First mods I should do

[Dakoa1820]

I'd like to keep it reliable for DD. It's a 2012 sonic 1.4t 6sp manual. I plan on buying bigger aftermarket wheels and tires in the coming months. I am also going modify the stock air box to so it doesn't have that nonsense in the fender and instead create a straighter pipe to direct the air flow. Not a huge fan of cold air intakes since they rarely seem to do much. I did remove the muffler and just install a glass pack just for the noise. I had led lights as well. Besides that it's all stock. What can I do to get some additional power ? I used to be in the dart scene and the 1.4t in those cars seemed to run "hotter" than the sonic does made more stock hp and the turbos made the whooshing noise. I'm not a turbo expert but the noise sounded cool.
Would an aftermarket wastegate offer any benefits?
What are some relatively simple mods I can do that will add to the power and cool factor without hurting reliability. It's already a fun little car to throw around but more power is always enjoyable. I also notice aftermarket intercoolers for sale on zzp would that offer any noticable difference with a stock turbo?
I look forward to hearing your input. Thank you all.

 

[StinkBug]

First mods depend on what you are looking for...more power, better handling, looks, etc.
The first thing I did was install the ZZP springs and rear sway bar. It gave me about 1 1/4" drop (from stock RS). The handling was greatly improved.

I installed the ZZP cold air intake and am very happy with that. I don't think it was a huge HP gain, but it looks good and I can hear the turbo . I did gain 2 mpg on the highway!

The ZZP intercooler is on the list of "winter upgrades". I'm not sure it will "add" a lot of power on its own...but it will help lose less power to heat soaking.

An aftermarket wastegate probably won't do much on its own, I think it would need a tune to be effective. The computer controls the solenoid that determines the amount of boost so a different waste gate will yield similar (stock) results I believe.

 

[Dakoa1820]

First mods depend on what you are looking for...more power, better handling, looks, etc.
The first thing I did was install the ZZP springs and rear sway bar. It gave me about 1 1/4" drop (from stock RS). The handling was greatly improved.

I installed the ZZP cold air intake and am very happy with that. I don't think it was a huge HP gain, but it looks good and I can hear the turbo . I did gain 2 mpg on the highway!

The ZZP intercooler is on the list of "winter upgrades". I'm not sure it will "add" a lot of power on its own...but it will help lose less power to heat soaking.

An aftermarket wastegate probably won't do much on its own, I think it would need a tune to be effective. The computer controls the solenoid that determines the amount of boost so a different waste gate will yield similar (stock) results I believe.

I'd love the better handling but I am afraid to lower it. It scrape a little bit already getting in my garage. If I lowered it, it probably wouldn't make it in. How much do you think the sway bar helped?

 

[StinkBug]

Its kind of hard to say because I did the springs at the same time...but the body roll was greatly reduced and I'm sure the sway bar helped. I just put in upgraded (steel) end links for the front sway bar this weekend. They made a difference as well and they are less than $40.

 

[macdiesel]

A BNR tune should always be your first mod.