StormTrooper in training

[ras42tbss]

Figured i might as well start a build thread, since i've had my sonic about 2 months now. I'll start with it sitting in the dealership parking lot...

and a couple after i got it home and tinted the windows. 20% all sides, 5% rear

Then i debadged most of the rear and plastidipped the bowties, rear valence and taillights.

Next the DDM intake

Then the boost gauge install

and finally i plastidipped the wheels today

As you can see it's a white 2012 1.4T hatchback LTZ.
I also have PIAA plasma ion yellow fogs and highs. PIAA SouthernStar lows.

Just ordered my tune from BNR along with the ZZP catless downpipe. plan on getting a 2.5" stainless exhaust from the flexpipe back made up for it probably within a week. :banana:

 

[sx sonic]

Very nice!!!

-tyler

 

[Preloader]

I really like your build!!!

Very clean and simple. The boost gauge is gangster. I'm not particularly fond of the dipped rims, but the rest is tasteful and one of the best looking hatches done on here so far.

Did you order your tune to accommodate the catless DP? Or are you gonna have it re-tuned when you install it?

 

[Eric Smit]

Seeing that boost gauge from this angle, it doesn't look like it would be obstructed by the wheel.


-Eric Smit

 

[Gman77]

Wow -Very sharp. Understated in white. How's that DDM cold air box work. Does it seem to do the job? I got the Injen cold air intake with a heat shield that bolts on around half of the filter. Maybe it deflects a little radiant heat or the occasional splash of water but I would prefer a box like DDM has.

 

[Eric Smit]

Gman, can you post a picture of your set up?


-Eric Smit

 

[corbetts67]

boost gauge looks sick!

 

[ras42tbss]

Thanks everyone!

I really like your build!!!

Very clean and simple. The boost gauge is gangster. I'm not particularly fond of the dipped rims, but the rest is tasteful and one of the best looking hatches done on here so far.

Did you order your tune to accommodate the catless DP? Or are you gonna have it re-tuned when you install it?

thanks a lot! i was really debating on the rims. I'd rather do powder coat but can't beat the option to rip this off if i choose to. I'd like to go with an aftermarket wheel eventually when more become available. i want to go a little wider to fit about a 225 tire and get it flush with the fender lip...

I ordered the catless DP the same time as the tune and specified to have the tune setup for it. Just sucks i won't be able to see the difference adding just the tune, then adding the DP to it separately.

Wow -Very sharp. Understated in white. How's that DDM cold air box work. Does it seem to do the job? I got the Injen cold air intake with a heat shield that bolts on around half of the filter. Maybe it deflects a little radiant heat or the occasional splash of water but I would prefer a box like DDM has.

DDM shield seems to work great! Couple times after i first put it on i would pop the hood immediately after a long drive and feel the inner compartment of the shield. Everything was definitely cooler to the touch. I'd sure like to see what my IAT's are with it; I'm figuring not too much higher than ambient.

 

[Preloader]

Thanks everyone!



I ordered the catless DP the same time as the tune and specified to have the tune setup for it. Just sucks i won't be able to see the difference adding just the tune, then adding the DP to it separately.

I am doing the standard tune then the DP later. I'll be sure to share the experience of the difference with the downpipe. I'm getting it with the extra wideband bung for future possibilities.

 

[Black Turbo LTZ]

Boost gauge question....did you take that part of the dash off to drill the hole or just leave it on and drill as is?

 

[ras42tbss]

Boost gauge question....did you take that part of the dash off to drill the hole or just leave it on and drill as is?

I just drilled straight through without pulling it apart. I've seen the dash apart before and knew there was only plastic there. if you pull the fuse cover off lower on the dash, you can feel up to where the backside of the gauge comes through. There was a wire harness I pulled out of the way just for good measure, then just drilled slowly.

 

[Black Turbo LTZ]

Nice...I presume Mechanical Boost gauge...what vacuum line did you "T" in to?

 

[SSpeckerwood]

nice

 

[ras42tbss]

Nice...I presume Mechanical Boost gauge...what vacuum line did you "T" in to?

yup, it's an auto meter cobalt mechanical gauge. I tapped into the app. 1/8" plastic vacuum line coming off the turbo and running up over the left side of the motor. it's hidden under some wire loom. I'll have to get a pic of where I tapped in. I just pieced in some rubber hose for now and it's doing the job, but I might go back and replaced the whole plastic line with a reinforced rubber to clean up the look...

i should warn you, if you're interested in doing the same, cutting through the dash probly isn't for everyone. The look on my girlfriends face when i took a grinder with a 2" hole saw to the dash of a brand new car was priceless but then i'm from the mini truck scene where body drops and dragging rockers are common

I went through the trouble of cutting the backside of the dash for the clamp of the gauge to work, but I don't even need it. The gauge doesn't even move without it since i made a 2" hole first, then slowly sanded it to fit the 2 1/16" gauge. If i did it again, i'd just leave the clamp off.

 

[Black Turbo LTZ]

I've cut, chopped, grinded many things on my cars most people wouldn't..took alot of chances and on a past civic had cut 3 holes on the passenger side of the dash to fit gauges so thats why your positioning struck a cord with me...looks very original and that was my gauge series of choice if I add any to my interior. btw white was my first choice but sadly the only LTZ within 200km was black. Gonna stay tuned to your build for sure.

 

[Gman77]

Gman, can you post a picture of your set up?


-Eric Smit

I misordered and got the short cover, they sell a longer version...

 

[dblackston]

Very nice build so far, big ups for taking a hole saw to the dash. Gauge looks clean and almost factory which is nice.

 

[ras42tbss]

I've cut, chopped, grinded many things on my cars most people wouldn't..took alot of chances and on a past civic had cut 3 holes on the passenger side of the dash to fit gauges so thats why your positioning struck a cord with me...looks very original and that was my gauge series of choice if I add any to my interior. btw white was my first choice but sadly the only LTZ within 200km was black. Gonna stay tuned to your build for sure.

sounds like you wouldn't have any problem with the install then if you chose to do it... i had to order my white since there was none in my area either. black or red was the only available in an LTZ turbo. i love black but that's what my last vehicle was so thought i'd change it up...

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

WOW! big ups on cutting a whole in your dash! i was thinking of a little something i don't want to reveal until i do it, i just don't want someone to beat me to it! are you going to go full storm trooper on it? im thinking that car could use allot of black on it!

i'll keep watching, i can't wait to see what you cutup next!

opcorn:

 

[OmgNoWai]

Love the boost gauge spot and type. Props.