GM performance parts Regal Stage Kit 2012-2013

[EnderWiggin]

Filter in this kit is a paper replacement, part #19302065, I thought about using an AEM Dryflow if/when this one is ready to be replaced. Oil from a K&N would be bad for the mass air flow sensor.

 

[BlackPearl]

Filter in this kit is a paper replacement, part #19302065, I thought about using an AEM Dryflow if/when this one is ready to be replaced. Oil from a K&N would be bad for the mass air flow sensor.

As long as your not saturating/soaking the filter with the oil, your fine. I know this has been a big thing with many platforms for a while, and the trick is to not soak the thing when you re-oil it after cleaning.

But thanks for the stock filter part number, I was curious of that.

EDIT: At $85 for a paper element filter, I am gonna source out the K&N for it... I am sorry, but that is way too damn much for a paper air filter. I can get at least double the life and savings of a K&N as it would cost me a single filter for that...

And besides, like the oil being ingested from the breather lines on the valve cover going to the intake tube and the turbo are any better??? That is my next thing I am buying, is a dual catch can for this car.

 

[EnderWiggin]

As long as your not saturating/soaking the filter with the oil, your fine. I know this has been a big thing with many platforms for a while, and the trick is to not soak the thing when you re-oil it after cleaning.

But thanks for the stock filter part number, I was curious of that.

EDIT: At $85 for a paper element filter, I am gonna source out the K&N for it... I am sorry, but that is way too damn much for a paper air filter. I can get at least double the life and savings of a K&N as it would cost me a single filter for that...

And besides, like the oil being ingested from the breather lines on the valve cover going to the intake tube and the turbo are any better??? That is my next thing I am buying, is a dual catch can for this car.

It's not oil being ingested into the engine that's the issue, moreso the oil on the Mass Air Flow sensor. I found that filter in the $70 range, but I agree, it's expensive, but a 50k? mile air filter isn't that big of a deal, also consider AEM's Dryflow series as well, easily ~$30-40 (last one I bought anyway) and they work better than K&N IMO.

 

[GTP>GS]

See my post (#22 and #26 ) about the Amsoil EaAU3050 5" cone dry filter in this thread:
http://buickforums.com/forums/threa...itial-Driving-Impressions?p=248407#post248407

I just finished vacuuming the filter -took all of 5 minutes.

 

[BlackPearl]

Awesome, will do fellas. However, I have stumbled upon a big issue regarding the Stage 1 kit for the car...

I got it today, and got 98% done installing it, with the exception of the PCV valve line that connects on the elbow going down to the turbo (the solid line that sticks out...). I notice the following problems with fitment on my car:
*The PCV valve that is supposed to just snap onto that tube, does not even fit the end of the PCV valve. It will go in, but you have to push it into the valve, and it won't snap into place like it should...
*The second issue I have is that the tube where the valve is supposed to connect is way too long. And if you try to slide the end of the PCV valve onto it, you have to seriously maneuver that steel line to do so...
NOT HAPPY THAT I AM HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR THE MONEY SPENT ON THIS THING!!!

Solutions I have come up with:
So I am in a little bit of a situation here... I am looking at having to cut a vast majority of that tube on the elbow from the kit off far enough to slide a piece of hose onto it, and pull the nipple piece out of the stock intake tube and connect that to the other end of the hose to be able to get it to work and stay connected...

And since I would be in there cutting the majority of the solid tube piece off - and I am concerned with the amount of gunk and oil build up on the inside of the stock intake tube, I am seriously considering installing my catch can in line with it to stop that oil from getting ingested into my turbo, intercooler and intake...

What do you guys think??? Has anybody else had this issue with thier kit? Pics of your installs would be nice, to see how different - if any - these elbow piece and PCV tunes are. And thoughts on installing the catch can in-line here to stop that oil.

Let me know ASAP, because the car is supposed to be going in Saturday AM for the ECM reflash. I could reschedule, but hadn't planned on encountering this much or kind of an issue. I have attached a pic of the exact problem spot I am facing, so you all can see what and where I am talking about.

Thanks guys!

