Cobalt Turbo Upgrade Release Q&A - 10/23
Written by Corey Mullane Friday, 23 October 2009
The questions about the Cobalt SS Stage 1 kit keep coming out and we keep working to bring you guys answers to your questions as fast as possible. We’ve compiled some good questions that come straight from your comments across the various Stage 1 posts so if you want your question answered, just leave us a comment and we’ll try and answer it the best we can. Some of these questions are good FYIs too so even if you didn’t have a question and your already rockin’ in your Stage 1 Cobalt SS Turbo they are worth the quick read to keep you up to speed. Full Q&A is listed after the jump.
Seven: I am considering installing the kit myself. Will the dealer charge me less to just flash the ECM? If so, what should be the difference in cost? Also, will it do any damage to the car if I drive it to the dealer after installing the kit. Do I just need to drive easy and everything will be fine?
GM HPVO: The recommended charge for the dealer to install the kit is 2.0 hours of labor, that includes the ECM reflash. If you did the work yourself the dealer should only charge labor for the reflash - 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour. In driving the car, if you did install the hardware yourself, you will set a P2227 code on the second start after the install. This code may put you in the reduced power mode so you need to drive very prudently and carefully. Just so you are aware the "official" recommendation is not to drive the car without the reflash.
Kildore: It's not gona be fun when people put on this kit.. and then go in for the reflash.. and they dont honor the warranty due to the person not being GM cert. mechanic. I hope all is well.
GM HPVO: The vehicle and powertrain warranty is not affected by whether a GM Certified Mechanic installed the kit or not. What will not be covered is any issues with the installation. As an example, if you wire the kit wrong and need a new connector because of it, the cost of a replacement connector harness is $135. If the dealer installed it and made the mistake, the dealer would cover the cost. If you made the mistake you would have to cover the cost (which would have nearly paid for the dealer to install it in the first place).
Seven: I'm in Canada. Is the kit and programming exactly the same as in the U.S.? I'm asking because I want to pick up the kit in the US (because it is so much cheaper in the U.S.) and have it programmed at a dealer in Canada.
GM HPVO: The same part number kit is released to both the US and Canada, no differences. The programming is exactly the same between the US and Canada.
Share
Email This
Hits: 1100
Comments (35)
...
I have got my Stage 1 kit done yesterday and now I want to badge my car with a emblem that said GM Stage-1 LNF Turbocharge or something along those lines.. Is this possible because I cant not find any online or through the dealership... BTW I own an EVO IV also and now my cobalt is or feels as fast as my IV.
,
October 23, 2009
-
- -2
-
-
...
I was thinking of getting a custom decal done for my car at a local decal shop.. will cost 10$ maybe .. but don't forget that keeping the stage 1 a secret will make a lot of people wonder whats wrong with their cars 
,
October 24, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
MY INSTALL EXPERIENCE: I bought my kit from CED about a month ago, and dropped my car off at the dealer last night (friday night). I was called this morning and i was expecting to be able to pick up my car and wear down my tires a little more, but instead i was told that the program they received from GM did not "take" to my car. So now i have to wait until some part of GM opens up on monday to resolve this issue, WTF!!!?!?!
I was also told this is not unheard of because some of the solstice and HHR's have had this problem too.
I'm just giving you guys a heads up that you might run into this problem, and i suggest that you drop your car off to get the reflash during the week, just in case they run into any issues.
I was also told this is not unheard of because some of the solstice and HHR's have had this problem too.
I'm just giving you guys a heads up that you might run into this problem, and i suggest that you drop your car off to get the reflash during the week, just in case they run into any issues.
,
October 24, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Has anyone had problems with LFS from 1st to 2nd? I did until I looked at this link on cobaltss.net: http://cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=187224
I adjusted the shifter in 2 minutes and it is SO much easier to shift from 1st to 2nd.
BTW.... I'm enjoying this Stage 1 kit. It is definitely worth it.
