scott5626
Member
I felt this was pretty informative info. Not sure if this is the correct place to put it.
Increase Horsepower On a Budget – 4 Easy Ways
Increase Horsepower On a Budget – 4 Easy Ways
4 ways to increase HP on a budget
- Thread starter scott5626
- Start date
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
1) Brown bag lunches until you can afford a budget tune. Find someone in driving range of you that has the cable... Sonic owners are pretty generous about that.
2) Chop bottom off of stock air box, drop in a better filter.
3) Remove as much of the exhaust system as you can stand. Straight pipe is cheap but Loud.
4) 93. It only seems more expensive.
(edit to add)
Wow I just read that writeup, and their definition of budget was a lot different than the one I was shooting for. I think they recommended nearly a grand in parts/tune!
2) Chop bottom off of stock air box, drop in a better filter.
3) Remove as much of the exhaust system as you can stand. Straight pipe is cheap but Loud.
4) 93. It only seems more expensive.
(edit to add)
Wow I just read that writeup, and their definition of budget was a lot different than the one I was shooting for. I think they recommended nearly a grand in parts/tune!
Last edited:
Eric Smit
Enforcer
scott5626
Member
Interesting muffler story...
I had decided trying to save a few ($200) bucks and going with a magnaflow muffler+increase the pipe to 2.25 + deleting the resonator...so I get the muffler locally Part #Mag 11235 dual offset 2.25 inlet then I go to the muffler shop they lift the car and discover the Magnaflow Muffler would stick out 2-3" lower than the stock. The muffler even though only 14" long was too tall, besides it looking silly the possibility of it hitting speed bumps was way too high for my liking.
I discovered beforehand no one within 100 miles of my location uses a mandrel bender. So I reluctantly accepted what methods were used and thought that the size increase was still better than stock 1.75. Besides the muffler being too tall when the car was on the lift the mechanic pointed out the somewhat small clearance I had between the body and my plastic fuel tank. I mentioned to him that some aftermarket cats were going as high as 2.5' he said those were mandrel bent and so they would fit but the method they use to bend the pipe would make it a tight fit.
So after all that I came home and immediately ordered the SLP cat. This was a cheap lesson I learned. I am so glad they didn't hack up my stock exhaust before they realized the muffler would hang down so low.
I had decided trying to save a few ($200) bucks and going with a magnaflow muffler+increase the pipe to 2.25 + deleting the resonator...so I get the muffler locally Part #Mag 11235 dual offset 2.25 inlet then I go to the muffler shop they lift the car and discover the Magnaflow Muffler would stick out 2-3" lower than the stock. The muffler even though only 14" long was too tall, besides it looking silly the possibility of it hitting speed bumps was way too high for my liking.
I discovered beforehand no one within 100 miles of my location uses a mandrel bender. So I reluctantly accepted what methods were used and thought that the size increase was still better than stock 1.75. Besides the muffler being too tall when the car was on the lift the mechanic pointed out the somewhat small clearance I had between the body and my plastic fuel tank. I mentioned to him that some aftermarket cats were going as high as 2.5' he said those were mandrel bent and so they would fit but the method they use to bend the pipe would make it a tight fit.
So after all that I came home and immediately ordered the SLP cat. This was a cheap lesson I learned. I am so glad they didn't hack up my stock exhaust before they realized the muffler would hang down so low.
ThatTmoGuy
New member
It's funny how they mention to get flashed lol
slitzell
Boats n hoes
I would consider a grand to be budget. For my 350z the exhaust alone was 1300. You can do soo much with a grand for the sonic
firstorbit84
New member
They never said a SMALL budget. What'd you expect RNI?
Seriously tho, sonics are much cheaper than other cars to mod
Seriously tho, sonics are much cheaper than other cars to mod
Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
Yeah, when I saw "budget" I was thinking someone with a hundred bucks to spend. And my first line item was... save up cause that's not enough, you Gotta Get A Tune.
A grand, you can do a decent job of modding up your Sonic with that, don't have to scrimp.
A grand, you can do a decent job of modding up your Sonic with that, don't have to scrimp.
firstorbit84
New member
I spent almost $2k on my Jetta in a year modding it and then sold it 
Downpipe plus hi flow cat and install: $400
Tune: $500
Intercooler: $180
IC piping: $200
Drop in filter: $50
The rest was on cosmetic stuff, like wheels, and side skirts... And I went cheap on the dp and ic
Downpipe plus hi flow cat and install: $400
Tune: $500
Intercooler: $180
IC piping: $200
Drop in filter: $50
The rest was on cosmetic stuff, like wheels, and side skirts... And I went cheap on the dp and ic
DevilSonic89
New member
the 1.4 is a polished turd as well. the only reason y the 1.4 are better at the moment is because the aftermarket started to produce for them first. smaller engine displacemet with a turbo...smh thats y i didnt go with the 1.4 if the only difference between the 2 was a tourque and no hp difference.
ThatTmoGuy
New member
you can afford a reduction with forced induction.
DevilSonic89
New member
