Kia Sorento

1565759616279

Comments

  • mnsorentomnsorento Member Posts: 8
    In the July Issue of Motor Trend, The 0-60 times for a Kia Sorento was listed at 10.2 seconds?? I had to get out a "stopwatch" and take a couple launches to see for myself! Sorry Motor Trend, 0-60 on two consecutives time trials show 7.3 & 7.1 respectively !) My nieghbors 5.3 Tahoe & 5.9 Durango don't hold a candle to the mighty Sorento!

    GO SORENTO !!!!
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    lok888...from what I understand, the altimeter is a "realative" altimeter. Meaning it can only show the realative altitude of your truck based on where it was zero'd out. You would have to go to see level and reset it to 0. And then never ever zero out the thing again.

    mnsorento...Ummm....I hate to say this. But your Sorento will never see 0-60 in 7.1 seconds. Without the proper timing instruments, your time of 7.1 seconds is only a very very vague approximation of your real time. Plus, you are in a very biased position to click the ole' stop. Think about it this way...if you are using a hand held stop watch, you are either gaining or losing about a quarter to half a second at vehicle launch. Then, when 60mph is reached, you again are either losing or gaining the same amount. At this point you are a half to a full second either plus or minus a true 0-60 time. In your case, its a lose of a second. Most magazines I have read have recorded a 0-60 time in 8.3 seconds to 9.1 seconds.

    I will admit, the Motor Trends instrumented test time seems a little slow. But so many conditions play into that recording at well.

    But then again. Maybe you are timing a 0-60 KMh?
  • mnsorentomnsorento Member Posts: 8
    With a K & N filter/High flow 3" catback system with custom Dual Exhaust& my computer reprogrammed by "Motorvation".....You bet it runs 0-60MPH in the 7 second Range. By the way, no sacrifice in mileage seen ! 245 HP on the Dynotester....(A bit of an incease form the stock 192 HP !)
    Yes it was $890.00 to give me the upgraded goodies, but well worth it !

    PS. Couldn't do the 7.1 W/O the limited slip rear !!!!
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    Ummm...why didn't you mention those upgrades before? Duh...of course its going to be faster than what MotorTrend recorded. Or did they have the same upgrades on their Sorento as well?

    Can I see your Dynotester data sheet on your Dyno test? I would love to do the upgrades you have done, but have been waiting for someone to go through the process you have. What is the torque rating your getting? And I am assuming the horsepower rating is at the flywheel?

    Who did you go thru to get your dual exhaust? And you must have had to retrofit your K&N filter/flow system? Or has K&N finally come out with a system for the Sorento?

    Thanks for any input you can give.
  • mnsorentomnsorento Member Posts: 8
    Using verbage with Ummmm & Duh in it could qualify you for some free hooked on phonics english classes. As for my Sorento, the Torque Rating is at 279ft lbs of torque! I am running P255/70/16 Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo's for traction! My Dual exhaust was done by a local shop called the "Wonderful Muffler Man". (Who did a great Job! I had him weld 3 1/2 " oval Tips to finish it off). As for the K & N..... I just have the filter as of now, NOT THE WHOLE SYSTEM. K & N will have one available for our trucks in Dec. ??? I was told.
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    Well, Im not here for bragging rights, but it certainly sounds like you have a great setup there.

    Sorry if I sound a bit skeptical of the horsepower and torque increases by just adding an exhaust system, intake and chip modifications. But if you are really getting this kind of output from your modified engine...I think thats great. And something I am going to look into for sure.

    Does the chip modifier have a website?
  • jjwolfjjwolf Member Posts: 11
    Anyone research what the invoice is for an 04 EX or any of the options?

