My 1.4 Turbo Is Too Quiet

[laborsmith]

I had planned to install an electronically controlled diverter, but examining the exhaust, there is no straight area long enough for clamping one in and the two places where it is straight enough to weld one in are next to the gas tank.

So, a change of muffler is in order. No straight pipe for the exit as I live in a condo which strictly enforces noise levels (thus the inclination toward a diverter) and I have not come across a complete exhaust system and have no desire to experiment.

I am thinking of a Borla, particularly one of the Boomer series, but also the Magnaflow is being considered. Any ideas thrown out within the limits I have here given will be carefully considered, particularly ones based on personal experience.

Laborsmith

 

[Sonic]

Once I do it, I will post up the results of my muffler delete so people know if that's a viable option. I guess I should get the car first huh?

 

[laborsmith]

Sonic: I thought you would have it by now. Guess I need to find someone to buy it out from under you so you can get on this roller coaster all over again one more time.

Don't mind me, I've typed more tonight than I did in grad school and that was multiple decades ago.

Laborsmith

 

[Sonic]

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow.

 

[BoG233]

I'm going to the dealer tomorrow.

Good luck sonic

 

[Thaifight-R]

Is an electronically controlled diverter the same as an electric cutout?

I was hoping to get an electric cutout...
Assuming we're talking about the same thing, how hard would it be to remove the gas tank in order to install the cutout? (I'm a noob! ). Do you all think this will affect the dealer warranty in any way?

Thanks!

 

[laborsmith]

Yes , the two are the same.

NoWeeds makes the one I referenced. Theirs can be installed w/o welding but that requires the eight inches.

I had not considered dropping the gas tank.

If it does effect the warranty, it would only be that portion from installment to the muffler. I suspect the warranty would have long expired before the muffler died.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Laborsmith

 

[Daedalus]

Only having experience with WRXs, I'd opt for a Borla muffler over the Magnaflow. Both are high quality pieces, but I've foudn the Borlas are more mellow where the Magnaflows are very loud and bassy (but sounded great).

Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I'd rather have the quieter of the two so long they are both well designed/constructed mufflers.

I'd also recommend replacing the resonator with an free flowing one. Replacing it with just a straight pipe will probably cause drone on the highway and at constant speeds.

 

[laborsmith]

For anyone considering doing something about their exhaust, Borla answered my question thus:


Thanks for your interest in Borla.

We plan to offer a bolt-on system for the Sonic in 8-10 weeks.

The Boomer muffler may fit and it should be louder than stock. Please check back with me on the release of our exhaust system for the Sonic.

Laborsmith

 

[Thaifight-R]

Cool.

I kinda wanna go exhaust cutout instead of installing a different exhaust system so that I can change between quiet and loud whenever I want. (i.e. Don't really want to have a loud car while driving past a cop, or going down a quiet neighborhood.)

I was looking at getting one of these:
UNIVERSAL 3.0 INCH ELECTRIC EXHAUST CUTOUT WHOLE KIT | eBay

What's the difference between one of those vs. QTP vs. Noweeds? (Other than the noweeds not requiring welding.)

Thanks!

 

[laborsmith]

NoWeeds (and I believe QTP) allow one to select gradations between no exhaust diverted and all exhaust diverted.

The turbo Sonic looked like a 2.25 which would require additional work if you go the Universal Kit route which any competent shop could do. That would have you looking at the 2.5.

The Sonic sedan being about 14 inches longer may have the space to insert a diverter. We considered removing the resonator, which is long enough to make a Mercedes or Cadillac proud, but I drive from Michigan to the south twice a year and to Indianapolis for the Big Ten basketball tournament every year and did not want to chance the drone a resonator is designed to subdue.

A full bolt on system does not exclude a diverter. I am aware of Camaro owners who have both the Borla cat back and the NoWeeds systems and are pleased with the result. I will see how the Borla system does before deciding, but that is said with the expectation that Borla will negate the need for a two foot resonator. Time will tell.

I believe it took well over a year for Borla to come out with a system for the Cruze so I am pleased that they may have one for the Sonic so soon. As far as I know, MagnaFlow still hasn't come out with an exhaust system for the Cruze, and they were my first loyalty as I had their cat back system on my Vortech supercharged Cavalier and I was very satisfied with it.

Happy Hunting

Laborsmith

 

[wingman]

Hoping both Magnaflow and Borla will be offering bolt-on systems in the near future.

 

[Danny5]

This is relevant to my interests:

SuperTrapp 449-2218 - SuperTrapp S/C Standard Mufflers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[Gimpster]

I realize it won't help with exhaust note, but I put the ZZP intake in my car last night. It certainly did increase the turbocharger noise and BPV operation in the cabin.

I also have the downpipe so I'll install that soon and hopefully it'll help. If you havent been under your Sonic yet, there is a MASSIVE muffler/resonator mid-way through the car. Is that what you guys are talking about removing?

 

[wingman]

Video of intake!!

 

[Gimpster]

Unfortunatly all I have is an iPhone, so I don't think much of a video will come out. I'll try when it quit raining though for you!

 

[Danny5]

I also have the downpipe so I'll install that soon and hopefully it'll help. If you havent been under your Sonic yet, there is a MASSIVE muffler/resonator mid-way through the car. Is that what you guys are talking about removing?

Downpipe? Details?

And yes, that is one of the components that they're talking about.

 

[Gimpster]

Sorry, I guess o2 housing is the proper term:

ZZPerformance - Cruze O2 Housing #03-03-01603

I got it for 50% off during the ZZP black friday sale.

Downpipe? Details?

And yes, that is one of the components that they're talking about.

 

[WickedlySmiling]

Would anyone be able to get their hands on a technical drawing, blue print or schematic for the Sonic's exhaust from the turbo back?

 

[laborsmith]

Mine was printed out for me at the Parts Desk of my dealer, but has no measurements, and did not make sense to me until we put the car up on a hoist to decide what kind of exhaust work I would do. In my defense, I am partially color blind and have usable vision in only one eye so I am not very visually oriented.

I do not know how to post pictures, otherwise I would try to show you but since you are meeting with the sales manager this morning their parts desk should be able to print one out for you while you are there.

Laborsmith