Tune
- Thread starter Sonic
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Memphis
New member
There are tunes already available for the Sonic. Same engine as the Cruze. Trifecta Performance is the way to go.
I do the tunes for Trifecta Performance and I have tuned a Cruze Eco and it gained 7 tenths off of its initial run on the 1/8th. Went from a 13.6 to a 12.88.
Another Cruze ran a 15.3 (non-Eco) with a seperate E-85 tune. I believe the Sonic will run a 15.1-2 with a tune.
I do the tunes for Trifecta Performance and I have tuned a Cruze Eco and it gained 7 tenths off of its initial run on the 1/8th. Went from a 13.6 to a 12.88.
Another Cruze ran a 15.3 (non-Eco) with a seperate E-85 tune. I believe the Sonic will run a 15.1-2 with a tune.
TravsSonic
New member
vince at trifecta performance already has a tune for it
Trifecta Performance Custom Tuning :: Home Page and News
there is also
Vermont Tuning LLC | Facebook
I personally use the trifecta performance tune in my Cruze, and i have nothing but good things to say about it.
here is my thread on here about what you can expect from the 1.4 since your about 200 lbs lighter'ish than my Eco, its the tread where I did some before the tune passes and some after the tune passes. I picked up almost 8 tenths in a 1000' (biggest track in arkansas). In 1/4 using some other cruzes time slips my car will easily do a 15.3 or 15.2. The guy closest to my time (.05 difference) at 1000' ran a 15.3. But i had just charged him to make up 2 tenths in the last 340' of 1000'. So my trap speeds should have been higher. His time slip didn't show 1000' traps. But anyway.. 15.2-15.3 in my cruze should net you a 15.1-15.2 in the sonic with a tune.
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t192/
Trifecta Performance Custom Tuning :: Home Page and News
there is also
Vermont Tuning LLC | Facebook
I personally use the trifecta performance tune in my Cruze, and i have nothing but good things to say about it.
here is my thread on here about what you can expect from the 1.4 since your about 200 lbs lighter'ish than my Eco, its the tread where I did some before the tune passes and some after the tune passes. I picked up almost 8 tenths in a 1000' (biggest track in arkansas). In 1/4 using some other cruzes time slips my car will easily do a 15.3 or 15.2. The guy closest to my time (.05 difference) at 1000' ran a 15.3. But i had just charged him to make up 2 tenths in the last 340' of 1000'. So my trap speeds should have been higher. His time slip didn't show 1000' traps. But anyway.. 15.2-15.3 in my cruze should net you a 15.1-15.2 in the sonic with a tune.
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t192/
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TravsSonic
New member
haha.. memphis is my tuner.. haha. It was a 1000' is what he meant to say instead of 1/8. And we are both right, it was like .77 difference. 
The real fun is after i get my new clutch in this week!! Then once its broke in i'll go make some new passes.
The real fun is after i get my new clutch in this week!! Then once its broke in i'll go make some new passes.
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TravsSonic
New member
wanting a new clutch isn't the issue, its "needing" a new clutch once you start tinkering with the output of this engine. The 1.4 with just a tune will overpower the stock pressure plate quite easily. Mine lasted 4k miles after the tune, I mistakenly let someone drive my car and they slipped/drug the clutch one time on a 1st-->2nd WOT shift. That was it.. the clutch would no longer hold WOT in 3rd and 4th. A tear down of the clutch assembly reveled that the PP just doesn't have any clamping power as I had been driving on nothing but 4 or 5 little spots on my clutch face that were about 1 inch long and the width of my pinky. Once those tiny little spots were glazed.. poof.. no clutch. At 5k miles, it still had a new face on it with the part # in paint still legible, quite simply, the PP just doesn't do its job.
This slipping clutch issue is the norm for Cruze 1.4 w/tune owners.
