S/c and Turbo TUNER KITS and my formal welcome to the F/i forums
S/c and Turbo TUNER KITS and my formal welcome to the F/i forums
Hey everyone, I havent posted much in these forums, but now that I am getting closer to adding F/I to my Z, I would like to get to know you guys a bit more.
Well guys, I have been doing alot more research since my last post here. It seems that my financial situation is getting tighter as I am getting older, so I have decided not to build the motor and just stick around 350-420whp. I would love to have 500 hp someday but it seems like the jump from approx. 420 to 500-600 is a huge jump and will involve more things than just the engine build. I would rather not make soo much power that I will start breaking thing like tranny, axles, etc..
Again, for those who dont know me too well(since I dont post to much in the F/I section as of lately), I am from memphis, TN and there are few shops around and even less modified Z's. The only F/i Z I know of in my area is a Stillen S/c Z, which I have gotten a chance to drive it and wasnt too impressed to say the least.
Background: My last car was a 240sx with a SR20 swap so I am familiar with F/I setups. I am mechanically inclined, but not the best by any means. Still have lots to learn! Thats why I am here. My Z is a base model with mostly suspension mods and HKS TD exhaust. This is my daily driver(but I plan to get another car for a daily driver after I add F/I to the Z), which I also heavily track. I use it mostly for drifting, but plan to go to more autoX and road courses in the near future.
NOW AS FOR THE TUNER KITS...
It seems like I will get the best overall kit by buying one of the tuner kits and finishing off with the proper full fuel return system, fuel pump, injectors, and EMS, along with the supporting mods (radiator, oil pan, oil cooler, colder plugs, etc.)
My question is which kits offers tuner kits where I could piece the systems together. From my research it seems like Turbonetics, APS single, APS twin, Vortech, and ATI are all offering tuner kits. Is this correct?
Also, I was wondering if someone could give me an approx price for the tuner kits.
Basically I am looking for something that isnt too expensive, but I also dont want to cut corners on quality. I am looking for a reliable setup, that will be easy to work on incase I get into problems at the track many miles away from home. I understand the reliability has alot to do with install/tune, but I dont mind spending a little extra to get something that is proven to work better and have less problems. For example, I have heard a few complaints about the APS turbo's smoking, as well as their fuel systems not being up to par. Turbonetics seems to have problems with exhausts systems and overboosting, which I might run into with the HKS TD Ti exhaust. Also the turbo placement seems to make this kit be the hottest out of them all, from what I have read. The S/c systems seems to both lack a proper return system that should be utilized on the Z. If anyone can help me out and tell me the things I should look out for such as these, it would be greatly appreciated, as I have pretty much researched each ktis name in the search box on this forum and 350z motoring forums. Now, I really am just trying to break each kit down and see what additional parts I will need for each route. Then I can compare each kits price with the additional parts it would take to run each one reliably.
Well guys, I have been doing alot more research since my last post here. It seems that my financial situation is getting tighter as I am getting older, so I have decided not to build the motor and just stick around 350-420whp. I would love to have 500 hp someday but it seems like the jump from approx. 420 to 500-600 is a huge jump and will involve more things than just the engine build. I would rather not make soo much power that I will start breaking thing like tranny, axles, etc..
Again, for those who dont know me too well(since I dont post to much in the F/I section as of lately), I am from memphis, TN and there are few shops around and even less modified Z's. The only F/i Z I know of in my area is a Stillen S/c Z, which I have gotten a chance to drive it and wasnt too impressed to say the least.
Background: My last car was a 240sx with a SR20 swap so I am familiar with F/I setups. I am mechanically inclined, but not the best by any means. Still have lots to learn! Thats why I am here. My Z is a base model with mostly suspension mods and HKS TD exhaust. This is my daily driver(but I plan to get another car for a daily driver after I add F/I to the Z), which I also heavily track. I use it mostly for drifting, but plan to go to more autoX and road courses in the near future.
NOW AS FOR THE TUNER KITS...
It seems like I will get the best overall kit by buying one of the tuner kits and finishing off with the proper full fuel return system, fuel pump, injectors, and EMS, along with the supporting mods (radiator, oil pan, oil cooler, colder plugs, etc.)
My question is which kits offers tuner kits where I could piece the systems together. From my research it seems like Turbonetics, APS single, APS twin, Vortech, and ATI are all offering tuner kits. Is this correct?
Also, I was wondering if someone could give me an approx price for the tuner kits.
