What to expect from a tune as the only mod

[Klayfish]

I posted this in the new member forum, but it was suggested to me to get my 10 spam posts in and post it here, so forgive me for the repost. Also forgive me if this is answered deep in the forum somewhere else. I try to read through what I can, but I'm very limited on time.

So I'm still shopping for my next car. Both the Focus ST and Fiesta ST are on my list, in addition to the Sonic RS hatch. Clearly, the Focus ST is in a different league all together, but then again even used it's $18k, where I can get a Sonic for $11k. The Fiesta ST is around $15-$16k used, so it's still significantly more expensive. That's the big draw to the Sonic. Bang-for-the-buck. But in stock form, the Sonic just won't have the power I'm looking for.

However, I'm confused about how much power the Trifecta tune (or any other tune) would really add to a bone stock RS. Their website says 44hp and 51lb ft of tq at the wheels. TRIFECTA - 2012+ Chevrolet Sonic - 1.4L Turbo Advantage That would put it at something like 188hp and 205lb ft of tq at the flywheel, given that stock is 138hp/148tq but you have to account for driveline loss. But then in other forums I see that it seems to be less than that. Anyone help me figure out what's really accurate? I've driven the Sonic a number of times and really like it. But in stock form, it's just too slow. But I can't go to any dealer and find a Trifecta tuned Sonic, so I'd be going into this "blind" and hoping I'd get the power upgrades I want. If I do nothing but the tune (and maybe drop a K&N filter in), what can I expect?

 

[Beastlick]

Bought my LT August of 2012, Full trifecta tune by Xmas that same year. Its honestly night and day difference over stock. I just this past summer pushed for more with intake, dp, full exhaust. Ran perfect tune only, I just wanted the deep throaty sound.

 

[Stew]

...That would put it at something like 188hp and 205lb ft of tq at the flywheel...if I do nothing but the tune (and maybe drop a K&N filter in), what can I expect?

205 TQ at the wheels is easy to achieve with a tune on a pretty stock Sonic, I got 201 TQ at the wheels with stock exhaust and intake although I did port my intake manifold (which you can do easily for free). HP is a little harder to get up there on stock exhaust and intake but there are all kinds of tuned Sonics getting numbers like 188 HP/205 TQ at the wheels for not much money.

You know you want the Sonic!

 

[Trevinator]

I think that no matter what, you will eventually get used to the hp and want to mod it to get more out of it. however, with all the mods I have now, im pretty happy with the performance. but the performance parts added another $2500 into the mix.

when I first did just the tune, it was like a completely different car.

 

[totino's]

I just put a bnr diablo sport tune on my car and its a huge difference. Like before I'd tell people it was slow when they saw turbo... But now I wont. I've had the car since brand new in 2012 and I have a little over 80k on the car. Its the first of the many mods I want to do now.

I'd also like to say I like hatchbacks. But when I got mine in 2012 I didn't like the sonic hatch's looks so I opted for a sedan. If you can get a fiesta st I'd start there. It's a great looking car. The interior is a little meh but so is the sonic's to me.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think cobb is the only one that makes a tune for the fiesta and they're kind of pricey.

I think with all of the mods that can be done with the sonic 1.4t you can squeeze more potential out of it... But I think that might because it was built for economy. But if you want something pretty that you don't want to mod much go with the fiesta. If you want cheap, good gas mileage, and potential power.. Get at sonic. Mine has really grown on me

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[Klayfish]

If I do a tune, whether it's EFI Live or Trifecta or whatever, and everything else is stock, do I have to switch to 93 unleaded or can it still run 87? If I only drove a little, it wouldn't mean squat to me. But at the rate I drive, it adds up to several hundred dollars a year difference.

 

[Trevinator]

I can tell you that I can tell the difference in how my car runs on 93 octane, even between different stations. is the gas sits for too long in the tank or is bad, my car doesn't like it. I have only ever run 93-91(depending on the stations highest grade) since I first tuned my car, since it runs soo much better with it. i honestly don't even bother looking at the price difference anymore, but i think around here its about a 60 cent jump from regular to premium.

with a car that gets this good of gas mileage, and only takes $25 to fill it up, is like heaven from my last vehicle. that used to cost me $50 to go about 100-110 miles a week, then i'd have to put more in. 10 miles to the gallon REALLY sucked when gas was over $4.00 a gallon.

you can expect the focus and fiesta st models to require premium gas too.

 

[Klayfish]

The Fords will be like the Sonic. They will run 87 just fine on the factory tune. But Ford Racing sells a tune kit for the Focus ST, which requires premium. I presumed the same was true for the Sonic, but just wanted to confirm. It really does make for a tough choice. I don't know I'd go Fiesta ST because it doesn't make a ton of power over a tuned Sonic and even used it's $5000 more. But the Focus ST is a wild ride. With the Ford tune, which keeps the warranty in tact, it's 340lb ft tq. However, that's an $18k car used, where a 2012 Sonic LTZ can be had under $9k and a 2013 for $10k.

