Hulty's Sonic

[Hulty]

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum for the last two months, and I figure it's time for me to try to contribute since you all have been my teachers for my "60 Day Crash Course of Aftermarket Modifications". I've had a blast doing what I've done so far, and I can't wait for the things I have in store...

Here is my stock Sonic a year ago, even stock I love that car!

(OK, I lied, this is not my Sonic as I realized I don't have one on this laptop, but you get the idea...)

 

[Hulty]

The first thing that had to be changed....the windows had to be tinted. Had the windows tinted to 35%. It really sucks that 50% is illegal in MN because I really want 15%, but if I did we could almost sell squares to bet on how long till my first fix-it ticket!

AND...I have no pic of just my tint, so you'll see it on the next post since I'm trying to post in chronological order.

 

[Hulty]

I believe the first mod to go in was the DDMWorks CAI and heatshield.... I remember that sound, and I remember thinking that my hobby was going to get VERY expensive because I was HOOKED!

 

[Hulty]

After the CAI, there was only one thing to do next....go to BNR and get fully tuned by Trifecta. WOW. Even more hooked.

 

[Hulty]

Then came the catback exhaust from ZZP. That's all the exhaust I've done and I've been kicking myself ever since for just not ordering the turbo back right off the bat, but I had no idea it was so easy to do. So now, it's just waiting for the MN weather to warm up enough to do it during the day with the garage door open. It's been a looooongggg winter, and I am so sick of heating the garage and using fake lighting. I'm dying to do some summertime wrenching for a change!!

 

[Hulty]

Next, and arguably could've been first, the stock fifteen's had to go. It was definitely time, so off with the stock and on with new 17's and some 235/45 Yokohama YK580's to keep them warm at night...

 

[Eric Smit]

you done loading posts?

 

[Hulty]

From There......time to change up the trim, something a little more subtle maybe.

 

[Hulty]

Next, lights and bowties.

 

[StuMage]

It's looking good Hulty

 

[Hulty]

It's looking good Hulty

Thanks Stu, it's been very fun. Looking forward to what's ahead!!

 

[Hulty]

The next thing that was needed was some bass. I wanted to keep everything stock with the My Link so, for now, I just went with a JBL low profile ten inch sub with 300W of extra juice to make the boom. Sounds pretty good although it definitely led me towards the urgent need for DynaMat. So that'll be ordered soon and I'll post photos of the Install when it warms up. The Sonic has never really felt like a tiny MPG car, until you add some hard bass, then the rattle quickly reminds you that you didn't buy a Jag.

 

[Stew]

Wow, you've got a lot done! How's the sound from the cat back? What paint did you use for the interior pieces?

 

[Hulty]

Wow, you've got a lot done! How's the sound from the cat back? What paint did you use for the interior pieces?

Thanks, I've been having a blast, it's been fun!! It'll be changing over the next couple weeks as I'm just waiting on the UPS guy...

The trim isn't actually paint, it's the same trim that would be in any car you'd buy from the dealer if you paid for the expensive model with the wood grain trim. You can get from carid.com made by Remin. You want to talk about the most stressful mod you can do - THIS IS IT!

The catback sounds awesome! I'm a 36 year old guy with kids and a mortgage, so the last thing I wanted to do was turn my car into what a teenager would have, so I didn't want it sounding too ricey. I couldn't even tell you how many video clips I listened to trying to decide which to buy, and ZZP won out. Only regret, I should've just bought the whole turbo back initially but I had no clue it would be so easy to do.

All my life I've worked on cars, solely to keep them running, so working on new cars simply for the sake of making them "better" in whatever way that means to you is something that is COMPLETELY new to me.

 

[Hulty]

Since I'm going chronological, I should mention that I did Plasti my fuel door next. I was really doing it just to try out the product I have heard so much about, but ended up being impressed so I kept it. After doing all the reading on here, I was part of the "not a fan" club, but I'll have to admit that after doing the fuel door I've gone over to the dark side....

 

[Kodiakbearr]

From There......time to change up the trim, something a little more subtle maybe.

how did you do that trim? looks pretty boss

 

[Hulty]

how did you do that trim? looks pretty boss

There was a lot of swearing involved!! Thanks, I like it a lot too!! See a couple posts up for details...

 

[Hulty]

Today is a good day, the UPS man brought me my DDM short shift and the set of GM Fogs!!

Last weekend the valve cover as well as the rear drums got painted, but the calipers are still on the "to do" list.....LOOKING GOOD!!

 

[Hulty]

Going to work on DAY 2 of the short throw shift arm tonight.... That DAMN plug is TERRIBLE to get out. I have mangled it, so I'll be spending my evening using picks/chisels to get the plug out in pieces. Looking forward to the 20 minutes it takes to actually install the new arm after the plug...

 

[Hulty]

DDMWorks Short Shift: INSTALLED!

Biggest PITA of the entire build to this point!

Actual install, fifteen minutes. Removal of the old shift arm, NIGHTMARE!!!