Elantra - Sonata sheet metal interchange?

[Macmatic]

Ok, I don't have an Elantra yet but I've been keeping an eye out for a "fixer" 01-03 Carbon Blue GT to wrench on as a hobby car.

My first question here is this:

Are 01-03 Elantras and Sonatas of the same or similar years built on the same chassis/subframe/unibody? I think a GT hatch with a Sonata front end would be 'mo bad ***!

I've tried to look at some images online to get and idea and they look similar but not the same under the hood, I can see the strut towers are different and where the fenders meet the A pillars would need some work too but I can't tell for sure about the rest. I guess I'll have to find on of each to measure on but I was looking for some info here.

I'm in my 30's and not really into 18in rims, a slammed suspension and wings and skirts all the way around but I think the Sonata front end and maybe a WRX style scoop would look good. That plus Eibach -1 springs and some Tokico or Bilstein struts , 16 or 17in rims and Tib brakes, a sway bar and then a rebuilt and modded NA engine is what I'm thinking about.

[Edit: Not that I have anything against those mods, just not my thing.]

So, thanks for any info on the Elantra/Sonata idea!

/\/\ac

[BobMs_wht2k2]

The Sonata's are a larger car and share no parts with any generation Elantra. The Elantra's shared platforms with the Tiburon's.

[Macmatic]

ok, thanks for the feedback!

[pjc6281]

I do like this grill for the sonata and would like to see it fited to the Elantra

http://www.kspec.com/list.php?ac_id=124&ai_id=1488

[CTele02]

Well you say you don't own an elantra yet and you're looking for a Racer more than a ricer correct? And you aren't looking to be too flashy, then have you considered the first generation elantras that share the same engine as the old mitsu mirage? They can be swapped with the interchangeable turboed version of the engine in the old eclipses. (this is the same engine block used in the current EVO lancers (but obviously updated with modern technology to my knowledge.))

A 01-06 elantra (BetaII engine) is pretty weak when it comes to N/A mods... if you're looking to stick with that exterior styling then you're better off with forced induction if you want more Go than show, at least thats what I got out of your post.

BTW forget elantra/sonata its impossible/not cost effective.

[Doohickie]

ack, pjc! Body colored grill? Are you trying to look like an Accent?

[Macmatic]

Well you say you don't own an elantra yet and you're looking for a Racer more than a ricer correct? And you aren't looking to be too flashy, then have you considered the first generation elantras that share the same engine as the old mitsu mirage? They can be swapped with the interchangeable turboed version of the engine in the old eclipses. (this is the same engine block used in the current EVO lancers (but obviously updated with modern technology to my knowledge.))

A 01-06 elantra (BetaII engine) is pretty weak when it comes to N/A mods... if you're looking to stick with that exterior styling then you're better off with forced induction if you want more Go than show, at least thats what I got out of your post.

BTW forget elantra/sonata its impossible/not cost effective.

Well I'm going to be posting to the wrong forum on my third post here but:

What I'm looking for is this, a nice looking car that handles better than my Turbo Brick (244TIC Volvo) and gets reasonable mileage...say 35mpg on the highway. I don't plan to race anyone so what matters is how the car feels for me and that its fun to drive. I want to be able to have fun on the back roads and cruise at 80-90mph all day.

So I want to find (idealy) an 01-03 Carbon Blue hatch with a beat engine and interior. I'd want to have the seats recovered anyway and rebuild the engine from the ground up so I'm looking for something a little "worked" but with good body, for cheap. Engine wise I want to balance eveything, get the OE flywheel lightend, port match everything and maybe do some mild porting, degree the cams and do the obvious/cheap upgrades to intake and exhaust.

Right now my 3000lb Volvo comes in at about 18.0lb/HP so I think an Elantra with some mild mods should be the same or better AND it'll have cup holders and AC.

ok..... to answer your question no, I hadn't thought about the earlier Elantras. I really fell for the 01-03 hatch..in fact I don't even really like the 04 and up version! The sedan is OK but I'm not goofy over it the way I am the hatch. Interesting to know about the engine options with those though!
I'd consider a turbo setup but I need to do more research into how they are on gas if you keep a light foot. My Volvo Turbo utility wagon gets 32 on the highway loaded down and with a (bare) roof rack!

On the Elantra Sonata thing...well it was an idea anyway. I'd been hoping for subframe similarities so I could get an hatch with light front end damage and piece together a Sonata front clip...do a little fabbing and have a unique ride. I mean whats a Sonata front clip going to cost, $500-800? Anyway the dream, she is dead. On to new ideas and the engine forums.

Thanks again!
/\/\ac

[CTele02]

Well you should check out my 01-03 elantra (XD) aftermarket listing.
http://importoverdose.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=27
XD by the way is the chassis code Hyundai gives to those years elantras.

XD: 2635lbs/135hp = 19.5lbs/hp and a stock quarter mile of about 16.3seconds

XD2: 2784lbs/138hp = 20.2lbs/hp

Curbweights and Crank Horsepowers

I've owned a 02 and now a 05 (both automatics) and when driving 55-60mph on the highway I averaged about 40mpg.

[Macmatic]

Wow!


Thanks for te link CTele02! And all the leg work you must have put into it!

I miss New Haven btw. I used to come down from Danbury all the time for BAR, the copper cricket and Mamouns.

/\/\ac

[CTele02]

Thanks, ya its about a year old now... the initial "phase" was hard, but now I only need to "update" it with a few things every month or so.

[SuperGLS]

Welcome to the site. The Sonata front end might be possible, but I believe the Sonata is a little bit wider, which wouldn't work to well, even if you could find a way to get the body panels on there. Like mentioned, probably not worth it.

(A fellow Mac user?)

[Macmatic]

Welcome to the site. The Sonata front end might be possible, but I believe the Sonata is a little bit wider, which wouldn't work to well, even if you could find a way to get the body panels on there. Like mentioned, probably not worth it.

(A fellow Mac user?)

/\/\ac from way back. The last 10 years anyway. Right now I've got an old PowerTower Pro clone with a G4/700 USB/FireWire and 32mb Ati vid card and a 1.33ghz Mini.

I was thinking some more about this Sonata front end thing last night and I'm going to have to find some cars to eyeball for myself. I'm wondering if it might not be as "simple" as some fabrication at the A pillars and some mounting point fabrication...then of course there would be the small job of sectioning everything right down the middle.. hood, grill and bumper facia.

I know, its crazy..but I'll have to look at the cars myself before I give up on the idea.

/\/\ac

[CTele02]

PLus not to mention horribly unsafe... your car will not be able to take accidents the way it was designed to...

[Macmatic]

PLus not to mention horribly unsafe... your car will not be able to take accidents the way it was designed to...

Where does the safety come into it? I assume the hood itself does little more than fold in a serious impact and the crush zones and impact absorbsion are in the inner fenders, fenders and front bumper. I'm guessing the engine is designed to shear off the mounts and go under the passenger compartment which wouldn't be effected.

A sectioned hood might be slightly weaker but might be stronger in the end along a quality lipped and double welded seam.

Given, I don't know Elantras or Hyundai's in particular but I do know cars in general pretty well....so, am I missing something, does the Elantra get its impact protection from something other than what I mentioned above?

Thanks,
/\/\ac

[st_anger5532]

i think this would be awsome if you did it. if you can get it to work. the only thing that would bother me is that the sonota is a bit wider. if you couldnt thin it out a bit you might have to kind of redo the cars look. maybe your own stock looking wide body kit. just to add some width to the elantra.

[Macmatic]

i think this would be awsome if you did it. if you can get it to work. the only thing that would bother me is that the sonota is a bit wider. if you couldnt thin it out a bit you might have to kind of redo the cars look. maybe your own stock looking wide body kit. just to add some width to the elantra.


I guess it all depends on where the width is. Are the fenders the same relative width from the mounting point out to the door line and wheel arch? If so then the difference would all be in the hood and bumper facia which could be reworked.

Having a 'wide body' front end would be a cool look but I don't think it would work, if it was possible, for the style I want to go with. Now if it was slammed down a couple of inches with a serious suspension and turbo setup..some 12in brakes and nice rims. That could be bad ***.

Hey, anyone make a free flowing exhaust for these without a "coffee can" tip? Again they are fine, just not my bag. When it comes to parts like that I'd rather have go than show....which was why I didn't put the 5.0 badges on the Volvo I stuffed a Mustang engine into. heh

/\/\ac