    Im in the market to purchase a Sorento in North Carolina by Christmas. Im thinking of paying for that Consumer Reports New Car Svc that will tell you the price to target. Anyone use this service?
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    jjwolf - I found Kelley Blue Book has invoice info for '04 Sorento. Last time I checked Edmunds and no invoice info. Same thing with the used car info for '03 model on Edmunds. I checked my car's value from KBB.
  • paramedicoparamedico Member Posts: 8
    Been lurking for a while, but just had to comment. If this chap is truly getting 52 horsepower for 900 dollars I'm in. Would love for you to post some data sets to qualify your numbers. If this is true we've all got a serious rough diamond under our hoods.
  • sleongsleong Member Posts: 15
    Hell Yes, I'm all for the upgrades! Lack of HP is the piece of the puzzle holding me back from purchasing a Sorento at this time. By all means post a more specific description of what you had done ie; model type and PN of K&N air cleaner, to what extent you had the chip reprogrammed and from what demark did you have the dual exhaust system installed. It's pretty amazing that just those three simple improvements gained you 52HP. I know a header type exhaust system could give a 5-10% increase, but dang 25% total!!! You may have just found the perfect upgrade combination. I'd like to see those data sheets and some pics of your ride, especially the exhaust system. If I could get the kind of increase you did, I may just go out and get a Sorento now rather than wait and see what 2005 brings!
  • ivan4741ivan4741 Member Posts: 24
    I just hope the engines lowerend can take the extra hp.
  • netcamnetcam Member Posts: 30
    I too would be interested in getting a bit more detail as to what mnsorento has done too. I've been thinking a chip mod to the Kia 3.5 V6 would give the most gain. I always think of the Nissan Murano when compairing increased hp with the Sorento. At 245 hp from it's 3.5 V6 and fuel efficiency still a full 26% better than the Sorento by gov. ratings, something can surely be done by Kia or through aftermarket tweeks. This performance difference cannot come from the cvt trans and ~250lb lower curb weight of the Murano alone.

    For what it's worth, my only 'upgrade' is the K&N stock replacement air filter (PN# 33-2271). Matched to the stock intake/chip/exhaust, I see absolutely no change in fuel economy or feel any real added power gain off the line from it, over the OEM Kia filter. On average to date, my fuel economy has been a bit better (5%) than the tested city/hwy ratings since day one, but that is dependant on driving habits, and the truck is still pretty new.
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    Many States - New York being one of them - expressly PROHIBIT changing your exhaust system to a non-factory set-up. That means NO duals if it was not available from the manufacturer....

    Looked into duals for my Olds, but because of the laws, I can't do it.

    All I can say is, check with your local vehicle laws before altering your vehicle.

    Would the other mods (chip programming, etc) possibly void your warranty?

    Deke
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    ....suddenly mnsorento has fallen of the face of the earth in regards to the questions being asked here.

    Oh well, he's not the first one to come here and start spewing facts about horsepower upgrades and mods with no real proof. But hey, I'm openminded. Trust me, if mnsorento can prove to me he is getting that kind of horsepower and torque increases from a $900.00 investment. I'll do it tomorrow!
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    FYI. There will be a chip/code inside the key for '04 Amanti which arrives in December.
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    ...well, I personally think Kia should have spent more time making the Amanti look good than taking the time figuring out how to make the car impossible to steal.

    Oh well.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    I'm gonna want to take a good, long gander at the front grille in wide-eyed amazement. That is one impressive front grille. A used Amanti is a consideration because they depreciate quickly and one of those for around $16,000 with, say, 20,000 miles on it would be a fantastic bargain. Have you read up on all of the features this entry-lux Kia has? It's packed with all kinds of luxury and safety features. Anybody bought the taillight lenses from Kia for your Sorento yet? The Sorento brochure I saw at the Springfield, MO dealership had a few pictures of these with silver accents on the taillights and it looked like they just snap-on install, easy to do.

