Where to buy stronger valve springs and forged pistons

[a2mike]

My 2011 LUJ 1.4 is suffering from a cracked piston at 42k miles. Since there is no recall for this yet (Just a TSB), it is up to me to fix it. I figured if I was going to tear into the engine, it would be good time to upgrade.
I know BNR and Vermont both have springs and forged pistons but they seem pricey compared to what I have bought in the past. I have heard that the Opel/Vauxhall crowd has some less expensive options but I have not been able to find any.
Does anyone know of a less expensive option or source for these?

I was also thinking about a LUV swap instead and heard somewhere on this site or Cruzetalk that it was a direct bolt-in using original intake, exhaust, etc.
Is that true? I can get a low mileage 2015 LUV for around $500 that should have the revised/better pistons.

Thanks.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

AFAIK, the LUV/LUJ are the same engine, just different RPOs for Cruze vs Sonic application. I've seen some literature that the LUJ has overboost enabled in some applications, but that's ECM programming and not physical engine changes.

Get a 1.4L port injected engine and swap it. GM didnt do anything crazy over the years to modify them significantly, so just plug n play.

If you just want a stock replacement, buying a used, low mile, longblock is probably your best bet. You'll be well over $500 in just replacement parts, machining costs, and assembly costs. I bought a 2012 1.4T longblock from a buddy that has blown through 2 sets of pistons (I'm blaming the tune that was on the car by a "well-known" Sonic tuner). Eventually I'll pull it apart and start looking at upgrading the internals, but frankly it seems that the turbo is the first bottleneck so a big turbo would be the better first step vs forged engine (in other cases where the 11-12 pistons haven't cracked).

 

[a2mike]

I am looking into a bigger turbo so i figured having forged would be better in the long run.
I am also looking to port the head.
I heard that the difference between the LUJ and LUV was that LUJ was for 2011 and LUV was 2012 and up and is also more suited for flex fuel.

 

[carsNskis]

When you figure out what to do for a custom exhaust manifold please let us know. Until we can get away from the integrated manifold and turbine housing the max turbo size is along the lobes of the GTX which is only a slight improvement over stock

 

[a2mike]

When you figure out what to do for a custom exhaust manifold please let us know. Until we can get away from the integrated manifold and turbine housing the max turbo size is along the lobes of the GTX which is only a slight improvement over stock

I did not know that turbos had lobes

What is the percentage improvement and max HP with the GTX?

Has anyone used the exhaust manifold from a 1.4 NA motor like from a Volt to fit a different turbo?

Thanks.

 

[carsNskis]

Goto BNR's page if you want more GTX info.

In order to go bigger turbo you'd need a T3 or T4 flanged manifold you give you some options of what to bolt up.

There's no 1.4na made in North America, but spending money on a header to make another header wouldn't make for much savings

 

[a2mike]

There's no 1.4na made in North America, but spending money on a header to make another header wouldn't make for much savings

The Aveo and Volt are both NA.
I'm sure a junkyard would have them for cheap.
$16 on the bay Exhaust Manifold 90400043 Opel Corsa B Bj,1998 | eBay

An adapter could be made.

 

[carsNskis]

The Aveo and Volt are both NA.
I'm sure a junkyard would have them for cheap.
$16 on the bay Exhaust Manifold 90400043 Opel Corsa B Bj,1998 | eBay

An adapter could be made.

Well there ya go. I'd say a good fab or even good exhaust shop would be able to set you up. I'm looking forward to seeing this!

 

[BNRacing]

BNR pistons are made by CP Pistons, the absolute best. They've been race tested on multiple race cars without failure.

 

[Tyler13999]

I might be a little late on this one...
But I'm Positive the stock pistons are already forged.
Since the car comes boosted from the factory, they put forged Pistons and rods and on the sonic they include oil squirters for the pistons i think. Correct me if I'm wrong... But its pretty impressive for an economy car. Not to mention the car peaks at 16 lbs of boost on a stock tune, and im running E85 at 26 lbs on stock internals.
I'd just go back to stock. I believe MPFab has stock internals on his 300 whp Sonic.

 

[$ub$onic]

Pistons are no forged stock, rods are though, but man are they tiny


The stock Pistons are known for cracking, more then likely related to to small of a ring gap

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