Intercooler kit for automatic equipped Sonic is being tested

M

MPFab

Supporting Vendor
Based on Dubbs_RS's and my conversation, I'm altering where the IAT sensor flange is located to facilitate plugging the sensor in. The current location has the harness pulled tightly to accomplish this. I'm making a new pipe and shipping to Dubbs tomorrow.
Other than being a tight fit due to the real estate the auto eats up, he said the routing was correct.
I'm getting excited about this now. It's been a long time coming. I've got more intercoolers on the way. You auto guys should start saving your pennies now! ;)
 
Dubbs_RS

Dubbs_RS

New member
Let me tell you... plugging in that sensor was almost impossible. Hardest part of the job by far for me.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
 
Dubbs_RS

Dubbs_RS

New member
Just wanted to give an update. I received the pipe with the modified IAT sensor flange. Took some time for me to be able to find the time to put it in, but I finally took care of it yesterday. Pipe fit perfectly and the it was infinitely easier to get the sensor plugged in.

Only other modification that had to be made was to trim a bolt coming out of the frame. When I pulled out the old pipe I saw that the bolt had almost jack-hammered a hole into the tubing because it's so tight in there. To prevent that from happening with the replacement, I cut the bolt flush with the nut.

Overall, I am extremely please with this kit. Walker did a great job with the fitment especially considering he didn't have an auto there to test this on! The car feels great with the new intercooler kit and I definitely feel the boost spooling up quicker. The car pulls pretty hard now. It's great. Big thanks to Walker and all you guys for being patient while I found the time to get this on my car. Hopefully Walker is pleased with the kit and all you auto guys can start enjoying the benefits of his intercooler setup very soon!
 
M

MPFab

Supporting Vendor
I'm currently waiting on intercoolers to arrive from Garrett. Hopefully they arrive soon.
The thing that really sucks is one of the black silicone couplers is on back order for the next 60days.... Not sure what to do. I've got ONE left. Only seems to be one supplier in the US for 2.25" 60deg silicone coupler.
 
M

MPFab

Supporting Vendor
zbencur said:
Why not do something like this…?
http://www.mpfab.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Dime14.jpg
If it is possible to fit one solid charging tube instead of the two.
Click to expand...

Ha! If you think the kit is pricey now...
Without having an actual auto here, I don't feel comfortable building that pipe as one piece, Like do for the 6spd. From what dubbsRS told me, the engine bay is packed with transmission, and there is little to no room anywhere.
 
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Z

zbencur

New member
So I got my automatic intercooler installed and E85 tune flashed. I would have to say I am not as impressed with the tune as I thought I would be. I think when I installed the intercooler I may have forgot to tighten one of the hose clamps all the way or just forgot it completely. When I put the petal to the floor, I can only seem to just graze 24lbs of boost before falling back to about 20lbs. I know trifecta only tunes boost up to 24lbs but before these two mods I was hitting 26/27lbs no problem on the 93Oct tune. Now I am not saying that is the actual number, I am just saying what the gauge is reading.

So when the boost comes on at about 18lbs and continues to climb, I start to hear a whine. This is why I think I have a boost leak somewhere. It can't be that bad of a leak if it is one at all considering I am still hitting 24lbs of boost. Has anyone had this happen to them before I find the time this weekend to take of my bumper to check all the plumbing? Not sure where to go about this.
 
M

MPFab

Supporting Vendor
The easiest way to check for leaks is to build a boost leak tester. There are multiple post about how to do it all over the internet, and it may save you v from removing the bumper. I'll post a picture of the one I made later this am. ANY leak can have a serious effect on hp. If you have a noise under boost, you've got a leak.
I've been on the dyno before and notice power being "off" in the Evo. Found the leak causing the issue, and on the next pull, picked up 33whp.
Sorry, but I'll post more later. Time to get the kids up.
 
M

MPFab

Supporting Vendor
Ask pre his about his experience with E85 tune. I believe he felt pump gas was stronger in some aspects too.
 
M

MPFab

Supporting Vendor
This is my trusty boost leak tester. It connects to the inlet of the turbo and pressurizes the entire system via an air line and the regulator. I use the regulator to set operating pressure, and listen, feel, and use a spray bottle with soapy water to diagnose leaks. IMHO, this is the most important tool a turbo guy should own.
76a37e5e3527205507fa272de8e8f62b.jpg
 
krakenredbeard

krakenredbeard

New member
MPFab said:
This is my trusty boost leak tester. It connects to the inlet of the turbo and pressurizes the entire system via an air line and the regulator. I use the regulator to set operating pressure, and listen, feel, and use a spray bottle with soapy water to diagnose leaks. IMHO, this is the most important tool a turbo guy should own.
76a37e5e3527205507fa272de8e8f62b.jpg
Click to expand...


I want to second cheap funeral on this id love to buy something like that I'm not great at making things lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
M

MPFab

Supporting Vendor
They can be made relatively cheaply from PVC pipe. Pretty much everything can be purchased from Lowes/Home Depot. By the time I fabbed all the parts, welded them , and then assembled the unit it would be over $100. Save your money for MPFab performance parts!
 
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