So I was thinking...

I'm having problems saving additional funds for my camaro. Even with 4k saved up, I haven't been able to go any higher in over a couple months, things just keep coming up. I don't really want an LT1, wanted to save for an LS1, but I'm thinking of cancelling it. The cheapest camaro i've been able to shop around for on ebay went for about 9k, and that was with 80,000 miles on it.

So now, i'm considering dropping about 3,500+ in the cavalier. I figure any cars I light to light race in the camaro will be expect me to beat them. But wompin on some civics and the like in a cavalier would be more gratifying, since it's not really expected. So far the only thing non-cosmetic that i've done to the cavy is wrapping it in Kuhmo 712's and installing a WAI. And that did pretty much nothing to the performance, but i didnt really expect much difference.

So I was hoping you guys would help me out with some ideas. One thing i'll definately be doing is Nitrous/SC, but I haven't decided which yet. I was weary at first because I heard that maybe the ecotec couldn't handle a charger. But now I see that GM is putting them in the new Cobalts, which use the eco, so i dont think it should be a problem. With 12,000 miles on my odometer now, I would think even with a SC my engine should be able to go 80k-90k miles no problem. Nitrous however, is cheaper, and less wear and tear on the engine, according to a large performance shop that specializes in bowties. So I haven't come to a decision.

But before that, I want to do some basics in preperation, and that's where I could use some help. Btw, if anyone didn't know, its a 2004 LS 2.2 Ecotec, Auto Tranny.

So here's what I was thinking so far.

This shift kit, pretty cheap, has anyone used it, or know someone that has it? And does it work?

http://www.turbotechracing.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=482&idproduct=1136


Baer Slotted - Drilled - Plared - Decela Rotors Pair. (yea okay, kind of a cosmetic upgrade, but I heard they do help stopping power quite a bit.)

http://www.turbotechracing.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=525&idproduct=1258


A Magnaflow muffler. (CA, worst emissions regulations in the country, and besides, bigger piping really isn't going to help, i'm not pushing all that much air, right?)


A programmer, couldn't find one. But one of those things that changes the rev limiter, can tell your tire size and change your speedo accordingly, gives a little bit of HP and Torque, and lets you run a little bit richer on the gas (because geeze, gas is so cheap right now).

2 step colder NGK's.

Also, i couldn't find a website selling the GM supercharger for the ecotec they used in the cobalt, can anyone link me to this so I can see how much they run, and what other engine components i would need.

And feel free to comment on anything, or anything else you think i should get. Or not get.

the ecotec in the cobalt ss is a 2.0 with less compression than our 2.2L eco's. nitrous will void any warrantee you have on it and if you dont have copper head gaskets both supercharging it or nitrousing it will cause a substantial risk to the engine. get some cams, header, 2.5 exhaust, get the head polished and some other stuff for decent hp gains. then after all that if you wanna add a supercharger after that it will drastically improve your hp gains, but dont take a stock engine and throw forced induction on it. you will spend all your money fixing it...

the ecotec in the cobalt ss is a 2.0 with less compression than our 2.2L eco's. nitrous will void any warrantee you have on it and if you dont have copper head gaskets both supercharging it or nitrousing it will cause a substantial risk to the engine. get some cams, header, 2.5 exhaust, get the head polished and some other stuff for decent hp gains. then after all that if you wanna add a supercharger after that it will drastically improve your hp gains, but dont take a stock engine and throw forced induction on it. you will spend all your money fixing it...

The bowtie expert I talked to said that the nitrous runs nice and cool, so theres really very little risk at blowing the engine. He said the only thing I'd need are 2 step colder plugs. I would imagine I'd need several upgraded engine components for the supercharger though.

Like I said, I live in California, so header and a 2.5 exhaust would not only decrease my powerband in the low rpm's, but i wouldn't be able to pass smog. I'll probably wind up going with nitrous, cheaper and less wear on the engine.

build that bitch from the bottom up and go all N/a.. or go high compression and run a 75 shot of Nitrous.

build that bitch from the bottom up and go all N/a..

can you elaborate a little on that? what parts? I didn't really wanna replace much of the engine since it's a new car already.

