Turbo vs. Non-turbo

[aeroeng]

Hi everyone,
I plan on buying a 2015 Sonic Sedan LT automatic near the end of the year. I normally keep my cars till they have about 200,000 miles on them. I do simple maintenance myself. My question is concerning which engine choice to get and I'd like to hear the positives and negatives about both choices. It seems like the turbo would be the obvious choice for the cost but I'm not sure about the longevity of a turbo engine and how many maintenance issues would be involved compared to the non-turbo. I've never owned a turbo. Please respond and give me your open opinions and concerns for both choices.

Thank You,
aeroeng

 

[Swordsmith]

On the surface, the non-turbo engine is perhaps the better one for your purposes. There are simply fewer parts, and every part is a potential fail point. On the other hand, turbo engines have been around a long time, even if this particular one isn't all that old, and there isn't any real indication that they break down any more often than naturally aspirated ones.

The 1.4T is a brilliant idea. Normally, a turbo is added to an engine to make it more powerful. That's what's going on here as well, of course, but the underlying engine is smaller and less powerful than the 1.8, such that the turbo just gives the pathetic little thing enough power, on demand, to equal the 1.8, more or less.

That's brilliant because 99% of the time you don't need all that power, and it is more efficient to run a smaller engine. You're driving around with a 1.4 liter engine, until you need more power, when you've suddenly got a 2.1 liter.

With a tune, you can increase the boost even higher, giving you access to as much as a 2.8 liter engine, similarly modifying the intake, exhaust, and so forth can add even more available power, while you're still sipping around with your little 1.4 most of the time.

Is it worth the added expense (1700 more than an LS, or 700 more than the 1.8 LT/LTZ models) and any added risk? That's something you'd have to decide for yourself.

 

[krakenredbeard]

Swordsmith more like wordsmith your always so elegant and precise in your descriptions. Can I subscribe to just your post lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Natesriv]

he speak good...

But yes, if you choose the 1.4 I think the engine could last 200K. A replacement turbo would mostly likely occur during that timeframe, but we have a timing chain instead of a belt, which helps in that department.

As for the rest of the car...who knows... There's not much in the way of high tech.. The suspension is very basic. The brakes as well... Most automatic tranny will last a long time with proper maitenance...

the cooling system...don't know...the a/c system....unknown...

 

[DaBlackapino]

I have a Non-Turbo Engine.. I like it; gives me enough.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Swordsmith]

I've replaced my turbo with a modified one, doing so doesn't require replacing the entire engine. I guess that would depend on the sort of fail... but most turbo fails just require fix or replace of that part, not the whole Magilla.

 

[aeroeng]

Thanks

Thank you everyone, especially Swordsmith. You've been very helpful.

aeroeng

 

[tuishimi]

I've replaced my turbo with a modified one, doing so doesn't require replacing the entire engine. I guess that would depend on the sort of fail... but most turbo fails just require fix or replace of that part, not the whole Magilla.

I thought the turbo unit was sort of "hard baked" into the 1.4? It's actually part of the exhaust manifold, right? How did you do that...

Also (about to do a search but...) do you have hard links to the forum posts in regards to tuning and such? And replacing for that matter. I cannot imagine what 200 HP would be like in this car. Wow!

 

[Stew]

I thought the turbo unit was sort of "hard baked" into the 1.4? It's actually part of the exhaust manifold, right? How did you do that...

Also (about to do a search but...) do you have hard links to the forum posts in regards to tuning and such? And replacing for that matter. I cannot imagine what 200 HP would be like in this car. Wow!

The turbine housing is an integral part of the exhaust manifold but the turbo 'center section' itself comes out of the manifold easily enough.

 

[davecerv]

Swordsmith the man of knowledge opcorn:

 

[krakenredbeard]

200hp... there are several guys knocking on that door already. Not necessarily to the wheels but def at crank.

I'm more interested in what mpfab will end up with on his turbo upgrade. Or e85 with a turbo upgrade.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Swordsmith]

I am at 206 hp/216 ft-lbs torque, at the flywheel, according to my EFLive scan tool. Getting in some new valve springs, because we had to dial my tune back to that level, as above that I get valve float. MFab is really the guy to watch though, he knows more about doing this crazy stuff than I ever will. Trying to figure out how to convince my fiance that we should honeymoon in Alabama... we can drive down there and then get a rental to cruise around in while we... there must be -something- to do in Alabama right?

 

[RMinNJ]

sonic turbo

The turbine housing is an integral part of the exhaust manifold but the turbo 'center section' itself comes out of the manifold easily enough.

So is our turbo a Garrett turbo? Or just a custom built GM thing? My Saab turbo is still going strong ..I believe its a Garrett or Mitsubishi.

 

[rdss]

It's a Garrett.

 

[RMinNJ]

garrett

Garrett thanks, thats good to know. Some Saabers have 300,000+ miles on them.

 

[PlayCrackTheSky]

I am at 206 hp/216 ft-lbs torque, at the flywheel, according to my EFLive scan tool. Getting in some new valve springs, because we had to dial my tune back to that level, as above that I get valve float. MFab is really the guy to watch though, he knows more about doing this crazy stuff than I ever will. Trying to figure out how to convince my fiance that we should honeymoon in Alabama... we can drive down there and then get a rental to cruise around in while we... there must be -something- to do in Alabama right?

If you come down to Bham, there is plenty to do. We'll show you around!

 

[TintCoat2012LTZ]

I use to run first gen talon (1990-1994) 2.0T and could bust all the 5.0s and LT1s around with only a few upgrades. After that first turbo spool I have been hooked ever since, will turbo everything I ever own even if it's a moped.


2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ
1.4L Turbo
6 Speed Manual
~ Gas Sipping Super Hero ~

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk