spratocaster

iTrader: (1)

Do you ever feel like there are way too many choices out there. I am currently struggling with what to do about getting some more power under the hood. I am looking to build a car for club sport/daily driving (in the summer) but I am really unable to make up my mind what to do. Since my goal is to race the car weekends and drive it during the week, I am not so much concerned about peak horsepower gains. I am looking for a balanced car with usable power for the track and not necissarily a white knuckled sideways quarter mile. I have been reading a lot of good information on this site about a lot of the options out there, but I'm just not sure. Here is what I was thinking, and what my goals are. Any feedback would be appreciated.

OPTION 1: STAY NA
- All bolt-ons (intake, cat-back, hf cats, headers, plenum, etc...)
- Fuel System Upgrade
- 3.9 FD with clutch type LSD
- Build the motor for 13:1 compression
- Balance and blue print
- Engine Managment (UTEC)
- Aggressive Cams
- Upgrade the Valve Train
- Clutch and flywheel upgrade

I have to say that I like this option, though I have seen that a lot of people that go down this road regret it. I know it is expensive, and will probably only yeild around 300whp. I seem to think that at this level of build, reliability is similar to FI. Though it has the advantages of being very responsive and well balanced for the track.


OPTION 2: VORTECH SC
- All bolt-ons (intake, cat-back, hf cats, headers, plenum, etc...)
- Fuel System Upgrade
- Keep Stock gears but add LSD
- Engine Managment (UTEC)
- Vortech Kit with Pulley Upgrade
- Clutch and flywheel upgrade

This option seems like the happy medium. It should result in good gains (380+whp) and still retain a decent amount of reliability. It is also the cheapest of the group. I am wondering how it is for the track or autox.


OPTION 3: JWT TT
- All bolt-ons (intake, cat-back, hf cats, headers, plenum, etc...)
- Fuel System Upgrade
- Gearing is a big question (3.5 or drop to 3.3) but definitely add LSD
- Engine Managment (UTEC)
- JWT TT Kit
- Build Motor for stronger botoom end and less compression
- Clutch and flywheel upgrade

This definitly has the most power, but is also the most expensive. I am concerned with turbo lag and balance on the track. I'm not really looking for throttle induced power slides. I would be looking at moderate boost levels for around 450whp. Is it worth the expense for only moderate boost?

davidv

iTrader: (2)

What mods do you have to date?

Gman2004

iTrader: (8)

If you can afford option 3 then go for it. I had the vortech and it wasn't the happy medium for me. I had it uninstalled and went TT after only 3 weeks as a Vortech owner. TT gets my vote. 450whp from a TT has a lot different feeling from 400whp from a s/c so yes it is worth the expense IMO.

spratocaster

iTrader: (1)

Currently the only mods I have are wheels and tires. I plan to update the suspesion and breaking shortly. That leaves engine. I don't want to do any upgrades that I'll have to take off later, so once I have a plan I would like to stick with it.

spratocaster

iTrader: (1)

How woul dyou describe the difference in feel between your SC and TT? Also, do you track the car? If so, do you find the lag a problem? I am worried that a sudden rush of torque in a corner, may mess with the balance of the car.

Gman2004

iTrader: (8)

The feeling is night and day. I am not saying the vortech was a slouch, but it was just to linear for my taste. Also all the power was made in the higher rpms as compared to TT's make power and tq down low.

I don't track my car, but a lot of the guys that track are going with the JWT because of the insanely quick spool time. Lag is non-existent with any of the TT kits, especially the JWT.

Gman2004

iTrader: (8)

what don't you start a thread to solicit vortech owners and TT owners in your area for a ride in their cars? If I would have gotten a ride in a TT Z/G I would have never bought my vortech.