GM performance parts Regal Stage Kit 2012-2013

[bbronner413]

Hi @ink, did the dealer install your intake? Was just looking at your pic and was noticing the air box isn't totally flush up against the left headlight.

Nothing major at all since it is not a sealed system, just an observation really. When I did mine, I have my air box contoured RIGHT up against and flush/tight with the headlight housing. I was even adjusting it yesterday and it seems the gasket on the box was cut exactly to fit the outline of the headlight.

I'm def with you on the power consistency, but the more I drive it the more I realize it does have some extra juice. Maybe it accelerates faster now?? I'm noticing that once the turbo starts to spools up and releases that I'm seemingly "propelled" faster and further than it used to.... Whatever the case is I'm glad I got it!

 

[ink]

thanks for messing with my ocd.....haha...your right it is...I will be fixing that this morning.....yes the dealer installed ......

 

[RegalGSer]

Thanks guys for your updates, appreciated. As you get more driving time in let us know if your initial feelings hold. I suppose if you weren't worried about warranty issues and had scads of money, the intake from the GM system combined with the IPF tune would be sweet.

 

[ink]

I'm with bbronner413.....I drove the car alot more this weekend. In addition to the smooth power it shifts smoother (I have an auto) and you definately can notice the drive ability improvement. You can feel more power and I am overall very pleased with this purchase. I'm sure from reading your guys reviews since I joined up that compared to trifecta and ipf and hptuners that the power comparison isn't close ....but....just personal preference for me I lean towards the sealed system that is factory and is set and forget. I don't have to switch back tunes or worry about any warranty related issues...and I have a great 25 year history with my dealer.
Its nice to have an alternative version out there and I'm glad I chose this one as it ticks the boxes for me. To each their own....have a great weekend guys...

 

[RegalGSer]

I like how you put it and I can relate to your sentiments. I too have good relationship with my dealer over many years. You just have may conviced me. How are you with the intake noise? Just a nice elevation in intake sound without being annoying?

 

[ink]

I like how you put it and I can relate to your sentiments. I too have good relationship with my dealer over many years. You just have may conviced me. How are you with the intake noise? Just a nice elevation in intake sound without being annoying?

Exactly right with the intake noise...you have the zzp ound or the cone on the stock piping...both of which I have run...that's too airy sounding for my personal taste...then you have this sytem..which is if I could relate it to percentage....if zzp is 100%...this system is 25%...intake sound off of the line....with a comparable nice sound as you get into the throttle....for me the muting of the acceleration sound off of the line was exactly what I was looking for....now...if you want that more aggressive sound...remove the 4 twist bolts and remove the lid...

 

[RegalGSer]

Thanks, sounds good. No pun intended! GM knows its customers.

 

[bbronner413]

So before I had the GM Turbo Stage Kit/CAI Kit, I had a K&N Panel in my stock housing since about 4,000 miles on a brand new car... the Stage Kit was installed right around 19K so about 15,000+/- miles on the K&N panel filter.

I want to give a WORD TO THE WISE and chime in about the K&N filter for our cars, because I was pretty damn appalled with my findings last night!!

I looked in my stock air filter tubing last night and could NOT believe the sheer amount of oil contamination and sand/dirt in the stock tubing... see my attached pictures for proof. Yes, that sheen of wetness that you see pooled at the bottom and sides of the tubing in the 1st and 2nd pic is OIL.. my 3rd pic are my fingers from a quick wipe down. The dirt in the first two pics is obvious, it was more-so the oil I wanted to point out.

I've never been one to comment in any forum/discussion on the pros & cons about oiled filters, or about about oily film on the MAF sensor, etc.. I quite frankly was never a skeptic, didn't believe it, didn't care, or buy into any hype either way about oil-wetted filters for better or worse... but let me tell you, my attitude has since changed after I looked in my stock air filter tubing last night!

Take in mind, my K&N filter was purchased brand new, has never been re-oiled, and if anything at all I took steps to remove excessive oil right when I got it... patting it down with a cloth and drying it in front of a fan for a while. Likewise since I have installed the GM Turbo Stage Kit, my stock housing and tubing have been in a non-contaminated environment sealed in a garbage bag.

Am I wrong here or no? What else could it be from guys?! I'm just trying to help whoever has one, because we all know that a K&N passes more dirt than your standard dry filter, but I had no idea to this degree!! Especially with the oil contamination that I found, I probably will not be using one of these again!

 

[TRIFECTA]

So before I had the GM Turbo Stage Kit/CAI Kit, I had a K&N Panel in my stock housing since about 4,000 miles on a brand new car... the Stage Kit was installed right around 19K so about 15,000+/- miles on the K&N panel filter.

