So What Do You Want To Know?
Written by Andy Williamson Monday, 17 August 2009
We have been working with GM on some updates here for you on the Cobalt SS Turbo Stage 1. We know that all most of you want to know is WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE?! I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your patience and continued support for GM during this waiting period - you have all been great.
We do have something kind of cool, and I thought it would be good to open it up to the community. Many of you are familiar with John Heinricy the master driver and former Director of the GM Performance Division. He is going to be stepping into a Cobalt with the Stage 1 on it and is going to be running the car around town and more than likely on the track. He was going to give us some feedback and was wondering if there is anything in particular that we want to know. Besides when is this sucker going to be available, would you guys like to know anything in particular from John. This is a rare moment that we can actually work with John and have him interact with the community like this. So I figured I would open this up to all of you for questions.
If you have any questions or would like to know something in particular, post them here and we will get them over to John to answer. He will be driving this little beast this week so the sooner you get the questions over the better your chances are to get some answers. I know it’s not as good as driving it yourselves, but sometimes living vicariously helps a bit.
Can’t wait to hear what you would like to know. Let the fun begin. Have a great day!
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Comments (34)
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Id like to know what his first thoughts are compared to the stock form on just initial feel of the vehicle both from a day to day driving and perfomance aspect. Basically how the car behaves in normal driving conditions compared to stock or if its even noticeable until you start getting into the throttle? Does the added low end torque make it nicer in high traffic situations? Thanks for the opportunity Guys!
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August 17, 2009
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Are traction/launch control any less effective with the stage kit? Does power hop become unmanageable? Is this going to affect the transmission life? Torque Steer? It may not sound like it... but Im really excited.
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August 17, 2009
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Basics if able to collect data: 0-60, 1/4 mile, passing time @ speed on hwy, MPG +/-.
Is there any bogging when launching. How does the SS launch with launch control. How does the SS launch with the ESC off and at what RPM is he launching. Is the vehicle using 91 or 93 octaine and about what sea lvl?
Again, is there any known wheel other than the NA 17" wheel that will clear the Brembo's? Looking for better gearing ratio.
Again, Thank you so much for all the time and effort! I know its not much to say thank you, but this gift really means alot to so many people and drivers!
Is there any bogging when launching. How does the SS launch with launch control. How does the SS launch with the ESC off and at what RPM is he launching. Is the vehicle using 91 or 93 octaine and about what sea lvl?
Again, is there any known wheel other than the NA 17" wheel that will clear the Brembo's? Looking for better gearing ratio.
Again, Thank you so much for all the time and effort! I know its not much to say thank you, but this gift really means alot to so many people and drivers!
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August 17, 2009
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Also, about the aftermarket segment. The before and after engine mods, are we able to go with an aftermarket downpipe and also a cold air intake of our choosing and still be under warrenty?
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August 17, 2009
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Guys, these are all great questions. Keep them coming. We are excited to share these with them. I believe they will like most of them. I hope we can get a lot of these answered for you.
Thanks for the support. It means a lot.
Thanks for the support. It means a lot.
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August 17, 2009
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WHILE HE'S OUT FLOGGING THE COBALT SEE IF HE CAN FIND A GOOD REASON CANADIANS PAY A $1000 + US DOLLARS . MAYBE IT'S 40% MORE HP AND TORQUE IN CANADA
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August 17, 2009
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Not really a question, but a suggestion. I think you guys could shut out a large component of question if maybe this driver made a video clip of some sort?
My question is does the car still feel like it's being restricted with the stock exhast components?
Do you feel like you are hurting the car when you get on the throttle?
How is the daily moderate driving feel?
Is the launch control now pointless?
Is the clicking from the engine gone? Lol (joke)
Can a passenger move there body forward under heavy throttle? Lol.
Ok I'm done.
My question is does the car still feel like it's being restricted with the stock exhast components?
Do you feel like you are hurting the car when you get on the throttle?
How is the daily moderate driving feel?
Is the launch control now pointless?
Is the clicking from the engine gone? Lol (joke)
Can a passenger move there body forward under heavy throttle? Lol.
Ok I'm done.
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August 17, 2009
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Can we get some feed back on NO LIFT SHIFT? Has this been used with the stage kit yet?
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August 17, 2009
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can you feel the surge of power come faster and lower on the rpm range.?
doesn it keep on going up to 6,000 rpm." no drop off"?
would traccion be a problem on cars without g85?
will the car with the stage1 respond favorlly towards other aftermarket moods"intake,exhaust?
doesn it keep on going up to 6,000 rpm." no drop off"?
would traccion be a problem on cars without g85?
will the car with the stage1 respond favorlly towards other aftermarket moods"intake,exhaust?
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August 18, 2009
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Well, I think all the questions I could think of have been asked above. Id just like to say thanks to GMTS again! You guys keep wowing me with great support for the LNF community! This is great stuff.
On top of all the other questions asked, one thing I would like to know is how the wheel spin is with the kit?
