I bit the bullet and got the powerlab GT35R
...About the jet-hot, its just a more expensive way of doing it...jet hot is mainly so you dont have to do this:
but heat wrap works jsut as good(maybe even better). You can use heat wrap on some areas like umw350z has and still get a clean engine bay.
What is your budget TXS.. a lot will depend on that...cause we can give you a lot of suggestions on parts but some of them you dont really need, and some are not priority... lets start from there
thanks for all of the help guys! I am sure i will be contacting some of you as the install gets underway. Just trying to get everything straight before i start the install. right now my setup will be PL 35R kit, AAM 3 inch single exhaust, plenum spacer, PL vacum block, defi boost gauge, 1 step colder plugs, and innovate wideband. Am i missing anything for now?
budget was cost of full kit +1000$ for now. but things can be added soon after in the order of how important it is. EX: if i have to spend 400 extra for a few gauges then i will do that asap then move on to polishing things up to make a cleaner bay when i get the extra cash.
right now I want to make 400ish on under 8 lbs. this car is my dd right now, but only 8 miles a day. I would have another dd if i had the parking space at my house. 4 people and 8 cars FTL
Sounds like the numbers I am looking to get. I have been debating between this kit and the STS rear mount kit. The rear mount can definitely put up some nice numbers, but is much less upgradeable than this kit. But, I plan on doing the install myself, and the rear mount would be good for all the needs I have at this point in time.
Needless to say, I will be watching this thread to see how easy this sucker is to install. Good luck, I hope its all you wanted!
Needless to say, I will be watching this thread to see how easy this sucker is to install. Good luck, I hope its all you wanted!
thanks for all of the help guys! I am sure i will be contacting some of you as the install gets underway. Just trying to get everything straight before i start the install. right now my setup will be PL 35R kit, AAM 3 inch single exhaust, plenum spacer, PL vacum block, defi boost gauge, 1 step colder plugs, and innovate wideband. Am i missing anything for now?
I would also consider a radiator...the stock one is paper-thin. I have a Koyo radiator now....no aftermarket water temp guage, but no signs of overheating on the stock temp gauge.
I'm useful for something other then a recipe? haha. that's new to me.
None of this is in order, I'm just thinking random things down as I go, don't mind the mess.
Ask intense to add to your order whatever spark plugs they recommend. I think mine are NGK 1 step colder plugs.
Any wideband should do you fine. I run a Innovate unit
Don't forget to get another fuel pump o-ring since you can't reuse the old one.
400WHP = buying a boost controller.
As far as Utec goes. I sometimes have a pretty bad stumble if I'm at part throttle as soon as I hit .00 boost. This is something my tuner said he could clean up, but its just something we've never got around to doing. sometimes its fine sometimes its not, either way, if you mash the throttle, it NEVER stumbles. only when under a light load like normal driving. Also, if the car is warm and I turn it off, sometimes when restarting it, it will stall if I don't give it a bit of throttle, over all, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't think twice about using the Utec unless I planed on making 600+ WHP it does the job and after my tuner cleans up the stumble (if I ever get around to it) then it will be just fine for my needs. BTW clearly my stumble is bad since I'm really not pressed to get it fixed.... its on my too do list....... maybe next year some time if I get around to it....
As for exhaust, I run an Invida exhuast, I love how it sounds and have no desire to change it unless again trying to make 600+ WHP. as of right now with the 3.3 rear end and 400 or so WHP (depend on who dynos it) the car is boarder line usable. with it chilly out, 2nd gear will easily get you sideways. 'IMO its the perfect power for street use. Besides if I want to go faster I'll just jump on my motorcycle =)
Speaking of rear ends, if you can get a 3.3 rear, do it. I'd hate to think about how pointless 1st gear would be with the stock rear end.
As far as a turbo blanket/heat wrap. i DO NOT run it. why? I drive my car on the weekends and put very few miles on the car. I also watch my temps both water temp, as with opening the hood and checking around the turbo for issues, and have had ZERO heat issues so far. Maybe it has to do with my front bumper or my hood, but again, zero heat issues. even with a 100% stock cooling system.
