as you will...pertaining mostly to reallistic performance gains, performance per dollar, sound characteristics, etc. in regards to the different options available.

thanks

 

OK...

realistic performance gains: little, if any (and that goes for MPG, too).

performance per dollar: see above.

sound characteristics: Whatever you like. But keep in mind our wagon body will let most noise into the cabin.

 

i got dynomax straight thru from amazon , $50....sounds simular to chevy barretta....not too loud , and not ricey.

 

JoeR, you have my respect. Your "tell it like it is" replies are greatly appreciated.

 

so...should i even bother with intake or exhaust before a tune or just get the tune alone?

also, JoeR...what kind of MPG do you get with the supercharger? my only knowledge with them is on the Sea Doo's and they suck down the fuel quick.

 

I don't know JoeR's actual numbers... but any boosted engine is going to drink the gas when you are in boost. If you can drive it conservatively and stay out of the boost you will get good mileage. My Cobalt SS/SC was averaging 25city/35hwy, but a few spirited high boost pulls would down a quarter-tank like there was a 350 under the hood. I would imagine JoeR's numbers are somewhere close to that.

As far as tuning goes. I have always been a subscriber to the "bolt-ons then tune" method. I plan to do I/H/E before I get a retune... just to get the most out of it. You could leave the rest of the engine stock and just get tuned, but your gains aren't going to be as large.

On the exhaust part... JoeR does have a decent point. The stock 2.4 exhaust is pretty good... the restriction in it mostly comes from the honkin-huge muffler at the end. Look to gain 5-10hp by replacing the exhaust with a low-restriction setup. Whether spending a lot of money for that 5-10hp is worth it is up to you.

Personally I am leaning towards going with the Magnaflow cat-back sometime down the road. I had the GMPP sport exhaust on my SS/SC and was quite pleased with it.