I want to give a WORD TO THE WISE and chime in about the K&N filter for our cars, because I was pretty damn appalled with my findings last night!!

I looked in my stock air filter tubing last night and could NOT believe the sheer amount of oil contamination and sand/dirt in the stock tubing... see my attached pictures for proof. Yes, that sheen of wetness that you see pooled at the bottom and sides of the tubing in the 1st and 2nd pic is OIL.. my 3rd pic are my fingers from a quick wipe down. The dirt in the first two pics is obvious, it was more-so the oil I wanted to point out.

I've never been one to comment in any forum/discussion on the pros & cons about oiled filters, or about about oily film on the MAF sensor, etc.. I quite frankly was never a skeptic, didn't believe it, didn't care, or buy into any hype either way about oil-wetted filters for better or worse... but let me tell you, my attitude has since changed after I looked in my stock air filter tubing last night!

Take in mind, my K&N filter was purchased brand new, has never been re-oiled, and if anything at all I took steps to remove excessive oil right when I got it... patting it down with a cloth and drying it in front of a fan for a while. Likewise since I have installed the GM Turbo Stage Kit, my stock housing and tubing have been in a non-contaminated environment sealed in a garbage bag.

Am I wrong here or no? What else could it be from guys?! I'm just trying to help whoever has one, because we all know that a K&N passes more dirt than your standard dry filter, but I had no idea to this degree!! Especially with the oil contamination that I found, I probably will not be using one of these again!

The 'performance' filters trade off the ability to flow more air with catching less contaminants. In our own testing, we found that the K&N panel filter, lightly oiled, flowed well for a few weeks. However, that flow started to drop dramatically as the filter got dirtier and dirtier. To the point that at the end of a month and half, it was actually flowing less than a stock filter. If you use a K&N filter, you should be cleaning it religiously every two - four weeks to maintain optimum airflow.....and don't be overzealous with the sprayed on oil. just a very light layer should do.

Using a stock filter however, is, essentially, better for performance and engine health as it is catching more contaminants while at the same time keeping consistent airflow for at least 6mo. We didn't see any major performance gains when using the K&N over the stock air filter.

 

[EnderWiggin]

I'm sure above statements have a lot to do with the oil in the tube too, but there is a PCV breather attached to the stock intake as well, so there will be some oil soaking. I personally can't wait to get the Stage kit, in time though.

 

[Veloom]

Has anyone else noticed that the intake build and quality looks identical to cold air intakes made by coldairinductions.com. They look identical in build to ones they make for different vehicles except the filter itself. They do not list our cars as a current option, but I have sent a message to them inquiring. It would be nice to be able to buy the intake separately at a lower rate.

 

[ink]

Looks like the same thing....I've seen that sticker on the lid on some pics when I was looking up the kit for pricing...I didn't have the sticker with the kit....I think you might be correct

 

[Veloom]

Got a response that they current do not offer a CAI for our cars but that they plan to by the end of the year.

 

[EnderWiggin]

Got a response that they current do not offer a CAI for our cars but that they plan to by the end of the year.

Possible that the contract with GM was exclusive for a specific amount of time?

 

[bbronner413]

That's what I'm thinking, the OEM has some exclusivity for some time but they definitely look like the manufacturer for the intake system.

Curious thing is when you guys can buy it as an aftermarket (not under the Genuine OEM #) from coldairinductions.com, will GM offer the tune and will it keep warranty? If not, it shows hows ridiculous the OEM vs. Aftermarket game is because it will literally be the same thing under a different part # just not with the GM label/brandishing.

 

[EnderWiggin]

Are these oiled filters, or the dryflow variety? Any idea if GM offers a cleaning kit, or if dryflow, will the K&N kit work?

 

[trucklt1]

I have never seen GM offer a tune other than as a kit, I highly doubt they will ever offer a tune to calibrate a part that is not sold by GM. The filter is a dry paper element that is replaceable. I guess you could put a K&N on there if you really wanted, but there would be added maintenance and no added benefits over the paper.

 

[DonRican]

Finally!

 

[EnderWiggin]

I have never seen GM offer a tune other than as a kit, I highly doubt they will ever offer a tune to calibrate a part that is not sold by GM. The filter is a dry paper element that is replaceable. I guess you could put a K&N on there if you really wanted, but there would be added maintenance and no added benefits over the paper.

I wasn't referring to replacing with a K&N, but cleaning the filter with a dry flow cleaner made by K&N, I used this on my AEM Dry Flow filter on my Sunfire.

 

[GTP>GS]

DonRican, it looks amazing on a black background! Have you had the re-flash performed? Any impressions, problems?
I just picked up my Stage 1 Kit from my dealer this evening!🙂