If you're running any FI application on the stock vq35, you should always have a backup plan in case it blows. I know that if mine blew today I'd be able to buy a built block tomorrow, but I don't necessarily WANT to do it at the moment.

 

hehe yeah right now my backup plan is to let the car sit in the garage for half a year, take it off my insurance while I save up some money for a built engine. My wife and I have other cars I can drive besides my Z anyway. =

Or I can max out a credit card at 11% interest that I'm not too crazy about doing...

 

ha, I had just sent you a PM about this subject, I didn't know you were currently online


Sounds like my situation...

 

I think the current philosophy at this point is that a properly installed, well-tuned F/I kit is safe up to the low/mid 400's on stock engine components. That doesn't mean bulletproof, it means that you stand a better chance of not breaking something than if you're running above about 430-440. The initial power goals you stated are ok for a stock block. Your ultimate goals are not. Does that mean that 400 WHP couldn't snap a rod? Nope, absolutely not, but it means that you could plan to do things in steps if budget so requires....F/I with moderate boost first, save up, build motor (and supporting systems) and then go for broke (no pun intended). But as taurran stated, it's best to 'have a backup plan' in case the improbable happens. If that means leaving the car in the garage for six months with a hole in the block while you save for a motor build and you're ok with it, that's as good a plan as any.

 

There's absolutely no reason why you shoudln't ENJOY an FI car with a stock motor. I beat mine to hell everytime I drive it without worry of blowing it.

 

I completely agree. While the paranoia can be overwhelming at first, you learn to just let go and push the car. If you can't do that, what's the point?

 

the other thing is to think of having to get a built engine as an upgrade. Once you do it, you can up the boost. Hell you even have options as far as compression ratio and other things go and what octane gas you run etc.

the only downside is you lose your ability to trade in your stock engine and get back $2000-3000 core swap money for it

So really, if you'd like to build the engine someday and have more of a piece of mind with it, as long as nothing else is hurt in the engine bay, you should only be out $2000-3000 (of money you were planning on spending) depending on if the short block or the entire long block is toast

 

laggy forum

 

Ugh... it just froze for a good 5 minutes. I saw a double post by me and a triple post by alberto...

This website needs a host upgrade bad...

 

damn I deleted one one my duplicates and it pooped em all off

 

yeah, that was weird! Darn computers!

 

Yea, it does seem that the 400 hp mark will be ok on a stock block, but like you said, not bulletproof. Now, would this be attainable if I was putting track abuse on the car like drifting. I understand some of yall beat the **** out of it, but is that just street driving or actually tracking?

Also, I didnt really want this thread to turn into a reliability thread. I really wanted to discuss the differnces in the kits such as fuel systems, spool up time, response, trackability, etc.. Im still wondering what makes one kits design better than the other? (such as intercooler routing, lengths of pipes, fuel hose routing, turbo placement, other line placements) Right, now it seems the best value for my purposes would be the Turbonetics kits, Greddy, JWT, or possibly a APS tuner kit. How much are they APS tuner kits? Also, does the single and twins from APS both come in tuner kit versions? Does anyone have pricing on these?

Another worry of mine, is if something goes wrong at the track, what would be easier to diagnose and fix? It seems like the supercharger and the turbonetics kits would be best for this b/c of the placement and less parts involved, correct?

 

There is really WAY too much depth to discuss the various specifics of all of the available kits and their suitability for different applications. At the risk of sounding like the dreaded search ****, that's what the search function is for.

As a VERY general answer....If you're going to beat the **** out of it, you should plan for a built motor. You'll likely do it sooner or later whether you want to or not.