I adjusted the shifter in 2 minutes and it is SO much easier to shift from 1st to 2nd.
BTW.... I'm enjoying this Stage 1 kit. It is definitely worth it.
,
October 24, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
GM Performance is selling the kit for 523.25,. If I include 2.0 hours tech time @ ~$80/hr and I'm looking at 683.25 + taxes. Is it worth the "supposedly" 20 HP and 60 lb-ft torque increase? W/O some before and after dyno numbers, it makes me leery of investing that amount of cash.
Where's the numbers?
Where's the numbers?
,
October 25, 2009
-
- -1
-
-
...
My kit was about $560 + $80*2hrs for install = 902 and some change. I tell you what.. I can't smash it in town while in 2nd and not take a chance of getting a breaking traction ticket. You better be out in the middle of nowhere before you hit it in 3rd. The power band is increadable!! WOT in 1st, 2nd, and finally hooks up in 3rd!! 20mph - 80mph in about 3 seconds! If thats not worth 900 dollars and still have your gm backed warrenty... then dont get this kit. Personally, I'm very happy for my purchase. They even fixed the recall on the intake duct while in. So, at least go get your warrenty work done. Takes about 10 mins for the intake. One person dyno'd their T/C. They have an AEM CAI, exhaust, and stageI. They put down about 296hp and 325tq on a mystang dyno i believe. Impressive to say the least. We should compare the Dyno curves of a Cobalt with just Stage I to one that has just an aftermarket tune, such as trifecta.
,
October 26, 2009
-
- +1
-
-
...
I got my car back from the dealer and i had a little fun on the way home. On dry pavement dont expect your stock tires to hold at all in first lol. Second gear is where the fun begins. Third gear pulls pretty nice too. I got my boost gauge to hit 20 psi last night before i let off the gas.
WARNING: You will not be able to whipe that stupid grin off of your face for a while after the first time you drive it. AND you will get that stupid grin when your telling people about it. Just a warning!
Kit Cost: 560$ from CED after shipping
Dealer install: 220$ after taxes (im sure the dealer charged me a lot but i didnt even look at the invoice)
TOTAL: 780$
WARNING: You will not be able to whipe that stupid grin off of your face for a while after the first time you drive it. AND you will get that stupid grin when your telling people about it. Just a warning!
Kit Cost: 560$ from CED after shipping
Dealer install: 220$ after taxes (im sure the dealer charged me a lot but i didnt even look at the invoice)
TOTAL: 780$
,
October 27, 2009
-
- +2
-
-
...
i just did the upgrage on mine and wow what a diff, when "the dealer" reflashes yer pcm it says tune is for stage 1 and "2" kits, any one know what this new kit is to consist of? The tune is worth the money, of the over 100 miles of drive time that i have had it,it is smooth, clean power band with no dead spots and is backed by a gm warr. ive had mult other cars with tunes with less pull, more driveability problems and cost almost as much. THANKS GM! where was this car 10 years ago? coolist sleeper since my 87 t-type. 
,
October 27, 2009
-
- +1
-
-
...
Just a heads up, I found the kit for $499 shipped from gmpartsdirect.com...
,
October 28, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Is there a document we can print out to give our dealerships that think this kit voids the factory warrnty proof that it actually in fact does nothing to our warrnty? The service manage at my local chevy dealer contacted his regional manager and in plain english is saying that warrnties on gm performance parts only exist on engines. All parts on this kit and the installation are at the risk of the owner and accepts all responsibilities repair if it is needed. Maybe some of you know a dealership that has knowledge of installation and specifics of the kit and I can have the service manager at my dealer contact them to get schooled on this matter.
,
October 29, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
I am located in San Antonio Tx. if anybody knows if a dealership that has installed on of these kits in the area.
,
October 29, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
What about some updates on performance for the new Stage I? 0-60, 1/4 E.T. and such?
