Sonic Wars?

"Axel-Ripper" (Axel-Ripper)
08/15/2013 at 19:48 • Filed to: Sonic

I would like to thank Jayhawk Jake for alerting me to the existence of Headlight Armor. Yellow highbeams FTW. Also, did the DDM Works intake today, and have the shifter bushings in my drawer waiting for me to tear the center console out again. Next up is either wheels/tires, cat-back, or coil overs. Tune is scheduled for December (BNR Trifecta sale).

(Excuse the ridiculously dirty engine bay and car in general. Cleaning products will be ordered next paycheck)

DISCUSSION (31)

NinetyQ > Axel-Ripper
08/15/2013 at 19:52

"Ridiculously dirty"

LOLWUT. Looks better than any of my cars.

Axel-Ripper > NinetyQ
08/15/2013 at 19:54

This shot makes it look pretty clean, but it hasn't had a proper cleaning in a good 6 months. Just steam cleaned from the Carolina monsoon season (at least I guess thats what this season is down here)

Jayhawk Jake > Axel-Ripper
08/15/2013 at 19:56

Kinja'd!!!

I approve. I did my highs yesterday as well.

I got caliper paint yesterday, plastidip coming tomorrow so Saturday I'm taking the wheels off and doing all that. I'm going to do the tune the same time as you, just waiting for the sale

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Axel-Ripper
08/15/2013 at 20:04

What would you say is the tuning potential of the Sonic. Bein that the RS is 20-21k, would you have comperable performance by the time you hit the Si/GTI price investment of 25k?

Victorious Secret > Axel-Ripper
08/15/2013 at 20:05

I thought of vinyl but that would've interfered with my XPEL wrap so...

Kinja'd!!!

Yellow bulbs. Not as illegal as I had assumed and as DRLs they work just fine.

daender > Axel-Ripper
08/15/2013 at 20:08

That looks pretty snazzy, I'm sure it'd look awesome with the proper wheel and right height. Carolina rains, SC or NC?

Victorious Secret > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/15/2013 at 20:12

Unfair to the RS, to be honest.

4k would get you a nice tune, intake, exhaust and coils but you're barking up two cars that arguably hold the crowns for naturally aspirated and forced induction small cars.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Axel-Ripper
08/15/2013 at 20:20

Kinda diggin' the yellow high's, actually. Are these worth looking into if I get a new car sometime next year (as a "I got a job" gift to myself, if that ever happens)?

Jayhawk Jake > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/15/2013 at 20:35

Trifecta tune alone gives 25 hp 30 tq...for 200. Add intake, exhaust, you'll get another 5 to 10 each. All of that could be done for 1000 or so. It's a good value. Is it as good as Si/GTi? No, but it's not trying to be. I love mine, I got a lot for my money and I don't think I'd be nearly as happy in an SI or GTi for the money

Jayhawk Jake > vdub_nut: scooter snob
08/15/2013 at 20:37

Depends what you want. A little more money will get you a Fiesta ST. They are worth a look for sure, and hard to beat for new car value

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Victorious Secret
08/15/2013 at 20:46

Well I own an 08 Si sedan. So to be fair, it's a relevant question for me...

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jayhawk Jake
08/15/2013 at 20:48

I approve. I really liked it when I sat in one last year. I'm just not sure I'd trade in my Si for one. But the tunability factor definitely makes it more appealing.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Axel-Ripper
08/15/2013 at 20:49

The Lucas Slick Mist works quite well for keeping your black plastic looking good. I recommend it.

Jayhawk Jake > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/15/2013 at 21:35

Yeah, that would be a tough trade. For me i mostly wanted a hatch and manual. Frankly if my koup was manual and I didn't want or need the extra room, I wouldn't have gotten a sonic

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jayhawk Jake
08/15/2013 at 21:50

True. I do miss my hatch though...

GRIVLET - Proud of Cobalt > Victorious Secret
08/15/2013 at 23:31

crowns? heheh

GRIVLET - Proud of Cobalt > Jayhawk Jake
08/15/2013 at 23:34

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/general-…

188whp seems to be at the upper limit so far.

No doubt they will push them farther, but it is a 1.4L - 200fwhp is still decently impressive.

GRIVLET - Proud of Cobalt > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/15/2013 at 23:35

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/general-…

188whp seems to be at the upper limit so far.

No doubt they will push them farther, but it is a 1.4L - 200fwhp is still decently impressive.

GRIVLET - Proud of Cobalt > Victorious Secret
08/15/2013 at 23:35

Veloster turbo?

Jayhawk Jake > GRIVLET - Proud of Cobalt
08/16/2013 at 00:47

The key number is Trifecta: +36 hp, + 56 torque over stock. That's the full tune, which runs about $300. The budget tune is $200, and probably about the same output. It's a lot of bang fir your buck, and in a 2800 lb car, that's a ton of torque.

Stock I never feel a lack of power. Yes, 0-60 is slow, but 3rd gear pulls are impressive and passing people on the highway is a blast, there's plenty of power on tap. That being said I can't wait to get the trifecta tune and see what it's like.

Jayhawk Jake > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/16/2013 at 00:48

It's so nice to have

Axel-Ripper > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/16/2013 at 06:57

There's also the balls-out Red-Pill e85 tune, which requires a new clutch to run. I don't think anyone has run it on the dyno yet though, but should be near 200 hp. I know on the forums Preloader is trying to get 300 hp with an engine build.

Axel-Ripper > daender
08/16/2013 at 06:58

Charlotte, NC now. And yes, Braid Fullrace wheels will be coming for it.

daender > Axel-Ripper
08/16/2013 at 07:35

Keep in touch with your regional SCCA group, you get Zmax's awesome parking lot as one of your autocross courses!

Axel-Ripper > daender
08/16/2013 at 09:43

Yeah, I've been meaning to make it out there (I live like 2 miles down the road) but I've been busy every time they've had an autocross since I moved down here.

Axel-Ripper > Jayhawk Jake
08/16/2013 at 09:45

Awesome. I'm kinda on the waiting block for spending more money on car yet. Have some other things I want to drop money on, so I likely wont do anything more until I do the tune.

Jayhawk Jake > Axel-Ripper
08/16/2013 at 10:02

After this weekend all I really want to do is the tune. An exhaust would be nice eventually, but I don't need one and they are pricey, so that will probably be a while.

I'm probably going to get too anxious and buy the tune next month. I'm bad at waiting to buy things I want.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > GRIVLET - Proud of Cobalt
08/16/2013 at 10:47

188whp in a 2600lb car is pretty good

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Jayhawk Jake
08/16/2013 at 10:48

You're a bad person for makin me want to trade my Si...

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Axel-Ripper
08/16/2013 at 10:49

We don't have pure e85 anywhere around here there.

Axel-Ripper > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
08/16/2013 at 11:54

Same issue here. If I was still in MI I would have jumped all over the e85 tune at this point.