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • netcamnetcam Member Posts: 30
    Are the Amanti's coming out this month?
    IMO, the front grille is almost too big ... it looks like a gaping mouth from the pics I've seen of the front end. From other pics though, it will have another well designed interior layout as in the Sorento.
    I do like the chrome accents for the Sorento taillights and the eyeliners for the headlights, will get them if they become available in Canada.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    I think Kia already spent time making the Amanti looks good. I have heard people saying this looks like a mini Jaguar or Benz E class. The Kia website said the release date will be December. I will go to the New England Auto Show this week. I hope to see one there. Kia is not only made the Amanti look good and they also put Infinity sound system, dual climate control, stability control, memory seats & mirrors.

    netcam - The chrome taillight accents is from Kia. The eyeliners, custom grill and few more KDM OEM accessories can be found on teamfalconracing.com and tomatoanp.co.kr
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    bluewind's link there about Amanti. Read the press release-the Amanti's grille actually started looking good to me(for the first time!)when I compared and contrasted it to the whole Amanti. Read some or all of the material including the part about active restraint. This will be one VERY safe luxury car and one that would be good in silver, too, IMHO.
        Yeah, if I drove a Sorento I'd get the chrome taillight addition from Kia. They look great! Kia is on one fast track to greatness(I'm not being sarcastic either-some people seem to be having trouble with discerning truth or sarcasm these days, know what I mean? I think they really are shooting to the top!!!). =:)

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • mnsorentomnsorento Member Posts: 8
    (By the way IVYGRNSORENTO, Facts , Figures,Data sheets are out there... Try using a little imagination and upgrade your Sorento yourself)

    ** You can have dual exhaust on a Sorento legally in all of the United states** It has to be from the Catalytic converter back however. I had my exhaust Y piped from the "cat-back" with 3 " exhaust then Oval-tipped out the back.

    Sorento Takes friends Murano to the country roads and beats it to 90mph... NOT BY MUCH !

    Acura MDX is next....
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    ...Its not that I lack imagination about the upgrades to my Sorento. Your the one that has the experience here. Not many of us that contribute to this forum have modified our Sorento as you have...well, at least to this extent. Sure, I'm skeptical, but that doesn't mean I don't want to know more. I've already done all the homework. And based on my homework/research, I can't achieve those results you have based on the money you spent. Thats all. But trust me, if you can do this...I just want to know more. I would love to have a more powerful Sorento...I live in Colorado, so my horsepower is already hampered because of the altitude.

    So....did you go with the "Street" chip or the "Strip" chip?
    Did you install the aftermarket retard box as recommended?
    Also....when I called about the chip you mentioned. They told me that they don't reprogram your chip, they sell you a new one. What did you pay for this?

    Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
  • sleongsleong Member Posts: 15
    Hey mnsorento... this bulletin board is to share information that would better aid other Sorento owners in their quest for a better performing vehicle. Having that said, since you evidently have found what sounds like the perfect combination in upgrades, we all would like to know in detail what it is you had done. I don't think anyone is questioning the reality of what you have achieved, but rather inquiring how you achieved it in detail so we too can have a high performing Sorento as you. Speaking for myself, I may not be as mechanical or have the resources as youself when it comes to knowledge of performance parts and all the know how, but I would like to share in the family of Sorentos that "kicks [non-permissible content removed]" on the competitors. Any assistance you may offer would be much appreciated. If you prefer not to post this information on this site, feel free to email me at kiasorento2004@yahoo.com
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Isn't the A/C automatically turn on when I have the vent setting at FLOOR/WINDSHIELD or WINDSHIELD? I feel cool air even temparture set at 70s and hear some noise like the A/C compressor is kicking. Also, I do see huge amount of water dripping when the engine is shut off with no use of the A/C. I guess the A/C was working when I have that particular vent setting. Will ask my service manager this week.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Why is everyone so hung up on how the AC/Climate control system works??? Just curious.