 

[aslap]

0 to 60 times

Does anybody have a direct comparison between 0 to 60 times on a stock 1.4 vs. one that is just tuned? I can do consistent 7.8 second in my 2015 LT, 6 speed sedan and am very curious as to what a tuned car will do. I see a lot of "night and day difference" but not many numbers.

Thanks

Tony

 

[14SonicLTZ]

I own a 2014 Sonic LTZ hatch... It is completely stock except for the advantage Trifecta tune... I still have yet to dyno my car but it certainly is quicker than stock! Now the way that Trifecta designed the tune is that it is dynamic meaning the car is constantly adjusting to meet a specific horsepower rating... The plus 44hp 51tq is peak at somewhere around 2500 rpm, but the wheel horsepower rating is officially 156hp/177tq... If you do buy a Sonic, I would wait a few months before this new updated Select a Tune option comes out... With the current advantage tune, you will not see anymore gain in horsepower doing something like a cold air intake or drop in filter. The computer will just adjust the parameters to make the specific horsepower rating...
For less than $400, you can buy the GM performance parts suspension kit which lowers a non RS 20mm and a RS is lowered 10mm

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[14SonicLTZ]

You can run 87 octane, but the system will adjust to less octane there is... Ie. Will adjust boost levels and air/fuel ratio... Which in turn will affect gas mileage...

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[aslap]

But how do you know?

14,

Do you have any numbers to back up the performance gains. I'm not trying to start anything but I'd just like to see a real quantitative number. If the tune gave that much more power, then I'd expect a 0 to 60 time in probably 7 seconds flat or maybe a bit better. Could you run yours to 60 to see what yoou get.

Thanks

Tony

 

[14SonicLTZ]

I do not currently... I am basing everything on the dyno graph that Trifecta provided... But my 0-60 times are in the 6 to 6.5 second range based on some testing I have done...

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[bluejay]

i would just like to chime in and say the fiesta st's are not as fast as everyone talks about . my last car was a 2010 mazda 3 stock it had 2.0L dohc i4 it made 148 hp 135 tq i had a cai and axle back exhaust upgrade so with the mods i was prob 148 hp . on my drive home from work id see the same silver fiesta st atleast twice aweek . from time 2 time we would end up side byside at a stop light and we would see who could get to the speed limit the fastest wink wink . 50% of the time he would beat me by .5 of a car length but never be able to really pull away , the other 50% id beat him bad assuming he missed his shift from 1-2 . other times when we would be rolling it was alot closer race to the speed limit lol. id take off and he would never beable to close the gap until the higher gears. or when he was infront and gave it the go-go juice he could never really pull away . finally one day we were at a stop light and the guy asked me what i had done to my car cause it had no problems keeping up to him . he was was shocked when i told him all i had was an exhaust tip lol . he was quite certain i had many more mods under the hood, i did but i dont think my cai and ab exhaust added any power .i think a little piece inside of him died that day when he realized his super duper fiesta st was barely faster than a mazda 3 powered by the little economy engine.

 

[aslap]

OK - now we're talkin'!!!

14,

Just what I was looking for! Thanks! Even if what you've done is informal, that is a significant change in 0-60.

Thanks!

Tony

 

[14SonicLTZ]

Well the Fiesta ST was not designed to be fast... It is designed to go around corners quickly... Depending on the driver a properly setup Sonic is capable of keeping up around the cones on a tight course...

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[Dogz]

If I do a tune, whether it's EFI Live or Trifecta or whatever, and everything else is stock, do I have to switch to 93 unleaded or can it still run 87? If I only drove a little, it wouldn't mean squat to me. But at the rate I drive, it adds up to several hundred dollars a year difference.

How much difference in price is their between your two fuels?
In Australia standard unleaded fuel, 91RON is $1.25 per litre. High octane, 98 RON is $1.45 per litre. It's still cheaper for me to use the high octane fuel because the car is so much more economical on it. I don't drive the car nicely, it gets thrashed all the time & I do nearly 1000km per week.

 

[JustSonic]

The upside to the Ford's are the years of it being in production and their racing heritage with them.

 

[Carcinogenx]

My Sonic RS is completely stock with a Diablosport InTune. I use the 93 octane tune and like everyone else says, it is a night and day difference. My commute is 100 miles but I cannot bring myself to drop down to the 87 tune, it is just too much fun. I drive single-lane hilly, winding country roads and pass a lot of slow drivers. Gained 1-2mpg from the tune and get 33-34mpg per tank. I bought the Sonic used as a cheap placeholder car but I’ve really come to love it now. I will be giving the redesigned 2017 model some serious consideration, assuming it happens.

 

[14SonicLTZ]

I personally would love to see the Opel sourced 1.6L turbo out of the Buick Cascada in the next Sonic... It is rated at 200hp 206tq... Would be really fun in a Sonic!

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