"Silly Quick"
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-13-2008
Posts: 2,075
From: Knoxville, TN
"Silly Quick"
I have to share this story...... I finally was able to get the GM Stage I install today, and when my wife dropped me off at the dealership to pick up the SS we just happened to pull up as the Tech was getting back from the "extreme road test" as required by GM after each service. So I'm standing there as the Tech gets out of the car with a big smile on his face, he looks at me, looks at the car and says, "wow, this thing is silly quick, me and three other Techs drove it before we installed the upgrade and we thought it was pretty quick for a 4-cylinder, but with the tune this thing is really, really nice." I cannot express to you the anticipation of waiting all day long (I had the oil changed, and the 30K check-up along with the turbo upgrade) to pick up "my baby", but, when I got to the dealer and saw the look on the tech's face, my dopamine level jumped before my butt touched the seat and my right foot tried to punch a hole in the floor! I was on cloud nine, and the keys were still not in my hands!
INSTALL TECH NOTES: I think ChevyMgr has posted a TSB about this but, the only tech complaint was how much of a pain in the ass the lower T-Map is gonna be because it is too close to the AC, it may chafe, crack, break and if and when that happens that they will take care of it. I have got to give it to Billy and the rest of service team at Champion they were really great to work with, and they were just as impressed with the SS, and the amount of HP gained from the tune(auto) as I was.
PARTS & LABOR: Upgrade $475 Labor $136
The drive home started with a little apprehension until I merged with traffic (I didn't want to hit any new Camaro), went WOT and I thought about putting on my left turn signal for a second or two until the tires caught and then suddenly my butt dyno felt real good! (for an almost 2 year old car with 30K on it I have to say that the GMPT made it into a whole new toy, something tells me I'm gonna need tires soon). I was regularly seeing 21-23 on the boost gauge! I enjoyed spinning the tires easiely at 40MPH+, and I love the more pronounced turbo and BOV between shifts(there is a spring in my future). I haven't had the time to really play with it, but I usually only drive in "comp" mode and I didn't notice any problems that a couple of other members have experienced, yet. I can't wait to really get out and see what this car can do now and add all those toys I've been staring at for 2 yrs.
So far I am one happy camper, and only time and more parts will tell!
Thank You GM, NOW GIVE US A CAI dammit!
INSTALL TECH NOTES: I think ChevyMgr has posted a TSB about this but, the only tech complaint was how much of a pain in the ass the lower T-Map is gonna be because it is too close to the AC, it may chafe, crack, break and if and when that happens that they will take care of it. I have got to give it to Billy and the rest of service team at Champion they were really great to work with, and they were just as impressed with the SS, and the amount of HP gained from the tune(auto) as I was.
PARTS & LABOR: Upgrade $475 Labor $136
The drive home started with a little apprehension until I merged with traffic (I didn't want to hit any new Camaro), went WOT and I thought about putting on my left turn signal for a second or two until the tires caught and then suddenly my butt dyno felt real good! (for an almost 2 year old car with 30K on it I have to say that the GMPT made it into a whole new toy, something tells me I'm gonna need tires soon). I was regularly seeing 21-23 on the boost gauge! I enjoyed spinning the tires easiely at 40MPH+, and I love the more pronounced turbo and BOV between shifts(there is a spring in my future). I haven't had the time to really play with it, but I usually only drive in "comp" mode and I didn't notice any problems that a couple of other members have experienced, yet. I can't wait to really get out and see what this car can do now and add all those toys I've been staring at for 2 yrs.
So far I am one happy camper, and only time and more parts will tell!
Thank You GM, NOW GIVE US A CAI dammit!
Senior Member
Joined: 08-06-2008
Posts: 1,761
From: Grand Haven, MI
Great story foolmoon design!
My tech came in to talk with me with a big ***** eating grin on his face as well. It was almost a big as the one on my face the 1st time I nailed mine after the install
My tech came in to talk with me with a big ***** eating grin on his face as well. It was almost a big as the one on my face the 1st time I nailed mine after the install
Senior Member
Joined: 06-09-2009
Posts: 2,953
From: Clinton, Mass
Senior Member
Joined: 09-20-2009
Posts: 1,058
From: Hayward, Ca.
Out here in the Bay Area, I have checked around at pretty much all the dealers that are local, and best labor price for Stage 1 kit install is $400 and up. Best Kit price $450.00, for a total of about $850.00[can you say-Rippoff].
Thinking seriously, about just doing the Trifeca tune for $400.00, and taking my chances, if I need warranty work. New Trifeca tune, according to Vince, is undectable, and can be switched on and off. Same HP and torgue as stage 1 kit, at half the price[at least around here].
Thinking seriously, about just doing the Trifeca tune for $400.00, and taking my chances, if I need warranty work. New Trifeca tune, according to Vince, is undectable, and can be switched on and off. Same HP and torgue as stage 1 kit, at half the price[at least around here].
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 05-13-2008
Posts: 2,075
From: Knoxville, TN
I ended up getting the part from GMPD the dealer wanted $600.00+ but had no problem with me buying the part eleswhere.