    -mike
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    lok888, you sometimes bring up some interesting subjects here that get discussed to the ninth degree. But I'm with paisan here. Who cares? Does your Climate control system work? Or not? What does the owners manual say about the settings you are using? And what do you mean by a "huge amount of wanter dripping"? Like a gallon of water? A cup of water? How much is huge? If its a huge amount of water, then yes, I would be concerned...very concerned. What does your Kia service department say? Do they have any advice? Suggestions?

    I don't have the automatic climate control system in my Sorento. Just the basic round knobs to turn on and off the system whenever I want. Simple. When its hot out...I turn on the AC. When its cold out, I turn on the heater (which, by the way, kicks some serious [non-permissible content removed]!). What else do you need a Climate Control to do?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The subie guys are hung up on this stuff too!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Check out the Lexus RX discussions sometimes - talk about re-engineering the A/C!

    Steve, Host
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Unfortunately, I am not an engineer or mechanic. I thought it would be a right place to ask. I think this is the reason why we are here. But you guys just shut me up and discourage others to raise questions. I have more questions for you SMART guys.

    ivygrnsorento and paisan - What makes you think this is a ninth grade question? Does your 12 year old know the answer? Is that mean anyone with a high school diploma know how the HVAC system work?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's a general article for starters:

    Air Conditioning

    This post relates to mold and doesn't specifically address your question either, but I think you'll find it interesting:

    wwest "Mazda Tribute/ Ford Escape problems" Aug 8, 2002 12:55pm

    Steve, Host
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Thanks for the links. I think we need wwest here.
  • dekesterdekester Member Posts: 322
    IIRC, all late model cars come with the defrost setting that engages the A/C; this is to remove the moisture that's causing the fogging. It was a feature in Asian cars at first and now available on all cars - my 98 Olds does not have this feature which means I have to MANUALLY turn the A/C on to clear up the windshield quicker.

    If you have ANY defrost setting selected AND the fan running, the A/C compressor engages. I think this will answer your problem with water dripping.

    I believe this was mentioned before.

    Deke
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    As dekester mentioned, most autos and trucks have a defrost/vent system that turns on the the A/C to help clear up the glass. In our Sorento with either the manual and auto temp control the A/C is off when the vent or just heat is on but the rest of the times the A/C will turn on especially when in some defrost mode is shown as in the defrost and heat mode. If you pick the heat and vent ( bi directional ) the vent air will be cooler than the heat air. I am going in tomorrow for regular maintenance and a oil change and will check on if there is anything about the rear end thumping and if there has been any TSB added on the Sorento, maybe check the 04's and see if there is any difference between the 04 and 03
      
    lok888, I believe you mis-understood ivrygrnsorento I think he means that many of the questions are discussed close to the exteme not meaning that your questions are of a ninth grader. You just keep asking the questions and if anyone can help someone will pipe in with a response. Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question.
  • dbgindydbgindy Member Posts: 351
    I took ivygrn's comment the same as Hugo. I think what was being said was that you ask questions at times that get to the nth degree. I don't believe you were being mocked or belittled ( maybe kidded a little but that was about it:-).
    Hugo is again right. This forum is to ask questions so feel free to keep offering them up.

    Duncan
  • ivygrnsorentoivygrnsorento Member Posts: 119
    lok888, I appologize if my remarks were taken as you have. I'm not belittleing you at all.

    I guess what I was trying to say is this. These Forums are a great resource of information for anybody that is interested in learning more about others vehicles or their own. And I know that you know this. Thats why you are here. But sometimes people post questions that can be taken many different ways. The more technical a question is, the more confusion tends to be the outcome. What seems to occure in these forums is a 'snowball' effect. When somebody reads that u have an unexplained "huge" amount of water under your Sorento after you drive it...people suddenly will associate any water under their vehicle as suspect...or a problem. And we have seen this happen on many occasions. I just read these posts that sorta flow in after a question or an issue was addressed, and role my eyes. Most of them have a simple answer...but I think this forum isn't "always" the best platform to address very technical questions as you have. And exagerated terms such as "huge" and other terms you use can cause more confusion and anxiety than to help and educate.

