One of the nice things about the Stillen (and there aren't all that many nice things about it) is that it is warrantied. However, this is only valid IF it is on the stock tune from Stillen, no other power adders are on the car, it is not Stage 4, and the install is done by Stillen.

So, you said you were going to do your own install, you just voided the Stillen warranty, probably the only thing that would make the Stillen worthwhile.

The Stillen does have decent torque down low, but thats about the only other good thing about it, and if you get a twin turbo kit with small turbos, the lag is nearly non existant. I have the JWT kit, with the 530BB turbos, and I love it, bu the other kits are good as well.

 

vortech

 

I, too, am considering the Stillen stage 2 or 3 supercharger. I am adding it for tracking my 350z at two of our local tracks, the Gingerman in Michigan and the Autobahn in Chicago. I've driven turbo 350z's and the power above 4500 RPMS is great for straight runs but it will turn you sideways on the curves. I don't need gobs and gobs of power on the track as most of it will break the tires away in turns and that's what tracking and autocrosses are all about. There are few straights and the torque provided by the Stillen seems sufficient.

From what I've heard from tuners, the Stillen makes the car act more like a NA V8 than other FI units. I know the boost to HP isn't what turbos and cetrifugal SC's do but I suspect my numbers on the track will improve with something, less radical, more reliable with no need to retune frequently. They've steered me away from the centrifugals SC's and turbos.

Any other track drivers out there with more info will be greatly appreciated.

 

I've heard from some people with stillens that they break traction at low rpms in the lower gears because the car just doesn't have enough speed or maybe their tires just sucked. This seems like it'd only apply to autocross though.

Otherwise for a big track, I'd think you'd get your tires hot enough to get full traction in 2nd gear anyway unless you had massive amounts of power

 

For what you are looking for the stillen would be perfect..........but you have to remember that the stillen has all its tourqe down low and if you dont have the tires to grip all that low end power..........well you are still screwed.The stillen will be great for auto x,s cause all its power is in the lower to midrange and has no top end.Make sure you have some good grippy tires cause my stage 4 would bust the tires loose anytime i wanted at lower to mid high rpm,s.

 

Just to add more info to the thread, I had an ATI procharger initially which I installed over a weekend. Yes I was terrified to start the car, but when it did it was beautiful. Without tuning of any kind, I drove the car for 1 year. I guess i was lucky or something, because when I finally took the time to get it checked at MRC, I found out that I was on the edge of blowing the motor. Running dangerously lean. One missed shift and I could very well have blown the motor.
The EMFU unit included w/the ATI does not really explain how to set it up or use it. So its a total guessing game. Like everyone said, no tune kaboom...couldn't be more true. But for comparison purpose, there is no tapping the oil pan with the ATI Procharger and the install was very straight forward. I read the manual 20 times or so before the install and then went for it.
330rwhp later wasn't too bad for a back yard DIY on a stock block.
Good Luck with your decision.

Oh yeah, and it took 5 hours to remove, pack up and ship once sold.

 

The problem with pre-tuning is that with today's motor being so complex and percise you can't really pre-tune so much anymore. Pre-tuning basically means "rich". Standard pre-tune practice is run safe for worst case scenario and retard some timing if your EMU has the capability.

My opinion, speaking soley about the VQ35, is that you should not get a pre-tuned kit. If your tuner is 6 hours away then you should make time to take your car there and get it done right the first time.

I am up in Wisconsin and we race our Porsche 928 at the Autobahn sometimes so if you have any questions maybe shoot me a PM. I would say that if you can drive your car to the Autoban go to GRD to get your car tuned.

 

Superchargedg,

I take it that the top end for the stillen is still stronger with the Stillen than without it, correct? 300+ WHP is still not too shabby for tracking and autocross?
Since you actually have the Stillen, do you do tracking or autocross with your car and if so, what can I expect?

 

I do not have the stillen anymore as i have moved to the greddy twins.And yes i would say the top end is still stronger then na but it still sucks for fi in the upper rpm band.I never auto crossed my car.......mostly 1/4 mile stuff but i have auto crossed before and i would say with some good sticky tires the stillen would be a great autoxer much better then with a turbo since the power is right there with no waiting at all.
The reason i say this is that in autoxing the straights are so short that you dont have time for a turbo to be really effective and that a roots type blower is right there anytime you need it.

 

[QUOTE=Dave 90TT]One of the nice things about the Stillen (and there aren't all that many nice things about it) is that it is warrantied. However, this is only valid IF it is on the stock tune from Stillen, no other power adders are on the car, it is not Stage 4, and the install is done by Stillen.

The install does not have to be done by Stillen. It has to be done by a qualified certified mechanic with verifiable credentials. No company is going to warrant a do it yourself install.

 

Huh, didn't know that. I thought it was only warrantied if done by Stillen. Is there a list of Stillen certified mechs, for prospective buyers? That would probably make the Stillen SC more enticing (not for me, obviously, but others)

 

yes im bringing this thread back from the dead but just wanted to let everyone know i got the stillen stage 2 kit, and did the install myself (well my dad did all the wiring). kit is amazing! the sound it makes is crazy. i got the kit used for 2500 so i think i got a good deal. only problem im having is that i keep getting belt slippage under high boost/high rpm driving. i have a boost gauge and i can see the psi drop as soon as the belt slips. guess i just have to keep tightening?

 

Congrats! I almost bought superchargedg's kit just the other week. Even called him up to get the scoop and he was really helpful.

Anyways, I don't know much about the belt slippage, but did you buy a new belt or use the one that came with it? There's also a 6 rib (i think) upgrade, but it requires more parts than just the pulley.

superchargedg should be able to help you more though.

 

whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy stillen!, i almost bought a stillen, decided not too, bought a vortech, returned it and payed $300 re-stock fee and got a Procharger!! Woo! But anyways, I hope you enjoy your stillen, not much power, but still a difference and sounds great! Congratz

 

got the stillen cause i dont want to wait till the upper rpm range for immediate power. i only drive in the city so i would get into a lot of trouble i was getting in that rpm range to begin with. i wanted immediate torque and thats what the stillen has provided me. its fun passing slower moving vehicles as if they are standing still!

 

That's the one thing where I might regret taking the Vortech over the Stillen. I never go to the track, won't be doing highway pulls - it's mainly for just on the street. However, I wanted something that would allow me to learn all about tuning, upgrading, etc.

 

That is the one and only thing the stillen has over the vortech.........its low rpm rush....oh and i still like the sound.