'04 RL dyno vs. '05 Cobalt SS/SC dyno

[sidejam]

I just came back from a dyno with my '04 RL. I went first for the morning and my best pull was 231 hp. My mods included a short ram intake with no lower airbox, Stage 1 with a 2.9" pulley, NGK BKR7E plugs, boost by-pass mod, and a Magnaflow muffler. I was also using 91 octane gas mixed with some Toluene which probably gave me about 94-95 octane rating. The dyno was done at 2200 ft above sea leavel.

At first I was content with the numbers thinking it's not so bad because of the altitude. Although, I was really hoping to break 240 whp. Then a 2005 (or maybe 2006) Cobalt SS/SC went on... The only mod on this car is an Injen CAI. It put down 211 hp. So, just about everything is the same for both car's dyno conditions with the exception of a hour or so between dyno runs.

With my mods, why did I not put down more??? How did the Cobalt put down so much? I can't imagine what it would have done if it had the Stage 2... Where did I go wrong, or is this about right for what I have. Or, maybe I'm just suffering from the curse of being an '04.

I'll try to get the dyno sheets scanned from both vehicles.

[KruxRedline]

Originally Posted by sidejam

boost by-pass mod

Don't think you need to do that with a stage tune.

The muffler wouldn't much help at all. And I think the stock airbox has really proved best for dynoing.

Personally I think with a 2.9 and a stage tune that sounds ALMOST about right. Maybe a little lower then it should be but sounds pretty damn close.

And don't feel bad about the cobalt pulling 211. We've got guys on here laying down almost as much as you did STOCK. Damn factory freaks!

[sidejam]

So... why do the Cobalts make so much more power than us?
Can the Stage 1 tune be tweaked better with HP Tuners???

And, ya I realize that I don't need the boost by-pass mod, but I'm not too sure where I put the stock hose...

[KruxRedline]

Originally Posted by sidejam

So... why do the Cobalts make so much more power than us?

Because GM hates us

[TheWastedYears]

Two things I can think of:

1. Short ram = high IATs
2. I'll have to look at the Stage tunes again, but I know the stock 04 gets shafted when you compare the tunes of later years. It's not as aggressive.

[LSJ PUP]

Look at it this way. The "saturn owners" are much better people in my opinion. I can't stand most of the cobalt owners. They put an intake on their cars and think their GOD. I'm stock and I know my car is quick, but that's about it. I would'a bought a redline, but I like the SSs styling a little more. Well, everything except the "playful" looking frontend.

[sheek360]

Originally Posted by TheWastedYears

Two things I can think of:

1. Short ram = high IATs
2. I'll have to look at the Stage tunes again, but I know the stock 04 gets shafted when you compare the tunes of later years. It's not as aggressive.

I agree, the 2004's got shafted with less aggressive timing than the later LSJ's.

[max_boost]

I blame your numbers on your SRI with no lower airbox. It actually hurts your performance numbers. When a group of local LSJers dynoed we had a similar experiance. After some logging with HPTuners we found out that the SRI with no airbox caused the IAT1 temps to actually climb higher than the IAT2 temps. That hot air really kills performance.

[sheek360]

Originally Posted by max_boost

I blame your numbers on your SRI with no lower airbox. It actually hurts your performance numbers. When a group of local LSJers dynoed we had a similar experiance. After some logging with HPTuners we found out that the SRI with no airbox caused the IAT1 temps to actually climb higher than the IAT2 temps. That hot air really kills performance.

I agree, I have the AEM SRI. Im either going to heat shield or extend into the fender.

[max_boost]

Originally Posted by sheek360

I agree, the 2004's got shafted with less aggressive timing than the later LSJ's.

There is not much difference between a 04 and 05 Red Line stage tune. No timing differences at all. There is between 2-4 more degrees of timing on a 05 stock tune vs a 04 stock tune though.

Here is a comparison log of a 04 stage tune vs a 05 stage tune.