    Thats all I'm saying.
  • hciaffahciaffa Member Posts: 454
    for some service and oil change. I usually do my own, but because we have extended warranty and they give free oil change with filter and gasket I can't pass it up. I checked out several 04's and the only defference I saw and what a salesman said were that the interior such as the light biege with dark biege is now biege with gray. Lok888 you have the biege interior what is yours like. The gray is now gray and a much lighter gray that mine is. The other difference is the price up a whopping 2500 to 3000 dollars more than what I paid last year at this time.
    Service manager still says has no reports from Kia on the thumping sound though another customer
    has complained about it. Kia step bars were on display. Aluminum with black powder coat finish. Nice, but the price was 385.00 not installed. Westin is to come out with a set for the Sorento shortly.
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    Mine is beige & stone beige (exterior) with light beige (interior). It looks like tan to me. I wasn't so sure the color combination that you described. It sound two tone leather interior. Price is up for the past 10 months including the options and dest. charge. But it is still lower than other competitors. Competitors? I am still looking for others with similar equipments and price range yet.

    My service manager quoted $400 installed for the Kia side step bars. I will see if I can have it done between $350 to $380. Just learned the invoice is about $250. They had one display a while ago. I also saw one at the New England Auto Show two weeks ago. It really makes an easy access to the car. I am not too crazy about those non-Kia chrome side steps. The Kia is made of aluminum, means no rust.

    One more thing. Did you notice a rattle (very little) on both front window deflectors from WeatherTech? Especially when the front windows are open. I believe that because there is no tape for the front set and when.
  • netcamnetcam Member Posts: 30
    They didn't increase by much in Canada.
    Base price is $150 cheaper for the LX manual over the '03 LX automatic, all other models up by $750 - $850 ($Can).
  • paramedicoparamedico Member Posts: 8
    I've got $900.00 burning a hole in my pocket and have done a sufficient amount of research that I'm willing to call your bluff. I’ve talked to several Kia tech's. about the information you've provided and I won't quote them but let's say more than a few brows were raised and several polysyllabic expletives were stated about your truthfulness, but I dare digress. If you have indeed done this, than please share. However to propose such a modification without appropriate data to back it, will raise speculation. You said that you've placed your Sorento on a dyno. to quantify the appropriate horsepower increase. Even if you don't have a scanner you could provide us the information to validate your claim. So here's my challenge to you, provide valid researchable information to your claim, or consider yourself just another anonymous loud mouth that professes to the "100 mile per gallon carburetor". Please don't respond discrediting my opinion or my lack of information. I can assure you that I am qualified to raise such conjecture and to challenge your claim. Anything less than valid quantifiable data places you in a position of a purveyor of untruths for the future.
  • sleongsleong Member Posts: 15
    Anyone have any info on the Load Leveler Option? I've read that it this option automatically controls the vehicle's height to give increased stability and maneuverability. In my experience with suspensions, ride stiffness would be the result of such a feature. Does anyone have this option and if so, have you compared a Sorento without the option - feedback much appreciated.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Let's maintain a civil and respectable tone.

    Thanks.

    tidester, host
  • lok888lok888 Member Posts: 1,788
    sleong - First, I didn't want this option but my dealer only had few fully loaded EXs back in December. They added this option at invoice price. There is no button to push and there is no words on the vehicle about this. The different is the rear struts. Make sure you mention this to you service people when you get some service or repair for the struts.

    Well, I don't see any different with this option. I think this is good for towing and with heavy loads. I recently carried some gravel stones (about 200 lbs) from Home Depot and some small furnitures from stores without any problem. For my opinion, it is good when you have a boat to tow. Otherwise, I will spend that money on ABS or a pair of side step bars.
  • PlacemanPlaceman Member Posts: 44
    I had the same question once (I believe on this forum) and someone gave me this explanation...quite well, I must add:
    ------------------------------------

    The system is rather elegant from an engineering point of view, but no salesman could ever explain it properly. I looked into it when I used to work as an engineer for Toyota.
     
