when he installed the new injectors...I'll be in there Saturday to get that fixed and they don't expect me to bring my wallet.

 

Who did you buy it from? Glad to see you took that step.

You can easily find shops with lower hourly rates, but they won't be GM shops. You can certainly shop around other Chevy dealers to see what price you can find. However, try this. Just about every GM Goodwrench shop has every job on every car already figured out. They have labor time tables that say "2005 Cobalt front brake R&R: 1.5 hours". I would bet that since this is a GMPP kit that has to be installed by GM Goodwrench, they might have a qouted labor rate for the installation. Ask about it.

If they don't, its what, some injectors, a pulley, tensioner, and belt, and a reflash, right? Well the supercharger belt replacement I gaurentee you is a qouted job. So you could at least find out what the labor qoute on that is ahead of time. I bet injector replacement is a qouted job too. I would bet you are looking at 3 hours max.

 

Halfcent is right. I paid 3 hours only because I was the first Stage II to run through their shop and the dealer is cool about future modifications not affecting warranty work. I paid around $75.6/hr for my install. Turned out to be a decent price all in all. I paid about average total for the Stage II installed. Somewhere around $822.80, but who's counting!