What's the latest on this?

Anyone get one recently? Anyone who's had theres for a while gotten any recent updates?

 

do some searches...literally tons of info out there

 

I know about the tons of info, I was hoping to get more recent info and from our active board participants.

Also in my searches I found that the ones that are out there, are getting updated regularly for improvements and troubleshooting.

Basically I'm looking for a gauge if it's good enough and problem-less as possible and if I should go ahead and get it or if there is more time to go before most people are satisfied.

thanks

 

If you are looking for a basic tune for a near stock or stock Z then you are safe to get it. If you have more wild mods then you may want to wait. Or you could help them progress by letting them do some tuning on it so they can get better.

 

Hey FLy By, aren't you do for an ECU upgrade? The ECU will realize the full potential of all your mods right?

 

I was in the "wait for additional tuning" mode and now it seems as I should stay there.

I am expecting to get more wild mods over the next 6 months, looking to the evo throttle body, changing the intake manifold, completing exhaust upgrade path, and then of course take the biggest step with Turbo or Supercharger and doing something about the differential.

I've got a great lead going on the greddy kit and install. I just need to get both parties to commit and I'll have twin turbo installed around 5k

The supercharger seems like the smoothest way to go, but lacking the kick, and a couple guys even told me "the supercharger is great, but it gets boring" That's what pushed me into the turbo.

 

Yes but I am getting an HKS Ignition, XERD Headers put on Feb 6th and shortly thereafter a Kinetix plenum will go on. Then some JWT cams a little later, then the tune. I will most likely get a tune to remove the two limiters sometime this week if possible then go back for the timing and AF tune after the cams go in. There is still a chance I will wait in the cams for a while and do something else as the cams are pretty expensive for the return. Oh yeah and throw in a TB in there somewhere too.

 

Why would it get boring? What makes the Turbo better?

 

What kind of hp numbers are you expecting after the tune (assuming you waited till the end)?

 

Shooting for at least 280 at the wheels. A couple of the parts I am planning on haven't been very dyno tested yet. One of them hasn't even rolled off the production line. My number is pretty much a guess. Seeing the difficulty and cost associated with going FI, I may just cheap out and become another nitrous punk. It's cheap, it's power, it's on demand and it will be our secret.

 

So far 4 flashes. We are working on the ECU for the Plenum, Headers, Cats package. I saw 3-7 hp throughout the RPM range with the last flash. The timing is still off from where we want it (up top). Unless something changes over our next few flashes, the new 7100 RPM redline is worthless. You would be better off shifting at 6500! Still trying on our side though!

 

I had the very question initially, however the people I have been speaking with are way over my head technically on these matters.

Sure I understand the concepts behind pro/super charging and turbo. They seem to be in agreement the turbo is a quicker kick, with a quicker acceleration curve vs. the super charger.

So basically yes the supercharger produces more power, however it takes it longer to deliver it as it is borrowing energy from the engine to get there.

The turbo is using both the "free" incoming air as well as taking advantage of the exhaust, so it's more efficient.

So in my more common driving scenarios, I will be able to get more power, quicker for when I get a rare opportunity to play. Now some of us get more chances for that than others for longer periods of time. In that case a supercharger may make more sense.


Again, I AM NOT AN EXPERT and DO NOT have an extensive understanding of any of this. There is also this "pro" charger which varies somewhat and I'm actually looking into that right now myself.

There is a ton of info out there about turbos and superchargers, and at the end of all of it they all say the same. RESULTS WILL VARY.

So with all the science behind it all, there is no single answer to the question. You have to wait for reality to set it and you get what you get.

It's times like these that I miss my American muscle discussions, don't forget guys, this is my first import (although I'm getting a lot flack about calling it an import from the heavies) that I own.

I have driven and borrowed just about everything out there from crx-ferrari. My love for the Z started in 1990, had a 300Z Twin Turbo in 92 for about 6 months on exchange with a friend in 1992 that was great. The 300zx Twin Turbo has got to be the best car bang for buck and overall experience. Look what people have done with that car.

I wanted to buy one in 1995, didn't have the money. Then they quit making them, and I wasn't going to pay top billing for a several year old car although new, so thank god, came 2003, and I got a 350z DB, Track, W/Leather and everything else expect NAV... Pretty much the only one in that configuration in the western states for the best part of 2003.

oooops, gotta go to work.

