DefiantMandalor

Hello, everyone! I've been lurking/reading for the past few months and decided I would join in.

I got my Cobalt back in August 2016. It's an 08 SS Turbo in Victory Red. It's been a blast to drive and I absolutely love it.

I'm on the fence about getting it modded or not. I've found some great answers/info about many different things but you'll still probably see me pop up some threads once in a while. Only things I have done so far are purely aesthetic such as the headlights, tint, and getting a shift boot to replace the stock one that's falling apart.

mzspd

Very nice clean car!! I have to say, I think Victory Red is my favorite color!

As far as modding, these cars are pretty good in stock form. I have only installed a short throw shift with a weighted knob (OTTP). Not sure what your mileage is at, but it never hurts to freshen it up with new (OEM) brakes and a good set of performance tires (this is what I did with mine). Other then that, I spent a lot of time detailing it and cleaning it up.

*unpopular opinion* once you start heavily modding this car, it will throw off the balance with high HP going thru the front wheels (tq steer).

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

Welcome I would atleast do a careless do and a tune so you can get more power out of it without having to worry much. I nodded my car since 60k+ miles I'm at 104k and no problems. If you want a good tuner look for kmo43 in the forums he will take care of you but you will need to buy hptuners first

DefiantMandalor

@mzspd Thanks! I have to agree that the Victory Red is definitely stylish! I was actually looking into better performance tires for when the current ones need replacement.

@Snail_SS I was thinking about just doing an intake, the downpipe, and exhaust with a tune as far as mods. I've only been out of college for a few years now so I'm still saving money and don't want to go completely overboard. Just something simple to personalize it a bit more. I think catless dp would be interesting but being in VA, they are heavily against aftermarket stuff so I doubt I could get away with it. And I've seen kmo43 around during my readings. I was actually going to ask him some questions when I got the chance.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

Or you can go for a high flow cat that should work for you As Well. And that sounds like it should be enough for you to start. Those are the mods I started with and I have a big list of mods now lol

DefiantMandalor

Thanks for the info. Looking at your list, I see you have a 3 inch dp. If I remember correctly, the stock is 2.5. Did you have to swap anything else to install it or does it just bolt on? Also, what exactly does it bolt onto in our cars? I've seen plenty of threads where they mention it connecting to the headers but that it's different in our cars. I'm guessing it connects to the turbo instead? I'm not too mechanically inclined yet but I've slowly been learning so any help is appreciated.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

It's just 4 nuts that go on the O2 housing and I didn't have to modify anything just take off a total of 7 bolts and the O2 sensor and it's out

DefiantMandalor

Awesome! Sounds like it's no big deal to move to a 3 inch dp then. Thanks, man. You've been super helpful. Seems like all the stuff I want to do is pretty straightforward then.

Snail_SS

iTrader: (3)

Yeah that's the basics really just get in contact with a good tuner and your car will get alot more fun

colodude18

iTrader: (4)

Welcome! Nice clean car, victory red IS the best (right after black)

Tdubbs

Welcome, very nice car indeed as others have said. One of my coworkers just picked up a used 09 in Victory Red for his son.

Ps, stock downpipe is 3" all the way except where it's kinked where the o2 sensor sits.