Im going with the reflash first and if the A:F is too off then Ill get a UTEC.

 

Talk to Sean about his issues doing the reflash. I'm telling you... Skip the flash and go UTEC.

 

IMHO skip the flash and skip the utec... both are a waste of money. If you do go through with either you will maybe see 5 hp gain; so I guess you can decide if it is worth the money for a measily 5hp that you won't be able to notice

 

He's on a budget and the HalTech & FCON are $2k EMS. The UTEC is a great entry piggy-back good up to around 500whp. Than its time to invest in the HalTech/FCon.

 

missed the part where he said he was going turbo... still stand behind my skip the relfash and utec statement though. Personally think the utec is overrated. It is overwhelmed even at 10 psi due to its limited resolution. Maybe my expectations are higher than some in terms of drivability. If you are going to go FI, there should be no budget. The moment you set a budget is the moment you are overbudget. Why not just commit to putting together a decent setup vs putting a setup together on a 'budget'. On a budget you end up running a POS TN kit controlled by a Utec

 

I am sure that the reflash will suffice me enough for the goal I have. If not I will save for UTEC and get it tuned but I am sure I can live off of a reflash for the month I save to get UTEC if the A:F is not good enough. It all depends on what my A:F looks like with the reflash..

 

You could pop the motor in a single run down the road let alone a month. I will say the utec is infinitely better than the reflash, but I wouldn't run either on my boosted car. Your "goal" means nothing in terms of using the flash. it isn't all about the AFRs. It is that you are using a factory EMS that was designed for a NA setup and expecting it to work in a boosted application. And under conditions where there is no boost control, I guess that doesn't matter because the EMS cannot not see boost. Foolish is what I call it.

I laugh when you say you will see what your AFRs look like and go from there... Game might be over by the time you see your AFRs being off

 

I completely agree its so much better to run a stand alone, but some people just don't have the money..

We can both go on and on about this, but you are too biased about the TN kit.

I just don't see my A:F ration being that off to the point that I blow my motor within a month. The success to failure ratio on a stock completely stock Z with the turbonetics and a reflash is a lot better than you think.

Chances are that I will be perfectly fine with the TN reflash, and if its not I will have them do it again until its right. Im not the guy to go throw an exhaust on my TN Z and throw the A:F off enough to make it run lean then wonder why I blew my motor. On top of that I don't ever track my Z, or bring it to the strip.

 

I personally wouldn't take the risk. Intake temps on the TN are known for being excessively high. Now you pair that with a sub par reflash and you are asking for trouble. It isn't all about the AFRs... I would think there should be concern about the timing control and potential detonation.

 

Ive done too much research on this. I am a little scared.. but man I want to go turbo so bad and its the only one within my budget.

Maybe I should just keep NA, and do some body work, I always wanted a sick body kit on my Z.. I could get that plus so much more... I am so confused.. must think about it for a while...

 

If you want turbo, go for it.

You'll most likely be fine with the stock reflash in the short term. Its not like most of them are blowing up. For the most part, they don't.

Typically, it takes time and a whole lot of beating.

And after saving up for a while, you can always upgrade to a UTEC for additional safety and performance.

There are no guarantees with any turbo system. If you want turbo, accept and embrace that elevated risk comes with the FI territory, and then go have some fun.

 

I say sit on the money till you can do the TN ST kit correctly; with at least the UTEC, if not the HalTech/FCON. The UTEC will be fine though. Many TT owner, including myself, are using the UTEC w/o any problems. I don't suggest doing the reflash than UTEC or other EMS. Sean had so many problems going that route. Talk to him more about it.

 

+1
Waiting to save $$$ for a UTEC is a good idea.

 

At the present moment right now i'm also stuck between what i plan on doing for more power and after about 6 months research i'm either going super charged or TT. The single TN kit just has way too many negative variables for me to put my stock motor at risk which is a shame because it is a more affordable kit and seems relatively easy to install even for the in -experienced.. The next affordable choice is a vortech supercharger. This caught my eye and ear when i saw in person. It didnt sound too bad as far as they annoying siren sound and had a nice blow off sound as well. Not much to complain about except that the oil pan has to be tapped.. Not a big deal but why tap it if there is another option.. Now on to the ATI pro charger which seems to have all the qualities of the vortech but i have yet to see or hear one in person. My mechanic buddies all seem to think the procharger is a little bit better of a unit because of the way it lubricates itself not needing to tap oil lines making the install a little easier while keeping heat temps down. And as for a turbo setup greddy all the way.. I just cringe at the thougt installing the TT setup then blowing my motor only to have to do it all over again..

my absolute only 2 choices:
1. supercharger (vortech or procharger)
2. greddy tt kit..
side question: how do real world guys like the procharger vs vortech?
Good luck either way!

 

Yup thats what I decided, I only have to wait a couple weeks more, maybe a month max. Nick at MAC did your tuning right Robert? I was quoted only 325 for a steady 11:1 A:F tune through boost for as many hours as it takes! I was thinking it would be alot more..

 

That sounds very low. Its good if its real, but make sure its not just tuned at WOT.

 

Ya I told them I wanted 11:1 from 1psi through WOT.

 

1) Smart move on waiting
2) Yes Nick tuned my Z. Nick will take care of you
3) I think that $325 is for 3 or 4 hrs. Careful cause Bill will sneak extra charges in there.

 

How long did they take to do your tuning.. and what are some of these special charges?

What was the total price for you? edit: if you don't mind answering.

Thanks for your help so far.

 

Honestly I don't remember how long it took. 2hrs maybe? It was midnight when we did mine. And it will be up there tomorrow for some finishing touches and maybe minor tuning.

Total Price for "my" complete build? Too much! LOL J/K My price was included in my install.