GM Stage Kit info from the Senior Engineering Manager of GM

[ender]

Originally Posted by MomsSol What??? The differential issues were mostly on the 06's and 07's NAs NOT GXPs. And the Stage II is ONLY for the GXP. Don't know of any *trannies* failing. The testing and R & D for the Stage II for the GXP had been going on for some time - especially on the T2 and the Set-up race cars. The reasons for stopping now has nothing to do with mechanical issues - purely monetary and the fact that the MAIN Bosch tuner has left.

I'm not saying that there are an inordinately large number of tranny/diff issues, I'm saying that when you increase the power of a motor, you stress drivetrain components more. This obviously contributes to earlier failure.

Now whether that increased failure rate is significant or not is another question.

[Mac]

So anyone know if and or when an after market tune for the 08's might be ready?

since 260hp is really not that much i dont see any issue with drive train. most all trans/difs are rated to 400-450 hp. it s when you step over the 400hp is when many parts are not rated for such power. 700r's were famous for breaking over 400, even the standard ROD6 is only rated for 450 torque, though they do make a one now rated over 500. But it has a much hogher first gear now no more 3.27 to 1 and the price is alot more as well. If you have a standard the clutch is going to be a issue. 300hp would be perfect for the weight of the car and should not be to big a hit on mpg. i dont want a 400hp Sol.

[bradyb]

Blah blah blah yakaty shmakety.

I'm pretty sure Stage II is dead for the LNF. Computer tuning for the 2008s is a joke whether it's from GM, HPT, Hahn, etc...

When I pay my sol off I'll probably just do the LS7 swap, in the mean time I'll just slowly gather parts while preparing for the "doable" engine swap.

[ender]

Is there an engine swap kit out yet? Mallet is too expensive... and a Pontiac Fiero guy has done a swap, but last I heard, he's busy enough doing Fiero kits and not interested in selling Sol/Sky kits.

[bradyb]

Originally Posted by ender Is there an engine swap kit out yet? Mallet is too expensive... and a Pontiac Fiero guy has done a swap, but last I heard, he's busy enough doing Fiero kits and not interested in selling Sol/Sky kits.

I've talked to a few about eventually releasing the cross braces, mounts, wiring harnesses etc... Performance Autowerks is working on something, they have a turn key $17,999 conversion package already that comes with a bunch of stuff.
osCommerce

4-5 years from now there should be more options and cheaper parts, heck you could probably even find a cheap pull out ZR1 engine/tranny by then.

[imaj]

Gosh, I did a few things right for once...Bought an 07 GXP and the Westers tune. I guess, I sould play the lotto.

[Craig Lewis]

Not having a waranted tune from GM will make me sad.

[bradyb]

yeah yeah Imaj, you lucky basty.
Where was the forum a year ago, why didn't I see any posts from anyone anouncing a different ECU for the 2008s that no one will be able to tune properly!?

Has anyone discussed the possibility of swapping for a 2007 ECU with the appropriate sensors? Is there some hard-wired coding in the dash that keeps the VIN and mileage consistent with reflashes that would not allow a 2007 ECU? I can imagine the nightmare of getting a 2007 ECU to work with a 2008 VIN but is there a possiblity?

[LiquidPT]

Originally Posted by bradyb yeah yeah Imaj, you lucky basty. Where was the forum a year ago, why didn't I see any posts from anyone anouncing a different ECU for the 2008s that no one will be able to tune properly!? Has anyone discussed the possibility of swapping for a 2007 ECU with the appropriate sensors? Is there some hard-wired coding in the dash that keeps the VIN and mileage consistent with reflashes that would not allow a 2007 ECU? I can imagine the nightmare of getting a 2007 ECU to work with a 2008 VIN but is there a possiblity?

It's been talked about A LOT. It doesn't work.

[ender]

Wow... is the '08 tune that much harder to crack or is it just that no one has gotten around to it?

Happy with my '07 & Westers too!

[bradyb]

Originally Posted by LiquidPT It's been talked about A LOT. It doesn't work.

Okay then, I 'll keep my eyes open:

LS7, LS3 low mileage used motor

T56

Viper Rear Diff

Good-Sized Radiator.

etc...

[MomsSol]

Originally Posted by ender Wow... is the '08 tune that much harder to crack or is it just that no one has gotten around to it? Happy with my '07 & Westers too!

Its *that* much harder .. and IIRC on purpose too! Bosch didn't want just anyone cracking their ECM.

[ender]

Yikes! If I ever bring mine in for service, I'm putting a lock box around the OBDII port in case they try to reflash it.

For Sale: 2007 Solstice GXP, one of the reprogrammable ones. $50,000

[DEJON-Dave]

I don't think well be orphans, just retarded developers. I'm betting that this engine will proliferate thru the GM small car line and the factory tunes will be similar for the cars. This will eventually lure the tuners to offer tunes to unlock this engine's potential. V8's are old school in my opinion, the future is 4cyl turbos. Look at the DSM, EVO, SRT4, WRX etc markets. They are small compared to what might develop if this engine becomes the choice for much of GM's small car performance line. 2 weeks ago at the NEO 555 run, I got 29mpg in 230miles of "spirited driving" How many V8's can do that. A Vette may get that mpg on the highway, but on the backroads with the throttle open ... I doubt it.

[brentil]

The Stage II is on for this year last I knew.