    The system consists of rear shock absorbers made by Sachs, a Germany company. They call them Nivomats. They are used extensively in Europe, where headlight aiming rules are strictly enforced, no matter what the load in a car. They are used stateside on the rear of Tahoes, Suburbans, and Chrysler minivans.
     
    These have hydraulic chambers that are SELF PRESSURIZING, which is why you have heard no compressor noise - there isn't one. There are no lines or anything outside the shocks. It's all done internally. The really neat part is these absorbers act as shock absorbers AND as supplemental rear springs. The rear coil springs on your Sorento are no doubt softer than Sorentos without leveling, because your rear shocks are also behaving as springs, and variable rate springs at that. To get the total rear spring rate on your car you combine the coil spring rate with the Nivomat spring rate.
     
    The shocks have a couple of ports on an internal shaft. When you load the vehicle and it sags below the lowest port, a circuit is opened that directs hydraulic fluid into a chamber. How does the fluid enter the chamber? By the pumping action created by suspension movement as you drive. It takes a half mile, perhaps more if the road is very smooth. It keeps pumping until it gets to the upper port on that internal shaft.
     
    So your car may look low when you first add weight, but after driving a while it will pump up to normal height. The spring rate of the shock increases in proportion to how much fluid pressure is needed to bring the car back up to level, which is to say, the rear spring rate increases as rear axle weight increases. When you park a loaded vehicle, it will hold pressure for 24 hrs or more. Start driving and it pumps back up again. If you unload, the pumped up shock may extend ABOVE the upper port, causing pressure to be released from the chamber until the car settles down below the upper port. This takes a minute or so, so it may look a little high in the rear when you first unload.
     
    All in all, it is very slick! Self-contained, no outside parts, circuits, or wiring to need maintanance, transparent operation.
     
    The only downside is you have to keep using these shocks. If one ever needs replacing, you have to make sure that a Sachs Nivomat made for a Sorento (correct size and port locations) is put on. And that means going to the dealer. And don't assume that the dealer service guy will know the difference himself. Make sure you point it out. If anyone ever puts regular rear shocks on, then you no longer have the spring rate that the Nivomat provides (and it does provide quite a bit, even when the car is empty), so the rear suspension would be WAY too soft.
  • sleongsleong Member Posts: 15
    Placeman - Thanks for the detailed description. The information you provided is quite informative & interesting, however based on the brochures description of the feature, I don't see any corrolation as to how it would improve maneuverability. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting maneuverability as handling (body roll) since I don't see how this feature would help prevent it. From the description, the feature simply adjusts height level in ratio to weight. A friend of mine just purchased a 2004 EX and though it handles well without the option, if the option provided flatter cornering I thought it might be worth the price. Thanks for the info -
  • rctennis3811rctennis3811 Member Posts: 1,031
    why does the Sorento have poor gas mileage??
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Cause they are a TRUCK v. Car-based which is what a lot of so-called SUVs are these days.

    -mike
  • nymphetaminenymphetamine Member Posts: 54
    First Consumer Reports, now the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

    "The 2003 Kia Sorento sustained the most damage, with an average of $1,646 per test."

    http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20031128_449.html
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    yup cause it's a TRUCK, no 5mph bumpers. Now would you rather ram another car with a steel frame or a 5mph bumper?

    -mike
  • nymphetaminenymphetamine Member Posts: 54
    paisan - have any Crash Safety Test data to back up your opinion? :-)

    For the 5mph test, the data is in: Kia is the worst of the worst. Unless you enjoy paying $1,646 for a minor fender bender!

    "The manufacturers of these SUVs try to create a rough-and-tough image for them, but their bumpers are flimsy," said Adrian Lund, the institute's chief operating officer. And Kia is the flimsiest.
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