My Mod Journey (2019 GTS)

[Monarch_GTS]

I'm going to give this a try.... if no one wants to see this here, or if this is against the forum rules, just let me know. The moderators can also let me know and I/they can take it down...

I thought it might be fun to document my Mod Journey here, like an online journal. The kicker is that I will take suggestions, ideas, comments, opinions and critiques into account on what mods I do, custom work I do, parts I buy and who I buy them from. Vendors on this site are welcome to chime in as well. You can also follow along on my IG @Monarch_GTS

So here goes....

Purchased just 3 weeks ago, the 'canvas' for my art is a virgin 2019 Kia Stinger GTS AWD with only 8,118 miles on it. Three days after the purchase (cyber Monday) I ordered the following parts to get me started:

HKS Plugs
BurgerTuning EWG control harnesses
(I already have the JB4 +Bluetooth from my 14' K5)
ADD W1 dual catch cans
Injen Intakes
Carbon Fiber engine cover
Carbon Fiber strut braces
AccessoRides integrated remote start
Seibon TS Carbon Fiber Hood
HKS SQV 'Black' edition twin BOV's
LIT Ram Air Snorkles

 

[Monarch_GTS]

Some Mods are already done:

JB4 is installed with both O2 sensor sub harnesses and both EWG control harnesses. HKS spark plugs are in as well.

I’m looking for suggestions on routing the wires differently; keep in mind, I’m still under factory (and an extended) warranty so I need to be able to extract the JB4 relatively quickly, so hiding everything isn't an option. I also need something better for the O2 taps as well...

I have an iPad mini to run the JB4 (and my music library) on a temporary cup holder mount; until I can figure out how to bypass the CarPlay restriction that is embedded into the code for the JB4 app and get it up on the cars Infotainment screen. The guys at BMS cannot deploy a version of the app with CarPlay enabled or risk having the app taken down from both the Android and Apple stores' sites (yes, I've seen the updated legislation on vehicle data apps as well, and I HOPE, just like you all do, this will change soon). Technology, software and app development are part of my 9-5 career, but to alter the code in the app as a "one off" I would need the source code and BMS is not going to give that to me. I've seen a few examples where some folks have figured it out with a jailbroken phone, and a thing, and a thing, and another thing to make it happen, but its super buggy and I'm not doing that... plus I'm an apple user and jailbreaking is not as simple with apple products.

There are "Black boxes", "Magic Boxes" and whole slew of Chinese gizmos you can get online that "Claim" to make this happen, but a closer inspection of the reviews finds that's not the case. Do not confuse "Wireless CarPlay w/ Netflix, Amazon Prime and more" as a way to get ALL/ANY apps on your phone up on the screen. Its just not that simple. I've researched what gamers do to get gaming system up there, but I'm not installing an XBox in my car (I did that back in the mid 2000's on my SRT4, but i'm not a kid anymore). I’m looking for suggestions from anyone who has had any form of success doing this. I did find this: The "MMb MAX AI Box 3.0 Mulltimedia CarPlay Adapter" that supports full mirroring of your device onto the infotainment screen, and several reviews said yes, all apps are up there. I emailed the company and they confirmed it supports full mirroring of your device and if the infotainment screen is touch screen, it should work just like your phone. I MAY order that (it's $300) and give it a try, unless I get a better suggestion from a forum member.

 

[Monarch_GTS]

The Injen Intakes are in:

As you all already know, they don't offer the Federation Orange color for the intakes out of the box, and the GTS has no chrome (just the trim strips over the doors in gun metal and some polishing on the wheels) so I didn't want the polished intakes either. I ordered the black crinkle finish thinking I would just do an all black engine bay (like factory would be).

However, when I saw them in person, I instantly knew they needed to be orange. So, I had the paint mixed at an O’Reilly’s store (which even with the paint code was not easy to find the data on) and over the course of 4 days, I sprayed tri-stage primer, paint and 4k clear over the intakes. I was not 100% sure how the paint w/clear coat would look over the texture of the tubes… but honestly, I could not be happier about how well they came out!

I also sprayed the rings for the ADD W1 catch cans to match (they also don't offer orange).

The digitized carbon fiber engine cover is also on.

