Changing a 1.8 into a 1.4 Turbo

B

BenSteiner

New member
Hey Sonic community,

first of all I'm very satisfied with my car. I have a black Sonic LTZ Sedan 1.8 6 speed automatic but sometimes I feel like there is something missing … maybe it's a 1.4 turbo engine instead of the 1.8!? I'm wondering if it's possible to get the 1.4 turbo engine and put it into my car. Does anyone know if it's possible to do it (I mean is the 1.8 built to carry the 1.4 turbo) also how much would it be to get it and get it installed? I was wondering if anyone researched it.

Thank you in advance.
 
E

EVOX_SPEED3

Member
Possible yes! Worth the money, time and warranty (IMO) heck no!
It would be better to just trade up, less risks. Have u driven the 1.4 turbo Sonic? If you are already feeling "something" is missing, it will only get worse in time. I have nothing against the NA 1.8, I just wanted a turbo to play with so I went for the 1.4. Wish they had a 1.8 turbo!! Good luck bro.

BenSteiner said:
Hey Sonic community,

first of all I'm very satisfied with my car. I have a black Sonic LTZ Sedan 1.8 6 speed automatic but sometimes I feel like there is something missing … maybe it's a 1.4 turbo engine instead of the 1.8!? I'm wondering if it's possible to get the 1.4 turbo engine and put it into my car. Does anyone know if it's possible to do it (I mean is the 1.8 built to carry the 1.4 turbo) also how much would it be to get it and get it installed? I was wondering if anyone researched it.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
 
B

BenSteiner

New member
@BrianJ88 – money is not the issue ;)

@EVOX_SPEED3 – no, but I thought about going to Chevy and doing a test-drive. But is a trade in even possible? I don't even remember half of the conversation I had when I was at the dealership signing the papers lol.

@gsxr1000 – do you think that's possible?
 
wingman

wingman

Active member
If $ isnt a problem, force feed that 1.8. Although you are still gonna have that auto.....decisions decisions.
 
AndrewGS

AndrewGS

Ultimo Hombre
I'd just put an intake, exhaust and tune on the 1.8L and see if you like it. Motor swaps are crazy expensive and complex, especially because you'd also have to swap the transmission for the better unit found on the turbo cars.

If you want to do a swap find an LHU out of a Regal Turbo and shoehorn that bad boy in there. :D
 
E

EVOX_SPEED3

Member
BenSteiner said:
@BrianJ88 – money is not the issue ;)

@EVOX_SPEED3 – no, but I thought about going to Chevy and doing a test-drive. But is a trade in even possible? I don't even remember half of the conversation I had when I was at the dealership signing the papers lol.

@gsxr1000 – do you think that's possible?
Click to expand...

If money is no issue at all, and u want to be different, go for the turbo bro. Yes, you could trade up, but take a hit on the trade, but it will still be cheaper than getting a new turbo. (just my 2cents tho) It happens all the time with people buying a WRX and Ralliart, then realized they wanted a STI or EVO instead.
 
B

BenSteiner

New member
Well … money … I put at least $30-$35 of gas every 3-4 days. That's also because my drive to work and back is about an hour each direction (depending on traffic). That makes between $60-$70 a week which means around $240-$280 a month just for gas. I used to put $30 of gas once a week when I drove my fiancee's car a 2011 Honda Civic to work and back, even if I was driving "crazy".

I guess I will just call the dealership where I got the car at and ask them about a possible trade-in. I would really love to have a Sonic RS ;)
 
L

laborsmith

New member
You might want to wait until we are closer to when the RS is scheduled to go into production (August 6 probably as that is when the 2013 model year is scheduled to start).

Laborsmith
 
D

doreo

New member
it would probably be cheaper to get a turbo kit, but i cant find any for sonic tho there are places working on the kit. yes our internals will need upgrades to push alot of boost but so will the 1.4 at some point. with the tine on manual mode in the auto its probably not a huge deal off on time, but if i did a swap with money not an issue id go with the 2.0t from cobalt if she would fit in
 
2FR35H

2FR35H

New member
BenSteiner said:
Hey Sonic community,

first of all I'm very satisfied with my car. I have a black Sonic LTZ Sedan 1.8 6 speed automatic but sometimes I feel like there is something missing … maybe it's a 1.4 turbo engine instead of the 1.8!? I'm wondering if it's possible to get the 1.4 turbo engine and put it into my car. Does anyone know if it's possible to do it (I mean is the 1.8 built to carry the 1.4 turbo) also how much would it be to get it and get it installed? I was wondering if anyone researched it.

Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

No don't do that if its that serious just trade it in for a 1.4 turbo though it may be hard to find one actually. but still enjoy the 1.8 i know i am ;)
 
SonicBoy24

SonicBoy24

New member
As it has already been said, it would be smarter to just give your 1.8 a turbo. And if you have even more money, put in the standard tranny.
That's what I would like to do sometime, but once i get rich :) I would ultimately like to give her a V6 with twin turbos.
When I get rich.......
 
2FR35H

2FR35H

New member
SonicBoy24 said:
As it has already been said, it would be smarter to just give your 1.8 a turbo. And if you have even more money, put in the standard tranny.
That's what I would like to do sometime, but once i get rich :) I would ultimately like to give her a V6 with twin turbos.
When I get rich.......
Click to expand...

All american LS engine with rwd would be nice in the sonic though now THAT would cost some $$ :cool::cool: haha
 
I

Inferno1.8

New member
Engineers put a small block 350 in an HHR and made it rear wheel drive. With enough know how and money, anything is possible.
 
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