I currently have a fairly safe tuned vortech around 360whp at max 10psi. Setup is borla TD, HFC's, Utec, and a few other goodies but nothing special. I was considering the cost associated with stepping up the power, and since im alrdy running the 2.87 pulley, best i could come up with on stock block would be headers along with possible plenum and drivetrain mods.

Where i am asking advice is, would it possible be more cost efficient for a stock block purpose to maybe sell the vortech and go with a single turbo. I know many people have complained about the turbonetics, but it seems fairly reasonable. Also i was looking at the APS for upgradeability down the road.

My goals are aimed around mid to low 12's car. Intend to stay with a stock block and stock drivetrain with a possible valvebody. So, short version, would it be smarter to take the maybe 2-3k loss of install and trading out maybe exhaust components to go with a ST setup rather than buying things to max the vortech out?

 

the turbonetics kit will still max out pretty quick though. Probably about the same ballpark the vortech would. The only advantage is you'd get more tq at lower rpms - but it might be moot anyway with an automatic since it's going to downshift you into the upper/mid rpms anyway where you'll have already gone beyond your peak tq, not to mention after the initial .3 second lag delay

Since you're running an automatic, so you're probably not going to easily get sky-high numbers regardless if you're vortech or ST.

 

+1 Ur gonna half to do sumthing to engine man

 

I wouldnt do it-not worth the hassle, make what you have work for you.

Friend of mine had a 360whp Procharger on an auto and ran 12.3 @ 112mph. 1.9 60ft on street tires.

Have you run the car?

 

nice, I havent taken it for drag yet, i have work from 5-9 every night and my track is wed and fri nights. I wanted to upgrade tires befor i embarassed a boosted z out there anyway. Perhaps it would be wiser to wait. Something i have been considering over the next year will be about time to get a newer car. Have considered getting an '06 and starting it off turbo. Obviously i would go manual if i do go this route. Any thoughts on that factor? Otherwise maybe a couple small upgrades will hold me over for the mod bug for now.

The torque appeal and sound of the turbo is very interesting. Almost makes me wish i had taken a few rides before i bit the bullet.

 

It seems like you have a pretty good Vortech setup already. Unless you were hell-bent on going turbo over S/C, then maybe. I would use the additional money for a meth kit or nitrous setup for track purpouses only. 360whp on the street in fun, and a few more horses from now and you might have reliability issues.

 

dump the vortech and get a powerlab single turbo kit with a boost controller.

run that puppy up to 400 hp/400 tq for the track and lil less for DD.

Thats the best thing about turbo's. Its like swapping the blower pulleys on the fly.

 

Mike your already wanting more??? It took me 3 years. I agree with these guys. Your gunna put a turbo kit in your car, ride the fence on the motor life and want to turn up the boost. I was beating Z's with that Vortech kit when they were turbo charged on stock boost. 3 honks, Im a car in front of them before they spool. Im not saying dont go turbo but if you do, plan on building and do it right. 20k later, here I sit.

 

F THAT!! No offense but if i was u keep what u got and if its not enough get u a small shot of nitrous

 

why take baby steps...go TT...

friend has great tune and Greddy TT kit on stock block.......its all about maintenance on a FI car..

SGP style maintenance..
-j

 

You could always call the guys at Performance Factory and get a Powerlab GT35R Kit installed. That will leave you with plenty of room to expand later if you want.

 

true, the difference in turbo vs SC on stock motor probably wouldnt be very much. That damn itch for more always get ya doesnt it.....

 

i am sure you will enjoy the more torque of the GT35R than what you'll get from the SC

....follow intensefab's advice IMO

 

Performance Factory actually installed the Vortech thats on there now


we can set you up with a nice Powerlab kit. we just did an automatic and that thing was fast!!

if you ever run into Emmad around town, let him take you for a ride in his Red 5AT that smokes every 6mt around town. hehe

and the TQ is way more with the turbo, at 3500 probably around 100 more foot pounds of tq even on stock motor.

 

 

powerlab certainly sounds like a nice setup but seems to be bit on the high end price range for me. Was looking for a reasonable alternative to breathing mods / nitrous for my setup. Figure with my current setup a tuner style single turbo might be in order, figured taking a 3k hit on installation and cost difference in my vortech kit and a ST.

Rather than max out a SC kit with a few grand figured maxing out a stock block but still have plenty of build room with the ST if i did choose a built engine down the road.

Is there a problem with the APS? I thought it would be appropriate for price and upgradeability.

 

APS is not really less expensive at all than the powerlab kit. remember you have to buy the 800 overboost pipe.

 

If it was me, I'd look into swapping final drives with someone

I have to wonder how often someone in an automatic would hit peak boost at 3500 rpms though.
It'd just downshift you into the upper rpms anyway unless you drive in manual mode leaving it in 5th gear and like stomping it at around 3000 rpms on the highway

 

Jeremy

How much power did the AT5 with the Power Lab single make ? Was it a built or stock motor ?

I personally would stick with the SCer over a Turbonetic single turbo . Yes...you will make better trq. but the cost of swapping it out wouldnt be worth it . And the TN single doesnt have that much room to make more power .

 

I drive it manually always when enjoying the car. Why wait to downshift if can alrdy be in the gear you want, and have greater control of rev limiter. Might research the powerlab more, since its newer i know little about it.