Topic: Hi to all - new poster with some questions

[TecSolOnt]

 Hi all,

   Currently have a 2006 Sol , Auto, 11k miles on it,   which now the warranty is done I am thinking of upgrading to a S/C or Turbo and dual exhaust. Couple of questions to the experts that I know frequent this BB.

   If I were to go to DDM for a St II would they also be able to install the exhaust? I know they have prices on the site but any ballpark totals that you might have for this mod plus install would be appreciated.

  What might the lead time be that I need to give them to book an appointment?

  Likewise same question on the turbo , ballpark dollars for the turbo/exhaust , looking for similiar in HP increase to a ST II S/C.

   I will have to travel about 5 hours to Illinois for the turbo, 11 hours to DDM  (located in Southern Ontario) so need to look at a date a ways out in the summer when I can book some time. If someone in Canada does this work I would appreciate that info as well.

   Lastly S/C or turbo on the 2.4? (that should spark some debate lol)

Thanks all, sorry for all the questions at the get go, great forum !!

[LatinVenom]

DDM can do both but probably the S/C would be the way to go.
They can also install the exhaust for you.
Please give Randy and Dave a call or send them a PM to get you going.

[TecSolOnt]

  Thanks LV, I have sent a note off to Dave at DDM.

  Still would appreciate feedback from the group on any of my questions.

[LatinVenom]

Why not try SOLO for the installation of your exhaust, and then check with them to see if they would install the DDM S/C for you.
This way you do not have to travel to the USA.

[lil goat]

I have no understanding of Canadian geography, it's like it's another country or something, but there is a rather competent fellow in Tiley, Alberta. I know he has done S/C kits for the 2.4 from scratch or he could easily install a DDM Works kit if you wanted to go that route, he will not be the cheapest but I can absolutely guarantee your car will run like a bat out of Hell. I wish I was close enough to let Lyndon Wester get his hands on my car, just go to the Wester's Garage web site and send him an email, he may even have some alternative idea's eh.

[DeepBlueGXP]

Southern Ontario, you are close to Solo Performance.  You can stop by there to see their exhaust system. GOINGSOLO and SPIKY3480 are Solo  supporting vendors here.  Dave and Randy at DDM are the way to go for either a SC or a Turbo.  Go with a Stage III with a CAI/Ram intake.

Sly Bob is close to you also and Welcome to the forum...

[TecSolOnt]

  I knew you guys would have some great ideas, Solo might be one for sure.  All kinds of complications rear their ugly head with shipping equipment across the border so I have to figure that out as well.  Once I hear from Dave he probably has been thru a few of these and I will see what he suggests. If I drive down  to DDM then I can ignore claiming the install at the border and likely some fees that go with it. 

  Shipping anything across the border usually costs brokerage fees and taxes , having it under your hood, priceless 

 Alberta, Canada  is about 25 hours drive from me, Illinois 5 and DDM is 11,   in U.S terms I am 1/2 hour outside of Detroit, Michigan on the Canadian side. 

[Critterman]

I think one of the Solo Shops did a ddm S/C install with the installation of their exhaust.  Check with Jeff.

[TecSolOnt]

  Okay dropped a note off to Jeff at Solo, depending on the cost it adds to ship it across the border it might be the way to go.

   Any suggestions on must do mods  if you added duels and a S/C to a Sol? If I spend the money I hate to overlook something that might make a big difference.

[1KULSOL]

  I knew you guys would have some great ideas, Solo might be one for sure.  All kinds of complications rear their ugly head with shipping equipment across the border so I have to figure that out as well.  Once I hear from Dave he probably has been thru a few of these and I will see what he suggests. If I drive down  to DDM then I can ignore claiming the install at the border and likely some fees that go with it. 

  Shipping anything across the border usually costs brokerage fees and taxes , having it under your hood, priceless 

 Alberta, Canada  is about 25 hours drive from me, Illinois 5 and DDM is 11,   in U.S terms I am 1/2 hour outside of Detroit, Michigan on the Canadian side. 

I believe SOLO has a shop in Kenmore, NY ... so you could get everything done there .. s/c and exhaust ... and I agree spend the extra $$$ and get the stage III you won't be sorry.

[Chemist]

 Hi all,

   Currently have a 2006 Sol , Auto, 11k miles on it,   which now the warranty is done I am thinking of upgrading to a S/C or Turbo and dual exhaust. Couple of questions to the experts that I know frequent this BB.

