This thread
https://my350z.com/forum/forced-induction/206014-blew-motor-with-turbonetics-s-t.html

got me thinking and I didn't want to hijack it. I started searching and didn't find what I was looking for.

First off, don't care which is better TN, APS, ETC. They have their Pro's and their Con's and debating this is like debating who is your favorite football team!

So here it is:

Who here is running a single turbo kit, out of the box with no upgraded FM-EM, just basicaly put it on, made sure the A/F was good with whatever the kit came with and drove off?

 

We have had quite a few customers who do that. My experiences are more with turbonetics than APS, but both have done their homework. I view it like this: almost every kit is safe out of the box when installed correctly, if you are unsatisfied with the results then you need to go ahead and modify certain parts. Some people are searching for more hp than "out of the box" and then we proceed with the necessary upgrades from the start. And even though I have a TT instead of a ST, i still have the out of the box, plug and play version of the JWT kit, and love it like I thought of it myself!!!

 

Out of the box IMO means installed and not tuned Noah (yours is tuned)-and an out of the box Vortech, Greddy, ATI, and most others dont address timing at all or enough and run PIG rich-one APS TT guy out of the box even washed out his cylinders he ran so rich. My point is and I think most will agree, TN has the best out of the box tune, on an otherwise stock car . Every dyno Ive seen on an otherwise stock car has been awesome A/F wise, and seem to last long.

To answer the OP-I dont honestly read up on APS ST's to give an honest opinion so I wont provide one but regarding TN, like I said above if you put it on an otherwise stock car you'll likely be fine. Like any kit though verify the A/F with a wideband and/or dyno and prepare for the worst.

 

I opened the box, installed it and drove off for 2 weeks, then sent the ECU to TN for reflash. Didn't add any parts to the kit until a month after when i wrapped my pipes and made my custom atmosphere dump. Car drove good, but it was a bit rich, after the flash, it was awaken.

 

guys thanx for this info. It has me debating on wheather to forgo the APS EM and get the Utec, but I am NOT looking for anything over 357-400WHP so I think I should be good to go out of the box? not worried about the install it is being handled by a team that knows their stuff.
still curious as to how many folks have done this......out of the box that is...

 

I am one of those guys that decided to leave well enough alone. I have the TN ST stage 1 re-flash with a stock G35c 6MT, even have the stock exhuast. My only "power adder" which I advised TN of when I sent my ECU in for re-flash in a MD ISO Spacer. I always run 93 octance FWIW. I was running 94 till Sunoco decided to scrap it here but that s another story.

I honestly love the way the car drives, I wasn't looking for a Viper, Z06, 911 stomper just added power for spirited street driving. The TN kit provided just what I wanted.

If the motor should give out then I will probally do a short block and up the PSI a lb or 2, again conservative is the key for me.

 

How long have you had your kit? and where in NJ are you from?

 

I've had the kit for about 6-7 months and have put on a little over 4k miles. Car runs just like it did stock but moves the way it should.

I live in good ol southern jerzey.

 

On the APS perspective (provided you didn't obtain one of the original group-buy kits), it is setup to run out-of-the-box with your choice of 91 or 93 octane tune at ~ 7psi. Just as Alberto feels TN has the best OOTB setup, that's how I feel about APS.

Football teams.

Regardless of whichever kit you pursue, if you have non-OEM parts (plenum, exhaust, etc.) then I would suggest seeking a tune at your earliest convenience. Good luck in whatever you choose

 

I can say with honesty that my TN kit with reflash has kept AFRs at or below 11:1 with my nismo exhaust and 5/16" spacer.

 

so you drove the car for two straight weeks with no reflash? wow, brave man indeed, i thought you're suppose to send in the ecu during install so they can get it back to you flashed in a few days?

anyhow, glad to come arcross this thread..........i too am looking into the same.....in my searching, TN ST has this one year "no-hassle" return policy which is big plus...........

 

Seems like that could be done, just don't go into boost at all

Yeah, since the car will usually be down for a day or so... One of the first things to do is remove the ECU and send it off... That way it may be back to you by the time you finish the install.

You did say you were going to take it to a shop (directed to the starter of the thread, but also kinda relates to you as well znot), which is good cause they will have to replace a A/C line (provided heat wrapped from Turbonetics), modify the Fuel Pump, and tap the upper oil pan for the oil return from the turbo. Which can be quite a task for those un-experienced.

So anywho, they would send off the ECU and get it back.

Def. make sure they follow the instructions word for word, cause the shop I originally used... Figured with all their "Experience" that other than briefly looking at the pictures reading them was un-nessassary

Of course I found all of that out after they finished the install and basically pushed me out of the door after my credit card cleared their machine.

Also the TN warranty is one hell of a thing, if you have a legit issue they are super fast at getting things right.

Never have I had that kind of service in my years of modding a car (even though with my Z unlike my last car has seen more work done to it not by my hand), but point still remains that with other times in the past if to myself or friends with problems with stuff they buy and then have problems... That this TN warranty makes you wish everyone had something like that.

 

- Turbonetics stage 1
- MD 5/16" spacer
- Fujitsubo exhaust
- boost controller

1 year, 2 months, 8500 miles and still running strong. Perfect 11.5:1 AFR's on the dyno.

If my motor blew tomorrow I wouldn't cry and blame the reflash, knowing that I've added mods and taken my chances. I think that 430ft/lbs of tq that I love so much would be more to blame...

 

I think i had 365whp/350trq with the aps St, jic exhaust and plenum spacer. that was untuned. once i tuned in ct. power rose to 385whp/ 395trq.

 

The kit has been installed out of box on my car running JUSt the reflash for over 30k miles now. I've never had an issue other then my stock clutch finally dying at 46k total miles on the odo.

 

Regardless of which kit you go with, I'd get it tuned if you have a competent tuner doing the install... seems well worth the money to me.

 

did you note to TN of all your other mods on the car when flashing the ecu so they can "adjust" paremeters accordingly....or...........was it just send it in, got it back and plugged it in?

i'm very curious as i have headers, ypipe, crank pulley and 1/2"md plenum spacer and looking into the tn stage 1...........
i know your reply will be valuable, at least to me, so what's the dilio?
thinking out loud now......is it even possible to fine tune a relash like stage 1?

 

^
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No I didn't. In fact when the kit was installed on my car the only mod was the Apexi World Sport 2 exhaust. Since then I have added EVERYTHING else you see in my sig, MD spacer, flywheel, etc. Never had an issue

 

Is it necessary to list mods to turbonetics? I am about 1 week away from getting the g35 kit and i have stillen dual, and 1/2 inch spacer. Should i let them know when i ship the ecu for reflash?