COPO Sonic ordered for Spring. I am a GM Master technician.

[Machine]

Yo, been trolling the forum here for a month or so and decided to join. I dont own a sonic yet, I currently have the uber-rare Pontiac G3 version of the Chevy Aveo. A great little car that I picked up when Pontiac was discontinued. It was a deal I could not pass up. $6500 rebate on a $15K car, plus my dealership employee discount of $500 and a GM service tech rebate of $1000. So all said and done, out the door, I paid $9004 for a brand new G3 base.

Then it got hail damage and I got a $2300 insurance check. Then I got my tax on it back, (thanks Obama). So in reality, I paid about $6000 for a new car. woohoo!

Then I heard about the sonic. GM dropped off a turbo 6speed sedan at our dealer about a year ago for demo only. I drove it and knew I needed one.
I figure with the economy and gas prices, I can get $9k for my G3. Nothing like making $3000 to drive a new car for 2 years.


Anyways, Ive got a COPO order in for a sonic, but were not sure if it will go through. Im trying to get a Base LS with a turbo motor, but we have not heard back yet. If your not familiar with COPO, it means Central Office Purchase/Process Order. For example, the Yenko Camaros that are worth so much are originally COPO's. Other wise Im just going to order a 1LT.

I am currently employed at Brookdale Chevrolet, in Brooklyn Center MN. I am a full line Journyman Service Technican, and I have access to all GM service Information. Now Im not sure if Im allowed to post specific documents online, but Im sure that I will be able to assist in some of the technical stuff around here.

Also, I am no stranger to high performance cars or turbocharging. I have a BS in Automotive Engineering from MSU. In addition to my G3 dd, I own a 06 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner (which happens to be the very first 06, vin 0001) and a 82 Mazda Rx7 that has more mods than you can imagine.

Im looking forward to tweeking the sonic with some exhaust and boost mods immediatly after getting it.

Ill try to get some pics of my Truck and the Rx-7 project soon.

 

[Sonic]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[wingman]

Welcome. Hope it works out for you with getting your Sonic.

 

[Sonic-Mike]

Welcome!

 

[BNRacing]

Welcome to it. Good luck finding any kind of tuning software for it. Looks like so far we are the only ones tuning these things.

 

[oldertech]

Welcome, welcome! Interesting learning about the Pontiac G3. I was really sad when Pontiac closed shop, as I always thought they had some interesting styling.

 

[Danny5]

An LS Turbo would be a rarity indeed! Looking forward to if this is even possible. Good Luck!

 

[yam2seca]

Well ... I'm sure that you know by now that you can only get the 1.4L turbo in the midrange (LT) and upper (LTZ or LZ) versions of the Sonic.

Unless , of course , you have some amazing pull due to your employment...

 

[laborsmith]

Anyone who can do a COPO does have exemplary connections.

The new COPO Camaro looks to be a beast.

Although I am a Trifecta man, Brian at VTuners also tunes the Cruze/Sonic turbocharged engine: Vermont Tuning LLC - Performance Tuning for Saab, BMW, Chevrolet, Audi

He built his rep tuning SAABs, but reports indicate he does good work for the Chevys.

Laborsmith

 

[Machine]

Copos are not a big deal at all. Only if you want something rediculous like a Z06 engine in a Tahoe. We do a dozen or so of them a year, and most of them are fleet or commercial. Ifs a common part on that chassis, its just a special order.

 

[Machine]

FAIL!!!

no dice, LS cannot be equiped with the turbo motor due to a wiring harness difference.
the LS harness is different from the LT and LTZ harness due to it not having power acc, onstar, xm ect. There are no provisions for wastegate control among other things.

whatever, Order goes in for a Silver LT1 at the end of the month. Ill probably purchase during the carshow to get the special rebate.

 

[wingman]

Doh!! Worth a shot though.

 

[Machine]

Order is placed, and I was able to order the "Late Availability" new color Granite Shadow Metalic (or something like that) cant remember the exact name but its a new darker grey color.

Otherwise, its just a Manual Trans 1LT with the Connectivity Package. Should arrive in a few weeks, and Ill be making my purchase during the Minneapolis Auto Show to get the extra rebate. I cant wait.

I will be PDI'ing the car myself (Pre-delivery Inspection), and I will measure it for exhaust, as I plan to build a cat-back for it immediately. The plan is 2.25 Mandrell pipe, a Jones Resonator and a Magnaflow Street series muffler.


Ill keep ya posted.

 

[Sonic]

Awesome. Keep us updated on the status of your build.

 

[Eric Smit]

This is relevant to my interests.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=31.845127,-106.446233
-Eric Smit

 

[Machine]

The Sonic showed up at the shop late last night, and I PDI'd it this morning and slapped a dealer plate on it so I could cruze around for a while.

First Cyber Grey Metallic we've got, and it was only the third one that showed up on the order inquiry. Anyways, here are some pics. Like I said, got to drive it for a while, but I wont take delivery till the Auto Show here in a few weeks. I am very happy with the car; a GREAT power increase over my G3, 6th gear is great for keeping things smooth and quite at speed, and the feel of the car is nice and tight. I measured out the exhaust too, looks like I'm going with 2.25 with a Magnaflow at the center and rear and 3in tip.

I also did not install the Front plate bracket, as I plan to add a nice hideaway one.

 

[laborsmith]

Eric, how do you like Fort Bliss? My father was stationed there while I was still a teenager back in the sixties.

Laborsmith

 

[oldertech]

The car looks GREAT!!!!!

 

[wingman]

$hit that color is HOT!!!!

 

[Machine]

Yeah, picture don't do it justice. Still needs a nice coat of sealant and wax. Plus, hopefully I can get the grill put together quick.