How do mods affect engine life?

[Breezybro]

Hi. I really want to get the trifecta tune, exhaust, turbo upgrade, and more, but I have a question.

How much life expectancy do you lose when upgrading parts for more horsepower and torque?

Yes I searched the website and Google.


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2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

 

[rdss]

It honestly depends. A conservative tune does minimal changes to the tune and most of the changes are at WOT and as long as you're not racing around town you should be fine with minor to no degradation. An improper tune can slowly kill your motor or take it out in one fatal swoop. Intakes and exhaust have little to no impact. Oiled filters could clog your MAF and cause engine issues. A header and mid pipe shouldn't effect your engine but you will have to have a tune or a de-fouler to keep the CEL from coming on and fine tuning it is obviously going to optimize the performance. Cat backs are noise makers for the most part.... MPFab has dyno sheets showing minimal gains from increased exhaust pipe and reduced back pressure.

 

[Breezybro]

Appreciate the response.

So let's say that realistically I'm planning on my intake, exhaust, charge pipe, and mounts the turbo swap preloader is working on, red pill and aftermarket clutch. At a minimum.


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2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

 

[rdss]

Swordsmith and Preloader are still running just fine with quite a few miles. Pre has blown a few transmissions though, probably something to keep in the back of your mind. In the end, there is a risk associated with mods, especially you're going to do a turbo swap.

 

[ahtoxa]

Generally, with mechanical devices, the heavier the duty cycle, the more wear there will be. Mods will decrease some of the built in 'safe' margins that designers incorporated, but by how much is HIGHLY questionable. Like RDSS said, it varies greatly, but one thing is for sure - mods will have a negative effect on longevity, but, in the grand scheme of this, it may not be an issue because the impact may be rather small (depending on the mods) over a great many miles.

 

[sx sonic]

Assuming quality components and programming are used the biggest factor in longevity is maintenance and driving habits.

 

[Eric Smit]

I crushed through 40,000 hard tuned miles in the first year with absolutely no issue.

 

[sx sonic]

I crushed through 40,000 hard tuned miles in the first year with absolutely no issue.

What happened after those 40k mi? was it the infamous corngate scandal

 

[Eric Smit]

we don't talk about those.

 

[$ub$onic]

I forgot about corn gate. Bad times

 

[rdss]

Corn gate was such an unfortunate time for the ugly orange car.

 

[Swordsmith]

I have gone through two clutches and one transmission and currently have a transmission with a little grind, and a slow coolant leak.

BUT the clutches were both aftermarket ones, I have put nearly 40k miles on a stock clutch with all my power mods and a tendency to do hard pulls several tkmes daily.

The transmission went bad with only a few thousand miles on the car and relatively few mods, I think that was a manufacturing defect. the replacement transmission developed the grind 50 miles into its life... and I was still babying the thing due to break in. Again manufacturing defect...and I have put nearly 40k miles on that grinding transmission, with insane mods and the aforementioned bad habits.

 

[mowcowbell]

Never considered any mods to a basic economy car like the Sonic.

I want dependability and fuel economy over performance.

Heck, every performance upgrade possible to a Sonic will still give you a car that a bone stock V-6 Mustang will leave in its dust.

 

[Eric Smit]

Never considered any mods to a basic economy car like the Sonic.

I want dependability and fuel economy over performance.

Heck, every performance upgrade possible to a Sonic will still give you a car that a bone stock V-6 Mustang will leave in its dust.

awh, you don't know what you're talking about. that's cute.

 

[SONIC1.4]

I've left bone stock mustangs in the dust, along with a lot more cars. And guess what? I drive a basic economy car called a Sonic.

 

[Breezybro]

If you want an economy car to beat a muscle car you're not doing it right


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2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

 

[Eric Smit]

she begs to differ.

 

[SONIC1.4]

I beg to differ as well

 

[Breezybro]

Trying to tell the dude that basically you have an eco car, don't complain it doesn't have a ton of hp and a 7 second ability.. Not talking about you guys


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2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

 

[Eric Smit]

Trying to tell the dude that basically you have an eco car, don't complain it doesn't have a ton of hp and a 7 second ability.. Not talking about you guys


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2013 Chevy Sonic RS 1.4l 6M Black Granite Metallic

oh, I guess I had to use at least 10 iq to find the context. hahaha