Turbo Upgrade Kit Plans?

[theenico]

So are there any plans for DDM to make a turbo upgrade kit for the 1.4T Sonics?

I am thinking of something along the lines of the GT2871 upgrade you have done for the LNF 2.0T in the Solstice/Sky.

I would imagine that something even just slightly larger (GT2554R?) and possibly some higher capacity fuel injectors, could put these cars over the 200whp mark pretty easily.

 

[SSpeckerwood]

I doubt the transmissions what hold up to that HP

 

[theenico]

I am going to assume that the twin charged DDM Atom is still using the F40 series trans. If the F40 will hold in that application, then I'm pretty confident that the Sonics M32 will handle quite a bit as well.

The F40s will also handle V8 torque. Just ask the Fiero guys.

 

[Preloader]

The trans prolly doesn't want to see much more tq, but it has room for more hp, which is exactly why a bigger turbo is needed to see hp climb at revs above 4000. I talked to Dave the other day and was told that he is heading in this direction after he gets a couple more bolt-on upgrades finished. I don't want to steal his thunder, so I'll let him tell you what those are when he is ready.

 

[theenico]

Sweet. I will wait eagerly and patiently.

 

[Bogus]

what about a turbo for the 1.8...

 

[Preloader]

It looks like us 1.4T guys are going to have all the fun in the sun first. But once the 1.8 gets it's turn, you'll have it made in the shade and will have us jealous. I just don't have that kind of patience. Even though it will pay off more in the long run. On the brightside you will have plenty of time to save up the $$$ that it will require.

 

[Bogus]

It looks like us 1.4T guys are going to have all the fun in the sun first. But once the 1.8 gets it's turn, you'll have it made in the shade and will have us jealous. I just don't have that kind of patience. Even though it will pay off more in the long run. On the brightside you will have plenty of time to save up the $$$ that it will require.

If I had a LT or LTZ I would have no problem waiting it out. But I have the LS which has little options so I'll most likely be upgrading to the RS when it comes out.

 

[Dave@ddmworks]

We have taken a look at the turbo on the car stock and it is going to be very expensive to machine the stock header/turbine housing to accept a larger turbo center cartridge like we do with the 2871 on the 2.0L LNF engines. On those cars the turbine housing is separate from the the exhaust manifold and much easier to machine. We have a couple other options we have planned once we get done with some more bolt on upgrades.

 

[theenico]

I was wondering if having the manifold as part of the turbine housing might complicate things. Given the quality of your other products, I'm sure you will figure out a proper solution.

Thanks for the update.

 

[Machine]

I sent the turbo that DDM has now. I have some limited machine experience, and I can tell you that modding that mani/turbine housing combo will be extremely difficult. The wastegate on our car is comparitivly huge to the turbine outlet. This is likely due to the very small AR, to improve low end responce. There is almost no material that can be removed to add an enlarged turbine. Check out my thread in the 1.4 forum "got a blown turbo" for pix on what im talking about.

 

[CoHPhasor]

You'd have to make a new cast manifold.
I'm actually intrigued by that because the design of that housing is terrible.
Putting in a larger turbine will see hp gains, but separating the wastegate gate from the turbine will allow for better response.
When the wastegate opens between shifts, or because the turbo is making more boost than the max allowed, the wastegate opens and causes turbulence around the turbine.

Turbulence is bad, wasteful, and limits max potential.
Splitting the two is a classic exhaust/turbo upgrade but this design doesn't allow for that.
That being said, a new cast manifold could still benefit in MPG the way the current one does but add in some efficiency and allow for a bigger turbo.

 

[Graham]

Just gonna cost... Bullseye performance makes wicked forged compressors that outperform the brand new billet Garrett gtx series with a journal bearing turbo. I've got a 66/71/14 on my cummins that spools like stock and has made well over 850rwhp & 1480ftlbs tq at rear wheels... It spos like stock yet NEVER runs out of steam up to over 900hp at the flywheel. I want that for my sonic, bottom end and top end.. They make drop in compressors for many cars and trucks but not the sonics yet, maybe we can clear the 200 mark with a drop in compressor?.. We'd just have to show some manufacturers how popular these cars are becoming

 

[Graham]

It made that power on a d max.. Same turbo. My truck is only 650 on the street tune.