It's official SETUP announces GMPP STAGE KIT for GXP (confirmed at MECCA II)

[Daywalker]

Originally Posted by Moose GXP My prediction is less that 300 BHP..more like 290 and the Slobalt SS and especially HHR SS will be less than that as well. The potential for higher HP on those two is less considering they can't get the power to the ground even with the special launch control and no lift shift. Those aren't enhancements, they are requirements to make those cars even somewhat launchable.

Better watch out for the Colbalt SS TC, the mags just tested it in the quarter and it turned 14.0 at 103 mph. I have yet to see a stock Kappa pull that trap speed. I guess launch control and no lift shift are working pretty well and the 103 says the hp is there. It is pulling .9 Gs on the skidpad as well.

Dont get me wrong, still not a balanced track car because the front drive configuration but now no slouch on the street, you may be surpised.

[Moose GXP]

Originally Posted by Daywalker Better watch out for the Colbalt SS TC, the mags just tested it in the quarter and it turned 14.0 at 103 mph. I have yet to see a stock Kappa pull that trap speed. I guess launch control and no lift shift are working pretty well and the 103 says the hp is there. It is pulling .9 Gs on the skidpad as well. Dont get me wrong, still not a balanced track car because the front drive configuration but now no slouch on the street, you may be surpised.

That could be faster than any stock Kappa you have seen, but anything above mid 13.5 is slow in the 1/4 mile...yes...even my car. From what I see the LNF can be pretty quick in the 0-60 or 60' times, but we'll suffer in the top end as compared to any LSX powered car. Is that true?

[Go-N Def]

Originally Posted by Daywalker Better watch out for the Colbalt SS TC, the mags just tested it in the quarter and it turned 14.0 at 103 mph. I have yet to see a stock Kappa pull that trap speed. I guess launch control and no lift shift are working pretty well and the 103 says the hp is there. It is pulling .9 Gs on the skidpad as well. Dont get me wrong, still not a balanced track car because the front drive configuration but now no slouch on the street, you may be surpised.

I watched Rusty hit high 13's. Completely stock...

[mena661]

Originally Posted by Go-N Def I watched Rusty hit high 13's. Completely stock...

But we'll end up getting smoked by the end of the 1/4 with that 103 trap. It seems that car is putting a bit more to the ground than the Solstice but the FWD hinders its launch.

[perris]

watching the show with the stage kit it became brutally obvious some drivers were having engine reliability issues, it looked like they were going into limp moded and another driver couldn't start his car

these issues didn't happen before the stage kit and I don't think this is coincidence, I kind of doubt gm has the map figured correctly yet

[MeanSol]

Originally Posted by Moose GXP You're kidding yourself if you think it will be priced reasonably. I would expect the $1k range for a stage 2 (really a stage 1...right?) from GMPP>

Here is the break down
NA baseprice 22,785 @ 177 BHP = $ 128.73 per pony
GXP baseprice 28,465 @ 260 BHP = $ 109.48 per pony (what a deal!)

Difference of 5,680 @ 83 BHP = $ 68.43 per pony to step up to the GXP

Proposed Stage 2 from GMPP costing 1000 bucks....
a gain of 52 BHP is costing you $ 19.23 per pony (that is a steal compared to what you just dropped in order to get the GXP)
Even a supposed gain of only 30 BHP ( @ 290 ) still runs you about half of what you paid for your GXP power weighing in at a scantily clad $ 33.33 each.

Do I want to pay 1K for a stage 2 kit? No
Will I pay 1K for a stage 2 kit? No
Is there cheaper power to be had? Yes
What is the magic bang for buck number? that is for the market to sort out...

All in all, when you look at the numbers I would say, comparatively it IS reasonable since at the ppp or p3 (price per pony) for the GXP upgrade your Stage 2 would run about 3558.36

[perris]

Originally Posted by MeanSol Here is the break down NA baseprice 22,785 @ 177 BHP = $ 128.73 per pony GXP baseprice 28,465 @ 260 BHP = $ 109.48 per pony (what a deal!) Difference of 5,680 @ 83 BHP = $ 68.43 per pony to step up to the GXP Proposed Stage 2 from GMPP costing 1000 bucks.... a gain of 52 BHP is costing you $ 19.23 per pony (that is a steal compared to what you just dropped in order to get the GXP) Even a supposed gain of only 30 BHP ( @ 290 ) still runs you about half of what you paid for your GXP power weighing in at a scantily clad $ 33.33 each. Do I want to pay 1K for a stage 2 kit? No Will I pay 1K for a stage 2 kit? No Is there cheaper power to be had? Yes What is the magic bang for buck number? that is for the market to sort out... All in all, when you look at the numbers I would say, comparatively it IS reasonable since at the ppp or p3 (price per pony) for the GXP upgrade your Stage 2 would run about 3558.36

with the gxp upgrade you also got a handling and breaking package, I believe the pony's cost far less then your analysis but it's hard to put a number on that

isn't anti skid and traction control worth a couple grand all by itself?

anyway, I'd pay the 1000 dollars as it is only a few hundred more then the after market offerings but will include warrantee it is a no brainer and actually costs far less then those that you'd buy and loose your warrantee

if it's produced without ranter protection then there's no reason to go with it

[Moose GXP]

Originally Posted by perris watching the show with the stage kit it became brutally obvious some drivers were having engine reliability issues, it looked like they were going into limp moded and another driver couldn't start his car these issues didn't happen before the stage kit and I don't think this is coincidence, I kind of doubt gm has the map figured correctly yet

Just remember that show was filmed some time in the past....was it earlier this year or late last year? Somebody around here should know. Anyway, my point is that we shouldn't take any stage kit related issues as shown in the show as the current status.

