Is MPFab Still Making Turbo Kits?

[ravenace135]

Was looking into engine swaps but realized it’ll be easier to just go big turbo. Not interested in a stock turbo internals upgrade. Is MPFab still making kits for the sonic?

Please move this to the right forum if this is the wrong one. Pretty new to using forums in general.


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[JesusTheAgnostic]

I don't think he ever actually manufactured kits to sell. There was talk about it, but the 300 hp was for him and him alone as far as I understand.

 

[greg51]

turbo

he will build you a kit but its expensive. Plus you will need to tune it yourself or have a tuner. he does not tune by email. G

 

[JesusTheAgnostic]

greg do you know how much he would ask for? I'm looking at a turbo upgrade right now, but I don't know if I should get the GTX14 or look elsewhere.

 

[carsNskis]

Assuming he offers a build you could figure $5-7k. Lots of variables in how much your total project would cost but it's low volume custom work so it's not cheap

If you have a local race shop that can fab headers you can have a turbo manifold built, diy all the bolt up stuff and have a local shop tune it. You could be in as cheap as $3k if you're resourceful and mechanical, but back to the $5-7 k mark again if not

[emoji593][emoji809][emoji472]

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

He does build just the manifold and sells it for around $900 for anyone willing to upgrade to a big turbo setup. He also has available, the billet aluminum oil feed/return adapters on his site. Everything else would have to be custom. I'm working on getting most of what is needed to have a similar setup to his to join him in the 300HP club. Mine will just be an Auto instead of a manual.

 

[Gimpster]

Hmm I didn't realize he would sell just a manifold. Wonder if he would make me one with a MHI flange on it. I would prefer to use something cheap from the DSM world.

 

[Blue Moon Sonic]

I emailed him about it a while ago before I started replacing practically every component on my pony. Though, I may as well ask him for the kit minus the turbo since I'll have all his components once my inter-cooler kit ships from MPfab himself. Tired of my POS plumbing from that one vendor we axed a long time ago.

 

[ravenace135]

Does anyone know all the parts required for a big turbo setup aside from the exhaust manifold and the turbo itself? I happen to have a race shop close by that does custom fab work and dyno tuning.


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[ravenace135]

I’m thinking of either doing a turbo swap or just have a LTG engine swapped in my sonic when the time comes and build on that. Definitely not any time soon though if I decide to do an engine swap.


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[Gimpster]

Well, ... I feel silly responding to this if you have a fabrication shop you want to work with.

Some has already been stated in this thread, but you would need:

1.) Turbocharger of some flavor you research
2.) Manifold
3.) Oil feed + drain solution (MPFab has you covered there)
4.) Potentially a wastegate if you went with something externally gated
5.) Downpipe + fab to whatever exhaust you are using/building.
6.) At the minimum you will need a new/reworked hot charge pipe (turbocharger outlet -> intercooler)
7.) Custom intake solution
8.) Edit: Will need some sort of blow off valve / recirc solution.

Basically pretend like you are almost turbocharging a 1.8, because you have to throw away a lot of what came with the 1.4.

And always lots of other little misc. hardware and such that comes along with these types of things. I am not listing anything related to fuel / engine mgmt. of course.

As much as I like my Sonic, I don't think I could justify an engine swap... but that's a highly personal decision. Keep in mind I use mine as a daily beater though.

 

[ravenace135]

Well, ... I feel silly responding to this if you have a fabrication shop you want to work with.

Some has already been stated in this thread, but you would need:

1.) Turbocharger of some flavor you research
2.) Manifold
3.) Oil feed + drain solution (MPFab has you covered there)
4.) Potentially a wastegate if you went with something externally gated
5.) Downpipe + fab to whatever exhaust you are using/building.
6.) At the minimum you will need a new/reworked hot charge pipe (turbocharger outlet -> intercooler)
7.) Custom intake solution

Basically pretend like you are almost turbocharging a 1.8, because you have to throw away a lot of what came with the 1.4.

And always lots of other little misc. hardware and such that comes along with these types of things. I am not listing anything related to fuel / engine mgmt. of course.

As much as I like my Sonic, I don't think I could justify an engine swap... but that's a highly personal decision. Keep in mind I use mine as a daily beater though.