I also did a carbon fiber wrap job on the silver aluminum strut tower braces for temporary (the site that sells the real carbon fiber ones is out of stock ATM)

 

[Thomby]

Looks like a great project so far. I would offer two things to consider:

- Try driving around with the ipad running JB4, or even your phone, before you do a ton of investment and hacking to get it on your car's screen. After initially keeping it up all the time to get familiar, play with the gauges, and check logs as I worked my way up through the maps, I mostly stopped having it up except for the occasional check of something specific. You don't need it for logs if you keep the throttle-activated setting on, and the windshield wiper hijack will let you disable or switch between maps without the UI.

- Take a few long hard looks at the lines of your Stinger before you swap in the carbon fiber hood. I've never seen any car look good with one, always has that Pep Boys-accessorized feel.

 

[Monarch_GTS]

Thanks for the input; I will consider that.

Tell me more about the windshield wiper hijack…

Got the catch cans on and the AccessorRides remote start installed. (Super easy; works beautifully) and the HKS SQV Dual Black Edition BOV’s are also installed (no pics yet; i have a lil’ surprise planned with those…)

 

[Hawk853]

I'm going to give this a try.... if no one wants to see this here, or if this is against the forum rules, just let me know. The moderators can also let me know and I/they can take it down...

I thought it might be fun to document my Mod Journey here, like an online journal. The kicker is that I will take suggestions, ideas, comments, opinions and critiques into account on what mods I do, custom work I do, parts I buy and who I buy them from. Vendors on this site are welcome to chime in as well. You can also follow along on my IG @Monarch_GTS

So here goes....

Purchased just 3 weeks ago, the 'canvas' for my art is a virgin 2019 Kia Stinger GTS AWD with only 8,118 miles on it. Three days after the purchase (cyber Monday) I ordered the following parts to get me started:

HKS Plugs
BurgerTuning EWG control harnesses
(I already have the JB4 +Bluetooth from my 14' K5)
ADD W1 dual catch cans
Injen Intakes
Carbon Fiber engine cover
Carbon Fiber strut braces
AccessoRides integrated remote start
Seibon TS Carbon Fiber Hood
HKS SQV 'Black' edition twin BOV's
LIT Ram Air Snorkles

View attachment 83738View attachment 83739

I never installed my EWG pigtails since I read guys were having issues from permanent adaptive values in the ECU that later made tunes and backend flashes problematic. I wasn’t running the extra mods that made the EWG wires necessary anyway.

 

[Monarch_GTS]

I never installed my EWG pigtails since I read guys were having issues from permanent adaptive values in the ECU that later made tunes and backend flashes problematic. I wasn’t running the extra mods that made the EWG wires necessary anyway.

Tell me more….


In the mean time…

I enjoy taking the time to do the little things well…. Because the details matter.

 

[Monarch_GTS]

Yesssss, it is possible!

 

[Monarch_GTS]

Dyno Day!

I wanted to start with a baseline, so the only power add-on i have right now is the Injen Intakes and the JB4. Below are the results. I did a map 4 pull and it made more boost, but -5 hp vs map 3 because it pulled timing due to me running just 93 pump gas.

Now that i have my baseline, im going to analyze my data logs and build a custom map, over the next few weeks the exhaust from @KSRperformance will go on and we will go back on the dyno to see the results.

Map 0 (Stock)

Map 1

Map 2

Map 3

Map 3 pic

 

[robdabomb]

When you get the ksr exhaust on please take a video of a pull been trying to find a good exhaust for so long.

 

[djerickd]

nice project!!

 

[Monarch_GTS]

When you get the ksr exhaust on please take a video of a pull been trying to find a good exhaust for so long.

Yes, that's the plan! lots of pics and an install video as well as sound clips

 

[Monarch_GTS]

nice project!!

Thank you.

I've have been a bit stalled by the holidays, cold weather and getting sick, but i should be able to get more done pretty soon.

 

[djerickd]

had mine for 4 years and its still brings a smile to my face

 

[Monarch_GTS]

Sorry I haven't posted here in a while; I'v been posting my progress on Instagram @Monarch_GTS

 

[djerickd]

wow nice mods!

 

[BC00]

Hi Monarch,

Please share your experience about Seibon TS hood and water. Any problems with air filters or JB4 due to water getting in engine bay?

 

[Monarch_GTS]

Water does get in when it rains or you go to the car wash, but it does not hurt the car in any way. All the wiring, connectors and electronics under the hood are designed to be weather resistant. As long as everything is in good shape under your hood, you can even pressure wash it out, and that should not cause you any issues. I psi wash out my engine bays on all my cars/trucks regularly.

That "don't get anything wet under your hood" thinking is for older cars that have cap & rotor ignition.