Disregard my comment if you don't feel like ripping your engine out.

So then should I just go with the mods i've already picked out and like a 55 shot?

I am not going to decide for you man. Do what you want to do, it should be all about you and not about what other think. Shit i'm pimpin a 4dr.. not every day you see a 4 dr rollin down the road.. lowered and riding on 17"s. My grocery getter does more than it may appear she does.... to me, thats what its all about. Respecting the 4 drs.

Ditch the Eco, got buy a cavvy with an LD9 and buy the GM Supercharger. Then just call it a day.

If your going to rip somthing out, replace it with a 3800 GTP. Then your done!

the ecotec in the cobalt ss is a 2.0 with less compression than our 2.2L eco's. nitrous will void any warrantee you have on it and if you dont have copper head gaskets both supercharging it or nitrousing it will cause a substantial risk to the engine. get some cams, header, 2.5 exhaust, get the head polished and some other stuff for decent hp gains. then after all that if you wanna add a supercharger after that it will drastically improve your hp gains, but dont take a stock engine and throw forced induction on it. you will spend all your money fixing it...
number one wet or dry nitrous kit, how big? switch shot or brainbox. these are all questions that should have already been asked. also i dont know much about the 2.2 ecotecs but i do know the map sensor which basically reads the pressure in the intake cant handle positive pressure it fucks up its like going into a fast food joint and the cashier gives you more change than you began with what happens the register registers an error on closeout. same thing the computer says something isnt right. to supercharge or turbocharge you need to run a 2 bar map sensor which will register positive pressure to the computer like its a normal function. result smokin ass tires

I am not going to decide for you man. Do what you want to do, it should be all about you and not about what other think. Shit i'm pimpin a 4dr.. not every day you see a 4 dr rollin down the road.. lowered and riding on 17"s. My grocery getter does more than it may appear she does.... to me, thats what its all about. Respecting the 4 drs.

Amen! Only mine isn't lowered yet and has slightly bigger rims. Not as much done to it as yours, but I'm working more on paying it off first. Hopefully by July it will be paid off.

Amen! Only mine isn't lowered yet and has slightly bigger rims. Not as much done to it as yours, but I'm working more on paying it off first. Hopefully by July it will be paid off.


you do what you can with what you got bro. I see you have alot of audio mods, i decided not to go with subs and i saved myself $$ there so i used it else wheres. Just all apart of saving up..

you do what you can with what you got bro. I see you have alot of audio mods, i decided not to go with subs and i saved myself $$ there so i used it else wheres. Just all apart of saving up..


Yeah, Audio isn't worth it. I had 2 systems in my car, and they both got stolen. People around my area are to smart for security systems. They don't work as well as its advertised.

So now im just going to save for exterior. :)

you do what you can with what you got bro. I see you have alot of audio mods, i decided not to go with subs and i saved myself $$ there so i used it else wheres. Just all apart of saving up..

Its not that I can't afford modding my car. Hell I have two jobs. Instead of applying my entire checks to mods like you, which I thought about doing, I decided to apply my enitire checks to paying the bitch off by July so I can mod my car on one job. I got about $5300 left to go till I'm free!

Oh and yes I'm into audio systems, but have everything but subs. I have yet to put my tweeters in (I have 3 pairs and don't need that many), and sold the subs and amp I did have to a friend of mine. I never even hooked them up. I'll get some new subs later on.

Its not that I can't afford modding my car. Hell I have two jobs. Instead of applying my entire checks to mods like you, which I thought about doing, I decided to apply my enitire checks to paying the bitch off by July so I can mod my car on one job. I got about $5300 left to go till I'm free!

Oh and yes I'm into audio systems, but have everything but subs. I have yet to put my tweeters in (I have 3 pairs and don't need that many), and sold the subs and amp I did have to a friend of mine. I never even hooked them up. I'll get some new subs later on.