On top of all the other questions asked, one thing I would like to know is how the wheel spin is with the kit?
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August 18, 2009
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Ask John if he can talk about giving us Canadians a better deal
$1155 is not being fair at all to us.
that is TWICE the price of purchasing it in the USA.
$1155 is not being fair at all to us.
that is TWICE the price of purchasing it in the USA.
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August 18, 2009
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Hi John,
This peripherally relates to the stage 1 tuning.
I understand that you must have had a large role in the suspension tuning of the Cobalt SS, and my perception is that it must be a dynamite setup for the track (I haven't been able to take mine to the track yet!) It seems particularly well-suited for a rough course, or a course over public roads (thinking of Nurburgring, Sebring, etc.)
On the street though, I find it's easy for the car to lose its composure with more, shall we say, dynamic applications of the throttle.
So on to my questions:
1. Can you comment on the overall balance of the car with the additional torque of the Stage 1 kit? Does it throw the power-handling balance out-of-whack?
2. Can you suggest a direction to take with further suspension tuning? I'd like a little more rear-bias, and a little tighter handling on the street. With a fully independent rear suspension, I'd probably start by playing with bigger rear anti-roll bars, and then towards tweaking spring-rates. The rear-suspension on the SS is alien to me though, and I wonder just how much more quickly I'd be destroying the ride quality :-)
Thanks for your insight John. I have tremendous respect for GM's suspension tuning, and am happy to be told to "leave well enough alone" if that's really the answer. But if you were to make further improvements, what direction would you take?
Regards,
Doug
This peripherally relates to the stage 1 tuning.
I understand that you must have had a large role in the suspension tuning of the Cobalt SS, and my perception is that it must be a dynamite setup for the track (I haven't been able to take mine to the track yet!) It seems particularly well-suited for a rough course, or a course over public roads (thinking of Nurburgring, Sebring, etc.)
On the street though, I find it's easy for the car to lose its composure with more, shall we say, dynamic applications of the throttle.
So on to my questions:
1. Can you comment on the overall balance of the car with the additional torque of the Stage 1 kit? Does it throw the power-handling balance out-of-whack?
2. Can you suggest a direction to take with further suspension tuning? I'd like a little more rear-bias, and a little tighter handling on the street. With a fully independent rear suspension, I'd probably start by playing with bigger rear anti-roll bars, and then towards tweaking spring-rates. The rear-suspension on the SS is alien to me though, and I wonder just how much more quickly I'd be destroying the ride quality :-)
Thanks for your insight John. I have tremendous respect for GM's suspension tuning, and am happy to be told to "leave well enough alone" if that's really the answer. But if you were to make further improvements, what direction would you take?
Regards,
Doug
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August 18, 2009
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I have in writing that crateenginedepot will gaurentee that the kit they sell now will contain the flash(when it comes out). so you can go ahead and order it now, which im going to do very shortly.
Maybe the canadian SS owners can try buying it from there and just paying the normal dealer install costs. PLEASE email them first to see if they will honor the kit in canada.....
Maybe the canadian SS owners can try buying it from there and just paying the normal dealer install costs. PLEASE email them first to see if they will honor the kit in canada.....
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August 18, 2009
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I live in Canada and finally ordered mine from crate engine .. I went to the dealer yesterday and they said they would install it but there's nothing they can do for the pricing in Canada and the same problem exists for most pieces out there .. You can buy a block from the US, get it shipped to Canada and it still will cost you less than buying it directly from Canada ..
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August 18, 2009
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As well as some of the questions above:
1. Does this kit alter the service intervals of the gm oil life monitoring system? I.e., more power + more torque = changing your oil more often?
2.The dyno graph that we saw, what gear was that in, and does the tune limit torque / horsepower / boost in the lower gears?
3. Will the plastic charge piping hold up to the increased boost pressures, or are we going to see burst plastic?
4. Any chance this new calibration and sensors will come stock on the limited run of 2010 Cobalt SS's? Might as well go out with a bang, and not a whimper.
5. Okay, how's about that Stage 2 kit?
1. Does this kit alter the service intervals of the gm oil life monitoring system? I.e., more power + more torque = changing your oil more often?
2.The dyno graph that we saw, what gear was that in, and does the tune limit torque / horsepower / boost in the lower gears?
3. Will the plastic charge piping hold up to the increased boost pressures, or are we going to see burst plastic?
4. Any chance this new calibration and sensors will come stock on the limited run of 2010 Cobalt SS's? Might as well go out with a bang, and not a whimper.
5. Okay, how's about that Stage 2 kit?
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August 18, 2009
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Ovin, so if we buy the kit from CED for the $550 or whatever it is, that theres no extra charge for the flash? I know we have to pay dealer labor, but there wont be any extra fee to get the tune? Itll just be the cost of the kit + install time right?
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August 18, 2009
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One other questioned I just thought of... has there been any talk of what kind of max boost this kit will make? I dont recall it being mentioned, but I could be wrong or could have missed it....