[bradyb]

Based on my own experience GMPP kits are excellent.

Check this out:
gmpartsdirect <link removed as NSV>
Belt, Modular Pulley System, Fuel Injectors, $735 Retail, $625 wholesale, $575 street price. The injectors alone were $400-500 by themselves.

The kit added an additional 45 HP at the crank, with more boost, fuel, and the retune. GM has sold tons of these kits, I assume GM will follow the same formula for the GXPs.

I put that kit on my Cobalt SS and loved it. My dealer signed off on the work (in the GM vehicle history system) and installed the tune. I paid $75 for them to reflash the computer. The kit did not change the factory warranty in any way, especially since the dealer logged the installation.

I'm guessing we'll see $800 retail/$750 via GM Parts Direct.

[rlhammon]

Originally Posted by Moose GXP Just remember that show was filmed some time in the past....was it earlier this year or late last year? Somebody around here should know. Anyway, my point is that we shouldn't take any stage kit related issues as shown in the show as the current status.

Show was filmed in October of last year. The availability of the kit was announced to the public at SEMA which is in the same time frame. SEMA announcements stated 4 - 6 months for availability... so, hopefully it will be soon when GM says something else on this kit.

[shabby]

Originally Posted by mena661 But we'll end up getting smoked by the end of the 1/4 with that 103 trap. It seems that car is putting a bit more to the ground than the Solstice but the FWD hinders its launch.

Doubt it, since the cobalt probably has more traction issues then we do, this loss of traction would increase its trap speed at the end. I hit a 1.9sec 60 footer at the track, i'd like to see a fwd do the same on stock tires.

Originally Posted by perris watching the show with the stage kit it became brutally obvious some drivers were having engine reliability issues, it looked like they were going into limp moded and another driver couldn't start his car these issues didn't happen before the stage kit and I don't think this is coincidence, I kind of doubt gm has the map figured correctly yet

Are you use they were running the gmpp kit or the same tune gm ran at topeka with 425lbs/ft of torque?

[AdamVIP]

Originally Posted by perris watching the show with the stage kit it became brutally obvious some drivers were having engine reliability issues, it looked like they were going into limp moded and another driver couldn't start his car these issues didn't happen before the stage kit and I don't think this is coincidence, I kind of doubt gm has the map figured correctly yet

Thats a good observation that I didnt make myself. I would like to add though that these guys seem to be complaining about the cars as crunch time approaches. These are not the best drivers and they know if they screw up theyre out. Its a lot easier to blame the car for your slowness. Aside from the guys that spin out they seem to stay together pretty well and these problems only seem to show up after they spin.

[Daywalker]

The stock tune can have problems stalling and restarting after a spin. This is not specific to the Kappa. Other cars have this issue as well. It can be as easy as fuel getting away from the pickup point to not getting on the clutch quick enough and allowing tires/drivetrain/engine rotate in reverse momentarily amoung other things.

[perris]

Originally Posted by AdamVIP Thats a good observation that I didnt make myself. I would like to add though that these guys seem to be complaining about the cars as crunch time approaches. Its a lot easier to blame the car for your slowness. These are not the best drivers and they know if they screw up theyre out.

ya, I took that into consideration but they were definately going into limp mode, you saw it on a few drivers that couldn't get power and had to use their skilz to stay competitive, I believe one in the lead went to limp mode, no turbo and still stayed comepetitive

this was indeed an ecu problem as far as I can see

[MGar]

Originally Posted by perris ya, I took that into consideration but they were definately going into limp mode, you saw it on a few drivers that couldn't get power and had to use their skilz to stay competitive, I believe one in the lead went to limp mode, no turbo and still stayed comepetitive this was indeed an ecu problem as far as I can see

These drivers and pit crews knew something- if they were willing to go so far as to use brake pads with missing material, I wouldn't put it past them if they were using the Stage II, and doing the wastegate rod mod, and blowing the stock hose clamps right off. That'll result in no boost. I think one of them also cracked their intercooler. Racing puts significantly more stress on the car than daily driving, even if you get on it. Hitting the rumblestrips at speed, other cars etc.

Heck, stock we're running into issues with the hose clamps not holding. Imagine more boost. Then if you're leaking boost and reading it in the MAF- you're gonna run extremely rich.