Yeah I used ot be into audio untill it got stolen.

Don;t get me wrong, I still like it but I don't have enough money to "support the addiction" anymore

I'm not heavy into car audio, but do want a nice settup. I'm going to get a black widow alarm that pages me if anyone messes with my car.

I'm not heavy into car audio, but do want a nice settup. I'm going to get a black widow alarm that pages me if anyone messes with my car.

I had a Clifford in my car and even when it did page me, it wasn't loud enough for you to hear when your sleeping.

.. don't leave your face plate in your car to tempt people. Alarms just keep honset people honest. If someone wants your deck bad enough, they alarm isn't going to stop them. Prevent the break in and remove your faceplate. I learned the hard way too.

I always remove my face plate when i'm at work. At home theres no point cause if they set the alarm off I will hear it. My room is right above the drive way. At work however I take it out. We've had a couple of break-ins at my job and thankfully mine wasn't one of them or I'd be out $400 just for the damn cd deck.

Even at home its not a good idea. A guy on JBO lost his entire CF trunk and CF prostock spoiler and he had a 2-way alarm. THe theifs just ripped it right off his car and buy the time he got out there, they were running down the road with it.

There is nothing but hills arond me. If they run I'm going to catch them. Besides its going to take them a little longer to get my deck out, and it won't take me long to get outside. I also know the people who stays in trouble for stealing shit...they just don't know that I know. More than likely if someone steals my stuff I'm going to know who it is. That makes it worse for them.

.. don't leave your face plate in your car to tempt people. Alarms just keep honset people honest. If someone wants your deck bad enough, they alarm isn't going to stop them. Prevent the break in and remove your faceplate. I learned the hard way too.

My deck didnt have a faceplate, It was the sony one that was motorized and just flipped out.

It was a nice deck with the ghost face, but it was kinda gay considering the faceplate didnt come off

sony.... lol.

^What he said. I'm not a big sony fan. I love kenwood or pioneer decks, and for speakers i'm all audiobahn, kicker, or jl audio.

^What he said. I'm not a big sony fan. I love kenwood or pioneer decks, and for speakers i'm all audiobahn, kicker, or jl audio.


I got the Sony deak free from insurance, and I have 2 audiobahn 12's and 2 Rockford amps. Nice system

Yeah that does sound like a nice setup. I'm going to get two Audiobahn Immortal Series 12, and 2 Audiobahn 1200-1500watt amps...whichever I decide on, and one Audiobahn 400-800 watt amp to push the speakers in the car and then wire my tweeters to the cd deck.

.... i look at this and calculate to myself... 2 subs aprox 15-20 lbs ea.... 30-40 lbs, sub box 10-15lbs... amp..5-10lbs..

every 100lbs + 0.1th 1/4 mile time goes up.. so.. 0.1 added to my time for all that extra weight... LMAO... no thanks.

Cmon man...I'm going to make it so its easy removal for when it comes to speed. I'm in to show cars that can out run all and and have more bass than all. I'm not just into one thing...i'm into them all. I know of all the extra weight. Its all going to be custom so when I race (since I don't street race) I can take them out.

ah... ok hoss.

Ah the sounds of disbelief :headshake

Whats the point of removing all of that stuff at the track? Too much work having to just take it out and then put it all back in.. bah... not worth it to me, but if its for you then, props.

When I quit my second job I'll have the time to do it. Its going to be a while anyways. My car won't be fast for a good while unfortunatly. Oh and I'm going to take it out before I go to the track and leave it at home. I'm not leaving it at the track...thats begging people to steal it.

I'm in the process of seeling my sound system right now...I been offered about $1k for it considering i paid $1100 haha....i've gota fairly decent and loud setup with a new deck and all aroudn new speakers. I will be using the money to get a new exhuast system. Besides, my speakers inside are bad ass enough taht I don't need subs. Plus it takes up wayyyy too much trunk space.

What kind of setup is it?