   If I were to go to DDM for a St II would they also be able to install the exhaust? I know they have prices on the site but any ballpark totals that you might have for this mod plus install would be appreciated.

  What might the lead time be that I need to give them to book an appointment?

  Likewise same question on the turbo , ballpark dollars for the turbo/exhaust , looking for similiar in HP increase to a ST II S/C.

   I will have to travel about 5 hours to Illinois for the turbo, 11 hours to DDM  (located in Southern Ontario) so need to look at a date a ways out in the summer when I can book some time. If someone in Canada does this work I would appreciate that info as well.

   Lastly S/C or turbo on the 2.4? (that should spark some debate lol)

Thanks all, sorry for all the questions at the get go, great forum !!

I drove 18 hours from Texas to DDMWorks in South Carolina. Had stage II, headers, exhaust, ProBeam, Backbone rotors, and calipers installed. Because I had so much done, they cut me quite a deal on the total install.

Dave/Ivy will be back with you as quickly as they can, I am certain. They are GOOD GOOD GOOD folks to deal with.


BTW,  I made my appointment about six months in advance, but I am WAY retentive.

[LatinVenom]

Add the try Y Long tube header for the 2.4. You can also get that from DDM.
I do not know if SOLO has a Long tube header.

[Sly Bob]

Welcome to the forums TecSolOnt! Where are you in southern Ontario? I, as you can see from my signature, am in Welland just outside of Niagara Falls. Solo has in fact installed some DDM products and can set you up with a package. The Solo exhausts are what most here run and any of the Zorro muffler shops in Canada can do the install for you. They are absolutely great to deal with and make a fantastic product. They have locations in Welland, Stoney Creek, and Mississauga. They, as 1KULSOL said also have a Mufflerman shop in Kenmore NY to service our freinds in the U.S.

I had my system installed in Welland recently. I love the look and the sound of the GXP-RCD on my car. A similar system on your car would be the SQR-2.

I'm glad that you could join us here and it's great to have another Canadian on the forums. I hope you are local to Welland as it is always great to meet other Solstice owners. Best of luck in you search and I have no doubt that Jeff will be contacting you soon.

[HAMMER DOWN]

 Welcome 
Here's to many rides with the top down, wind in your hair & the  hammer down. 

[Acadian]

 drove from montreal, Qc, Canada to ddmworks in south carolina on a friday non-stop except for gas and beef jerky !

they took the whole day to install my stage 2 supercharger, ddm headers and hiflow cat (on a saturday !), we then went together after dawn for a pizza in beautiful Greenville,sc that was minutes away. then i did the dragon on the way home.

i absolutely have no regret, they did the install, the tune, the road test,ordered my meal ! and i left with a large smile.+ they rechecked everything twice to make sure i would not suffer from any problem on my long way home.
Dave and Randy are the best there is for your car.

you should do the same, it will give you the oportunity to drive the dragon at deal's gap.
call them an take an appointment.

you will not regret it, beleive me.

[KWhale]

Welcome TecSol....Is the Tec short for Tecumseh by any chance????  I'm out in Alberta now, but grew up in the Belle River / Woodslee area until is was 18.  We used to crush you guys all the time back in my Junior-C days LOL  Of course if Tecumseh is just a bad guess, then you can ignore the friendly insult of your old old old hockey teams!

[chuckdoc]

That was my suggestion but someone beat me too it.  I drive down the coast would be fun.  Install stuff here and drive back.  I would stop by Joe's Garage and I am sure one of us would put you up for the night, that way you could check out Crittermans car as he has the latest in DDM technology including the supercharger and other goodies.  If you like it, you could continue your drive down south, if you do not, we can come up with other options.

[GXPinKC]

Just a short off topic note.  I have added today to the thread "In Search of New Members from Canada and Alaska, also from the BB and GXP Owners" a new member of this forum, "TecSolOnt".  If you have not welcomed him on the introductory thread, please welcome him on this illustrious list that he was added to today.  Great group to be sure.  We are most proud to have the members from the great North as contributors to this form.  Welcome TecSolOnt to the fun.
GXPinKC
Ron

[TecSolOnt]

   Hi all, thanks for the info.

   Jeff at Solo got back to me very quickly and no they aren't going to do any DDM work anymore. Apparently their tech isn't comfortable doing that work, no problem. Appreciate his speedy response.

   KWhale you are intuititive. Yes Tec is short for Tecumseh, reality is though I am in your homeland, Lakeshore/Belle River , just one road over from Tecumseh/St.Clair Beach.

