Hello everyone!

First of all, thanks for a great forum!

Having put almost 200k miles on a '06 LS, I finally signed the Illuminati blood contract and acquired the '09 SS/TC. It has just under 104k miles on it, but seems to run fine. I don't know all the particulars of the vehicle yet, so I really don't know what to look out for... that's where all the experts on here come in! Thanks in advance for the help that I know you'll provide in the future.

The vehicle's previous owner was not around when I got it, so I wasn't able to ask particulars about any tuning and mods that he might have had done. I may get a chance to talk to him soon, but I am hoping you all can at least give an opinion or two in regard what I've got here.





I think the highest I've seen the turbo psi go is 16psi, and it "seems" to run better when the cruise control is off.

I am guessing the troubleshooting process would include getting some kind of reader to see what settings might have been changed as a start, but I know you hardcore enthusiasts out there can lay out a straightforward process for me to follow to see what I got. I don't know if the injen stuff is part of an upgrade package or simply an aftermarket parts replacement and everything else is still stock.

Driving the car reminds me of my old Eagle Talon, may it rest in peace. I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!

I can't believe the looks I get from people. For instance I was walking to the car after I ran in for some coffee this morning, and noticed a dude looking at it, then he gave me the evil eye when he saw me walk towards it. When I was about to leave the shop where I am having the LS worked on (timing chain, stabilizer bars/bushings, the usual), I noticed a guy talking to a mechanic about his Cavalier. He wouldn't stop staring at me. Do people hate me now that I am driving this car? LOL I was never too jealous of SS owners in the past, after all, I was driving a Cobalt before they were seen on the road that much, maybe it wasn't an SS, but it's still a Cobalt, and even though it's an LS let me say that for the way I drive, 200k miles, the thing is still in great shape!

The wing was machined to be easily removable and replaced with cotter pins, and I even got the door kit with it so the doors can open upward instead of outward.

It is entirely possible that the previous owner is a member of these forums, but he traded this in for a Camaro, so I don't know if he'll be back or not to even see my post.

At any rate, if anyone can tell me what these injen pipes are for and anything else that would be great. I am assuming it has to do with the turbo and is less likely to leak and give better performance, but I am just getting to know the car. Also, with almost 104k miles on it, I am sure there are things I need to pay close attention to, and any help and direction in that regard is welcome!

Thanks in advance!

[=> StrykerCC / Drivin' the Dream! <=]

 

I forgot to add, that I will be using the LS as my DD, and plan on keeping the SS in the garage most of the time. I plan to drive it at least once a week...

If there is anything I need to know about letting it sit for a week or so between drives, please let me know!

 

16psi is stock for the turbo depending on your elevation. Nice buy!

 

Welcome well the injen pipes are aftermarket for sure and if you say that taking the traction off seems better maybe the car could be trifecta tune but im sure the psi would be more on the 20~ psi range. Also if your going to park the car i would at least start it 1 more time during the week just to keep that battery in good charging state

 

Thanks for the responses!

I actually haven't tried turning the traction off, or competition/launch mode yet. I just know that when I was driving with the cruise on it didn't seem to have as much pep, but that could just be coincidence. I am going to be driving it about 150 miles or so today so I will have a chance to experiment with turning the traction off. That's just the single press, right? Not holding it down?

Thanks in advance!

 

Well, I didn't make that trip today after all, but I did get a chance to disable the traction control (pressed the button once), and the boost seems the same. I will try holding it down next time and see if that makes a difference. I think I need to replace a wheel hub as well... heard some noises I didn't notice before in addition to the "road noise" I had been hearing the last couple of days... I've replaced 3 or 4 wheel hub assemblies on the '06 (but who's counting), just didn't think I'd be replacing one on this quite so soon, but with 100k+ miles, I am not really surprised.

 

do all the normal maintenance stuff check air filter, new plugs, change oils, clean throttle body, check tire rod ends, sway bar end links, make sure all the recalls are done. and enjoy.

 

Then maybe your not tuned im not familiar with trifecta so couldnt help much there but also from the pic it seems you have an intake so if the car is not tuned I would do that first and yeah maintenance just the normal stuff like mentioned above

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

@Superbolt I checked out your pics, sshweeet! I haven't cleaned a throttle body before so I will look that up. Something I can do while I am waiting to get the wheel hub assembly replaced, which I am pretty sure needs to be done based on how it handled and sounded earlier. I'm afraid to drive it until then... I had one catch on fire and the wheel almost fell off on my truck, no way I am taking that chance. Oil is done. Will go down the list. Thanks again!

@eddieavila10 I don't have to tell you that picture of your TC is cool. lol I appreciate your help, I had forgot about the traction control thingy, and thought I had read somewhere another tune used the cruise control switch, but either way I like the way it runs ok for now. Smoked a G8 earlier, felt pretty good. They probably needed a driver upgrade, but, still felt good lol.

