The only warranty you lose if you do it yourself is the labor/workmanship. The parts are still under at least 12k/12 months if you're outside the 5yr/100k or they are covered until the 5yr/100k. It's in the docs that come with the kit.

If you dork up the installation they will charge you to fix it. If any future problems are due to you dorking up the installation, they will charge you to fix it.

But any installation charge over 1 hour is theft in my book. The cert in the kit covers their labor for the flash so they can't add that time in.

 

If this is an issue, GM may be subject to the same scrutiny with their supplimental restraint systems as Toyota is with their throttle control systems. The DuraSeal connectors are the same that are used in the repair of airbag supplimental restraint systems. Could it be that some dealers install them incorrectly, or are they all bad regardless of workmanship? If it's the latter, then GM is in BIG TROUBLE again. This might take them out altogether.

http://www.i-car.com/pdf/advantage/o...005/103105.pdf

 

Thanks for that link. It's great information on the GM splices!

 

what dealership?? I live in Green Bay and the dealership I bought my SS from said that it would take the car out of warrenty. My brother lives in the Elgin area so going to chicago is not a big deal for a weekend. Of course I would call around for closer dealerships first, but their is lack of SS in my area.

 

09 SS, I'm from the Northeast and was fortunate enough to find a "rockstar" service dept in regard to the GMPP Turbo Upgrade. Many northeasterners on this site can attest to the compentancy of this dealership. Although it is not feasible for you to have the install at this particular dealer, maybe you can find one that can fulfill the workmanship and quality that you are longing for.

For me as well as those who experienced this northeast "rockstar" dealership experience were early adopters of the upgrade. I for one, accompanied by others went though more than a few interviews (YES, INTERVIEWS) of service depts in our local areas. When I discussed this upgrade with my "chosen pick" of dealerships, it was becasue they had not only heard of the upgrade, but asked if I had a Cobalt or HHR. (I failed to mention that I had an HHR; only an Ecotec). They had done many Stage 1 and 2's on Cobalts and only a coupe of Stage 1's (actually GM Turbo Upgrade) on the HHR at that time. But at that time, the kit was new and I realized that these guys were already in the game, and at least they had many Cobalts and a couple of HHR's under their belts.

7500 miles and a year later and the upgrade is still performing like a Swiss watch. No crimp or soldering issues; no tmap sensor wiring abrasion issues.

Bottom line is to ask alot of questions. How many have they done. Be sure about the crimp/solder thing (if they don't have the proper GM crimp/torch tooling, how will they seal the solder connections).

Be sure to bring the GM Techlink tips with you if unsure of the service dept's capabilities.

Tips at bottom of page:
http://www.sandyblogs.com/techlink/2...grade-kit.html

 

I got my 5 quotes back from the local dealers (Chevy dealers are like Starbucks around here.) It sort of plays to GM's issues but I digress....

- One didn't want anything to do with it. It's just not something they want to spend the time to learn.

- The other four varied between 2 hours up to 4.5 hours.

- Only one had done it once before and said it sucks (I think they just didn't want to do it.)

- I did call two C/P/GMC dealers that sold a lot of Solstice and their records didn't show any upgrade kits being installed but they wouldn't necessarily show up since they are not warranty related. None of the techs said they had done one and they weren't interested in doing it. All 7 dealers said they aren't obligated to do it since it's not warranty related.

But after asking lots of questions of all 5 Chevy dealers (I bow to 87Silver), I discovered that nothing warranty-wise really changes if I do it myself other than being responsible for the workmanship. The 5/100k is not impacted in any way shape or form.

And, since we are paying the dealers directly, one dealer doesn't necessarily have to honor non-warranty work of another and this upgrade installation isn't warranty work. If you have dealer A install it because they are cheaper but go to dealer B for normal warranty work and dealer B finds a problem with the installation they might charge you to correct anything related to that installation (the maps and connectors). The maps are still covered for the 5/100k unless you really dorked them up (workmanship).

All GM knows is that the kit was installed only due to the flash upgrade being in their system. The installation is between me and the dealer and doesn't really involved GM other than that flash. The installation is only covered by the dealer, not GM. The only way GM would be responsible is if the car was delivered new with the upgrade (or the dealer installed *before* delivery.) Some GM docs say the installation *must* be done by a GM/ADI dealer but when one dealer called GM (one of the dealers below) GM told them that wasn't necessary. Just check the installation. GM intended for the installation to be easy for the DIYer but recognized the HRR SS lower map was a bit of a challenge (vs the Solstice/Sky).

Two dealers said "don't over analyze the warranty". They both recommended I do the install and bring the car to them for the flash (stay out of boost and there won't be any problems). Ignore any codes. They will check the installation for anything obvious and flash the PCM ($80 flat rate). I will leave with my 5/100k intact including the maps. If I messed something up I will have to pay for it to be fixed (which that 2-4.5hrs labor charge would more than cover.)

I am not recommending ANYONE install the kit themselves and your dealer's opinion may vary from the above. I am only tell you what I have been told and rolled it into one overall review.