,
October 29, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
i took my car to the track after i put the stage 1 kit on and ran a 13.71 at 110 mile a hour. i could not make the car hook. i had a 2.39 60 foot. after i improve the traction i think i can get to a 13.20 easy.
,
October 30, 2009
-
- +1
-
-
...
That's a good time! To compensate like that after the 60' mark. Will be interesting to see next spring what the stage I's will bring to the table. LOL. Want to skip a couple of seasons now.
,
October 30, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Check your shipped prices. CED is $498.00 shipped were gmpartsdirect is $494.98 shipped. Don't worry, I check my facts before posting them. Wanna make sure everybody gets the best price possible. Im a bargin hunter and will search high and low for the best prices on anything I am in the market for, and pass it on to my fellow enthusiasts!!!
,
October 30, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
I just got back from the dragstrip...... I've got the Stage 1 kit now. Back in July when I was stock, the best I could do was 14.45 in the quarter mile (granted it was 90 degrees and humid). Tonight it was 52 degrees and calm. My best time was 13.67 at 104 mph. I still had trouble hooking up out of the hole.... my 60' time on that pass was 2.325 and 1/8 mile at 9.049 at 84.8 mph. I ran consistently in the 13.70s tonight but all 60' times were 2.3s and 2.4s
,
October 31, 2009
-
- +1
-
-
...
Cool. My best was a 14.3 with 110 degree F outside. Then finally got my launch down and started hitting 13.9's when it cooled off. That's a huge decrease in time. You'll get the hang of it over time. It's alot of fun though.
,
October 31, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Sorry yeah gm direct is cheaper with shipping no doubt however for those of us north of the boarder cratenginedepot is the only option short of paying 1150$ can or 1066 us from a dealer. Gm direct won't ship out of country oh well. Still a crazy savings!! Sorry for the slightly inaccurate fact check 
,
November 01, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Hi, all, just called my dealer to make an appointment to flash in my calibration for stage 1. They called me back minutes later and said all warranties either new car or purchased will be null and void upun installing the stage 1 kit. I have opted for the self install therefore am eating the price of this kit because I cannot afford to lose my warranty. I have hand crafted the plug and play version as HPVO did in their initial studies for the calibration. So I have in excess of $700.00 already invested in the hardware of the kit. Please if anyone would share light on my situation or be willing to purchase what I have please let me know. This is truly a letdown considering I will have to wait 5 years before I can get it upgraded when the warranty runs out.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Are they denying your warranty because youvmade it plug and play? Or because you self installed?
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Hi, I do not know, they just called a few minutes later and emphatically said that all my warranty would be null and void if the stage kit were installed on the car. BTW I assembled my plug and play with parts I purchased from GM separate from the kit parts so therefore if they wanted to do the complete install they can do it because my kit is complete. My purpose was not to have my engine wiring harnes cut which makes it impossible to return to stock without needing to buy a complete wiring harness, either new or used from a salvaged car.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
The only reason they could void your warranty that i can see is because you have altered the factor kit but they dont even know that at this point, Correct? and the alterations you did make are completely reversible as you made it plug and play correct? They can not void your warranty for the kit as its garanteed by GM. If they are giving you problems i would go to a different dealership or ask them to speek to a higher up. also i would print off all the info on the stage kit to show them from the numerous website available especially this one. They must be confused.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
I believe they are not confused. They have some personnel problems. The service writer returned the call so quick it makes me think they did'nt ask anyone about it. They (service writter)first told me they were not familiar with the stage kits two months ago and this morning they said they were still not familiar with the stage kit. How can they make the decision that quick and not have researched it. If I treated my customer like that in my job I would be repremanded if not fired first.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- -1
-
-
...
Two months ago the dealerships would not have and real info about it at all. They however would have been able to look into the stage kit for the LNF Solctice or Sky, the same warranty rules apply and those have been released for quite a while. If you give them a part number they should easily be able to look it up now. 19212670. it definately sounds like that particular staff member did not bother to investigate without speaking. Its covered by warranty. they must think its not gm backed or something.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +1
-
-
...