Do I plan on wrapping it or adding a heat blanket? nope! not unless I start to see some heat problems show up.
As far as boost gauge goes, why waste your money? its pointless if you get a good boost controller. I always go to my boost controller for my peak boost readings. You cannot focus on a boost gauge while driving, it just doesn't work. IMO boost gauges are nothing more then a show item. If anything my eyes are on my A/F gauge but even that is pretty darn hard to read when you're full throttle. at least a big # is easier to read then a small gauge with a needle.
speaking of gauges This is what I use.
See how it's a nice big #? it's not the best looking gauge but, who cares, it works and is very easy to read.
Have you thought about a return fuel system?
Ask Intense if they're preloading the utecs with base maps, my utec did not have any maps installed, I ended up loading a base Turbonetics 550cc map from the utec web site. my car ran rich, but it ran well enough to drive to my tuners 1+ hour away.
Do keep in mind, powerlabs uses some of the largest piping around, before trying to install any random piece of piping, look at it and try to figure out the best way to get it in, it really is like a big puzzle, a few times I had to scratch my head thinking, is this piece meant to go there? how the hell...... but in the end other then the charge pipe coming off the I/C everything fit with out any modding.
If you have any questions just post them I'll try to remember the answers for you.
None of this is in order, I'm just thinking random things down as I go, don't mind the mess.
Ask intense to add to your order whatever spark plugs they recommend. I think mine are NGK 1 step colder plugs.
Any wideband should do you fine. I run a Innovate unit
Don't forget to get another fuel pump o-ring since you can't reuse the old one.
400WHP = buying a boost controller.
As far as Utec goes. I sometimes have a pretty bad stumble if I'm at part throttle as soon as I hit .00 boost. This is something my tuner said he could clean up, but its just something we've never got around to doing. sometimes its fine sometimes its not, either way, if you mash the throttle, it NEVER stumbles. only when under a light load like normal driving. Also, if the car is warm and I turn it off, sometimes when restarting it, it will stall if I don't give it a bit of throttle, over all, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't think twice about using the Utec unless I planed on making 600+ WHP it does the job and after my tuner cleans up the stumble (if I ever get around to it) then it will be just fine for my needs. BTW clearly my stumble is bad since I'm really not pressed to get it fixed.... its on my too do list....... maybe next year some time if I get around to it....
As for exhaust, I run an Invida exhuast, I love how it sounds and have no desire to change it unless again trying to make 600+ WHP. as of right now with the 3.3 rear end and 400 or so WHP (depend on who dynos it) the car is boarder line usable. with it chilly out, 2nd gear will easily get you sideways. 'IMO its the perfect power for street use. Besides if I want to go faster I'll just jump on my motorcycle =)
Speaking of rear ends, if you can get a 3.3 rear, do it. I'd hate to think about how pointless 1st gear would be with the stock rear end.
As far as a turbo blanket/heat wrap. i DO NOT run it. why? I drive my car on the weekends and put very few miles on the car. I also watch my temps both water temp, as with opening the hood and checking around the turbo for issues, and have had ZERO heat issues so far. Maybe it has to do with my front bumper or my hood, but again, zero heat issues. even with a 100% stock cooling system.
Do I plan on wrapping it or adding a heat blanket? nope! not unless I start to see some heat problems show up.
As far as boost gauge goes, why waste your money? its pointless if you get a good boost controller. I always go to my boost controller for my peak boost readings. You cannot focus on a boost gauge while driving, it just doesn't work. IMO boost gauges are nothing more then a show item. If anything my eyes are on my A/F gauge but even that is pretty darn hard to read when you're full throttle. at least a big # is easier to read then a small gauge with a needle.
speaking of gauges This is what I use.
See how it's a nice big #? it's not the best looking gauge but, who cares, it works and is very easy to read.
Have you thought about a return fuel system?
