Chevy Sonic 1.4T IAT/Intake Analysis (MY2013), September 12th 2014

[TRIFECTA]

Chevy Sonic IAT/Intake Analysis, September 12th 2014


Hello,

This is Andrew@TRIFECTA, and I would like to share something we have discovered some time ago:

http://i59.tinypic.com/ru2ufm.jpg

So lets say I have a K&N 69-4524TS intake for a Chevy Sonic 1.4T MY2013. Its a good intake: the MAF diameter is consistent through every batch, its got a heat shield, and it flows more air than the stock airbox...

http://i58.tinypic.com/a5i0ww.jpg

It has a heat shield and there is a port underneath the intake where it looks like cold air can replenish the intake airspace.

http://i57.tinypic.com/2u3xu86.jpg

http://i58.tinypic.com/b5gwao.jpg

With the headlight removed, wait a minute, is that air duct routing away from a fresh air source?

http://i60.tinypic.com/231e20.jpg

What looks like an ambient fresh air source actually goes back into the fender area.

http://i58.tinypic.com/24c7b6q.jpg

http://i62.tinypic.com/15i53m0.jpg

And its sealed off by an air shield. Ambient air is not getting through here easily.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2ep0g9d.jpg

Well not without disassembly...

http://i57.tinypic.com/312zkma.jpg

This intake tube is a restriction.

http://i58.tinypic.com/2eexy77.jpg

IAT documentation. They are really high for a ~60 F day...

http://i60.tinypic.com/11ieema.jpg

http://i59.tinypic.com/iyh9iu.jpg

http://i61.tinypic.com/ux75f.jpg

Can it be improved?




To be continued.....








-

 

[Natesriv]

Hmmmm time to remove mine!

 

[itsjeremyomg]

Did you have to remove the front bumper to do this?

 

[Mikeygoolsbay]

Did you have to remove the front bumper to do this?

It looks like he did. But I did this by removing the inner fender. However, to remove the trim around the "snorkel" you either have to break it, who's is what I did, or remove the bumper if I remember correctly

 

[KartRacer]

Most interesting, Thanks for your research! Keep up the good work.

 

[RMinNJ]

It's almost like GM routed the snorkel up for noise but also to keep it away from water.

That said, it looks to be that just removing the snorkel and putting a funnel on the end
where the plastic begins would improve the stock air box. Routing the entire filter down here like illustrated here seems even better.

 

[Natesriv]

it is in front of the inner wheel well lining, so should stay dry. I'm more interested in removing it as it sure does seem like an air restriction to my CAI

Oh and all that work and you're leaving the stock horn on!?!?!?

 

[Preloader]

Glad to see Trifecta on here supporting the R&D. Got a question.

IAT2 is the post IC temps, correct?

Vince and I tried to work on making the tune send IAT2 temps to the OBDII so the ultra gauge could read them. We never got it to work.

Any idea if it's possible to just tap wires into the IAT2 sensor harness to use as a signal to run a auxiliary gauge to read the post IC temps. That would be very useful info when running/testing aftermarket intercoolers.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

This is exactly what Ive been planning to do with my RS, have a similar setup for my TBSS and it makes a lot more power getting fresh, ambient temp air into the engine (it is NA currently).

Be interested to see intake tube diameter and what hole(s) need to be cut in the engine bay. I would also suggest a K&N Drycharger filter cover to prevent any water from being ingested into the engine, might not be an issues in some areas but especially here in the Seattle area it can be. The wheelwell will prevent the wheel from slinging water in, but I cant remember offhand if the bottom of the car has a full body shield. If it does, need to make sure you the filter can get enough airflow so as to not starve the engine/turbo of air.

 

[TRIFECTA]

Did you have to remove the front bumper to do this?

or remove the bumper if I remember correctly

Front bumper removal is required to access the divider piece non-destructively.

Most interesting, Thanks for your research! Keep up the good work.

Routing the entire filter down here like illustrated here seems even better.

Thanks for the kind words and support!

Be interested to see intake tube diameter and what hole(s) need to be cut in the engine bay. I would also suggest a K&N Drycharger filter cover to prevent any water from being ingested into the engine, might not be an issues in some areas but especially here in the Seattle area it can be. The wheelwell will prevent the wheel from slinging water in, but I cant remember offhand if the bottom of the car has a full body shield. If it does, need to make sure you the filter can get enough airflow so as to not starve the engine/turbo of air.

3" tubing used throughout. No cutting or drilling involved with the install: uses mounting points and OE bolt locations throughout:

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...tercooler-downpipe-september-2014-update.html



Andrew@TRIFECTA

 

[Scot]

It's almost like GM routed the snorkel up for noise but also to keep it away from water.

That said, it looks to be that just removing the snorkel and putting a funnel on the end
where the plastic begins would improve the stock air box. Routing the entire filter down here like illustrated here seems even better.

It is much more for water intrusion than anything else. I don't know the min spec GM uses, but in general, auto manufacturers like to design the intake to stay dry while driving "X" mph through "Y" inched of standing water.

Ingesting water is not a good thing.

 

[EndlessSea]

I just bought the K&N Intake off a member here, should I have not? is it a bad intake for a stock sonic? I plan to get a Trifecta tune soon

 

[Scot]

Nah - I think you're fine.

 

[Wooksquatch]

I just bought the K&N Intake off a member here, should I have not? is it a bad intake for a stock sonic? I plan to get a Trifecta tune soon

Yikes you should probably sell it to me for 1/2 of what you paid....

 

[MaD]

WOW!! So has anyone done any mods yet to the fresh air in?? Ive been thinking on getting a CAI but been debating on which one to go with, K&N or DDW. But now seeing this.. I know Im in Seattle area and heat is usually not a issue, water is. :blankface: Really good post, hat tip to the guys at TRIFECTA!

 

[rdss]

WOW!! So has anyone done any mods yet to the fresh air in?? Ive been thinking on getting a CAI but been debating on which one to go with, K&N or DDW. But now seeing this.. I know Im in Seattle area and heat is usually not a issue, water is. :blankface: Really good post, hat tip to the guys at TRIFECTA!

Stratton did that to his Sonic well over a year ago... Trifecta just gave us the data and what looks like a new product for the community vs a DIY.

 

[SoundWave]

The Scion tC CAIs routed this way, there were several incidents of people Hyrdolocking their engines because of it. I was always nervous in heavy rain, as my bumper was only 6" off the group, placing the intake tube less than 2 feet up.

I'd rather see a tube feed fresh air into the heat shield area, without a physical connection to the turbo inlet.

 

[BSD]

Glad to see Trifecta on here supporting the R&D. Got a question.

IAT2 is the post IC temps, correct?

Vince and I tried to work on making the tune send IAT2 temps to the OBDII so the ultra gauge could read them. We never got it to work.

Any idea if it's possible to just tap wires into the IAT2 sensor harness to use as a signal to run a auxiliary gauge to read the post IC temps. That would be very useful info when running/testing aftermarket intercoolers.

Bump for this.

 

[Kuntryboy865]

WOW!! So has anyone done any mods yet to the fresh air in?? Ive been thinking on getting a CAI but been debating on which one to go with, K&N or DDW. But now seeing this.. I know Im in Seattle area and heat is usually not a issue, water is. :blankface: Really good post, hat tip to the guys at TRIFECTA!

I did i took the highbeam out.

 

[CheapFuneral]

Mpfab shows u how to do this with a pipe from the fog light area to the stock intake location so there is less worry about hydro locking.


If I die, bury me in my truck, because it's never been in a hole it can't get out of!