i see some people with the shark fin looking antennas and i like them much better then the stock antennas, does anybody know where i could find one? sorry if this has already been asked before its just been on my mind.. also what is the recommend octane for a stock 1.4 turbo? the manuel says 87 but im reading all about 93 octane i assume it runs alot cleaner
shark fin antenna?
- Thread starter DSchulter
- Start date
Regarding octane, you will be fine following the manuals recommendation of 87 or higher. Although it wouldn't hurt, there is no compelling reason to run 93 through a stock engine. Most of us that run 93 (or 91, or whatever) do so because we have been tuned to take advantage of additional timing advance that increased octane allows.
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Chrish051873
senior member
i believe there was something about the fin not being available for some time due to the manufacturer going offline for some period.
never know give them a call, maybe they will still have some.
Chris
never know give them a call, maybe they will still have some.
Chris
ecohauler
New member
The Visual Garage shark fin is available through ISM but there will be a shipping delay this month due to painting. Normally they ship it (painted to match) within 10 days. I put mine on a couple days ago. It looks great, but the signal is garbage. Others have reported improved signal, but I know I installed mine correctly so I'm not sure what the deal is. I'm fine with it because I only listen to the radio very occasionally, but if you're an audiophile who actually listens to FM radio frequently you probably won't be a happy camper.
From their site:
May 31 - Last day to place orders with regular shipping schedule and to recieve your shark fin within our 10 day lead time.
June 1 to June 30 - Orders accepted, but expect delayed shipping schedule until mid to late July, you will be notified when the shipment is sent.
1st Week of July - Regular ordering resumes but any backlog of order will be placed first to Visual Garage.
http://www.ismautowerkz.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=66
From their site:
May 31 - Last day to place orders with regular shipping schedule and to recieve your shark fin within our 10 day lead time.
June 1 to June 30 - Orders accepted, but expect delayed shipping schedule until mid to late July, you will be notified when the shipment is sent.
1st Week of July - Regular ordering resumes but any backlog of order will be placed first to Visual Garage.
http://www.ismautowerkz.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=66
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BKamp613
New member
Very strange. Mine works just fine. I inspected/tested mine before I stuck it to the car. Plus there's a good number of folks that have them (as well as for other GM models) and yours is the first I've heard of having issues.
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Swordsmith
242hp/252 ft-lbs BNR EFI
So here's the basic story on the octane.
The 1.4T engine is set up for and runs best on 93 octane. However, in a fit of brilliance, someone figured out that the only thing preventing it from running on lower octane fuels is a tendancy to knock. So they wired up a knock sensor to the ECU, and built it with the capability to retard timing, triggered by knock. Every time it senses knock, it retards the timing a little, until it stops knocking.
With retarded timing comes, of course, fewer "explosions" per second, which means less available power and slightly choppier sound and feel.
If you run flat out, floored, "wide open throttle" then you'll find there's more power on a higher octane. If you, like most people, really never give it that much pedal, then you'll never know the difference, you will just have to push down a little harder to get the same response as someone else running a higher octane.
You can get a tune from Trifecta, and presumably from others, that doesn't do this check, and that will get slightly more power from a higher octane fuel, at the cost of inability to run lower octanes well. But Trifecta's normal tunes preserve the "run whatever you want" variability of the stock tune... and of course deliver much more power out of any octane fuel. My tuned Sonic running 87 will beat the crap out of your untuned Sonic running 93.
There have been wildly differing reports on whether and how much running higher octane affects MPG. The best case scenario would be that higher octane improves mpg by so much that it more than makes up for the higher cost. Worst case scenario is that you get exactly the same mpg regardless of octane, which would mean unless you really want all possible power, it's much cheaper to run 87. The truth likely lies in between the two... sadly, this is complicated and getting good clear test results is difficult.
As for your shark fin question, yes it does look better.... I only say that because I got one though.
The 1.4T engine is set up for and runs best on 93 octane. However, in a fit of brilliance, someone figured out that the only thing preventing it from running on lower octane fuels is a tendancy to knock. So they wired up a knock sensor to the ECU, and built it with the capability to retard timing, triggered by knock. Every time it senses knock, it retards the timing a little, until it stops knocking.
