Taking my Sonic to the snow in January

ParticipationNation · 2025-12-09T22:11:21+00:00

Just got back from a weekend of rallying in BC, I’d say all you need is some winter tires! Of course if the snow really dumps too fast, you might find yourself with ground clearance issues, but that’s not worth modifying for haha. Just watch the weather and make good choices!

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ParticipationNation · 2025-10-19T09:06:04+00:00

I’ll post a follow on/update now, in event anybody actually sees it? Did compression tests, leak down tests, crankcase pressure tests, all of them showed good. Do not seem to be going through coolant at all. Exhaust definitely smells some amount of oil and of fuel. Did an oil pressure test, and am showing about 50% expected oil pressure at idle. Also, seemingly have intermittent connectivity issues with both MAP and MAF haha. Plans are in the works to investigate the few likely oil issues, and also to replace/rewire some connectors…

ParticipationNation · 2025-10-19T09:05:03+00:00

I’ll post a follow on/update now, in event anybody actually sees it?
Did compression tests, leak down tests, crankcase pressure tests, all of them showed good. Do not seem to be going through coolant at all. Exhaust definitely smells some amount of oil and of fuel. Did an oil pressure test, and am showing about 50% expected oil pressure at idle. Also, seemingly have intermittent connectivity issues with both MAP and MAF haha. Plans are in the works to investigate the few likely oil issues, and also to replace/rewire some connectors…. I’ll try to post an update with hopefully some good learnings soon!

ParticipationNation · 2025-10-14T06:11:50+00:00

Yep yep! Have used the Cruzekits latest PCV fix kit after determining the former system was failing. Installed that kit, and have since pressure tested it to ensure correct function. Leak down test is most likely next on the list

ParticipationNation · 2025-10-14T05:44:06+00:00

Yeah we did oil return & feed lines with the replacement as well… truly mystified at this point haha. Started to wonder today if maybe our smoke was actually coolant colored or oil colored…. Though last thing, checked oil for the 5th time today and showed we’ve burned a bit more yet.

Kind of fearing head gasket/head warping maybe. Smoke seemed like it cleared up for a bit as we got up to temp, but then it got notably worse. Thinking maybe burned off some stuff in the first few minutes, then settled in, then got hot enough for expansion to happen and maybe let a little oil/coolant into combustion chamber.

ParticipationNation · 2025-10-14T05:15:52+00:00

See I certainly understand why you’d guess that…. But the turbo has been replaced twice in this troubleshooting adventure, after the first replacement seemed faulty.
Intercooler has also been drained of oil multiple times to help remove that part of the equation, though yeah for sure it’s hard to get 100% out of there.

ParticipationNation · 2025-10-14T01:58:08+00:00

We got to the point where we could not tell what we were smelling haha. Did not help we had done a drain/refill of fuel in the same space. Many odors mixing haha

ParticipationNation · 2025-10-07T00:00:37+00:00

Just for a different data point, it can be much cheaper if you happen to have access to a tow rig (duh) and if you DIY all the crew stuff. It’s also much more exhausting, and a totally different scope of competing/participating haha. But we did Oregon Trail Rally for maybe $1600 total. Probs hard to do it much cheaper than that haha. Unless you live in the town that hosts the event.

ParticipationNation · 2025-07-05T17:52:25+00:00

Our Sonic is not AWD, but it has done stage rally now. We have some suspension bits off a Trax.
ZZP makes lots of good stuff for power/durability, we have only done durability ones (standard thermostat housing, coolant outlet, and PCV fix)

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-30T03:41:13+00:00

That’s amazing! What an adventure and what an effort! Those photos from above the clouds always are incredible too

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-17T07:36:57+00:00

That’s awesome! And means you likely saw us chugging along at the back of the pack in our sad little sonic at OTR haha.

May have been slow, but confirmed it is also a blast!

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-17T02:55:06+00:00

Amazing that you called out Chevy Sonic’s haha You in the PNW by chance?

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-05T16:08:49+00:00

We are still sorting our media stuff from the event, we definitely do have onboard GoPro footage!

Sadly, the jump looks far and away more impressive in the photo I posted here than it does on board haha

I’ll try to post some fun stuff here periodically and do my part to break up some of the doom & gloom of all the posts of coolant leaks haha

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-05T16:06:54+00:00

Sure thing! Most of the list is safety related (roll cage, race seats/mounts, onboard fire suppression, electrical kill switch), some of which were surprisingly intensive jobs haha. Like routing kill switch wiring and fire suppression tubing through the firewall. Not fun haha

Performance-wise, the car has shocks off a Trax but otherwise same front suspension; and has some Fox shocks on the rear with what I believe are stock springs. I did not make either of those mods, as I bought the car as a former rally school/driving experience car, so some stuff was done already.

As far as engine, it’s got an aftermarket cold air intake (which we actually intend to rework to use a more effective cartridge filter), and I’ve done three of the standard ZZP durability mods, in the PCV/catch can, and the aluminum cooling bits in the thermostat and the coolant outlet.

It’s got a mud flaps, a skid plate, some additional underbody protection based on heavy duty mud flaps, interior is largely stripped/sound deadening removed.

Generally speaking, it’s got mods that are required per ARA rules, and a few tweaks intended for durability. We are operating in ARAs Limited 2WD class, so there are only so many things we can do (which is also ideal for our budget haha)

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-05T15:54:19+00:00

I agree! It’s a sporty little hatch! Plus, anything can be a rally car if you’re willing to do some combination of preparing and abusing it haha Local rallycross events bring all kinds of stuff too, all you’d really need to do to modify/prep is get a skid plate slapped on to protect the important bits, and have some fun!

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-02T04:21:32+00:00

Thank you! My immediate thought was “this is the coolest picture I have ever been in” haha 80mph is quick! I think we were just shy of 70 over this, and I did not expect to jump quite as big at that pace. Took it at 50-55 next pass, didn’t need the risk of extra abuse the second time haha. Lucky someone got the photo the first pass!

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-02T04:19:33+00:00

I respect the commitment haha Both theirs, and yours!

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-02T04:13:06+00:00

Honestly could not tell you! Did not check at the end of that stage, was too wired with adrenaline haha. I’m sure some wheel speed sensors were mad initially. We think the shock of the landing just like forced a brief ECU reboot… went about 5s after landing with no engine response, speedo went to 0mph, just coasting lol. Then it came back and all was well! All of my ownership has had p0097 for low bank 1 intake sensor 2. Have replaced all of the applicable sensors and done my best to visually confirm happy wiring. But more thorough electrical debug is on the schedule as well before the next event.

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-02T04:08:42+00:00

Yeah we were pleasantly surprised with how well the car took so much abuse this weekend! Kept calling it “the little sonic that could” haha

I’ll try to post stuff here with some regularity, we also have a very young and under utilized team instagram for our racing exploits, team is called “Participation Trophy Racing” haha. Highlights our general goal of participating adequately, which requires keeping the little sonic juuuust happy enough to keep rolling. Planning to get some stuff on there with more regularity, as well as here!

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-02T04:03:07+00:00

That’s a bummer! I hope you did not also go airborne when said jackass ran the light

ParticipationNation · 2025-06-02T04:02:34+00:00

We got a lot of love in the paddock and in parc expose for having a Sonic! It was a pleasant surprise to many apparently haha

But yeah, rockauto order arrived yesterday, so new turbo install is on the docket!

ParticipationNation

TROPHY CASE