Joining for some data mining

[Dustin]

Hi,

I just joined so that I could do some serious research into these cars, as I'm considering buying one. I'm looking at a 2013 LT Sedan with the 1.4T and manual, and I was even able to find one in Blue, and Orange.

I'm just looking to see what little tweaks are out there, as I want fog lights, and a few things that don't seem to come standard on the 1.4T equipped Sonic.

Maybe before the 1st of the year I'll be buying one of these little cars, as I'm tired of my Integra being a constant money pit for a daily. At least I can make it a reasonable track car for the same money as keeping it reliable as my DD.

 

[Eric Smit]

Welcome to the forum, and I don't think you'll find an argument against the Sonic. ;P The only thing you'll probably hear is get the hatch, but that's, of course, personal opinion.

Foglights are available in the wheels/foglight package, which also nets you 17" wheels.

What are the other tweaks?


-Eric Smit

 

[Dustin]

I'll admit, I quite liked the looks of the hatch, but there isn't much room behind the seats, the sedan at least offers some decent trunk space. I like to take road trips, and need a place for my gear.

 

[Eric Smit]

Not trying to convince you to change your mind, but with the seats folded down there isn't much you can't fit back there. ;P


-Eric Smit

 

[Dustin]

I'm mostly looking for small performance tweaks, such as the ported IM, and some other things just to open the car up while still having it seem relatively stock. I've also been reading that the RS offers rear discs, which means I'll likely get to know the parts department at Chevy fairly well.

I have a history of modding cars to make them more enjoyable to drive, and as such, I have to know what's available, what's been proven to work, and what needs to be addressed quickly.

 

[Eric Smit]

Well, a tune will likely be at the top of your list then. It is the easiest and gives you the most bang for your buck. Search Trifecta Tunes.

There is a thread on the intake manifold.

Seeming stock, I'm not sure if you'd like to have an aftermarket exhaust or an intake? Both make some noise.

Wheels and tires?

Lowering springs or coilovers?

Any paint thoughts?

Tint?

I'm sure I'm missing some things.


-Eric Smit

 

[Dustin]

Ideally, I'd like to do the basic bolt ons, intake, downpipe, exhaust, tune.

Then work my way through the suspension. If there's a proven strut/spring combo, then I'd prefer that as they're normally cheaper than a full bodied coil.

My Integra is running a typical GC sleeved coil on Koni Yellows, and I've been contemplating making the move to Apexi N1 Expert Type V full bodied coils, but that's strictly a streetable track coil.

Wheels and tires are a given. Sizing is going to be dependent on some initial testing, mainly trying to squeeze as much rubber as I can under the fenders without rubbing at full lock. I've not found the bolt pattern yet, but I'm partial to Enkei RPF1s, and would like to do some more looking to make sure they're offered in the correct bolt pattern and offset for the Sonic.

I'm from FL, so tinting the windows is basically mandatory, or everything in the car fades within two years. That'll be left to my local installer that will keep me up to date on the latest options for thermal insulation.

I'm really partial to the blue and orange. I'm not a fan of white, black, or grey. I've owned too many cars in that whole shade of black range, and I'm wanting something that stands out in the sea of traffic.

 

[Eric Smit]

Well;

-ZZP makes a downpipe, intake.
-DDMWorks makes a whole lot of stuff. Intake, exhaust, coil cover, shifter bushing. A lot.
-Bad News Racing sells most of it.
-A tune is necessary for real gains. the stock ECU will dumb down the car back to stock numbers.
-A member has shown that premium fuel uses a better map.
-Pedders and BC make coilovers, Eibach makes springs. I like Eibach, mostly because they aren't ~$1000.
-Sonic uses a 5x105 bolt pattern. Adapters are available but I'll leave the rim choice to you. Member Opticon is an offset god.
-AND, I absolutely loathe the orange. I have an orange car and I hate it. ;P So I'll recommend blue. haha.


-Eric Smit

 

[rdss]

Eric, you forgot the Injen intake!

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

I'd say go with the Blue sedan but i have one so my opinion is slightly skewed, as Eric mentioned start with the tune you'll need it for any gains and stay away from the Injen intake it actually nets you a power loss.

 

[Eric Smit]

I didn't forget it.

I did forget turbotech racing though. They make an engine mount, and are venders for other things.