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August 18, 2009
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Stats for 0-60, 1/4 mile and improvements in take off and turbo lag. Videos would also be appreciated since most of us like the viual appeal and pictures of the installation (preferrably the splices) so we know ahead of time what they should look like when we take our babies in for the makeover. Also need to get some info on the stage 2 as well to keep the enthusiasm up.
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August 18, 2009
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I just want to say that this is friggin awesome!
1.) I would like to know how the car compares to other front drive cars he has driven and maybe even some rear or all wheel drive cars.
2.) Does the extra torque help with pulling out of turns? How is the understeer?
3.) Sometimes a 1-2 NLS bogs and has trouble powering through the shift. Does the extra power help launch you into second, spin excessively, or do the same thing and bog down?
4.) Is the torque steer really bad, or manageable?
5.) Can you give me driving lessons?...seriously.
And to GMTS...you're quickly making this one of the best sites ever!
1.) I would like to know how the car compares to other front drive cars he has driven and maybe even some rear or all wheel drive cars.
2.) Does the extra torque help with pulling out of turns? How is the understeer?
3.) Sometimes a 1-2 NLS bogs and has trouble powering through the shift. Does the extra power help launch you into second, spin excessively, or do the same thing and bog down?
4.) Is the torque steer really bad, or manageable?
5.) Can you give me driving lessons?...seriously.
And to GMTS...you're quickly making this one of the best sites ever!
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August 18, 2009
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Ditto on the driving lessons. I do well for what i know, but extra knowledge is always welcomed!! Like launch RPM.. shift points, etc. with this new kit!! Thank you once again!! *Holding money in hand*
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August 18, 2009
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Im wondering about 60 foot times and 300 foot with mph? Also will we need a less restrictive air filter. Iv seen duramax's suck the filter almost inside out due to restriction. Second with the added boost, hp, and tq are we going to need to let the car idel for a while before shuting down?
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August 18, 2009
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Can you feel a difference during normal driving, or only under wide open throttle do you feel the added power? Does the turbo spool up more or less easily and under what conditions? Does engine braking have more, less, or unchanged affect on vehicle speed? Most importantly does this stage kit accelerate harder pushing me into my seat and at least making me feel like I am going fast? Can you convince GM to produce more performance parts for this car? I would be interested in steel brake lines, oil catch can, downpipe, exhaust, air intake, and charge piping. These performance parts could be used on the KONI Challenge Series Cobalts and my car too!
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August 18, 2009
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I forgot to mention that I would love to see photos and video of the car going fast and Mr. Heinricy saying a few words about his driving experience in the car.
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August 18, 2009
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If we buy from Crate Engine Do the dealers have to install it and do we still get warranty or is that up to the dealer Maybe we could get a list of dealers in Canada that will do this.
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August 18, 2009
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0-60 times. 1/4 mile times. is the launch control effected any or does it still work generally the same? and like someone said, can we get videos or anything showing the difference in this kit. possibly have a stock ss go to the track against the stage 1 ss? that would be pretty sweet.
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August 19, 2009
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one more thing...how does the turbo spool and blow off sound with it? I'm fine with what it sounds like now but if that spool is louder that would sound pretty sick. And at what rpm/just how long does it take for the turbo to fully spool up?
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August 19, 2009
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80vetteL82:
here is link to a screenshot of what Tom said.
the dealer should only charge you labor for the install of the kit parts + the techs time for the install of the flash, nothing more. if they dealer tries to charge you just for the flash, tell them to blow it out their a** and take your car somewhere else
http://bnunnally.com/total.jpg
here is link to a screenshot of what Tom said.
the dealer should only charge you labor for the install of the kit parts + the techs time for the install of the flash, nothing more. if they dealer tries to charge you just for the flash, tell them to blow it out their a** and take your car somewhere else
http://bnunnally.com/total.jpg
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August 19, 2009
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Can we get some video with commentary as he is driving and testing at the track? {not really a question more like a demand} make it happen!!!!
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August 19, 2009
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Would like to ask Mr. Heinricy, if you owned a Cobalt SS and were spending your own money, after this Stage I kit:
what performance parts would you add to the drive train and handling package, and in what order of priority.
Thanks,
Mickey
what performance parts would you add to the drive train and handling package, and in what order of priority.
Thanks,
Mickey
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August 21, 2009
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hey guys whats the hold on 09 turbo up-grade, you working on a follow-up. where is stage 1 # how about it bro!
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September 23, 2009
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Would like to add a limited slip axle to my cobalt ss is the option limit slip made by gm or somebody else. Has anyone added one to there cobalt or have any suggestions?
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October 23, 2009
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This is really more of a Question than a Comment. Is it possible to swap out the standard four lug hubs to replace them with the five bolt hubs onto a 2005 Cobalt? If so which year and if so do I need to change anything other than the wheels? Later mods i would like to do Include Suspension,Intake,Chip,and possibly a Turbo with exhaust.
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December 16, 2009
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