So I traded a customer for a car I built at the shop I work at and he paid for a big ebay turbo kit to be fitted but no tune so I'm kinda of curious if anyone has some options. When I give it any real power it starts to make boost then goes into reduced power mode.

 

Any more info on the car or turbo kit?

 

It's an 09 cobalt manual with a lap 2.2 the turbo kit is a 64/50 t3 off ebay with a stainless shorty manifold but it has no brand or anything.

 

Is everything stock on the car besides the ebay turbo kit?

 

I have a 3 bar map and some injectors going in but for now yes.

 

Stop driving it. If you have different injectors installed and a different map sensor with no tune I'm surprised it runs at all.

You'll need to build a tune likely from stock, but the engine isn't going to last long after exceeding 225ish whp.

 

I haven't installed them because of the lack of a tune I'm just staying out of the boost when I drive and I have plans for a longblock I had already researched the **** out of this ones limitations, I have hp tuners but had read a piggyback may be the way to go. All the forums on other turbo builds don't go much into their choice of a tune or remote tuner.

 

I'm not aware of any plug and play piggyback systems. The stock ECU can be used, this forum doesn't talk much about tuning them. Check out hptuners forum there should be more on there related to tuning specific for that ecu.

 

I had actually eyeballed around there before coming to this forum and didn't find much conclusive info just a few thoughts on the forum, I was just curious if any of the guys here who have turboed a few ecotecs had some info towards a remote tuner since I still a bit new with these engines or like Tribeca or such. Really any ideas help. Thanks also for the help so far.

 

You aren't going to find a ton of info on tuning a 2.2. There's definitely info out there, but you won't find a lot of it.

If you already have HPTuners, there's no reason not to use it to tune the car. The basics of tuning are kind of universally the same.

 

That is the majority of what is needed on the 2.2, modify the map, maf, VE, injectors. You don't have boost control so either you have to run a mechanical boost controller or a separate electric one.

 

I'm running mechanical right now but I want to get into a digital controller because I feel like this mechanical gauge just kinda gives wide open no matter where I set it. My boss pays for utter **** so I'm waiting for money for tune credits and a reliable boost gauge to even see what it's throwing down besides nice noises because all I know right now is that it feels really good and pulls really hard without misfires or dets then goes reduced power which I've been avoiding doing.

 

Sigh. Where in Texas are you?

Mechanical boost controllers and mechanical boost gauges are best because they're simple and cheap. Buy the wrong kind and they'll function terribly and cause slow boost issues or worse - leak boost.

I recommend a Hallman MBC; they're simple, cheap and easy to rebuild, and they last. Mine will have been on my car for 13 years in May - https://store.034motorsport.com/manu...n-pro-mbc.html

 

I like verified use stuff so works for me man I'll grab one and I'm in el paso been working at knuckleheads garage here for close to 10 months.

 

Ah, nevermind then. I'm in DFW.

What injectors do you have? If they're not common ones - or ones known to the community - they can be a real PITA to tune.

 

I'll go through the bag when I get home I have a few sets of 4 I've collected at work I don't remember off the top of my head but they were fairly common

 

Maybe I'm late to the game here, but if you installed a turbo kit, and have not tuned for it, of course it's going to go into reduced power mode.... you completely changed the amount of air coming in and the stock ECU is freaking out and saving the engine from sending the pistons to outer space...

You have no need for a "piggyback" you need a legit custom tune, and your ECU is compatible with HPT, if you don't have it, get it. I seen you mentioned Trifecta tuning, don't just stay away from them.

 

Common is one thing. Commonly used in GM's with a plethora of HPTuners data available is another. It will matter.

 

That makes sense I'll do some homework and order a fresh set so there's no guessing. I put a mechanical boost gauge on it and she's actually running clean up to 10 lbs of boost but it shouldn't be running above 7 I'm thinking the grimmspeed mechanical boost controller isn't working. Imma order the one you shot me not too long ago on payday and get some credits to tune any bugs out of it.

 

Ok weird **** but my car has a le5 head and block I just ran some numbers and it's came back le5 but the ecm says 2.2 is that even a thing?

 

It's certainly possible. All Ecotec blocks are pretty much the same, so bolting something in is simple. There are differences in crank reluctor rings over some models, but I believe a lot of the later years use a 58x ring and they're all timed the same I believe. It's been a long time since I looked into a lot of this stuff though, so take all this with a grain of salt. Basically the only difference in the bare block is that the LE5 has an 88 mm bore.