Hey guys, even with keeping to 400 RWHP I am still a bit jittery about leaving my motor unbuilt. I recently saw the rods of a VQ engine today at the shop and they just looked so damn frail in person and seem to be the most common weak link. I'm not trying to do a budget car by any means but I am not looking for more than 400ish HP, which seems to be the damn cusp. Arghhh, spend the extra 3-4ish grand (Prob more right?) to build the bottom end to stay at 400 RWHP or just get a great tune and not worry about it?

Side note, any header solutions yet? Most of the searches I've read say the headers avalible now aren't holding up to FI (Or aren't compatible at all)

~Josh

Oh yeah, the APS ST is here

 

Based on APS' track record I say just install the kit on you stock motor. If you got the money why not build a short block while you drive on your stock motor? That way you will be ready if anything happens. If nothings happens after 1 year or 2 then just sell the short block. BTW, just using SGP as a reference a built short block with piston and rods go for $3900.

 

u have the aps st in hand? or u mean that they have arrived in the states finally? as far as ur rebuild issue... really it is ur call? u can never go wrong with building the bottom end. meaning if u do, u could always re tune and go for more power without the chance of blowin. its always safer.. ur call bro. thanks
nexstage350

 

The APS was shipped from GRD on Thurs and is on track to be here today. A few of the units got to people on Friday and they started building over the weekend.

As for buying a short block, I guess I could call and look into it. But isn't the $3,900 the price to build up the short block? It doesn't include the actual engine, so I'd need to find a second engine so I'd have to factor in that cost. Not sure I want to throw out that much money if I might never need the standby engine. Problem is I don't want to retune and get more power. 400rwhp is already nuts in my book. I don't want to start pushing 500-550. Bleh when I go back to the shop I'll figure it out. Anyhow thanks for the feedback. I just hate that 400 seems to be that brink. Then again if 430 was the brink I'd be looking at getting to 430

~Josh

 

Short block built and installed is more like $6k.

Really, APS hasn't blown up a stock motor yet in almost a year with the TT kit, so I'm going to just run it. Maybe a year from now I'll do the short block.

 

If you don't have a core SGP will charge an extra $1000. They usually don't have cores though so you would probably have to source your own.

Good Luck with the install. I am sure you can't wait.

 

The advatanges of building up your engine before you blow it are:
1. You don't have to pay to have the turbo put on twice... I doubt this is really that big of a deal for them to do since they have to pull your engine out anyway to do the build up.
2. You can schedule the downtime
3. You get more power

Since #1 isn't that much money (relative), #2. may or may not happen and you don't want #3. If I was in your shoes I most likely would put it on stock internals and maybe just save some extra money just in case.

 

That depends on what you consider "blown up"...

Well, the kit should be entirely safe, regardless of how weak-looking those stock rods are. I thought one of the main reasons for going with the ST was power at a more affordable price. If you're going to be building the motor then you might as well have gone all out with the TT/small block, imo.

As long as you are running at stock boost levels with a good tune, the only thing I would worry about is the scavenging oil pump this kit requires.

 

I believe APS ST was designed for guys wanting to run safely on stock VQ motor. Also once you add mods like plenum, IM, Cams, you will need your unichip tuned, and I dont think there is a unichip tuner in your area, yet. The APS ST, is suppose to be already tuned out of box, so no tuning required for a stock Z or G.

 

In a few months here...all I'm planning on doing to run 11-12psi safely on the APS ST is :

Eagle Rods
8.5:1 pistons

This is less than 3k installed.....and it's really all you need to run the APS kit very safely up to 11 or 12 psi.

My goal is simply 450rwhp and around 450 lb/ft....

 

I wouldn't worry too much running it at 400whp.
Ive put 14000 beat down miles on mine and I'm making 440whp and 403trq.

Good luck

 

everyone always acts like it's JUST $3900 for the SGP block - and it is.....

but

first there's a $1000 core charge

you gotta expect to pay around $350 or so to ship it, then about $2000 to pull your engine, take it apart, put on the new block, put all the sensors and crap back on, and put the engine back in the car.
Then you gotta pay $350 or whatever to ship your stock block back

then you get your $1000 core charge back

so by the time all is said and done, it's not $3900, it's more like $6500ish - that ain't cheap is it?