Yeah lol I appreciate the info but I didn’t think about that until after the question was posted....I could’ve probably just asked the shop what all I need. What’s your reason for not wanting to do an engine swap? I’m sure you have some good points.


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[Gimpster]

Not to be rude to folks who really like these cars, I mean I'm on my second Sonic, because it's a ~$5k beater I go to work home in. I have much more interesting things in my garage to play with vs. swap an engine in this.

 

[ravenace135]

Not to be rude to folks who really like these cars, I mean I'm on my second Sonic, because it's a ~$5k beater I go to work home in. I have much more interesting things in my garage to play with vs. swap an engine in this.

How do you feel about a v8 swapped Miata? I’m in love with the style and size of the Miata and it seems like a very lightweight car but would it be worth the arm and leg I’d have to give? I’d love to do turbocharged v8 swap in a Miata as a future project car.


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[Gimpster]

I mean ... I feel good about big engines in small cars in general I'm totally un-brand loyal though. The only constant in my life is that I like GM Gen3/4 V8's.

Ultimately you have to do what you like, and I've shoveled plenty of money into cars that most others consider 'unworthy'.

How do you feel about a v8 swapped Miata? I’m in love with the style and size of the Miata and it seems like a very lightweight car but would it be worth the arm and leg I’d have to give? I’d love to do turbocharged v8 swap in a Miata as a future project car.


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[Blue Moon Sonic]

No offense taken. I've had my sonic for 5 years now, and I just want to build a world first because I can. I want to laugh at all the people running around in their huge v8's running 10's at the strip when they get beat by a 1.4L hatchback pushing 350-400hp. That would be glorious, but until then... can only keep dreaming.

 

[ravenace135]

No offense taken. I've had my sonic for 5 years now, and I just want to build a world first because I can. I want to laugh at all the people running around in their huge v8's running 10's at the strip when they get beat by a 1.4L hatchback pushing 350-400hp. That would be glorious, but until then... can only keep dreaming.

Where’re you at now in HP?


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[Blue Moon Sonic]

Where’re you at now in HP?


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I'm still on the factory turbo sitting at about 180whp, but I've got every bolt on that you can get without touching internals and for what's available for the auto. I'm actually starting to get the car ready for a big turbo setup.

Before I do, I'm documenting the differences between my 2012 6t40 transmission and the 2014 Buick encore transmission. Photo below is where I now sit on the hwy. Its about a 400rpm difference from before due to the FD ratio change.

 

[Big Turbo Sonic]

If he is really selling the manifold for $900 that is dirt cheap! I dont know how he could sell it that cheap. You figure 200 buck in material and then what only 7 hours of labor.

Not to mention if you want to make super big power 230-250hp+ your going to have to do a bunch of work to the fuel system + pump + tune. I just spent ~$1,500 bucks doing so (no new pump, still on stock pump).

Also to mention you will need the full list of supporting mods to help that turbo flow. Full exhaust, aftermarket intercooler/piping, ported TB (good idea not required), ported manifold, & bigger injectors.

I've posted about this before and I encourage anyone to do the swap. Just be prepared to shell out some serious $$$. The sonic is not a cheap car to make big power.

Blue Moon, excited to see you get closer to swapping!

 

[ravenace135]

If he is really selling the manifold for $900 that is dirt cheap! I dont know how he could sell it that cheap. You figure 200 buck in material and then what only 7 hours of labor.

Not to mention if you want to make super big power 230-250hp+ your going to have to do a bunch of work to the fuel system + pump + tune. I just spent ~$1,500 bucks doing so (no new pump, still on stock pump).

Also to mention you will need the full list of supporting mods to help that turbo flow. Full exhaust, aftermarket intercooler/piping, ported TB (good idea not required), ported manifold, & bigger injectors.

I've posted about this before and I encourage anyone to do the swap. Just be prepared to shell out some serious $$$. The sonic is not a cheap car to make big power.

Blue Moon, excited to see you get closer to swapping!

What about valve springs? I’ve been doing some research on upgrading to a bigger turbo and came across valve float. I’d like to go for the EFR 6258 Turbo with an external gate for the sound, and from what I gathered, valve float could become an issue with that much power. Have you experienced valve float with your turbo setup?


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