Basically I am looking for something that isnt too expensive, but I also dont want to cut corners on quality. I am looking for a reliable setup, that will be easy to work on incase I get into problems at the track many miles away from home. I understand the reliability has alot to do with install/tune, but I dont mind spending a little extra to get something that is proven to work better and have less problems. For example, I have heard a few complaints about the APS turbo's smoking, as well as their fuel systems not being up to par. Turbonetics seems to have problems with exhausts systems and overboosting, which I might run into with the HKS TD Ti exhaust. Also the turbo placement seems to make this kit be the hottest out of them all, from what I have read. The S/c systems seems to both lack a proper return system that should be utilized on the Z. If anyone can help me out and tell me the things I should look out for such as these, it would be greatly appreciated, as I have pretty much researched each ktis name in the search box on this forum and 350z motoring forums. Now, I really am just trying to break each kit down and see what additional parts I will need for each route. Then I can compare each kits price with the additional parts it would take to run each one reliably.
starting from scratch, I'd probably go with the normal APS TT kit, then when you're ready to go higher, sell the unichip and fuel system for better ones when you build the engine
that's just me though
that's just me though
I second that opinion... I think there are complete enough kits out of the box, especially if you want to keep it in that whp range.
also, I am not sure if there is an APS single turbo tuner kit. There was a tuner kit for the twin turbo for a while, I'm not even sure if that is still available.
also, I am not sure if there is an APS single turbo tuner kit. There was a tuner kit for the twin turbo for a while, I'm not even sure if that is still available.
Why do so many people get tuner kits and add AAM or CJ-M full fuel return kits? What is the difference in these two and the fuel return kits in the above kits that I mentioned?
IIRC: turbonetics comes with 380cc injectors
Vortech and ATI - stock
APS kits - 440cc
Greddy - ?
JWT - ?
I dont want to run these injectors at 100% duty and overload them. I would rather get the correct size injectors to work effeciently at my HP levels.
As for building. I really think all I need for this car would be max 450whp. I dont drag race or do highway runs very often, and I dont care about big numbers for braggin rights. This car is for mostly drifting, autox, road race, and just having fun. I think 450whp would be more than adequate for all the above. In all honesty, (if I go with the UTEC) I would like to have different maps setup at different HP stages. I would like to have 2 for low boost (350-400 range) and then 2 for high boost situations (400-450 range). I would like to have the ability to run lower boost for street driving so I can put less stress on the engine 75% of my time in the car. For example, if I go to work in this car, or go out on the town, I wont need 400-450 hp on tap all the time. This is another reason why I think the turbo would be the best route b/c of its flexibility to change boost levels on the go. But, then again, correct me if I am wrong on this, but the S/c might be more reliable b/c it doesnt have as much TQ = less stress.
decisions....decisions...
IIRC: turbonetics comes with 380cc injectors
Vortech and ATI - stock
APS kits - 440cc
Greddy - ?
JWT - ?
I dont want to run these injectors at 100% duty and overload them. I would rather get the correct size injectors to work effeciently at my HP levels.
As for building. I really think all I need for this car would be max 450whp. I dont drag race or do highway runs very often, and I dont care about big numbers for braggin rights. This car is for mostly drifting, autox, road race, and just having fun. I think 450whp would be more than adequate for all the above. In all honesty, (if I go with the UTEC) I would like to have different maps setup at different HP stages. I would like to have 2 for low boost (350-400 range) and then 2 for high boost situations (400-450 range). I would like to have the ability to run lower boost for street driving so I can put less stress on the engine 75% of my time in the car. For example, if I go to work in this car, or go out on the town, I wont need 400-450 hp on tap all the time. This is another reason why I think the turbo would be the best route b/c of its flexibility to change boost levels on the go. But, then again, correct me if I am wrong on this, but the S/c might be more reliable b/c it doesnt have as much TQ = less stress.
decisions....decisions...
The only kit that comes with a hybrid return fuel system is the APS complete kits. The TN 1.5 kit will also likely have a hybrid return fuel system (reg and return mounted on the tank.
I proper return fuel systems, is one of the best ways to insure you have the basis for a safe and perfect tune. As you do your research, you will find that a lot of people will do things a lot of different ways. The "best" way us usually the safest, and also the most expensive. But there are other approaches to take, based on your power goals and budget. This link will describe how a return fuel system works, and its advantages: http://www.forgedinternals.com/store...cat=251&page=1
I proper return fuel systems, is one of the best ways to insure you have the basis for a safe and perfect tune. As you do your research, you will find that a lot of people will do things a lot of different ways. The "best" way us usually the safest, and also the most expensive. But there are other approaches to take, based on your power goals and budget. This link will describe how a return fuel system works, and its advantages: http://www.forgedinternals.com/store...cat=251&page=1
I see. Thanks for explaining Sharif 
It seems like one of these tuner kits would be the best for me then. Since I dont plan on building the block, I would like to take any other step possible to aid in reliability issues, especially while tracking the car.
If I do plan to go Turbonetics, how much would it cost to make my HKS TD ti exhaust mate up to the downpipe. Would it make the exhaust sound different in tone? Does anyone have this exhaust on their TN setup?
Has heat been an issue with the S/c or TN kits?
It seems like one of these tuner kits would be the best for me then. Since I dont plan on building the block, I would like to take any other step possible to aid in reliability issues, especially while tracking the car. If I do plan to go Turbonetics, how much would it cost to make my HKS TD ti exhaust mate up to the downpipe. Would it make the exhaust sound different in tone? Does anyone have this exhaust on their TN setup?
Has heat been an issue with the S/c or TN kits?