 I hear you about the hockey, was quite involved coaching travel in Belle River, kid played travel and ref'd in BR, my wife was on the Board of Directors. That a couple of years back now. You might know that Tecumseh was the top Junior B team in Ontario last year winning the cup, we won't hold that against them. I imagine you are aware our neighbours in Windsor have the top rated major junior team in the country in the Spitfires, that's been a lot of fun with them winning 57 of 68 regular season games and now having London on the ropes 3-1 in their Conference Final,  4 overtime games in a row to get there though. Sorry for all the hockey talk for our southern neighbours lol .   By the way my kid is now out west as well, a little north of you in Whitehorse.

  Still awaiting a response from Dave at DDM , maybe I will call him today.

[Frank I]

   Hi all, thanks for the info.

   Jeff at Solo got back to me very quickly and no they aren't going to do any DDM work anymore. Apparently their tech isn't comfortable doing that work, no problem. Appreciate his speedy response.

  Still awaiting a response from Dave at DDM , maybe I will call him today.

TecSolOnt:

Welcome to the Forum.  As you can tell, many members and vendors on this Forum will become an invaluable asset to you.

You will be extremely pleased if Dave and Randy at DDM perform the work for you.  They are top notch, especially with S/C's.  They can offer you everything you have described in your wish list and you will find them to be very fair and reasonable.  In reality, you can't go wrong using DDM.

As for Jeff at Solo, his company is another vendor you need to know.  Jeff is another one of this Forums top notch suppliers and a great person.  You may also want to consider Chuckdoc's suggestion.  That whole group of Solstice owners up in that neck of the woods are great people and very helpful.

Good luck with your Solstice and I'm sure you will (just like the rest of us) find the members and vendors on this Forum to be a great group to be involved with. 
 

Frank I   

[Windblade]

Welcome to our forum.

[KWhale]

TecSol - what a lucky guess on the Tecumseh thing!!  I'm showing my age in that previous post because back in my day, we were classed as Junior-C.  Obviously there are quite a few more people now than back in the early 70's.  I have been watching the Spits whenever TSN graces us with a game out west and caught the 3rd game where they went up 2-1.  Excellent hockey, and you can't beat all the overtime games.  Wow, Whitehorse?  I thought our winters were long and crappy, but I'll take ours over Whitehorse anytime!

Anyway, just wanted to welcome you to the forum, and it seems like everyone is giving you plenty of great advice on your questions already.  I would like to recommend Solo, but so far I have only purchased the Cat and Mach exhaust, have not installed it yet.  Jeff was great to deal with, but it will be a few days before I can comment on how his product actually is.

[TecSolOnt]

  Hi Kwale,  small world !

  I have been talking to Jeff, going to go with a new exhaust before I make the decision on the ST II , talked to Dave at DDM looks like the summer months are open for an install so I have some time to decide. May zip down in the next couple of weeks and have the duel exhaust put on. Surprised by the cost of the new rear  valance from GM , $518 , talked to a couple of dealers , ditto. Thats almost as much as the exhaust itself.

  Still not sure of whether I want to go with headers, hi flow cat.  Nice to have but not sure HP wise they make much difference once you add on the S/C and this package is starting to add up. All in all I am now looking at about $8500 Cdn for exhaust and STII.  Gotta get my head around that as I don't drive the car that much,  as you can see 11k miles over 3 years on it. On the other hand the male in me wants it all 

  KWale you might be interested to know the Spits knocked out London (4 games to 1)  last night winning the Western Conference, 5th straight overtime game in that series , I think the OHL finals are all picked up on TSN. By the way regarding Junior C, Essex is one win away from winning the Ontario Championship. It is possible that over one year this area will have the Junior C, B and Major A champions.

[spicy3480]

For the price that GM charges for the valence, you could get a custom painted valence from Norm for over $100 less.  If u have any questions about the SOLO Exhausts, feel free to PM me, as I work for Jeff and can answer any questions you may have. 

[TecSolOnt]

 Thanks for that Spiky! Actually I was talking to Dave at DDM this morning which  led me to Norm (who I called)  which then brought me back to Jeff at Solo lol   Norm explained best to do it all thru Solo.

 I bet these same questions get asked a 100 times a month, boy these guys are patient.

  I have asked Jeff to price me out the diffuser valance , hi cat, split and center duals.  Started out liking the split duals, now wondering if the center isn't the better way to go. Decisions, decisions