My replacement will be the 1st twin disc clutch assembly for the 1.4 that i'm aware of. I will be running the stage 6, 725 series, from clutchmasters. Expect to pay somewhere in the $1500 range for the same clutch assembly. Mine is the prototype, and they used my assembly out of my car to model their 1.4 clutches after, so i didn't pay quite that much. But about $1500 is what they said it would cost.
Clutchmasters.com - High Performance Clutches and Flywheels
If a single disc is more inline with what someone wants and they aren't looking to make the fastest 1.4 out there. Clutchmasters has all the measurements from mine now, so both the 1.8 and 1.4 engines can get clutch discs and the 1.4 can get an entire new assembly. The 1.8 and 1.4 share the same clutch disc but not the same flywheel and pressure plate.
Jose is who i'm working with at Clutchmasters California office. He said they are putting the final touches on my new assembly and it should be shipping out tuesday or wednesday, so i should have it by monday the 10th. It will only take a couple hours to get it back in the car and get everything buttoned back up. So expect some video of the clutch rattle and review sometime after the 10th (all twin discs rattle). And some passes shortly after I get through the break in period.
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Boost
Banned
The most popular and reputable tuner for the Cruze by far is Vince @ Trifecta. He is also a very nice guy, I spoke to him in person. I can say the same for Brian @ VTuner he seems to be the second most popular and also very nice and knowledgeable. Although he has not announced Sonic or 1.8 Cruze tuning. Trifecta seems to be a step ahead of everyone so far.
The small time / local Cruze and Sonic tuners are also around. I am one of them. TORQUE SOUTH Tuning was founded in 2006 and I have 61 customers, mostly Duramax diesel. I had to trade in my truck for an economy car in '08 due to fuel prices and since then I have been shifting towards smaller engines for a sustainable future. I have had tuning support for the 1.4t Cruze for many months now thanks to EFILive, and have developed a nice street program which I sell to the locals here in S.Florida for $199. I have no shop or dyno, so I am strictly local and by word of mouth praise GOD I have maintained a good reputation and zero complaints so far in over 5 years and dozens of customers. I am sure the handheld tunes will be available soon (Superchit and such) they usually go for $5-600.
I am waiting for EFILive to release Sonic 1.4t support, then I will immediately start flashing them with a slightly modified version of the proven Cruze 1.4t program. It will be $199 in the Miami area, with at least an extra 20 wheel horsepower and torque. Factory driveability, reliability and mileage of course. So wish me luck
The small time / local Cruze and Sonic tuners are also around. I am one of them. TORQUE SOUTH Tuning was founded in 2006 and I have 61 customers, mostly Duramax diesel. I had to trade in my truck for an economy car in '08 due to fuel prices and since then I have been shifting towards smaller engines for a sustainable future. I have had tuning support for the 1.4t Cruze for many months now thanks to EFILive, and have developed a nice street program which I sell to the locals here in S.Florida for $199. I have no shop or dyno, so I am strictly local and by word of mouth praise GOD I have maintained a good reputation and zero complaints so far in over 5 years and dozens of customers. I am sure the handheld tunes will be available soon (Superchit and such) they usually go for $5-600.
I am waiting for EFILive to release Sonic 1.4t support, then I will immediately start flashing them with a slightly modified version of the proven Cruze 1.4t program. It will be $199 in the Miami area, with at least an extra 20 wheel horsepower and torque. Factory driveability, reliability and mileage of course. So wish me luck
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Boost
Banned
No, I'm afraid not. I will look into how he is possibly doing that. Something like that usually consists of adjusting the parameters that are affected when CC is selected. Years ago my customers thought that the Tow / Haul button on the trucks would "activate a performance program" simply because there are different columns for shift pattern based on temp and other conditions such as T/H mode lol in any case as I said Trifecta is the best. I sell 25 hp / tq programs locally for $199 and willing to guarantee them on a dyno. I don't see how during operation, pressing the Cruise Control can reflash the ECM to a stock file?? But I am not as smart as Vince either
lol in any case as I said Trifecta is the best. I sell 25 hp / tq programs locally for $199 and willing to guarantee them on a dyno. I don't see how during operation, pressing the Cruise Control can reflash the ECM to a stock file?? But I am not as smart as Vince either Ive never messed with tuning a chevy but I wouldnt mind getting the most out of the sonic. I know a couple very knowledgeable tuners on various platforms that have been able to enable map switching thru various methods. I can swap from 91 to E85 in my Evo by pressing my gas pedal in ACC mode and then turn it off and on and it swaps the tunes for me.
