GM performance parts Regal Stage Kit 2012-2013

[DonRican]

It needs something like this...

 

[SLP-GNX]

DonRican where are you purchasing the kit if you don't mind me asking? I completely agree about the badging. It's dumb that this is not called the Stage 1 kit for heritage's sake. I think I will get a Stage 1 badge to mount on the clear plexiglass lid. Should look sweet.

 

[Walt G]

It not only looks good but pulls colder air.

I agree with a lot of your points, but how do you figure that this pulls colder air? I specifically asked Truck if the first tube the air encounters (from next to the radiator, up through the fender and into the air box) is changed with this kit, and he said no. It pulls air from exactly the same spot. Again, I still think your reasoning on whole is very good, and I'm looking forward to hearing your review of the kit.

And I think Truck commented that the 'tuners' don't publish actual HP/Torque numbers. GM did their tuning on an engine dyno, not a chassis dyno or by just driving the car around. It would be cost-prohibitive for a tuner-type business to do actual engine dyno tuning. When all you can do is measure through the trans and wheels, the numbers simply aren't accurate enough to publish. A chassis dyno can be quite precise (repeatable) if you hold all variables constant, but they are not accurate for engine-out torque/hp numbers.

What would be nice is a back to back on the same car and same chassis dyno.

 

[trucklt1]

I agree with a lot of your points, but how do you figure that this pulls colder air? I specifically asked Truck if the first tube the air encounters (from next to the radiator, up through the fender and into the air box) is changed with this kit, and he said no. It pulls air from exactly the same spot. Again, I still think your reasoning on whole is very good, and I'm looking forward to hearing your review of the kit.

And I think Truck commented that the 'tuners' don't publish actual HP/Torque numbers. GM did their tuning on an engine dyno, not a chassis dyno or by just driving the car around. It would be cost-prohibitive for a tuner-type business to do actual engine dyno tuning. When all you can do is measure through the trans and wheels, the numbers simply aren't accurate enough to publish. A chassis dyno can be quite precise (repeatable) if you hold all variables constant, but they are not accurate for engine-out torque/hp numbers.

What would be nice is a back to back on the same car and same chassis dyno.

I think he meant "colder air" as in colder than the other air intakes on the market, not colder than factory. I agree on the chassis dyno. I would think that the tuner companies could post before and after results of the specific cars that they are developing their tunes on, seems like it would be a good selling point. Most people don't like spending money on something that they don't know what they are getting.

 

[trucklt1]

Three dealership service centers, three strikeouts …. first dealership said, "We don't do that type of work" and referred me to a tuning shop over an hour away... second dealership said, "we can order kit for you, its $700, but we won't do any work or install anything here" … and the third looked into it, called me back an hour later and said "My service manager really doesn't want to take on this type of job here"

WTF am i wrong in assuming the whole install should take an hour, maybe two? i mean i can handle the intake install really just need them for the GM tune

Anyone else having trouble finding a dealership to work with them?

This is a very simple install, any dealer should be able to install this and program the ecm, It is no different than installing a remote start kit. remove old intake, install new intake, call techline with the VIN and authorization code, program ECM normally, return car and collect payment. It is simple, easy money for the dealership and the technician. This job took me less than 30 minutes, our dealership would likely charge $150 plus tax to install.

 

[GOT2B GM]

Did you notice a difference in peak boost pressure?

 

[trucklt1]

I don't have a boost gauge and have not datalogged. Did you get yours installed?

 

[GOT2B GM]

Because of the short week due to easter, it didn't quite make it to the dealership last week.

This week....

 

[DonRican]

I agree with a lot of your points, but how do you figure that this pulls colder air? I specifically asked Truck if the first tube the air encounters (from next to the radiator, up through the fender and into the air box) is changed with this kit, and he said no. It pulls air from exactly the same spot. Again, I still think your reasoning on whole is very good, and I'm looking forward to hearing your review of the kit.

Colder than other upgrades like ZZP. Not colder than factory. I have to make some assumptions here but they are backed by common sense. The original housing has what looks like a vacuum cleaner nozzle on the housing that seats into the wheel well.


Air looks like its coming from what looks like horizontal shark gills on the wheel liner.


The air cleaner looks like its over the inlet pulling air from the same place.


I shinned a light into the "gills" (For lack of a better word) and didn't see light anywhere in the engine compartment so I assume that area is fairly sealed. It is sealed from the radiators and radiator hoses. So all, or the majority of air is coming from the "gills". That's a lot cooler than high in the engine bay. They seem to have taken a page from the Grand National upgrades. We used to duct the K&N cone filters behind the light for cooler air.


