least it's not a 350z vs _____?
Hey everyone,

here's the short version, I've already searched and read.
1. it will be my DD, driven 15k miles/year, in hot FL, mainly city with 2 hour trips every 2 months otherwise 20 minutes max
2. no autoX, track, drag, just the occasional street bashing maybe once a week, otherwise i'll be under 4k rpm
3. don't want NA with bolt-ons, n2o, or SC
4. will a ST (e.g. turbonetics or aps ) be safe on a totally stock Z if boosting only 2-5psi not the stock 8 or so
5. don't need high whp due to reliability, even an increase of 30 whp is fine, and I'm not planning to ever go over 350 whp
6. reason why I'm investing $7g's for only minor increase in whp is because I just love the sound of the turbo spooling and BOV and the look of the intercooler up front
7. i will maintain it (2k mile oil changes, air filter change, let it cool down, monitor gauges, etc.)
8. will this setup be safe enough to give me at least 70k miles with proper install and tune/dyno
9. just looking for the safest/reliable turbo setup
-ask if u need anymore info. thanks.


the long version:

To start out, I have used the search button and read as much as I can. But I still haven't quite found my answer.

I am a new Z owner and very happy with my choice (other choices were sti, evo, mb c230, audi a4, is250, and test drove all of them, it was a blast). I ended up picking the Z, as u probably have already guessed, because it's just plain out sexy and has decent power. My decision was hard because I really wanted an FI car. I like the sound of the turbo spooling and BOV. I've read on several forums about FI. Remember I like the turbo sound and all, so no NA bolt-ons, no nitrous, no SC.

I don't want a lot of whp due to engine reliability issues. In all honesty even a 30 whp increase will suffice as long as I get the IC look with BOV sound. So my question is can I get something like a turbonetics ST and boost only 3-5 psi and not worry about blowing the engine? I know people say if you're gonna go FI have the funds ready in case the motor goes. Well I really don't have the funds for a new motor/car .

The car will be a DD with about 15K miles a year, mainly city driving with the occasional 2 hour trip (every couple months). I live in FL so it's hot here but gets real cool in the winter. I will never autox, drag, or track. I also won't redline everyday, maybe once a week. I'll pretty much baby it under 4K rpm most of the time with the occasional burst (yep i know turbos won't hit until about 3k or so rpm).

I know there isn't a kit for the 06 Z yet and I'm still breaking her in so this won't be for another few months. Oh and how many miles should a car have before adding the turbo. And voiding the warranty is not a problem, but if something does happen is it possible to just unbolt everything to stock and take it to the dealer? I'm just trying to get an idea if all this is possible before saving up and all.

thanks for reading,
yen

 

As all of those are coverd in searching I go ahead and give you pointers:

*Hot weather? Then as all turbokits it will need a good tune.
*Safe? Yes it will be safe providing you have a good tune, it can blow at 1 PSI if it has a bad tune.
*Safe enough for 70K? You might just have to rebuild the turbo's at 70K it depends on the wear they have.
*Fastest/Reliable setup? Safest would be to anybody here, JWT or APS .

 

I heard the APS single kits have had alot of problems, I would just get a GReddy twin turbo kit and get a diffrent enginemanagement the the blue emanage
if u plan to stay under 5psi your best and safest bet would be to reflash the ECU and have it dyno tuned to your car, Altered Atmosphere can do that for you

 

Here we go....

 

Turbonetics !!!!!

 

damn VICK its late isnt it......u drunk too?? haha

 

2psi on any turbo will be absolutely useless.

Go turbonetics, stick with the 8psi, and everything's fine. Ain't no use in buying a turbo kit if you're gonna run damn 2psi. You'd make more with bolt ons....seriously.

I do exactly what you do. I live in FL, the Z is my daily driver, and it's 95% city driving with the occasional highway trip somewhere in the state (next one though is gonna be to NC )

 

yeah i believe on stock settings(7-8psi) w/ a conservative tune you could be at 350whp

 

My question for you is - from your list - you are going to keep it under 4,000 rpm and just occasionally street bash.
Do you really want to spend $5,000 to $10,000 and a month(s) getting a Turbo installed for just an occasional street bash?
Now if you think it is worth it, than there are some really good kits out there that will fit you bill. Just be warned that once you feel how much hp you gain from FI - you will want more! But, from your list (you don't want to get crazy hp) than JWT is probably the best kit for this. If you want to eventually get crazy hp than APS is probably the best kit. And as everyone has said - what ever you get - make sure it is Tunned well! Let me say that again - make sure it is tunned well.

