Wavetrac

[laborsmith]

Preloader's install instructions including pictures are at post #104.

This came today:

Talked to Bill's and the plan is to get the Sonic on the lift tomorrow and assess what needs to be done to get it in and working.

Yes those are DDM spacers holding the Wavetrac in place.


Laborsmith

 

[firstorbit84]

Awesome!

 

[mitdr774]

Very nice.

My last car could have used a LSD, but with the only options being a Quafie (SP) which was very hard to find, or the OBX knock off that was cheap and known to have some serious quality issues that needed fixed prior ti installation.

 

[theenico]

Nice! Did you order the diff directly from Wavetrac/Autotech?

 

[laborsmith]

Quick update. No news here that there is not a lot of room to work under there. Steering rack needs to be moved out of the way for sure, and hopefully nothing else. Monday morning I go back then we will do the change.


Laborsmith

 

[laborsmith]

Nice! Did you order the diff directly from Wavetrac/Autotech?

Thought I answered this yesterday, but yes, I ordered direct.


Laborsmith

 

[Eric Smit]

exciting. good luck. hopefully it's as
smooth as it sounds right now.


-Eric Smit

 

[Stratton_Chevrolet_Sonic]

Interested to see results

 

[firstorbit84]

Make sure you do some metered 0-60 and 1/4mi pulls before and after to see how it affects straight line grip/acceleration. (even though I know most of the difference will be felt in the corners)

 

[laborsmith]

Although I do not like being a bearer of negative tidings, there is no chance I will do either acts. That is not me. And it would not be a valid comparison to a stock Sonic due to the fact no one acquainted with some of the things I have changed would consider it to be stock. So I see no reason to do something I would not normally do as the results would have so little validity.

I will report on what was done and, as I have on other modifications, try to alert any one considering doing some of the things I do of possible problems. What I learned today is exchanging the two diffs may be straight forward, but getting to the point of making the exchange may not be straight forward. Come Monday we will know more.


Laborsmith

 

[firstorbit84]

Huh?

 

[Eric Smit]

he's not going to drive 0-60 and quarter mile because he doesn't do that kind of thing. he's sorry.

actually swapping the LSD in will be easy, but getting to the diff will be tricky.


-Eric Smit

 

[firstorbit84]

That doesn't mean it wouldn't be valid. It would be a valid comparison for his car with his mods (and possibly similar cars with similar mods).

Why do all these go-fast mods if you're not going to test them? Even if you don't normally do that kind of thing, at least try it once for the benefit of the community, no?

 

[Dragcamaro]

very nice how much

 

[firstorbit84]

very nice how much

I think they run like $900-$1000. There's another thread all about LSD options

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/t4737/

 

[ThatTmoGuy]

That doesn't mean it wouldn't be valid. It would be a valid comparison for his car with his mods (and possibly similar cars with similar mods).

Why do all these go-fast mods if you're not going to test them? Even if you don't normally do that kind of thing, at least try it once for the benefit of the community, no?

IIRC he is setting up for autox hence the LSD. If the man doesn't want to go to the track then he won't do it. Plus most tracks are closed right now due to the cold weather and/or rain.

 

[firstorbit84]

How about some lateral g-force tests?

 

[laborsmith]

There is one freeway entrance ramp and one particular neighborhood right turn I use to assess the efficiency of a mod, and I will do those after the Wavetrac is settled in. As for tracks, we are in Michigan so no tracks, to my knowledge, are open.

And the cost is on the Wavetrac site, just pick applications and scroll down to the GM listings, pick the one that the part number ends in 132 and the info for the Cruze LS pops up.

Price = $995 plus shipping.


Laborsmith

 

[mitdr774]

Why do all these go-fast mods if you're not going to test them? Even if you don't normally do that kind of thing, at least try it once for the benefit of the community, no?

Sometimes go fast goodies are for personal benefit and actual tested results
are of little concern.

I never hadmy car on a dyno when it had a turbo on it. It was much quicker than with the S/C, but I was not worried about actual power it made.

 

[laborsmith]

I do these things in order to see what can be done, not necessarily to get timed results. Several years ago I put an HD radio in one of my cars to hear how it worked. No other changes to the sound system and an immense improvement to sound quality, but how would one measure the result.

Not everything works. I got an Iron Man for my Cobalt several years ago and decided I did not need it as the Quaife was so good, so it sits on the shelf.

As for Auto Cross, I know the intake, exhaust and rims would be accepted in Street Touring if the Sonic RS is accepted. (I know the Sonic is accepted for Street Stock.) I do not know if a limited slip differential would be accepted in Street Touring, but if one is I might try it. But as for other forms of racing, I enjoy watching.

My other concern is would a front lip disqualify per Street Touring auto cross. If so, I may not auto cross as I am inclined toward the lip if John Williams can design one that matches what I think would look right.

Lest anyone forgets, in the end I am a dirt ball hippy, nothing more and hopefully nothing less.


Laborsmith