Turbo "Kit" questions

[MPFab]

Let's say some of you were interested in turbo upgrade for your Sonic. Would you want a simple "this will work" kind of kit (log manifold, very basic design) or a more advanced "no compromises" kind of kit(tubular header, merge collector, external wastegate)? Obviously one is cheaper than the other and one will make more power, more efficiently.
I'm not sure that this will be something MPFab offers, but input from you guys would be appreciated.

 

[RoXXXanne13]

hmmm well I would like to boost my 1.8 but still have it be decent for a DD for the time being.. like 6-8lbs maybe? no more than 12 but I really don't know much at all about boost. then of course there will be the guys who just use the sonic as their toy, and they will just want the "go big or go home" kit hahahaha my sonic will be that someday down the road

 

[Scot]

Wait - an upgrade for a 1.4T - or for the 1.8L? Vince hace me dreaming! lol

 

[cndctrdj]

1.4 or 1.8

 

[sonic24740]

I would like to see a tubular header.. and more advance system... I would be interested... because..race car...

 

[MPFab]

Sorry, 1.4L. I'm not offering any 1.8 stuff currently. I do a lot of high end stuff here at the shop, so my preference would be a tubular header with a low angle merge collector that accepts either T2 or T3 turbos. I'm a big advocate of twin scroll set ups so potentially T3 twin scroll manifold with external wg. This would not be a cheap option. The kit would have oil lines, water lines, down pipe,inlet pipe, manifold, wastegate, and turbo.
It may be more than what the typical Sonic owner would want to spend. I'm just trying to gauge where, if any, the interest lies in developing more power for the 1.4L.

 

[Scot]

Hmmn....
Very tempting. I'll have to think on this - I like twin scroll configurations, but I don't see where we could truly benefit from this setup without some internal modifications - if not just valve springs.

From the hip, I'd guess I "think" it would be worth $1500, since a generic T3 / WG seems to run in the $1K range. That said, I bet my guess comes up fairly short. Your exhaust manifolds are works of art!

 

[MPFab]

Hmmn....
Very tempting. I'll have to think on this - I like twin scroll configurations, but I don't see where we could truly benefit from this setup without some internal modifications - if not just valve springs.

From the hip, I'd guess I "think" it would be worth $1500, since a generic T3 / WG seems to run in the $1K range. That said, I bet my guess comes up fairly short. Your exhaust manifolds are works of art!

Are you saying $1,500 for the whole kit?

 

[turbo]

I would prefer a simple "plug and play" style turbo upgrade that doesn't require extensive tuning or modification and is reasonably affordable.

 

[Scot]

Are you saying $1,500 for the whole kit?

Yeah, I know, right?

I was just looking at some of the newer BB twin-scroll turbos and nearly shat myself. :sadbanana:

 

[Beastlick]

I would prefer a simple "plug and play" style turbo upgrade that doesn't require extensive tuning or modification and is reasonably affordable.

Same here, especially if you'd want to sell more than a handful. The less expensive route while still adding power and not needing to be a mechanic would be my choice.

 

[Amoral]

Its kinda hard to say what I would prefer without knowing the price difference. I'm guessing $3,000-$5,000 for the twin scroll?

If that's the case I would lean toward the "this will will work" kit.

...but if I won the lotto....

 

[SONIC1.4]

An in between kit nothing above $2000 plug and play, maaybe a little extra work. But not TOO much

 

[MPFab]

You guys saw the list of parts that would be needed to swap a different turbo on the Sonic, right?? Haha! Parts alone would be $1500-$2000. Factor in labor cost to produce it and $2K or under isn't gonna happen. The only differences in the two options I listed was log vs. a tubular header, and possibly internal vs. external wastegate . Roughly $1,200 difference. $3K-$4.5 would most likely be what it would cost depending on options. I appreciate the feed back. Please keep it coming. This may be an easier decision than I expected

 

[Swordsmith]

I've probably put as much cash into upgrading my Sonic as almost everyone here... but you're talking well over my per item limit. I would think there would be more interest in a turbo for the 1.8, rather than an upgraded turbo for the 1.4, anyway.

 

[Italianjoe1]

This market and these cars, you won't recoup your design time money. There's just not enough people in these cars looking for that level of performance. The few that are, will pay the premium for a custom kit when the time comes.

 

[MPFab]

People spend thousands of dollars putting turbos on Civics...just sayin'....

 

[Italianjoe1]

People spend thousands of dollars putting turbos on Civics...just sayin'....

Yes, but those are civics. These are Sonics

That market is one of a kind. How many Civic kits are there, versus say Corolla? Why? Results? Demand? Gains vs. cost?

There is a very small slice of the sonic market looking for high-quality and expensive parts, and it's a small market in general.

On Z forums, these guys think if you haven't spent $3k on exhaust (no headers) then you bought cheap stuff. And it doesn't even gain power. But a larger majority of the owners of those cars are enthusiast compared to commuters, so the market supports it. 10k+ turbo kits are considered normal, on a 30K car. Most owners have them as a play car though.

 

[johny_540]

I wouldn't be opposed to sepnding 4-5k on a turbo kit for my sonic. If the performance gain are there then why not dip a little further into your pocket? But im new to tuning and all so who knows...

 

[SONIC1.4]

I'd prefer a lower price obviously, but I'd buy the turbo kit no matter what.