Any one recommend Stage 1 installer in NC?
Senior Member
Joined: 08-18-2008
Posts: 191
From: Kannapolis, North Carolina
I hope that you, the wife and kids are doing well.
Senior Member
Joined: 11-15-2008
Posts: 1,599
From: Newburgh, NY
I can't offer you a suggestion about a good service department to perform the installation, but I can offer you some advice as to what I did to obtain a successful installation.
For some brief background, I have 19,000 miles on my SS since the kit was installed (26,000 in total) and have not had a bit of trouble with it (the kit or the car itself). I had it installed in June of 2009.
You need to take this into your own hands if you want to insure success. A service department must be interviewed if you want to insure that the installation is performed to GMPD's specifications in this venture. If you ask a lot of questions and they are receptive from the onset, then you might have a good candidate.
From my (very successful) experience with the installation, I had asked 3 dealerships if they:
1) Had done this procedure
2) If they had the special splice crimping tool (J-38125-8, GM P/N 12085115)
3) If they had the heat torch (J-38125-5 or equivalent)
4) If they knew where to apply these tools
5) Asked them if they knew about the HVAC piping clearance requirement
6) Asked them if they knew about trimming the lower TMAP sensor port
7) Provided them with the GM Tech Link advisory (I attached the link)
Although I'm probably a PITA customer as anal as this might sound, I rarely take my cars to dealerships for service. 2 dealerships were vague in response to my queries, but assured me that "everything would be fine". But in the end, my installing dealership appreciated my knowledge in this area and seemed to appreciate my enthusiasm. (I talked directly with the installation tech). The service mgr even thanked me for the pre-printed copies of the GM Tech Link article. I was an early adopter of the kit and they had done 2 HHR installs, but numerous (impressive amount, but forgot how many) Stage 1 and Stage 2 installs on Cobalt SS' (stage kits are somewhat different on earlier Ecotecs). The other 2 dealers were somewhat reluctant and seemed to express violation in regard to my questioning.
Bottom line is to be vigilant, ask a lot of questions and if you get any resistance, be wary.
See installation tips at the bottom of the page:
http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2...grade-kit.html
For some brief background, I have 19,000 miles on my SS since the kit was installed (26,000 in total) and have not had a bit of trouble with it (the kit or the car itself). I had it installed in June of 2009.
You need to take this into your own hands if you want to insure success. A service department must be interviewed if you want to insure that the installation is performed to GMPD's specifications in this venture. If you ask a lot of questions and they are receptive from the onset, then you might have a good candidate.
From my (very successful) experience with the installation, I had asked 3 dealerships if they:
1) Had done this procedure
2) If they had the special splice crimping tool (J-38125-8, GM P/N 12085115)
3) If they had the heat torch (J-38125-5 or equivalent)
4) If they knew where to apply these tools
5) Asked them if they knew about the HVAC piping clearance requirement
6) Asked them if they knew about trimming the lower TMAP sensor port
7) Provided them with the GM Tech Link advisory (I attached the link)
Although I'm probably a PITA customer as anal as this might sound, I rarely take my cars to dealerships for service. 2 dealerships were vague in response to my queries, but assured me that "everything would be fine". But in the end, my installing dealership appreciated my knowledge in this area and seemed to appreciate my enthusiasm. (I talked directly with the installation tech). The service mgr even thanked me for the pre-printed copies of the GM Tech Link article. I was an early adopter of the kit and they had done 2 HHR installs, but numerous (impressive amount, but forgot how many) Stage 1 and Stage 2 installs on Cobalt SS' (stage kits are somewhat different on earlier Ecotecs). The other 2 dealers were somewhat reluctant and seemed to express violation in regard to my questioning.
Bottom line is to be vigilant, ask a lot of questions and if you get any resistance, be wary.
See installation tips at the bottom of the page:
http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2...grade-kit.html
Senior Member
Joined: 03-09-2010
Posts: 149
From: Columbia City, Indiana
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-17-2010
Posts: 227
From: Greensboro NC
I can't offer you a suggestion about a good service department to perform the installation, but I can offer you some advice as to what I did to obtain a successful installation.
For some brief background, I have 19,000 miles on my SS since the kit was installed (26,000 in total) and have not had a bit of trouble with it (the kit or the car itself). I had it installed in June of 2009.
You need to take this into your own hands if you want to insure success. A service department must be interviewed if you want to insure that the installation is performed to GMPD's specifications in this venture. If you ask a lot of questions and they are receptive from the onset, then you might have a good candidate.
From my (very successful) experience with the installation, I had asked 3 dealerships if they:
1) Had done this procedure
2) If they had the special splice crimping tool (J-38125-8, GM P/N 12085115)
3) If they had the heat torch (J-38125-5 or equivalent)
4) If they knew where to apply these tools
5) Asked them if they knew about the HVAC piping clearance requirement
6) Asked them if they knew about trimming the lower TMAP sensor port
7) Provided them with the GM Tech Link advisory (I attached the link)
Although I'm probably a PITA customer as anal as this might sound, I rarely take my cars to dealerships for service. 2 dealerships were vague in response to my queries, but assured me that "everything would be fine". But in the end, my installing dealership appreciated my knowledge in this area and seemed to appreciate my enthusiasm. (I talked directly with the installation tech). The service mgr even thanked me for the pre-printed copies of the GM Tech Link article. I was an early adopter of the kit and they had done 2 HHR installs, but numerous (impressive amount, but forgot how many) Stage 1 and Stage 2 installs on Cobalt SS' (stage kits are somewhat different on earlier Ecotecs). The other 2 dealers were somewhat reluctant and seemed to express violation in regard to my questioning.
Bottom line is to be vigilant, ask a lot of questions and if you get any resistance, be wary.
See installation tips at the bottom of the page:
http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2...grade-kit.html
For some brief background, I have 19,000 miles on my SS since the kit was installed (26,000 in total) and have not had a bit of trouble with it (the kit or the car itself). I had it installed in June of 2009.
You need to take this into your own hands if you want to insure success. A service department must be interviewed if you want to insure that the installation is performed to GMPD's specifications in this venture. If you ask a lot of questions and they are receptive from the onset, then you might have a good candidate.
From my (very successful) experience with the installation, I had asked 3 dealerships if they:
1) Had done this procedure
2) If they had the special splice crimping tool (J-38125-8, GM P/N 12085115)
3) If they had the heat torch (J-38125-5 or equivalent)
4) If they knew where to apply these tools
5) Asked them if they knew about the HVAC piping clearance requirement
6) Asked them if they knew about trimming the lower TMAP sensor port
7) Provided them with the GM Tech Link advisory (I attached the link)
Although I'm probably a PITA customer as anal as this might sound, I rarely take my cars to dealerships for service. 2 dealerships were vague in response to my queries, but assured me that "everything would be fine". But in the end, my installing dealership appreciated my knowledge in this area and seemed to appreciate my enthusiasm. (I talked directly with the installation tech). The service mgr even thanked me for the pre-printed copies of the GM Tech Link article. I was an early adopter of the kit and they had done 2 HHR installs, but numerous (impressive amount, but forgot how many) Stage 1 and Stage 2 installs on Cobalt SS' (stage kits are somewhat different on earlier Ecotecs). The other 2 dealers were somewhat reluctant and seemed to express violation in regard to my questioning.
Bottom line is to be vigilant, ask a lot of questions and if you get any resistance, be wary.
See installation tips at the bottom of the page:
http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2...grade-kit.html
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