Yea, I should have known beter. The first oil change was done there and I asked them to tell me if the synthetic oil would be significantly higher than standard oil and they agreed. Went to checkout and charged me 100 bucks for oil change oil was 10 bucks a quart. At parts store it's 4 bucks a quart. Communication with customer is not their strong point, however they did good job replacing xm receiver and doing recall on charge air duct. However when I got home from the oil change I found nicks on the ground effects package and the body where it is seamed together all of which is where the lift contacted the body. I know they did this after they did not rotate the tires when I asked them to and then had to put the car back on the lift. Go figure.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Wow thats really sad, my service department is pretty much grade A constant comunication and if they do damage something or screw up in some manor they dont even argue they just fix it with apologies. they forgot to put the coolant cap back on the resevoir when they checked it after an oil change,two days later the low coolant warning came on (never seen this in my life and this is my second balt) so i popped the hood and found the cap sitting beside the resevior. i drove there and just went into the sign in bay. they refilled the resevoir on the spot and gave me discount towards oil changes in the future, also when i bought the car they gave my a free polish and burnt a spot on the paint with a polisher, 2 days later the passenger side of my car was being repainted with a loaner car to boot. sounds like your dealer is kinda useless or doesnt repremand there employees for not making them look good no matter what.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
From my bad experiences it's no small wonder that I've only purchased one new car in my entire life. And of all the used cars we've had omly one was purchased from a dealership, the rest were hand-me-downs from family members, or Resurrected from back yards ready for the scrap heap.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Fair enough, no doubt. do you have any other dealerships in your area? even if its a bit out of the way sometimes it makes all the difference, if you ever get one of those surveys about the dealership after getting work done fill it out and be honest, or call them first and tell them what its going to say and give them a chance to redeam themsleves. sometimes 1 service advisor can reflect terrably on an entire dealership.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Yea, but they are not listed as dealers of GMPP. The nearest one on GMPP list is 71 miles and the nearest one not on the list is 30 miles away. The one 30 miles away replaced a wheel bearing on the front of mother's car but replaced wrong one. The shop that discovered this said they could have replaced both of them at the price they charged. BTW I filled out my survey before I had found the damage they had done.
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
ah you can always call the gm help line, they will often contact dealerships to inform them of things they may have wrong or direct you to a higher up that can deal with it. Gm certified parts usually do cost about twice as much as elswhere, if the shop that said that was not a gm shop they would definately be cheaper, them replacing the wrong wheel bearing is just plain stupid, did they diagnose the wheel bearing themselves or did you and they never checked properly?
,
November 02, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
The dealership does not have to be a GMPP dealer to purchase or install the kits. Any GM dealer can purchase and install the parts. I also heard that the dealerships will be getting clarification on the warranty soon from GM to clear up this confusion. Rest assured your warranty will not be void by simply installing this kit.
,
November 03, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
...
Hello, all I'm one happy customer now. Got my Calibration flashed today for tne Stage 1 Plug-nPlay and I got to thank Corey and HPVO for everything. MY service writter and shop foreman got it done and everything works great. This calibration really makes the car feel good during normal driving, especially round town. The attidude for the car is almost like it's happy and response is smoother. It's my wish that everyone sees the need to get this done so that these new products continue to be developed and introduced. My shop Foreman left a Thank You card on the gage cluster so It must be pretty cool reflashing and test driving the carand a Plug-n-Play Stage 1 SS Cobalt Upgrade does'nt come in the shop that often I would imagine. When you purchase these kits and I know now it's really tough financing one for some, but it's going to help keep people working and promote the industry. Alright HPVO keep up the work and develop some nice toys for us next Christmas.
,
November 05, 2009
-
- +1
-
-
Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