Oh - TT is worth the extra money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

its friday!

 

a few precautionary upgrades to further insure your investment:
oil cooler
3 row radiator w/ water wetter
emanage ultimate w ignition harness (comes standard with EU setup, I believe)--> ask sharif at www.forgedinternals.com
gauges to monitor the engine: A/F, EGT, water temp
an extra 8k under your pillow to buy a forged motor and pay for the install if something were to go wrong...

 

if you're not looking for the big HP numbers, I honestly would think a Super charger would be more up your alley...If I was driving as often as you would be..I'd go that route for sure...

 

Do a TN kit, with no additional mods. That will get you a safe A/F and 350-370whp-well within the limits of the stock block.

 

wow this forum is aweseome, the response is great.

as far as hp goes, i really don't mind an extra 30-50 whp. (i know i can get the same or more with bolt ons). just want something super safe (as safe as a turbo can get). as i mentioned before no NA bolt ons or SC b/c i love the sound that the turbo,wastegate, and BOV make. and i'm ok to spend $7g's for a minor street bash, remember i really want the turbo for looks/sound not the actual performance (but i will not get one of those noise makers they sell on ebay).

yes more power is good, but then again it's at the expense of the stock block. i've read about people blowing motors with every kit out there (mainly b/c they are not staying with the manufacturer's recommendations). i'm pretty sure a TN (with stock exhaust) or APS (with their exhaust) kit with good tuning will be fine for a stock block, but there's always that small percentage that something may go wrong. So i figure if i decrease the boost to 3-5psi and running 290-300whp, with a good tune of course, the motor will be safer off (<------- this is my real question right here).

by the way, it's an 06 base so i'll probably wait till the TN 1.5 comes out before making a choice.

and i'm leaning towards a ST vs. TT due to costs, maintenance of 1 vs 2 of everthing, and i don't need it to kick in at low rpm's to save on the engine, plus i'm not going to mod it to more hp later on.


i think i've answered everyone's comments/questions, but keep the advice coming.
thanks again, did i ever mention this forum was awesome?

 

If you really only want 290-300whp, the Stillen Stage 2 SC with optional Engine warranty is want you want. If your engine blows, Stillen will cover it. So you don't have to worry about blown engine at all.

 

but he doesnt care about power he wants the sounds and feeling of a turbo, which a supercharger cant touch

 

Today at MSA National Z Car Show, Teddy ( Japanese Car Show Promoter - Pre 1985 Japan Cars - Queen Mary Sept 30, 2006 ) She said the Stillen is "So Quite" for being little.

I explained it's good and California Carb Exempt - While all the others that give
a big "Kick in the pants with turbo Rush" are Illegal.. JWT, Greddy, Tubonetics and APS

JWT is the only company that will probably get California Carb CO, Greddy is the next capable (after three years has not delivered on promise) , but Koji has been sleeping on the job. APS should had done Carb EO but are more interested in Vocal than in deed. Aussies are our Allies of course. Turbonetic's are just amazing in the Carb battle. ( **** Carb - we are selling )

The first kit that get's Calif Carb Exemption will rule the market.

So Des - Legal is Good - But Stillen need's special hood.. And only good for Passing on freeway. Very Linear and as you say - one can buy an optional engine warantee. I do like the sound of the root's blower. Lot's of sound and limited thrust.

Cheers Amy -

 

IMO dont waste your time with 3-5psi on ANY kit...

 

3-5psi is retarded. u can blow an engine at 5 psi just as easy as you can at 8psi. its all about the tune.. I dont even think the turbo setups can go lower than 5.5 since they're either internally wastegated at a certain psi or they have springs.

 

APS TT, Lowest possible boost setting on the stock wastegate springs (so you dont have to pay more to change the spring to get less boost, thats crazy ), Free flowing low back pressure exhaust, Oil cooler, 1 Step colder plugs, Boost gauge to monitor boost, Utec with a safe MAP based tune, 93 octane and an emergency 91oct fuel and ignition maps incase your arent near any 93 octane stations, Service regularily and get retunes when anything changes.