I get to see the STS kits on our dyno also, had two here this week already, and there is NO way I would EVER put one on my own car or sell one to a customer. I agree completely with MIAPLAYA. Plus the fact that someone could swipe the turbo/turbos off the car in a matter of seconds.

 

Ive had similer questions about this but hey its working on some pretty $$$ domestics who cares if they build it and it proves well run the damn thing i still am skeptical but hey who cares inovation!!!

 

If we can take our drift car on the street and have no issues with bottoming out and damaging parts I don't think the Z will have a problem. This car made impressive numbers on a stock bottom end and 9psi and made 426hp not bad at all for a stock 4.6 bottom end.

 

cant wait to see what it looks like and how are they going to fix alot of the problems people are saying but most of all if it does work out ok what will the price be its going to have to be low or people are going to be like might as well get T-netics or aps so if around 2500-3500 any more and you might as well save for a t-netics or aps.

 

Maybe this kit will lower the cost of other turbo systems and create a big happy environment for us budget guys.

 

Translation:

I cant wait to see what it looks like. And how are they going to fix a lot of the problems people are saying? But most of all if it does work out ok what will the price be? It's going to have to be low or people are going to be like "might as well get T-netics or aps so if around 2500-3500" Any more and you might as well save for a t-netics or aps.

 

thanks carrlie rdstr Z for the translation for they rest of the world that cant read what i just wrote. LOL where are you from by the way i would love to pull you over and write you a ticket with a nice long run-on sentence. j/k

 

There's a lot of room in the back of the 350Z underneath, so setup on a kit like this shouldn't be hard. But i would look into custom building some sort of air box to protect the air filter, if you mount it back in the back with the turbo. I've read a lot of good things about this kind of setup on truck applications, as well as some hondas.

 

I would imagine the filter getting dirty quick. I heard good things though from LS1 guys. I do like the simple install and built in IC. I wonder why it takes them so long to build since it's just piping. The spectacular thing is when you pop your hood it looks completely stock.

why would you want to pull me over when i have done nothing wrong but made it easier for us all to read so we don't end up getting headaches and taking it out on cops and end up being videotaped on America's Scariest Chase

 

you will read so many good things about it, because no one is going to say anything bad about something that makes their car faster. i have hands on experience with this setup on other vehicles... and while I was surprised that the turbo actually did spool up and make power, it was still not quite ideal.

We did tons of testing with advanced datalogging and sensors all over the place. We found insane exhaust backpressure buildup (yes, you can run a larger turbine all day long, but the bigger you go, the worse and worse the response is)... not to mention insane pressure drop from compressor housing to intake manifold... a 2:1 ratio when using a front mount intercooler to be exact. YES, we had to run a 14psi wastegate spring to get the car to run at 7psi.

there *IS* a reason that no one before STS bothered to try this... I really dont see the point other then to save a few bucks. if your into the cheap stuff to save a few bucks, then by all means...

YES... it DEFINATLY WORKS and there is no argueing that. Does it work well? That depends on your idea of well... but from an engineering perspective and considering the true potential performance of the turbo you will put back there.... it doesnt really work all that well. But it works.

As for the person who said "The spectacular thing is when you pop your hood it looks completely stock." I do not understand this? First of all, you can hear the turbo loud and clear in the exhaust. Second of all, there is a big *** turbo hanging off the bottom of your car which can clearly be seen by all. And then other then that... what is the point of a car that looks stock under the hood? I dont think you will be fooling the dealer into doing warrenty work... they are still going to see the turbo hanging off the back of the car by the time they put it on a lift.

Here is what it comes down to... those who have OR have not ever done this can defend it all day long. That does not change anything. The fact will ALWAYS remain that you ONLY do this as a COMPRIMISE... and if it wasnt for the $$$ it would never be your first choice. No matter WHAT you do, you will find a larger comprimise in the trade off between power output and turbocharger response... simple laws of physics exist, and this setup is unargueably a comprimise in performance.

This type of system is great if your looking to just hang something on the car without getting all crazy into the engine. I guess other then $$ that is another advantage... less commitment if you will. So if your not as serious about the performance, cant afford the professional setups and installation charges, and not commited to making serious changes to your car.... perhaps this is your best option.

 

^ Nice write up. This does sound like the turbo for me. Although i could wait longer to buy a T-netics or a Aps there are other things i would like to spend my money on other then just the turbo kit. I would say about 65-70% of people who go F/I do not acually race at the track all the time or do any type of curcit racing. and about 90% of us do not have sponcers, so i feel like if this set up will work. A lot of people will acually may like this set up.

 

I have learn in the past you cant beat everyone. My last car although it was an integra; i had started out with the small greddy turbo kit. later on i got beat and wanted to upgrade, after bulding the motor and getting a SC61 turbo and running around 15 psi. the car was strong as hell but every other week it was something new, like boost leak or over heating or somthing that just made me hate my car. By the end of all that $hit, i thought to my self it was fun but if i could do it again i would have just kept my little old greddy kit that never gave me any problems. For the Z its not about just speed it the looks, handling, and feel of a nice sports car. If all anyone wants to do is drag race to get nice 1/4 mile times, then there best bet is to go with another car like a vette or a light as cheap honda and boost the hell out of it. Both cars will get in the 10s just one may cost a hell of alot more.

 

Very nice Phunk!!! It amazes me that after all the time I have been on LS1tech, corvetteforum, etc..... that nobody had ever tested for this specific issue. Or they had tested and just not posted about it.

 

I agree totally with what Phunk pointed out. The standard ST for this car is enough of a compromise for me. Mounting one at the REAR of the car... ack...

 

The concept is a great idea, and would do wonders for the cars weight distribution, but i still wouldn't get one, i personally think it has a bit of a tacky look and feel to it. My main concern would be how exposed it is.
Personally i'll go for the traditional TT and if weight distribution becomes a factor on the track, i'll convert the front end panels to Carbon Fiber, that'll more than cover that issue.

 

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

After 3 years reading in these (and other Z ) forums, every idea/concept comes with the same : those who believe, those who deny, those who insult (never understood why that is necessary), those who quietly read and wait...

I remember when the big bru-ha-ha about upper mounted turbo started, eh Miaplaya? Nay sayers, too much heat, a single turbo is a compromise vs twins, too much tubbing... and other believe to an evengelical state.

Somebody mentioned compromise. We all know the main battle of the turbo is heat. Moving it away from the heat means a compromise every time. The tubbing that goes up to a Turbonetics probably reaches behind our tranny if you unfold it...

If you remove the muffler there is a huge space left to tuck the turbo up, protect the intakes and even place a plate (with some vents) to protect it.. snorkles can place your air intake and filter even higher...

Anyway, I guess I go back to quietly reading and waiting. Some of us are into this for the enterteinment value.

 

Yeah, the exhaust side of it. However, you don't have much piping of the inlet side of the turbo, meaning no huge pressure loss.

 

I emailed them interested in progres on the 350Z solution. They were very nice to answer. Something they said cought my attention :

"We do have the front mount intecooler and enginge bay piping already developed we just need to finalize turbo mounting and charge pipe positioning. We have still not decided on a tuning solution but are taking into consideration every possible option. "

Hummmm intercooler. The plot thickens...

 

We tried it without an intercooler. Even with a massive turbo at low boost, the heat was intense. To not intercool this would be horrible!

 

Talked to STS today and they informed me it will be a intercooled kit, just wanted to give you all a update