 

[GTP>GS]

I had no difficulty installing the kit in my '12 GS. Only minor problem was tightening the hose clamp on the elbow that connects to the turbo inlet (no doubt caused by my big hands!) The PCV valve simply snapped onto that tube. The finished look is identical to the pictures in the instruction sheet. Perhaps try changing the orientation of the elbow where it mates with the turbo inlet? I hope these pics help:

 

[BlackPearl]

I had no difficulty installing the kit in my '12 GS. Only minor problem was tightening the hose clamp on the elbow that connects to the turbo inlet (no doubt caused by my big hands!) The PCV valve simply snapped onto that tube. The finished look is identical to the pictures in the instruction sheet. Perhaps try changing the orientation of the elbow where it mates with the turbo inlet? I hope these pics help:

View attachment 10675 View attachment 10676

Did you have to fight the end of the PCV valve onto the tube, or did it just go on with no problem? Because mine is a bitch to even try and get on. If I try and just line it up and just push it on, it won't go. I have to literally push and twist the thing to be able to get it on its so damn tight. And I highly doubt that the clip is just gonna slide up and over the tab it's that tight... And from the looks of it in your pics, you had to really push that PCV like every back to be able to get it on there as well, huh?? That is the other issue I face with it, it's really tight trying to get that thing to try and slide on that tube when it's pushed that far back...

I had no issues other than this. The elbow on the turbo inlet, getting the mounts and rubber grommets into the mounting spots... This PCV valve and tube is my problem spot. Thanks for the pics though, so this seems to me that it may not be a manufacturing issue and it just wants to fight me the whole way. I may still wind up shortening the tube off the elbow, pulling the nipple piece off the original intake tube and connecting that way if I still have that much trouble between now and Saturday morning when I go to get the reflash done...

Thanks again. Anyone else have pics of thier install, and have this much trouble with this spot???

 

[BlackPearl]

Sorry, duplicate reply...

 

[EnderWiggin]

Mine went right in, the whole assembly is adjustable.

 

[BlackPearl]

OK, I'll give it another shot tomorrow when I get home from work and try and get it all back in again. Hoping it goes together the way it's supposed to... I really don't wanna cut if I don't have to. But then again, adding the catch can will be a good thing in helping save my turbo, intercooler, plugs, valves and performance...

 

[BlackPearl]

Well, install and reflash completed!!! Very noticeable difference compared to stock. More responsive and smoother, yet snappier power. While it's not "throw you back in the seat" power, it's still nice and surprising. The intake itself does make the spooling, vacuum and blow off noises a little more pronounced, which is nice. Doesn't sound ricer, which is key. Very happy with it and glad I got it!

Now to do something with the exhaust for a little more of a growl and aggressive tone...

 

[EnderWiggin]

Might want to check out the Werks Downpipe http://www.performanceautowerks.com/catalog/product_info.php/werksracing-buick-regal-turbogs-shorty-downpipe-p-2117

 

[Walt G]

And since I would be in there cutting the majority of the solid tube piece off - and I am concerned with the amount of gunk and oil build up on the inside of the stock intake tube, I am seriously considering installing my catch can in line with it to stop that oil from getting ingested into my turbo, intercooler and intake...

That line you were having trouble with is in inlet path to the crankcase when running under vacuum conditions in the intake manifold. The actual PCV valve is an integral part of the intake manifold that you can't get to easily. That 'valve' in that line is simply a one-way check valve to prevent gasses from going from the engine to the intake when the engine is under boost conditions.

So don't bother with a catch can in that line. It should never be flowing from engine to intake anyways. Perhaps your check valve is bad if you have a lot of gunk. However, I thought the same thing when I first pulled my intake apart. But it turns out that all that gunk is actually from the 'engine to compressor' breather line where the flow is supposed to go when under boost. It's a short braided steel hose from the back of the engine into the inlet of the compressor. It seems that oil coming in that line can sometimes back-flow (splash/spray, whatever) up the intake tube, making it look like that line you were messing with is carrying oil.

I went through the same thing as you, and that intake oil finally went away when I 'catch canned' that other line that attaches to the turbo. So, it's possible you've got a different problem (bad check valve), but likely you'll go down the same head-scratching path as me until you catch-can the other line.

 

[BlackPearl]

That line you were having trouble with is in inlet path to the crankcase when running under vacuum conditions in the intake manifold. The actual PCV valve is an integral part of the intake manifold that you can't get to easily. That 'valve' in that line is simply a one-way check valve to prevent gasses from going from the engine to the intake when the engine is under boost conditions.

So don't bother with a catch can in that line. It should never be flowing from engine to intake anyways. Perhaps your check valve is bad if you have a lot of gunk. However, I thought the same thing when I first pulled my intake apart. But it turns out that all that gunk is actually from the 'engine to compressor' breather line where the flow is supposed to go when under boost. It's a short braided steel hose from the back of the engine into the inlet of the compressor. It seems that oil coming in that line can sometimes back-flow (splash/spray, whatever) up the intake tube, making it look like that line you were messing with is carrying oil.