With retarded timing comes, of course, fewer "explosions" per second, which means less available power and slightly choppier sound and feel.
If you run flat out, floored, "wide open throttle" then you'll find there's more power on a higher octane. If you, like most people, really never give it that much pedal, then you'll never know the difference, you will just have to push down a little harder to get the same response as someone else running a higher octane.
You can get a tune from Trifecta, and presumably from others, that doesn't do this check, and that will get slightly more power from a higher octane fuel, at the cost of inability to run lower octanes well. But Trifecta's normal tunes preserve the "run whatever you want" variability of the stock tune... and of course deliver much more power out of any octane fuel. My tuned Sonic running 87 will beat the crap out of your untuned Sonic running 93.
There have been wildly differing reports on whether and how much running higher octane affects MPG. The best case scenario would be that higher octane improves mpg by so much that it more than makes up for the higher cost. Worst case scenario is that you get exactly the same mpg regardless of octane, which would mean unless you really want all possible power, it's much cheaper to run 87. The truth likely lies in between the two... sadly, this is complicated and getting good clear test results is difficult.
As for your shark fin question, yes it does look better.... I only say that because I got one though.
Macehammer
New member
Installed my shark fin yesterday.
I can get XM on the new antenna in my garage.
The signal is fine. If your installation is correct, then you must have got a junk antenna.
I can get XM on the new antenna in my garage.
The signal is fine. If your installation is correct, then you must have got a junk antenna.
fallingforever
New member
can you post photos here?
where did you bought it?
Macehammer
New member
I bought mine from badnewsracing.net.
I cannot post pictures, I am away from car for a week.
There must be other photos floating around here, though. Color match was spot on, and install us super simple.
I cannot post pictures, I am away from car for a week.
There must be other photos floating around here, though. Color match was spot on, and install us super simple.
fallingforever
New member
im installed this shark fin, but didnt like it
now looking for different ones
now looking for different ones
ecohauler
New member
I checked it out again today after I said that, and it seems to be fine now. I installed and tested it at my parents' house, which is kind of out in the boonies, and I couldn't seem to pick up anything with a good sound. I think the nearest station I was trying to pick up was about 40-50 miles away. I thought it was because I was in the garage, but it still sounded bad when I rolled it out. Stock antenna on the Sonic and other vehicles can usually get at least some of the stations to sound good. So, I'm going to go with it's not so good for picking up weaker signals, i.e. at the upper range limit, but it does sound good when the station is reasonably close.
But it looks soooo much better than stock. Even if reception isn't quite as good, I'm still happy with it.
ecohauler
New member
im installed this shark fin, but didnt like it
now looking for different ones
The one from ISM looks a lot better than that. It goes over the stock antenna base, so it's kind of big for a shark fin, but it looks right on the car. The base seals with a black foam-backed adhesive, and it looks like it's molded to fit our cars exactly. I took pictures during the install. I can post them tomorrow night if I remember to pick up my camera while I'm out there for Father's Day.
BKamp613
New member
PapaSmurf805
Member
I've had mine for almost a year now. Great look and no noticeable change in reception. BNR's is from Visual Garage if I recall correctly.
I was thinking of buying a car cover made especially for the Sonic. The problem is that I would have to remove the antenna whip each time I put the cover on. The Shark is a better option because of its low profile, but l am not sure if there would still be problems with the cover fit and wear and tear?
I would hate to get worse reception after an antenna switch. I am about 45-miles North of Chicago. I frequently listen to a variety of stations and reception is poor when moving away from the city.
I would hate to get worse reception after an antenna switch. I am about 45-miles North of Chicago. I frequently listen to a variety of stations and reception is poor when moving away from the city.
BKamp613
New member
Visual Garage (the company that makes the antennas) is currently closed, so you'll have to wait about a couple weeks/month before you can order.
laborsmith
New member
I had the Shark Fin on my first Sonic and had no problems with radio reception. I also got the XTREMEPRO car cover and it has a pocket which allows it to fit over the Shark Fin. I only put the cover on a couple of times because I never figured out how to put it on by myself.
I suspect you are right to be concerned about the regular antenna.
Laborsmith
I suspect you are right to be concerned about the regular antenna.
Laborsmith