Ok, everytime I think I have a handle on things, another set of opinions skews everything I thought I knew...

Based on what I'm reading in this thread, the complete Vortech kit will give me a safe 375whp with someone who can tune the SS box correctly? No ECU flash required, because it uses stock injectors?

Because I was shooting for safe 375whp on a daily driver and thought the tuner kit w/upgrades was the safer route to rougly the same whp?
-440cc injectors
-Fuel Return System
-Walbro pump
-UTEC... no ECU flash required

Or is this ^ overkill and a waste of $$$...

Zquicksilver

 

Like I said earlier...Dont spend a bunch of money you dont need to . You can always spend it later if you want more . IMPO
An ECU flash is up to you...to get rid of speed limit and raise rev limit..but not needed . If you raise the rev limit . You raise the risk factor a little also

 

Myself and other guy here in the UK have almost exactly same WHp at 350 with no tuning whatsoever.

The other guy's S/C was on Baptist's car before he went APS TT and has done many thousands of miles (20k) and was a daily driver. Mine is new (<1k miles). This gives a good indication of the kits longevity and consistent performance

Based on all I've read and I've read a bit, 25 WHp tuning increase is very achievable.

The additional mods are all good and would certainly improve the margin of safety but are nice-to-haves not essentials for reliable operation IMHO

[BTW Bill, your friend is back on motoring accusing you of having Alzeimer's!!]

 

Sorry for the highjack chimmike... we share similar concerns

Ok, so I guess I have to make up my mind on safety margins.

I don't mind spending an extra 1k on "better" components, if that allows me to run an ultra safe 375whp all day long for the next 150k You see, I would love to keep this Z for a long time... I mean a really long time! I don't want to just get 20-50k out of this FI setup and then B-O-O-M, because some stock part wears out like an injector or something else.

So I guess my plan is the tuner kit with roughly 3k in upgraded componets over the complete kit. Estimating... $5400 vs $6400
-440cc injectors_500
-Fuel Return System_1k
-Walbro pump_100
-UTEC_1k
-extra cost to install this stuff (maybe more?)_400

Let me know if anyone things I'm crazy for this decision? I'm just looking at it from a longevity standpoint.

Zquicksilver

 

Stock Vortech kit is very safe at 375. I have over 20k on my kit and the only problem is a couple of new belts and some oil blow-by in the intake which I installed a catch can to correct. I love my VORTECH!!!

 

I've got 12K on my Vortech with zero problems. Like you, I wanted a reliable daily driver that could kick some a$$. My G35's engine, exhaust and Vortech kit are bone stock. With a very slight tune of the SS box, the system makes 372 HP at redline. Rather than spend more bucks to create a little more HP at the risk of engine longevity, I threw some money into suspension/wheels/tires so I could get the full benefit of the added HP. Got NISMO wheels with big-a$$ Toyo tires, and added Stillen anti-sway bars. I can drive the car really hard without invoking VDC. What good would more power be if I couldn't safely use it?

 

I'm running the stock kit + JWT Cams+DC Headers+Nismo Cat Back.
429 WHP

I haven't put many miles on it, but it's been great. No probs, and am very happy.

 

[BTW Bill, your friend is back on motoring accusing you of having Alzeimer's!!]
Thats funny...some peoples kids !!!

Quicksilver
ANy time you put a SC or a turbo on a car that wasnt designed from it . You lower the life of that motor .

 

I know...

But I have an 86turboZ with 185k that still runs strong today, minus the exhaust leaks. The only major thing changed was the injectors, at Nissan's cost during their recall. So I would like to see 150-175k again. I think it's possible out of our VQ. I don't plan on running more than 7-8psi. Yea, I'll beat on it from time to time, but most miles will be cruising at avg speeds.

I guess I'm just trying to think ahead. Some have told me Vortech's components are so-so, so that doesn't put my mind at ease with a 30k car. I just don't want Vortech's FMU failing on me or my stock injectors to max out and fail because I'm running it to hard. I already have all the n/a air mods that would help achieve higher hp/tq numbers from the Vortech, so I should be in good shape there.

You guys have been helpful

Zquicksilver

 

The Mothers of invention and all that--Isay cool --Im learnin too. But I say this --the only way u can run a hot car is by learnin to turn a wrench. Read --go for it ! Dont pay others to create ur dreams --Buildin cars/engines--creating life into parts is what its all about . Ask questions and go slo. U have to become one with the machine.Love it

 

By the way Booger ---Superchargers on line VERY COOL Thanx!!!!!

 

By the way --Im going down to a Helecopter builder tomorrow to mess with some 100 Octane and was told they have a cool additive for oil they use to slick things up and eliminate pourous surfaces. Figured Id mess with it and see --also they use Mobile One Syn. More to follow

 

Yea, sometimes you have to just do it...

I've installed everything so far on the car, except the tint... LOL! I've basically messaged the n/a engine to give me what I want, but now I want more and have hit a wall. I don't have a facility to wrench things anymore, so anything major it's going to a shop. I do analyze things to death . But if it saves me time and money in the end, I win

Zquicksilver

 

We have a big special on the kits right now - Special ends 1/19/06 as all orders ne4ed to be to Vortech by them. One of our demo cars is running the cortech and it is a ton of fun.

 

Chimmike,
Don't pay more that $4250 for the complete kit with ss box.
I like in Spring hill if you would like to see my Vortech Set up.
Tim

 

Tim, That'd be very cool.

Also, based on that price, where do you suggest I shop? lol. Most I've found are closer to 4800!

 

Bulletproof in CA

 

That would be me. It's running very nicely, with a Kinetix SSV, hi-flow cats, colder plugs, and a JWT oil spacer. Most aftermarket mods suggested to me were there to ease the stress on the system of the 'charger, not to push it further. Very happy with it.

 

I installed the kit myself last summer. I reccomend that you should try to install it yourself, because you can really learn alot about how the kit works and you will know what to look for when something goes wrong. I was 19 and had never installed anything besides intakes, suspension mods, and stereos before then. Just take your time.

I'm running the stock vortech kit with the stock pulley, FMU, and SS box w/ an HKS HI-Power exhaust. The car is running great and feels very strong. I've noticed the stock SS box tune is very rich b/c my exhaust tips are REALLY black w/ carbon deposits, so I am in need of a tune for some extra power. (I'm still looking for someone in Miami, who I can trust to tune it with the 3.12 pulley).

The only complaint I have about the kit is the rattling/clunking noise it makes sometimes at rpms below 700. I plan on having my idle raised to remedy this.
BTW I've only had to tighten my stock vortech supplied belts once since installing the kit.

 

Can someone give me some impressions on performance and what kind of total I would be looking at for a Vortech kit shipped? How does it feel going through the gears...is the performance night and day from stock?

Also, with the HKS exhaust...is the sound overpowered by the Vortech? Thanks, thats the exact setup which I want. Anyone using aftermarket BOV with this or a larger intercooler?

Ravi