 

The "Procharger" is the name of ATI's supercharger. It's just a supercharger, not some new or different product. Don't confuse yourself. Each setup has their own ads and disads. Turbos are more expensive, complex systems and generate more heat under the hood. Superchargers are less expensive simpler, easier to maintain systems. Turbos are more effiecient. Turbos have more potential for power. Both will make enough power to blow your motor up. Unless you want to make ridiculous amounts of HP (over 700-800) I would recommend a supercharger, personally. Our motor seems to be good to about 450 whp or so with a perfect tune at the extreme maximum without needing stronger internals. ATI, Vortech, Greddy, etc. will all generate much more than that if you want them to. You need to define your goals (to yourself) for your car and mod accordingly.

 

"Turbos have more potential for power. Both will make enough power to blow your motor up. Unless you want to make ridiculous amounts of HP (over 700-800) I would recommend a supercharger, personally. Our motor seems to be good to about 450 whp or so with a perfect tune at the extreme maximum without needing stronger internals.''

FLY BY Z: Very well said! I agree 100%

 

This was good info. I was leaning towards the supercharger myself, because it is something I understand and find much more reliable due to it's setup. So yea I agree with all of that.

No I am not looking for 700-800, yes I also know any of the above will blow a motor... that's why I was waiting and researching vs. buying and installing.

I've only seen one supercharger out there that is a daily driver, and not some race or show car.

With my previous cars, it'd be a simple single choice, but since my transition over to the import community, I'm not sure what to expect.

Any chance anyone can do anything with the "boring" statements I've gotten from the pro turbo side of world about supercharger?

I guess I'd like more zip/kick, and if that's what the turbo does then I'd go that way. If the delay on the supercharger and over the acceleration curve isn't much less than turbo, then I'd go turbo.

All I know is that I need more than what I'm getting, and even if I throw on all the intake & exhaust goodies , I'm looking at tacking on 20-40HP. So from stock 287, rwhp is what 235/240? So with all the goodies I end up at 270/310 rwhp?

I've been driving 350/400HP RWHP cars, although the ones I own, weigh much more than an import, the kick is there. I'm starting to miss that from the Z. Not complaining, just noting it.

Driving the exotics, is no comparison either so I just need more real experience from imports and turbo.

Anyone got one they can let me play with?

 

Alpine:
Fly By Z gave a fine summary.

Superchargers are not slower to respond than turbos, they are faster to give the power. That is because they are on the belt connected to the crank. Thiscauses a loss of overall power because of the parasitic demand of the unit, but it is RIGHTNOW when you want it. A turbo has to spool up before the forced induction starts to kick in, so there is a lag..but then when it comes on it comes on strong. They are both loads of fun.

The turbo is quieter at normal operating demands, and more fuel efficient as well.

If you go FI, think about installing a safety device, like the J&S Ultra Safeguard unit. It has ignition retard and boost control if the engine starts to experience pre-ignition, which can save your engine just in case, notwithstanding your best efforts, something goes too lean on A/F or boost goes too high.

And no, there is not a chance in the universe that somebody is likely to let you mess with their car. I hardly let anyone ride in it, let alone get behind the wheel.

 

Good information.


This isn't as hard as you might think, I just don't know anyone yet with these types of cars. I think if I can get people to let me drive 100-500K vehicles, I'm sure I can someone to let me drive their 40K car with 10K upgrades.

 

If you lived in NC I'd probably not have a problem letting you drive mine with me in the car. I've let folks from this forum drive the car and they're way more scared than I am. Which is good

--Steve

 

That's cool, thanks for mentionting that.

Like I said, it's not a big deal to let someone drive your car, obviously it helps to have some credentials, and it's not as if you're going down to the track to break world speed record or evil knievel your way into the guinness book of world records!

Besides the fact that I also carry the maximum insurance possible, which goes with me in any car I drive, anywhere in the US, and several other countries I'm never worried.

I'm trying to see if I can get into an Apex sponsored 350z right now, hopefully the car isn't over booked and they've got a little free time on their hands and I'll get a few rounds in it.

I'll let you know...

 

Hey sorry I'm a nooB, if u don't flash ECM will it really mess up your engine in the long run if you have some mods? that's what it says on the technosquare site, or are they just trying to trick me into driving all the way to LA to get this done?