I went through the same thing as you, and that intake oil finally went away when I 'catch canned' that other line that attaches to the turbo. So, it's possible you've got a different problem (bad check valve), but likely you'll go down the same head-scratching path as me until you catch-can the other line.

Awesome news, and thank you! I too had noticed that the upper part of the stock intake tube was clean, and that it was only the corner of the tube where it sat on the turbo inlet. So what you said makes perfect sense. If that's the case then I will look into getting my catch can installed on that turbo line.

My next question regarding that check valve on the top is how do I go about replacing it if it is bad... I did notice that the nipple end of the stock tube was opted with oil, so it may be possible that it is bad or on its way out. Any way to get another one, and how to get it off the metal inexpensive it's on now to be able to actually replace it???

 

[BlackPearl]

FYI in case anybody is wondering about an ARM DryFlow series filter to use with this kit, here is the one to get. Part #21-203D. My local Advance happened to have one and it's the right size inlet and size filter for this kit.

 

[sweetness34]

That line you were having trouble with is in inlet path to the crankcase when running under vacuum conditions in the intake manifold. The actual PCV valve is an integral part of the intake manifold that you can't get to easily. That 'valve' in that line is simply a one-way check valve to prevent gasses from going from the engine to the intake when the engine is under boost conditions.

So don't bother with a catch can in that line. It should never be flowing from engine to intake anyways. Perhaps your check valve is bad if you have a lot of gunk. However, I thought the same thing when I first pulled my intake apart. But it turns out that all that gunk is actually from the 'engine to compressor' breather line where the flow is supposed to go when under boost. It's a short braided steel hose from the back of the engine into the inlet of the compressor. It seems that oil coming in that line can sometimes back-flow (splash/spray, whatever) up the intake tube, making it look like that line you were messing with is carrying oil.

I went through the same thing as you, and that intake oil finally went away when I 'catch canned' that other line that attaches to the turbo. So, it's possible you've got a different problem (bad check valve), but likely you'll go down the same head-scratching path as me until you catch-can the other line.

Do you have any pictures of this? I've been going back and forth on this for a while now.

 

[Walt G]

Do you have any pictures of this? I've been going back and forth on this for a while now.

Some explanation and pictures in this thread: http://buickforums.com/forums/threads/45100-Catch-Can-Install?highlight=catch+can

 

[GSTurbo]

Well... finally joined the Stage 1 club!! Just ordered it from Jegs this past weekend. I will post a review once I get the intake & tune installed. I can't wait!!

 

[GSTurbo]

Got the intake installed... now I need to schedule for the tune to be uploaded.

Fyi, the intake is def quiter than my K&N intake was. In terms of sound, it's in between my modified airbox w/ k&n drop in, and the k&n intake. Def. very noticeable though.

Fitment is perfect, and quality is very good. I've been driving around with it on the stock tune, and my fuel trims are really not that bad. No CEL's either.

 

[GSTurbo]

Well, I've been basically talking to myself in this thread, LOL, but here's my review of the GM Stage kit....

My dealership only charged me $72 for the flash, which I thought was fantastic considering some were charging north of $100.

My first impression of the tune after leaving the dealership was "oh crap, did they upload the Regal T tune instead of the GS tune", because my car didn't feel any different...

I decided to log some parameters to verify the flash was even on the car... I logged MAF lbs/min first and after a short pull I logged 29.5 lbs/min. Stock the best I saw was 27.5-28 lbs/min. (Keep in mind, it was an 80 degree day, so it's probably closer to 30 lbs/min). Nice.

Then I ran a HP check, sure the gauge isn't 100% accurate, but it did show a difference... Stock I would see 294hp. With the Stage kit, I hit 317hp.

Last was a boost check.. I was reading 22.8-23 psi during pulls, but it was peaking much earlier than when it was stock, and holding it through the pull.

I still haven't been able to verify if they added any timing advance, as I haven't been able to really wind her out yet. I did see 10 degrees at WOT which I've hit stock a few times.

These test put my mind at ease at least... but I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a more noticeable difference in power. I wasn't expecting omg power, but 40lb/ft tq increase should be felt.

Well, I kid you not, but the next day, and the day after, the car felt stronger than ever (almost like the PCM was sorting out the new tune). Throttle is snappier, and the pull is def stronger and feels more peaky than the plateau feeling power curve of the stock tune. The tires actually chirped when the car shifted to 2nd. Never did that stock.

I must say I'm very happy with the performance from the tune and intake. The car is a lot more fun to drive, and I love knowing its backed by warranty still.