Questions about supporting mods
I've got a 2013 1.4l LTZ Automatic at just under 80,000 that I'm wanting to mod. I had a 2014 1.4l which had a bad head gasket that I had close to fully modded but I did not put enough care into supporting mods and general maintence as I should have and that was part of the reason I think the head gasket went bad beyond not my buddy not bleeding the coolant system after filling from empty.
On it currently is a K&N Cold Air, the ZZP Intercooler Upgrade + Larger throttle Body, BNR ported intake manifold with a PCV Bypass. I also have the following I would like to put on after I get it fully supported and safe to further mod. ZZP Aluminum Valve Cover (I know some like it some hate it), MSD Coil Pack, 52lb Injectors, Catless Down pipe, Mid pipe, 3 in cat back exhaust, and finally the BNR gts 250 turbo with a stock bypass valve and the forged wastegate.
I am currently tuning with BNR and am happy with them.
So far I am not super worried about my PCV system, I do have a vacuum leak but I believe it may be coming from the turbo area. I do worry about cooling so I am planning on getting the aluminum radiator and thermostat + the aluminum coolant outlet. I also would like to get nicer coolant hoses and have seen some people with nice colored ones and would like to know where to get those. I know ZZP has some but only for the radiator.
Is there anything that I am missing that I need to do/you all recommend I do? I like the Sonic and loved how my first one drove once it was fully modded but I would like to make mine last longer than the first did.
Posted May 13, 2026, 6:26 PM UTC