What does a tune for the 1.4L run and what is the after effect on gas mileage. This is my DD and I want a lil pep in it but dont need big numbers... LMK via PM if need be....
What does a tune for the 1.4L run and what is the after effect on gas mileage. This is my DD and I want a lil pep in it but dont need big numbers... LMK via PM if need be....
Boost
Banned
Hi blkside, my tunes cost $199 and must be done in person. That pretty much narrows it down to the Miami area and others from S.Florida that happen to be in town or are willing to drive down (maybe for a meet).
Sonic, the MPG increase depends hugely on driving style. Traditionally, race tunes on a wide range of applications have had good fuel economy, I suspect due to improved combustion efficiency and increased low RPM torque. For instance on the Cruze 1.4t, if driven lightly, the AT learns to shift differently and work with the newfound power, improving economy.
But I would say the biggest benefit of these tunes is the increased boost and the decreased torque limitations, and that we maximize what little is left in this hardware safely.
Sonic, the MPG increase depends hugely on driving style. Traditionally, race tunes on a wide range of applications have had good fuel economy, I suspect due to improved combustion efficiency and increased low RPM torque. For instance on the Cruze 1.4t, if driven lightly, the AT learns to shift differently and work with the newfound power, improving economy.
But I would say the biggest benefit of these tunes is the increased boost and the decreased torque limitations, and that we maximize what little is left in this hardware safely.
TravsSonic
New member
Trifecta tunes is by far the most popular atm, vince does great work. I think he charges $350 for just the tune, its more if you want to keep the cable so you can flop back and forth between stock and the performance tune.
You will pick up a couple MPG, these engines are just choked to death pulling around almost 3000 lbs. Freeing up that 50'ish ft/lbs of torque and HP really makes the car easier to drive and you don't use as much gas pedal.
BNRacing
Supporting Vendor
Hey Guys,
I am a nation wide trifecta performance dealer that works very closely with Vince. I can offer these tunes for $300 + the cost of the cable. That's $50 cheaper than Trifecta direct. Let me know if anyone is interested in buying a tune, you can order here- www.badnewsracing.net or just PM me and I'll hook you up.
I am a nation wide trifecta performance dealer that works very closely with Vince. I can offer these tunes for $300 + the cost of the cable. That's $50 cheaper than Trifecta direct. Let me know if anyone is interested in buying a tune, you can order here- www.badnewsracing.net or just PM me and I'll hook you up.
Boost
Banned
How much is the cable and what's the total price? Also,how many days turnaround for service, do you have to send back a datalog to get you fine tuned depending on your specific conditions? I recommend Vince's Trifecta tune to anyone looking for mail order tunes, just so you know through these distributors you are getting the same exact Trifecta tune and service, I know because when I talked to Vince regarding one of his customers cars that I was troubleshooting, he had to look up what dealer it was under. Any way it's a win win situation for everyone, tuning these cars is GREAT!
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BNRacing
Supporting Vendor
How much is the cable and what's the total price? Also,how many days turnaround for service, do you have to send back a datalog to get you fine tuned depending on your specific conditions? I recommend Vince's Trifecta tune to anyone looking for mail order tunes, just so you know through these distributors you are getting the same exact Trifecta tune and service, I know because when I talked to Vince regarding one of his customers cars that I was troubleshooting, he had to look up what dealer it was under. Any way it's a win win situation for everyone, tuning these cars is GREAT!