Edit: Actually, after looking at the photo a little more carefully, It looks like the air might be going through a tube running in front of the radiator. That means it's still looks like its sealed away from the radiator, only in front of it.

 

[dmenn]

I think he meant "colder air" as in colder than the other air intakes on the market, not colder than factory. I agree on the chassis dyno. I would think that the tuner companies could post before and after results of the specific cars that they are developing their tunes on, seems like it would be a good selling point. Most people don't like spending money on something that they don't know what they are getting.

Agreed... I've asked Trifecta for their before/after dyno on a 2012 or 2013 Regal GS and they haven't been able to provide that data. They've also referred me to the forum and to 'do a search'. I've scoured this forum for before/after of a GS and I can't find it. You would think that's the first thing you have handy when someone asks about the tune and what to expect regarding performance. I've also asked IPF about this and they are testing a downpipe and intercooler sometime this year with a 2012 or 2013 Regal GS so perhaps a before/after dyno with just the IPF tune will be available this year.

 

[DonRican]

DonRican where are you purchasing the kit if you don't mind me asking? I completely agree about the badging. It's dumb that this is not called the Stage 1 kit for heritage's sake. I think I will get a Stage 1 badge to mount on the clear plexiglass lid. Should look sweet.

I'm not sure yet where I'm getting it from. But I have a friend that worked for a few GM dealers. I'm sure he knows someone who knows someone. 🙂

 

[DonRican]

Agreed... I've asked Trifecta for their before/after dyno on a 2012 or 2013 Regal GS and they haven't been able to provide that data. They've also referred me to the forum and to 'do a search'. I've scoured this forum for before/after of a GS and I can't find it. You would think that's the first thing you have handy when someone asks about the tune and what to expect regarding performance. I've also asked IPF about this and they are testing a downpipe and intercooler sometime this year with a 2012 or 2013 Regal GS so perhaps a before/after dyno with just the IPF tune will be available this year.

A Stage kit with an Intercooler would make a great Stage 2 kit. Hint, hint Buick! Stage 3... We'll just call it "Kranz"

 

[DonRican]

The glow of an LED would look sweet in that box. 🙂

 

[Walt G]

Colder than other upgrades like ZZP. Not colder than factory....
Edit: Actually, after looking at the photo a little more carefully, It looks like the air might be going through a tube running in front of the radiator.

Sorry, I misunderstood. Indeed, this intake is still pulling air through the same 'cold air' tube that runs to the front of the radiator. Pretty good design IMHO. And I've never liked the aftermarket intakes that pull under-hood (hot) air. I'm not sure how much of a difference that really makes on a turbo car with an intercooler, but it couldn't be helping... even Buick decided to route cold air into the intake from the factory.

Overall, this looks like a slick design. My personal opinion is that the new intake parts are more for 'show' than 'go' (hell, it has a clear top that screams 'show'), and it's really the new calibration making the difference, but if that's what it takes to get GM to provide a kit like this, I think it's great.

I'm not changing from my Trifecta tune which I like a lot, but I still think this GM update is a great indicator that they are pretty serious about this car.

 

[SLP-GNX]

Because of the short week due to easter, it didn't quite make it to the dealership last week.

This week....

GOT2B GM, I'm anxiously awaiting your review of the GM Stage Kit to determine whether or not im gonna place an order! Be sure to let us know when you get it installed!

 

[GOT2B GM]

Will do, I'm still waiting for it to arrive at the dealer

 

[DonRican]

I've never liked the aftermarket intakes that pull under-hood (hot) air. I'm not sure how much of a difference that really makes on a turbo car with an intercooler, but it couldn't be helping... even Buick decided to route cold air into the intake from the factory.

What I remember from my GN days is that Intercoolers drop incoming air temperature by a specific amount. So if it's 120 degrees under the hood and 95 outside, your post Intercooler air temp would be 25 degrees hotter. With outside air your post temp might be around 150. With the hotter 120 degree temp under the hood, post air might be 175. The cooler the air, the denser the air and the more fuel the computer sends to burn. Less detonation and more HP.

 

[GOT2B GM]

Picked the kit up today at the dealer. Reflash day is next Friday, they're all booked up until then.

 

[gjtalis]

thats great bro! its gonna be a long week huh lol

 

[patrickgw]

Just ordered the stage kit. Don't have any previous tuning so I'm excited to compare it to the stock tune.