Ask Intense if they're preloading the utecs with base maps, my utec did not have any maps installed, I ended up loading a base Turbonetics 550cc map from the utec web site. my car ran rich, but it ran well enough to drive to my tuners 1+ hour away.
Do keep in mind, powerlabs uses some of the largest piping around, before trying to install any random piece of piping, look at it and try to figure out the best way to get it in, it really is like a big puzzle, a few times I had to scratch my head thinking, is this piece meant to go there? how the hell...... but in the end other then the charge pipe coming off the I/C everything fit with out any modding.
If you have any questions just post them I'll try to remember the answers for you.
My first UTEC stumbled at part throttle. My new one doesn't really stumble at all surprisingly, I think it may be the grounding kit I put on (which cleared up alot of electrical bugs I'd been having) at the same as the new UTEC going in heh...I agree with what Jeffie said, the UTEC is just fine for what you want to do. If you decide to go with 600+ whp built , then yeah by all means go with a Haltech.
My utech stumbles too and it pisses me off but i quess there is nothing to do about it except a better ems.................good luck with the kit and you are here in MD. and if you need any help let us know.
I'm useful for something other then a recipe? haha. that's new to me.
None of this is in order, I'm just thinking random things down as I go, don't mind the mess.
Ask intense to add to your order whatever spark plugs they recommend. I think mine are NGK 1 step colder plugs.
Any wideband should do you fine. I run a Innovate unit
Don't forget to get another fuel pump o-ring since you can't reuse the old one.
400WHP = buying a boost controller.
As far as Utec goes. I sometimes have a pretty bad stumble if I'm at part throttle as soon as I hit .00 boost. This is something my tuner said he could clean up, but its just something we've never got around to doing. sometimes its fine sometimes its not, either way, if you mash the throttle, it NEVER stumbles. only when under a light load like normal driving. Also, if the car is warm and I turn it off, sometimes when restarting it, it will stall if I don't give it a bit of throttle, over all, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't think twice about using the Utec unless I planed on making 600+ WHP it does the job and after my tuner cleans up the stumble (if I ever get around to it) then it will be just fine for my needs. BTW clearly my stumble is bad since I'm really not pressed to get it fixed.... its on my too do list....... maybe next year some time if I get around to it....
As for exhaust, I run an Invida exhuast, I love how it sounds and have no desire to change it unless again trying to make 600+ WHP. as of right now with the 3.3 rear end and 400 or so WHP (depend on who dynos it) the car is boarder line usable. with it chilly out, 2nd gear will easily get you sideways. 'IMO its the perfect power for street use. Besides if I want to go faster I'll just jump on my motorcycle =)
Speaking of rear ends, if you can get a 3.3 rear, do it. I'd hate to think about how pointless 1st gear would be with the stock rear end.
As far as a turbo blanket/heat wrap. i DO NOT run it. why? I drive my car on the weekends and put very few miles on the car. I also watch my temps both water temp, as with opening the hood and checking around the turbo for issues, and have had ZERO heat issues so far. Maybe it has to do with my front bumper or my hood, but again, zero heat issues. even with a 100% stock cooling system.
Do I plan on wrapping it or adding a heat blanket? nope! not unless I start to see some heat problems show up.
As far as boost gauge goes, why waste your money? its pointless if you get a good boost controller. I always go to my boost controller for my peak boost readings. You cannot focus on a boost gauge while driving, it just doesn't work. IMO boost gauges are nothing more then a show item. If anything my eyes are on my A/F gauge but even that is pretty darn hard to read when you're full throttle. at least a big # is easier to read then a small gauge with a needle.
speaking of gauges This is what I use.
See how it's a nice big #? it's not the best looking gauge but, who cares, it works and is very easy to read.
Have you thought about a return fuel system?
Ask Intense if they're preloading the utecs with base maps, my utec did not have any maps installed, I ended up loading a base Turbonetics 550cc map from the utec web site. my car ran rich, but it ran well enough to drive to my tuners 1+ hour away.