You guys are awesome!

[=> StrykerCC / Drivin' the Dream! <=]

 

Lol thanks!! Your ride looks pretty clean, I went from a 07 LT to my 09 SS and the difference is so big I couldnt go back to driving my LT so I sold the car lol

 

thanks man she's a work in progress new seats and lights otw soon for mine...your car is very clean man I'd love to own a turbo bolt but my supercharger will do for now. Be careful cleaning the TB don't push the butterfly open with your finger only open it like a quarter inch just to get a rag in there and if it looks clean don't clean it lol. Smokin cars and trucks is very fun in these cars.

 

Congrats! can't go wrong with a T\c, guy I work with has a red TC with 280,XXXkm on it (commuter car its whole life) hes tuned and the whole lot.. .anyways he drives the SSHHIIITTT outta this car and only had to do clutch/brakes/tires so far, nothing outta the ordinary. .. or and clean the crud off the valves lol

Does ur car have G85? (epic win if it does)


& yeah people do look at these cars, they're not all that common so when does roll by people are like
q'est que **** is that?" I love it!

Finally yes... LS/LT to TC is a mile leap for sure, hell I went from a fully bolted+tuned 2.4 5spd to my stock TC.. makes me wish I didn't spend money trying to make my 2.4 fast...

 

Time for catless dp, 3 bar map sensors and a tune!

 

IT does have the seats and LSD. I appreciate all the input from everyone... It's in the garage now... I have been looking for one of these, and jumped on it when I found one. I will have to work my butt off though now... Got the LS back yesterday BOY DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT! Pissed I can't drive the SS. I mean, there was some road noise it seemed, but then yesterday I could hear it "whirring down" when coming to a stop, even in neutral, so I am assuming it's a wheel hub assembly.

Again, you all are AWESOME! Thanks SO much!

[=> StrykerCC / Drivin' the Dream! <=]

 

Well I had a mechanic at the shop check out the car for me and he told me it was good to go. Supposedly the noise I hear is just the low profile tires. I will be ordering brake parts soon. So I took the car out and BOY IS IT FUN TO DRIVE! Also looking at ZZP Tune. I need to identify the parts on the car though as I still am not sure of things like is the clutch stock, etc. I guess if I get a tune for a stock clutch I can't go wrong. Also, running the turbo at 20psi (assuming it's stock turbo) and 7krpm max... I;m wondering if it will cause me maintenance issues in the future that could be avoided by just leaving it at stock settings. The car gets around great, but let's face it, we always want "a little more," and knowing more is there under the hood just waiting to be unleashed... exciting and scary!

Sorry I am a little slow starter, I work a lot, usually only have Mondays off, so it's going to be a long process. It's an awesome feeling, though, to be able to share the experience with you all!

 

So, I have a quick question. I have been perusing the forums a bit, and I am a little worried now reading things like no WOT under 3.5k RPM, no boost under 2krpm in high gear, no NLS, no launch mode, etc. I floor it all the time when I drive it and now it seems like I am lucky it still runs.

Is there a compilation of tips like these for best way to drive the LNF that I just haven't found on here, or can anyone sum up the key things not to do?

The car seems to be stock, if that helps...

 

I would say 3k for wot at the very least. And always get the car to operating temps before you start getting on the turbo. Launch mode i havent tried my self but you should be able to get better launches if you do it your self. And nls is always dangerous if you dont know what your doing but once your tuned its not recommended to do but you could do it

 

Thanks, Eddie! I have tried launch mode 3 times, and I have to agree it seems hard on the car and not very effective. The first time I did it, it was actually a very smooth launch, but then didn't go into 2nd. I should mention my shift cables/shifter seems loose and I really need to tighten them up and upgrade the clamps. The second time it just sat at the light and spun the tires, didn't move forward at all. The third time was "ok" launch but once again wouldn't go into second. Usually I just start normally and ease into the throttle and it seems to take off just fine. NLS I have done a few times, seems to work better in the middle gears. I should mention when I tried launch mode I also tried to NLS at high rpm and that probably contributed to the shifting issue. I am a truck driver and familiar with appropriate shifting, and trying launch and nls just didn't "feel right." I never have problems when I do what feels right, only when I am trying to take advantage of these "features" which really don't seem to help much! I haven't really raced anyone that's much of a challenge yet, and I guess I was hoping launch and nls would give me some kind of edge but really it just makes me look like an idiot lol.

 

Well launch for sure wont help you, nls can since you still keep that boost going and thats what happens with the turbo so its a great advantage, then again i havent done either of them. But when NLSing just be careful i know when tuned NLSing is not recommended for sure, if stock you can do it aslong as you know what your doing lol