Start Of My 1.8l Turbo System

[SonicSteve]

Hey guys. i have been acquiring some parts here to build my 1.8 into a turbo car. i got a few pics of the start of this build and i will keep everyone updated as i go.

I dont know how attachments show up but anyways the first pic is my sonic.
2012 white LTZ 1.8L N/A(which will soon mean "not anymore") Auto

Second is the front bumper removed ,as i realized when my now ex girlfriend hit a raccoon, my air dams exploded and bent the ac cooler and radiator so those will probably need swapped

and third is my intercooler sitting down in there. if you remove the mounting tabs with a dremel and lose your lower air dam an intercooler should slide right in. the bumper uhh. face? the large white beam running across the front. that is only a c channel and on my intercooler it lines up directly with the charge piping. so i should be able to gain easy access into the fenders.. with the stock air box components removed you're basically piping your own cold air. The Drivers side however will probably require a smaller battery or relocation to the trunk. also coolant resivoir swap and i may lose my wiper fluid tank in the name of horsepower.

soooo my point of all this. im gonna bust ass to build a 1.8l turbo because i want to see it done and well i just want it myself but also ill keep notes and try to be specfic as all possible so all my fellow 1.8 guys can whip this kit up pretty easily. the most difficult part is to build a custom header. and then a custom downpipe, which again, i will blueprint the thing if you guys would like and any fabrication shop can turn you one out. ill keep everything updated as i go. wish me luck. any feedback is appreciated

 

[rdss]

Very nice! Good luck and I look forward to your progress updates.

 

[SonicSteve]

thanks. i dont suppose anyone would know where i can find some pics of a 1.4 with the front end off? i wanna get (steal) some ideas possibly for the charge pipe routing

just looking at all the possible angles..

 

[rdss]

Scot has pics of MPFabs intercooler/charge pipe kit (post #71 or so). It's routed like the factory set up.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...see-how-bad-scot-can-mess-up-his-sonic-3.html

 

[civickiller]

Could you please keep a close eye on the price of everything to, and mention anything that you think most diyer's shouldn't do themselves. Im so excited for this build thread!!!:banana::banana:

 

[SonicSteve]

Scot has pics of MPFabs intercooler/charge pipe kit (post #71 or so). It's routed like the factory set up.

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...see-how-bad-scot-can-mess-up-his-sonic-3.html

Thank u!
And @ civickiller.
Yea i will be keeping an eye on price... Ill post my costs involved here... The good thing is there is a ton a turbo gear floating about.. and on a custom system basically anything is universal if you make your own mounts. I will post all my ideas and thoughts. My build will be aimed toward a simple, repeatable kit. Maybe when im done ddm. Bnr or someone could take a look at my design and as i said before. Im a machinist. I will blueprint everything i do. So even for the diyer that isnt super mechanical youll have a print and a local shop shoukd be able to get you the same gear. This project should be complete by march/april at the latest. My worry is running out of money and needing to wait till tax time lol.

 

[SonicSteve]

Cost involved so far
Intercooler charge piping silicone couplers and clamps. 50$ my cost. A buddy had a pipe kit he wanted to get rid of. This kit can be had on ebay all day for 75-90$ depending on colors. Its aluminum pipe. Ebay cant do that wrong. Lol

Intercooler is a godspeed from ebay however they get awesome reviews and imo its built very very well. Pressure and vac tested to 50psi myself. Not a single leak. I have 75$ in it. They go for about 200$ new. Mine was used. Painted her up nice

Garrett t25 turbo 20$ off craigalist shot as all hell rebuild kit from gpops is 80$

i watched 2 vids on youtube ill try to link them later that another guy did on rebuilding turbos... Very good vids. I will post my own build info as well to help.

i think i should rename this 1.8 boost kit on a budget lol

 

[sx sonic]

This is awesome. Sounds like you have the drive, know how, and resources to make this a reality..

Looking forward to results.

