The_Grimmjow
New member
I have been thinking about this for a while. A friend suggested of doing the 1.4 engine swap but I think a turbo 1.8 has lots of potential. I wanted to see if anybody has accomplished it or thinking of doing it.
Has anybody still thinking of installing a turbo on their 1.8?
- Thread starter The_Grimmjow
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TurtleOverlord
Active member
Thinking about it, but that's likely all...
Maybe if it was a $1k job instead of $3K
Maybe if it was a $1k job instead of $3K
TurtleOverlord
Active member
Why would we need a new intake manifold?
Couldn't the charged air be put through our throttle body?
$ub$onic
The Sticker Guy
JTee2017
Well-known member
Am thinking it would at least need stock intake manifold modification. It is tuned as a NA engine with variable-geometry intake and also possible vacuum path mods.
There are some older threads about this. Few to none came to reality . . . . for a reasonable price and without a lot of tearing apart and things not working out. Certainly not close to just bolt on or "plug and play".
There are also threads over at the Cruze forum about turbos and superchargers for the 1.8L. Much talk and not much really done correctly if at all. Numbers of $3,500 and more are mentioned.
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/1-8l-sonic-engine-discussion/4384-1-8l-turbo-kit.html
http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/1-8l-sonic-engine-discussion/9520-start-my-1-8l-turbo-system.html
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The_Grimmjow
New member
As I see the engine, a core turbo will be hard to place as I do need to move hoses. I'm thinking of getting a ZZPerformance big wheel turbo (a bigger 1.4 turbo), with a modified exhaust manifold to fit the 1.8.
I could try to run with the stock intake and see how it runs. If it does give me problems then I will modify it. But, I'm sure with the tuning it will get sorted out.
I could try to run with the stock intake and see how it runs. If it does give me problems then I will modify it. But, I'm sure with the tuning it will get sorted out.
mja
Site Supporter
No ones done it because it makes no sense. This isnt like the Honda guys turbocharging their n/a because they never had another option. Its not like the muscle car guys suoercharging their v6's because the v8 price range is out of reach.
Buy an old 1.4t sonic for 3-4k$. The ECM can run high bar pressure, the sensors, harness, emissions/ventilation, and feed + return plumbing are all there. Build a 1.8 to handle the power and lower the compression, swap the motor into the 1.4t car. Better yet, import a 1.6t and swap thr 1.4t with that. Still a lot of tuning and kinks to work out.
A hot air, sealed bearing, centrifugal supercharger around 5-7psi is a different story for the 1.8. That's a reasonable project.
Buy an old 1.4t sonic for 3-4k$. The ECM can run high bar pressure, the sensors, harness, emissions/ventilation, and feed + return plumbing are all there. Build a 1.8 to handle the power and lower the compression, swap the motor into the 1.4t car. Better yet, import a 1.6t and swap thr 1.4t with that. Still a lot of tuning and kinks to work out.
A hot air, sealed bearing, centrifugal supercharger around 5-7psi is a different story for the 1.8. That's a reasonable project.
The_Grimmjow
New member
Of course it will make no sense if I had the 1.4t. However, my sonic has the 1.8L and I want to modify to run a turbo.
mja
Site Supporter
n/a at 10.5:1 compression, 9 psi max for reliability. Intercooler at those pressures isnt needed. For 6-8 psi, hot air is fine, + great throttle response.
A 1/4 - 1/2" steel bracket can be made in a garage with a self-contained/oiled Procharger, Vortech, or Wynjammer. These will easily hit 6-7 psi with the correct pulley and a new vbelt. Reroute intake piping, 2-3 bar MAP sensor, tune, done. If u want 8-10 psi, adapt a cog drive system and add methanol injection.
I have done this for 2 vehicles. 800$ project on the 1st, and 950$ project on the 2nd. It can also be done in a weekend if its busted out.
A full 1.8 build and custom turbo setup makes no sense. Buy a 1.6t or 2.0t and swap the motor/ecu/harness. Or start with a ragged out 1.4t project. Look at all the guys who went down this 1.8t road before.
A 1/4 - 1/2" steel bracket can be made in a garage with a self-contained/oiled Procharger, Vortech, or Wynjammer. These will easily hit 6-7 psi with the correct pulley and a new vbelt. Reroute intake piping, 2-3 bar MAP sensor, tune, done. If u want 8-10 psi, adapt a cog drive system and add methanol injection.
I have done this for 2 vehicles. 800$ project on the 1st, and 950$ project on the 2nd. It can also be done in a weekend if its busted out.
A full 1.8 build and custom turbo setup makes no sense. Buy a 1.6t or 2.0t and swap the motor/ecu/harness. Or start with a ragged out 1.4t project. Look at all the guys who went down this 1.8t road before.
mja
Site Supporter
Some reading material for 1.8 guys looking for an easier 6-8 psi on the motor:
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 1
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 2
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 3
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 4
A bracket doesn't need to cost that much or take that much time. Bracket placement could be removing alternator and fabricating a new one that holds alternator, supercharger, and s/c idler. Easier placement would be in place of the A/C compressor if A/C isn't used often.
Used s/c kits have gone up in price, around 800-1200$ on ebay and craigslist. They come with s/c, idler, pulley, bypass valve, etc.
The biggest benefit no one mentions for centrifugal s/c is it's only a belt driven accessory. If it breaks or you're not tuned, no sweat. Block off the s/c inlet with an air filter and the outlet with metal mesh, route the stock intake piping till the ECU is tuned or everything's squared away. When the setup is done, keep the stock routed piping in the trunk and if there's ever a problem, just pop on the stock piping and be on your way. More reliable than a budget custom turbo.
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 1
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 2
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 3
AutoSpeed - Fitting a Supercharger, Part 4
A bracket doesn't need to cost that much or take that much time. Bracket placement could be removing alternator and fabricating a new one that holds alternator, supercharger, and s/c idler. Easier placement would be in place of the A/C compressor if A/C isn't used often.
Used s/c kits have gone up in price, around 800-1200$ on ebay and craigslist. They come with s/c, idler, pulley, bypass valve, etc.
The biggest benefit no one mentions for centrifugal s/c is it's only a belt driven accessory. If it breaks or you're not tuned, no sweat. Block off the s/c inlet with an air filter and the outlet with metal mesh, route the stock intake piping till the ECU is tuned or everything's squared away. When the setup is done, keep the stock routed piping in the trunk and if there's ever a problem, just pop on the stock piping and be on your way. More reliable than a budget custom turbo.