 

[sonic hotness]

Good list eric there should be a stiky with all the current mods avalible

 

[Dustin]

Well, you're making this really simple.

Quick search of 5x105 wheels is really sad. Most of them are absurd, but I have found a few that I think will work. Need to actually buy one of these things and think on it first.

Seems like the tune is going to be the absolute first thing done. More power, better fuel mileage, seems like it'd be dumb not to do it.

This is going to be my new DD, so I'll probably end up doing struts/springs. Need to check on Koni's availability for these, but that'll happen down the road.

I really like the orange and blue. I'm torn. The orange is so bright and vivid, and really stands out. The blue is great, but I really think I'll go with the most obnoxious color I can get. Orange it is I think.

 

[HareBrained]

I have to agree, the sedan has much more square footage behind the seats. And the opening behind the seats is not hampered by triangles, as with many other sedans.

I had a 99 GSR and it had much greater area in the hatch than today's hatches.

What other cars are you considering? I'm in your position. I haven't bought yet but I'm done comparing and the Sonic is the winner to me.

Couple other available tweaks:
- E85 Tune 200+HP 250+ftlbs (best to get stage 2 clutch with this)
- IM tumbler removal

No "common" struts available yet. But Chevy's B-Spec package should be available soon and some people are starting looking at what might work from Cruze and other cars. The SCCA didn't classify the Sonic because it's height is a quarter inch more than the average track. This was corrected with the RS (10mm lower). They finally classed it last month into HS giving some incentive for the manus to at least consider making some new suspension components for the Sonic.

 

[Maddog2020]

Go with the orange, It's the coolest color for sure. Eric secretly likes orange, that's why he bought it. He is a closet orange liker!

 

[Eric Smit]

I can assure you, I don't like orange at all.

Regardless of what you decide to go with, I can make one promise; we will all be behind your decision.


Unless it's the Injen intake and you're doing it for power. Then I hate you. ;P


-Eric Smit

 

[nocoolnames]

Injen intake works great for gas mileage though if that's your thing.

 

[Dustin]

I have to agree, the sedan has much more square footage behind the seats. And the opening behind the seats is not hampered by triangles, as with many other sedans.

I had a 99 GSR and it had much greater area in the hatch than today's hatches.

What other cars are you considering? I'm in your position. I haven't bought yet but I'm done comparing and the Sonic is the winner to me.

Couple other available tweaks:
- E85 Tune 200+HP 250+ftlbs (best to get stage 2 clutch with this)
- IM tumbler removal

No "common" struts available yet. But Chevy's B-Spec package should be available soon and some people are starting looking at what might work from Cruze and other cars. The SCCA didn't classify the Sonic because it's height is a quarter inch more than the average track. This was corrected with the RS (10mm lower). They finally classed it last month into HS giving some incentive for the manus to at least consider making some new suspension components for the Sonic.

I've really been looking for anything offered with a manual, and somewhat sporty. I've been trying to stay <25k, but that leaves me with few options in the sporty department.

I've looked at new GTIs, GLIs, the Dart, 500 Abarth, and 500 Turbo, Forte Koups, Genesis Turbos, BRZ/FRS, and so far, the Sonic seems to hit the right marks at a wonderful price. Even if I end up hating it after a few years, I won't lose too much.

I have to agree, new hatchbacks are terribly small with almost no cargo room. That's the main motivation to getting the sedan. I can pull the rear seats in my Integra and have almost 6' of area to load stuff.

Interesting point on the SCCA classing. I hadn't even looked to see where this car was, but HS would be fitting. Sadly, I know I can get the car into SMF with mild work, and then be completely outgunned. My Integra runs DSP, and raw times are always really close to some of the SMF cars that typically have a good bit more power. Hopefully they keep the car classed as low as possible.

 

[Eric Smit]

Injen intake works great for gas mileage though if that's your thing.

Agreed.

Under 25k, Dustin? I know you don't really want a hatch, but have you looked at the Sonic RS?


-Eric Smit

 

[Dustin]

The RS doesn't appeal to me. The extra options are neat, but dealer mark up on it here has it priced the same as a new GTI. If I really wanted to spend that on a FWD hatchback, I'd go for the GTI making a good bit more power, and a nicer suspension.

The selling point on the LT with 1.4T and 6 speed is the price for amount of car. 25k was also about the max I'd be willing to spend right now, and I can't justify the extra money for a few things I really don't need.