I have for a while been debating weather to buy a supercharger for my Z or to forget about modding my Z further and just upgrade to a GTR. However due to the GTR's current demand I decided to hold off on that for a couple years while the price goes down to a more reasonable level.

So while I am waiting for that to happen I thought that I might as well fix my need for speed with a reasonably priced FI kit. Now since I live in CA my options are limited to supercharging, so it is between the HKS and Vortech supercharger for me. While the HKS does look like a nice kit that likely runs quieter and more reliably than the Vortech, it is also very noticeably pricier as well. I am thinking about getting my install done at GTM if it hopefully doesn't take too long (since my Z is my only car after all), so a Vortech kit will run me $5,945 as opposed to the $8,942 price tag that they are charging for a comparable HKS kit. Links with info:

Vortech:
http://www.gtmotorsports.com/product...roductid=16276

HKS:
http://www.gtmotorsports.com/product...cat=321&page=1

So basically correct me if I am wrong but it seems like I will be getting much more of my money's worth with the Vortech over the HKS. For the record my Z is an 06 AT so I have the 287HP VQ35DE engine. I already have nismo exhaust and brembo brakes as well as wider wheels & tires thanks to the GT package, so I think that more power should be the perfect next step. I am hoping this will bring me into corvette territory. Also since I have an auto I thought that it would be very worthwhile to also upgrade my valve body & torque converter (correct me if I am wrong on this), so I also want to go with these upgrades as well:

GTM valve body $847:
http://www.gtmotorsports.com/product...roductid=16575

GTM torque converter $462:
http://www.gtmotorsports.com/product...roductid=16576

All together the Vortech build W/ the transmission upgrades should run me $7,254 + install which is quite a bit yet still a much more appealing price than the standalone HKS kit for $9k + install. For what I can get for what I pay I find it hard to not desire this Vortech build over a HKS kit. It will be interesting so see what they will charge for what after install, so I can reply with install quotes if needed. So please, give me some advice on this situation with what I should go with or also consider and so on.

 

id go with a single turbo. Dont they make ST now that pass California emmisions?? Turbonetics or APS? You should post your thread in the FI sub forum. You will get more replies from people that know what they are talking about, unlike my self. lol-

 

I'm pretty sure all the turbo kits are illegal. I say go for it and get the vortech

 

no turbos legal in cali for the Z.

Vortech is a good choice.

You can get it cheaper than 5900 from any of the Vortech vendors on the site.

 

Many of us have struggled with important decisions such as this. Take it to jesus.

 

boozt is in cali and runs the STS setup and passes fine i believe

 

To answer your question. I would boost it, because you aren't ready to buy a GTR.

I would check into the sts set up as well, before I settled on the Vortech. If STS passes emissions, then go with it, if not definately go with the vortech.

 

Motor build, twin turbo.. do it. Turbotim I believe did a sick install came out looking 100% OEM engine bay

 

STS setup has CARB certification?

 

^dont think so

 

I swear all the californians who turbo their car are totally nuts or have a lot of time and money on their hands

 

most of my friends are either 1. nuts 2. have out of state plates 3. COPS 4. don't DD

 

 

lol to serve and uphold the law huh?

 

no one knows about the auto upgrades? Also I am quite sure that turbo kits are not CARB legal, which is why I am only considering supercharging. Plus I need this to be as reliable as possible.

 

I would say Vortech is the way to go then if you can't go turbo. From what I've seen of the HKS, imo, it is just way too much money for what you get. I would rather go with Stillen over it to get the torque down low.

If you want to go into Corvette territory, you'll have to do a lot of upgrades and tuning with the Vortech like Sentry has done. One of the big downsides of the Vortech is the lack of torque out of the box. I decided to swap out my Vortech for the STS in an effort to get more torque for stoplight to stoplight cruising around town. I got kind of annoyed by the fact that in order to get the power out of the blower, I had to have the pedal to the floor and bring it above 4,500 rpms - pissing off everyone in town because of the noise.

Just my opinion though.

 

pm boozt and see what he does. I know he wont go to tp's because of inspection so he's obviously getting it done legit.

 

ATI procharger would be my first choice. But i'm not boostee yet so this is just another option to look out for..

 

Corrupt? j/k

Some of my friends and a cousin are police officers in CA and they get crap about mods every now and then, mainly from other depts and or the CHP. Its not like the serpico days anymore...

 

put a 2.87 pulley on that and i think you may be very surprised at the outcome compared to how it is performing now. at 4500 rpm i am already hitting 10lbs of boost. what has been the highest HP and TQ numbers recorded for a STS kit on a Z anyway? just curious.......i am actually contemplating down the road doing a full build with the PL kit installed.