Help please: new 2016 Sonic RS GM turbo stage kit problems

[Sam]

My brand new 2016 Sonic RS automatic hatchback with the GM turbo stage kit seems down on power compared to my much heavier fully loaded stock Cruze LTZ 1.4L automatic. Sonic RS even has shorter gear ratios than my quicker Cruze. Suggestions?

Also, the Sonic makes a shrieking noise when under full power, Cruze doesn't.
Any ideas as to what might be wrong?

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I would take it back to the dealer and have them investigate the noise. Whatever that noise is may be what is killing your power.

 

[TheGreenDragon]

Also, the Sonic makes a shrieking noise when under full power, Cruze doesn't.
Any ideas as to what might be wrong?

Boost leaking through a crack in the intake manifold, blown transmission bearing, or maybe your turbo is on its way out and is sqealing?

Are you using 91 Octane fuel, like the tune requires?

 

[Sam]

working on it

Thanks Yosemite & G. Dragon,

Dealer found initial ECM reprograming for the turbo stage kit didn't take & says it's now correctly programed with power restored. Says they can't duplicate shrieking noise under power. We'll see. Dragon, I like your intake manifold leak suggestion, hadn't occurred to me. If shriek is still there we'll know where to look for it. Love the Dragon green. Would have picked that color if I'd found one with the turbo stage kit & factory upgraded & lowered suspension like my diamond white RS. Yosemite, mean looking front end on your car!

Had dealer's 2016 Malibu loaner car with new 1.5L engine, nice. Wish our cars had it, direct injection, a little more power, a little less weight, never hurts.

Next: DDM intake with stainless box, trifecta tune.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Thanks Sam! I turned the foglights into ram air for my intake and Beastlick here on SOF made the grilles.

Had dealer's 2016 Malibu loaner car with new 1.5L engine, nice. Wish our cars had it, direct injection, a little more power, a little less weight, never hurts.

I hate to break this to you but the lightest equipped Malibu is 239 pounds heavier than the heaviest equipped Sonic. LOL

 

[Natesriv]

What is this turbo stage kit ????

 

[carsNskis]

What is this turbo stage kit ????

Don't let the name fool you. It's a calibration that comes with the GM Performance exhaust.

 

[MORTIS]

I hate to break this to you but the lightest equipped Malibu is 239 pounds heavier than the heaviest equipped Sonic. LOL

I could be wrong but I think he meant the 1.5 engine is lighter than the 1.4

 

[TheGreenDragon]

Don't let the name fool you. It's a calibration that comes with the GM Performance exhaust.

Are you saying that I can either buy just the exhaust, or the exhaust and the calibration to make it work properly?

I see both options on GMpartsdirect, but wasn't sure what the benefit of the stage kit was.

 

[carsNskis]

Are you saying that I can either buy just the exhaust, or the exhaust and the calibration to make it work properly?

I see both options on GMpartsdirect, but wasn't sure what the benefit of the stage kit was.

I know you can't buy the calibration only but i have seen the exhaust only and the exhaust/ calibration combo.

 

[Sam]

Correct, Mortis, I was referring to the all new GM direct injection turbo 1.5L engine, better than our turbo 1.4L in terms of mpg, lighter, a little more horsepower & torque.

G. Dragon, I haven't yet needed to put gas in my new RS, dealer said he filled it with 91 octane as required by the Turbo Stage Kit.

Re. optional Borla exhaust compared to optional Turbo Stage Kit, which is the Borla & ECM reprograming. My understanding is that with only the Borla the ECM defaults back to stock horsepower & torque. With the Borla & ECM reprograming the gain is 10hp & 15fpt (probably given conservatively by GM).

Question: With Turbo Stage Kit & soon to be added DDM cold air intake which is the best choice Trifecta tune, & why?