Oh and Preloader is using a Godspeed IC on his 1.4t build. He's sparing no expense and working with DDM so they should be great.

 

[civickiller]

u know i havent mentioned this to any one but i actually have 3 used holset turbos. but the kicker is that their way to big, they where made for 5.9l diesel engine. so i was planning on selling them, but damn u bought one for 20 dollars i thought that used turbos where a little more pricey then 20.

 

[SonicSteve]

Craigslist is your friend... And also. How do u know theyre too big... Can u post pics? Alot of turbos that were stock even on a diesel are pretty small. They ,"size" of turbines will define your speed of spool and your range of boost and how much... Without getting into greater detail because that trully can get confusing as all hell...however. a diesel turbo is probably find. Diesels idle low and also shift out at like 4k maybe a bit more... So that turbo was probably intented to do just what we want... Boost up in low rpm range on smaller turbines.. granted were not gonna run some giant turbonetics ever and the "large" turbos are really only needed if i wanted like 35psi from 4-10k rpm on a much stouter motor. The short version of all this... Lower shorter powerband(sonic) smaller quicker turbo. Same with diesel. And the larger for larger longer powerband... Built ls engines and whatnot post some pics of the turbo. Specifically the compressor side turbines.

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk now Free

 

[civickiller]

this is the best one. the reason why i say it might be to big is because it was designed for 5.9l engine. the outlet on the compressor hosing is two in.
i was look into holset and could not find to much info on the specs.

Edit haha idk why it is upside down but i dont know how to fix it

 

[SonicSteve]

My garrett output is 2inch as well... But again... Think bout a diesels rpm range... Where did that turbo originally make boost. 2-5k? Ish... Perfect for a sonic my friend

2012 Sonic LTZ HB White 6Au 1.8l now Free

 

[Preloader]

thanks. i dont suppose anyone would know where i can find some pics of a 1.4 with the front end off? i wanna get (steal) some ideas possibly for the charge pipe routing

just looking at all the possible angles..

 

[Preloader]

These were the only two I have. Hope it's helpful.

 

[SonicSteve]

Thanks preloader... Its a little different than my plan but about the same idea... i may chop some plates out of my beam up there too lol. Thats a good idea... Ive been meaning to read your weight reduction thread. Just havent got there. Turbo first haha. I think on my car i might just sacrifice my washer tank for easier routing.... And weight reduction.. haha lol

2012 Sonic LTZ HB White 6Au 1.8l now Free

 

[Preloader]

Honestly, I only got about 2lbs off by swiss cheesing the crash beam. Next time I have the bumper off I plan to hack it off and weld a piece of sched 40 3/4" pipe in it's place.

Just a thought, you may want to look into an oil filter housing from a wrecked 1.4. It will likely bolt right onto the 1.8 and has an outlet for an oil line to the turbo.

 

[SonicSteve]

I will need an oil filter sandwich to get the output to the turbo and uh pvc maybe? Or acrylic pipe possibly lighter...

2012 Sonic LTZ HB White 6Au 1.8l now Free

 

[SonicBoy24]

This thread is awesome so far and all you have done is take the front bumper off!

Props to you mean, you're gonna have one badass Sonic when you're done!
Out with the 1.8 and in with the 1.8T

 

[$ub$onic]

What has scared me all along with a 1.8t is it on a f17. It will more then likely destroy a 5 speed really quick like.

Since you have a auto. This might just work.
I have no doubt the 1.8 can easily hold 5-7 lb of boost.

 

[SonicSteve]

I have a 1.8l donor motor on the way out of a 2012 sonic. That will be my actual race engine build... Lookin at 450 hp as a goal on my new engine.. lol. Thats a whooollle other build. Coming soon though. I want to complete the turbo set up so when i have a swap motor thats ready for 30psi. It should just drop in.. hook the turbo back up. 5-7 lbs is where im gonna run the stock engine. And someone enlighten me... F17?

2012 Sonic LTZ HB White 6Au 1.8l now Free