The cable is $100-$210 depending on which cable you get. There are 3 options. The cheapest option that will work with the Sonic and other 2008+ vehicles is $100. Above that is a Tactrix for $185, also works with 2008+. The most expensive is required for 2007 and older, but also works with ALL vehicles. That cable is $210.
Vince is great at making safe power, sure some HP Tuners/EFI Live guys MIGHT make more, but Vince does his research and tunes hundreds of cars per year, so he's a great option no matter what.
If you order the tune for mail order, we can tune as soon as you get the cable. We can either set up a time and date to get it done in one session (usually a couple hours between data logging and uploading any changes we make), OR you can just do it as you have time. Once you send me a log file (you have to send them to me and not Vince because you bought the tune through me) the turn around is usually only a few minutes.
If you come see me in person, we set up a time and date to get the whole thing done in one shot. Vince will be on stand by and waiting for me to send him data logs. We can usually knock out a lightly modified/stock vehicle in around an hour. For dyno time I charge $80 on top of whatever tune you buy and that covers me meeting you at the shop and however many pulls it takes to get it dialed in. Also includes Wide Band hook up on the dyno if the car doesn't have a built in WB. This helps Vince make the most power out of your car because I can see exactly what is going on with it. I will also log the car myself using an Innovate LM-2 to make sure everything is good and see areas where there may be room for improvement. Vince and I work together as a team, where most dealers just upload tunes and don't usually know much about what Vince is actually doing. For example, on an LSJ I worked with last week, we had a hesitation going into second gear. The car was a ZZP Stage 2 car with GM Stage 3 OS. The logs looked fine and Vince was unable to see anything to do with the hesitation in the log file. I performed a CASE relearn and the hesitation went away. I have also diagnosed many a boost leak/injector leak/malfunctioning heat-exchanger pump, etc. and make sure your car is running great when you leave, or at least give you an idea of what you need to buy to fix it.
Most of the time HP Tuners is a cheaper route, and can be just as reliable and make just as much power if not more than Trifecta, depending on the tuner using it. Most of the time, the main reason to go Trifecta is for the advanced features you get- Such as Select-A-Tune on the Sonic/Cruze platform.
I am not saying anything negative about you or your tuning abilities, and I am very happy to see more tuners take on the Cruze/Sonic. I'm just posting my general observations about the differences in the software used.
BNRacing
Supporting Vendor
No, I'm afraid not. I will look into how he is possibly doing that. Something like that usually consists of adjusting the parameters that are affected when CC is selected. Years ago my customers thought that the Tow / Haul button on the trucks would "activate a performance program" simply because there are different columns for shift pattern based on temp and other conditions such as T/H mode
I'm not sure how he does it either, but there is no down time at all when switching tunes. It's literally instant and on the fly. I have my Cobalt SS set up this way, but on the Competitive Mode button instead of Cruise Control. Tune off= 15psi, conservative timing, etc. Comp Mode= 23psi, aggressive timing. Off my tune I make around 220whp on HP Logic's mustang dyno, tune on it's 280whp.
Boost
Banned
Neat! The way I do all my Duramax customers' is of course the DSP switch. I wire a power and ground to two unused pins on the ECM, and after running through the resistors in the switch (each tune setting has a different resistance) it instantly runs a complete different tune on the fly, the difference between setting 1 and 5 is OVER 200 extra horsepower
But the tune file knows to look for this resistance value at the ECM pin to switch programs, so since we aren't re-wiring the computer in the
Cruze / Sonic, maybe Vince is making is look at the Cruise Control value to switch? (somehow?) good stuff!
But the tune file knows to look for this resistance value at the ECM pin to switch programs, so since we aren't re-wiring the computer in the
Cruze / Sonic, maybe Vince is making is look at the Cruise Control value to switch? (somehow?) good stuff!