Do keep in mind, powerlabs uses some of the largest piping around, before trying to install any random piece of piping, look at it and try to figure out the best way to get it in, it really is like a big puzzle, a few times I had to scratch my head thinking, is this piece meant to go there? how the hell...... but in the end other then the charge pipe coming off the I/C everything fit with out any modding.
If you have any questions just post them I'll try to remember the answers for you.
None of this is in order, I'm just thinking random things down as I go, don't mind the mess.
Ask intense to add to your order whatever spark plugs they recommend. I think mine are NGK 1 step colder plugs.
Any wideband should do you fine. I run a Innovate unit
Don't forget to get another fuel pump o-ring since you can't reuse the old one.
400WHP = buying a boost controller.
As far as Utec goes. I sometimes have a pretty bad stumble if I'm at part throttle as soon as I hit .00 boost. This is something my tuner said he could clean up, but its just something we've never got around to doing. sometimes its fine sometimes its not, either way, if you mash the throttle, it NEVER stumbles. only when under a light load like normal driving. Also, if the car is warm and I turn it off, sometimes when restarting it, it will stall if I don't give it a bit of throttle, over all, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't think twice about using the Utec unless I planed on making 600+ WHP it does the job and after my tuner cleans up the stumble (if I ever get around to it) then it will be just fine for my needs. BTW clearly my stumble is bad since I'm really not pressed to get it fixed.... its on my too do list....... maybe next year some time if I get around to it....
As for exhaust, I run an Invida exhuast, I love how it sounds and have no desire to change it unless again trying to make 600+ WHP. as of right now with the 3.3 rear end and 400 or so WHP (depend on who dynos it) the car is boarder line usable. with it chilly out, 2nd gear will easily get you sideways. 'IMO its the perfect power for street use. Besides if I want to go faster I'll just jump on my motorcycle =)
Speaking of rear ends, if you can get a 3.3 rear, do it. I'd hate to think about how pointless 1st gear would be with the stock rear end.
As far as a turbo blanket/heat wrap. i DO NOT run it. why? I drive my car on the weekends and put very few miles on the car. I also watch my temps both water temp, as with opening the hood and checking around the turbo for issues, and have had ZERO heat issues so far. Maybe it has to do with my front bumper or my hood, but again, zero heat issues. even with a 100% stock cooling system.
Do I plan on wrapping it or adding a heat blanket? nope! not unless I start to see some heat problems show up.
As far as boost gauge goes, why waste your money? its pointless if you get a good boost controller. I always go to my boost controller for my peak boost readings. You cannot focus on a boost gauge while driving, it just doesn't work. IMO boost gauges are nothing more then a show item. If anything my eyes are on my A/F gauge but even that is pretty darn hard to read when you're full throttle. at least a big # is easier to read then a small gauge with a needle.
speaking of gauges This is what I use.
See how it's a nice big #? it's not the best looking gauge but, who cares, it works and is very easy to read.
Have you thought about a return fuel system?
Ask Intense if they're preloading the utecs with base maps, my utec did not have any maps installed, I ended up loading a base Turbonetics 550cc map from the utec web site. my car ran rich, but it ran well enough to drive to my tuners 1+ hour away.
Do keep in mind, powerlabs uses some of the largest piping around, before trying to install any random piece of piping, look at it and try to figure out the best way to get it in, it really is like a big puzzle, a few times I had to scratch my head thinking, is this piece meant to go there? how the hell...... but in the end other then the charge pipe coming off the I/C everything fit with out any modding.
If you have any questions just post them I'll try to remember the answers for you.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...2021_100455909
I really like the Tanabe sound and would be siked to know i'd be able to use it with the Plab sinle kit.
Last edited by Highway Riding; Oct 21, 2008 at 05:48 PM.
I have to disagree about the boost gauge....I use mine all the time. It is very useful if you are trying to save gas. When you get into boost...bye bye gasoline. When I was paying $4.60 a gallon, I didn't even look at the road, i just stared at the boost gauge
I managed to squeek out just over 25 mpg on the highway using that gauge
I managed to squeek out just over 25 mpg on the highway using that gauge