Well, I finally got around to putting my Vortech kit on. This kit is a very DIY project for anyone with simple hand tools. I installed the Vortech kit, Kinetix Cats, and all of the gauges over the past 3 days. The instructions for the kit are very straight forward with a few exceptions. The kinetix cats had alignment issues with the center mounting tabs plus, the supplied nuts did not fit the supplied bolts. Oh, well. Everything is on and here are a few pics:

 

Awesome, I know it's been covered before but I have to ask... how's it feel?

Also, if you don't mind -- how much would you say was total out-of-pocket since you did the install yourself? ~$5k or less?

 

Feels fairly stock under 4000rpm or so then above that it really plants you back in the seat. Grin factor is off of the scale. I still need to get it tuned. I paid about $4300 for the SC shipped and about $1000 for the gauges

 

Congratulations! Hopefully i will be posting a similair thread in just over a weeks time.

 

baptist- sorry I couldn't get the pics to you.. let me know if you have any questions...

 

Thanks alot mate, will do.

 

Here is a pic of the center gauges with the Wideband

 

teh215 you have pm.

 

I'm just curious... would another intercooler be funtional other than Vortechs? with a little plumming mods. I would be interested in a larger one that will fill out the entire front bumper.

 

I really can't answer that other than to say it would have to be wider not taller. Any taller and it wouldn't fit without removing the aluminum bumper which is what the Greddy TT does. I don't think it would hurt anything to get a different intercooler....

 

Sorry, time to insert boost geek comment here

A larger IC could easily increase the pressure drop in the system, resulting in less air pressure to the intake from the SC. It would also increase the internal volume of the space between the SC and intake, decreasing throttle response.

On the other hand, it could be more resistant to heat soak and would look sweet.

 

I had thought about the increased volume issue but, I do not think that the available space would allow for an IC that is much larger. Comments, please...

 

The hardware Kinetix sends out is weird. It seems like the bolts will not fit, but they do. They are just harder to torque. I just used an impact wrench on them.

Congrats on the install, it looks great.

 

Congrats on the Vortech.
I am really considering getting it in the very near future.
Always appreciate feedback from all the members who have it.

Thanks,
-EL

 

I thought that I should add that the M300 will not work in the center NAV compartment without being modified....