I have read old posts about both, but I am still having a hard time deciding which one to get.

ATI has a timing problem but that can be fixed? I've seen that people reflashed their ECU or J&S safeguard unit, as well as use the program from technosquare rather than fuel mgt. system? Also, do people still have problems with belt squeal? I have seen a few members with ATI moved the belt under the tension pulley on the smooth side to correct this problem, does that work?

Vortech has some connection problems with hoses is that right?(oil/fuel lines) they don't connect right or something. I've read people planning on trying to get better hoses to fit... I would plan on getting the R4 software for this kit. Is this kit harder to maintain considering the oil tap and the location of the filter, making it harder to get to a change/clean? I read someone had a $50 way to make this problem go away, what is it?

This is just information I read and learned from reading old posts, but want to clarify everything is correct and that I am understanding it correctly, because I have no knowledge of S/C, I have always had turboes...

Oh yeah, one more thing, I know the vortech kit comes with a BOV, is it loud? or can you upgrade to a better one like greddy type s? I love the BOV sound...

thanks again!

 

For the 350Z, both the Vortech and the ATI kits are compelling. The Vortech oil tap is like a political debate--lots of strong opinions on either side. The ATI kit may be a bit louder but has higher RPM potential (i.e. 12-14 psi) and appears to provide slightly higher HP output per psi, although that's hard to quantify due to the impact that other mods have on horsepower. The Vortech kit has a much more sophisticated solution for fuel management and timing--but the ATI kit can be modified to include those items. The street price of the Vortech kit is less than the ATI, but arguably takes a bit longer to install and tune.

On the Infiniti G35 (of which there are many owners on this board), the ATI kit is somewhat less compelling due to the fact that the air filter doesn't fit in front of the compressor. As a result, the HP results are lower due to the reduced boost (only 6psi on most G35s).

--Steve

 

There are many threads on this subject. Zimbo (has/had I'm not sure) the vortech kit...

I have the ATI kit and would say the sound is actually more quiet that the vortech kits I have heard on the 350Z. The ATI kit does produce more HP at a lower PSI levels and can push mor PSI than the vortech kit can without modifications. The vortech will need an upgraded intercooler, bearing and o ring to run what the ATI kit comes with in stock form.

What most guys are doing right now is buying the ATI tuner kit, then adding PE 380 injectors and having their ecu reflashed by Technosquare. This combitnation is by far the safest/efficient way... and there is no need to tap your oil pan. There are guys hitting 415rwhp with this setup...

 

the fact that i already have to pay more for the ATI and then buy more stuff to run properly kinda sucks...

how much for the extra stuff with the ATI?

I don't understand the oil tap thing on the vortech, could you explain that?

I understand you can get more power from the ATI, BUT I don't want to push the limit of the product because the engine doesn't seem to hold up to well with that HP, If I planned on that, I would want to change rods+pistons etc...

If I wanted more HP, I would just go turbo...
I just want some extra HP, a very well tuned s/c.

Last thing, I have never heard either s/c in person, and I read that ATI is louder than Vortech. It would be nice to see both in person... anyone know of someone with s/c in dallas/ft. worth area???

thanks for the replies

 

The Vortech kit uses engine oil for lubrication so you must "T" into the oil line before the oil pressure sender. The infamous "tap" is the oil return line from the SC itself. You must drill and tap a hole in the oil pan for the oil to drain back into the pan. ATI uses a self contained oil supply that must be changed at regular intervals. HTH

 

i feel like this topic is a revolving door..

i dont believe the comments on the vortech unit needing upgrades to run higher boost...

so i call my tuner; then i drilled (quizzed) the Vortech engineers awhile about this....

they DIDNT want me to send my compressor in for a refresh... i was told it is NOT necessary to run the 312 or (GET THIS) the 287 pulley.... i was told that anything above that would need an overhaul, as i will be encroaching on nearly 12psi at oem redline....

both units are at the top of their game...

scott (whosdady) prolly knows the best ATI methodology and tuning on this forum. (ie his bias and brand loyality)

there are many (mcduck, dollar, zimbo, booger, ....) that know the ins and outs to the vortech unit, and also have a Big BLUE V loyality.....

i am a repeat V customer, so i am too biased (although originally i was getting the ATI kit too....


IMO, find an experienced tuner first, and ask to see some of the cars he's done (speak to the owners...).... thats the way i'd decide, if you have no other preferences...


S

 

esemes

you said you were originally going to get ATI, what happend? Why sis you change your mind and go for Vortech?

 

welp, Grubbs suggested the vortech kit instead. They were more at ease wihth the SS tuning capabilites, and i figured they knew best.....

 

well, that makes since.

I also read that the ATI kit runs cooler than the vortech, which is a big advantage i would see, is this true?

 

If you buy the ATI tuner kit (like I suggested) it is acually less than the vortech kit. So you will be paying less and adding more instead of paying more and adding more like you suggested earlier.

There are certain vendors that prefer certain kits. Grubbs prefers the vortech kit. They prefer this becasue they don't have to look at multiple vendors for parts... IE Technosquare and PE. They also don't have experience with the other forms of tuning.

For guys that want a little more power and a little more efficiency the ATI kit is the way to go. Did I mention that you can increase the rev limiter, speed limiter and keep the throttle body open longer with the technosquare flash? These are just some fringe benefits of what I suggested... Maybe you should ask how safe it is to run the stock injectors at 9lbs with the vortech kit? How long will they last under that load?

Yes as you increase the boost on the vortech kit it runs hotter because it has to work harder, has a smaller intercooler and a lower impellar redline. Upgrading the blower was actually reccomended by Vortech as you can search a few other threads.

It is true I am biased, I have the ATI kit on my car. But for someone comparing the two, the choice seems pretty simple to me.

For a base kit, the vortech is solid but when given the option of putting together a kit specific for your own needs, the choice is obvious. Plus you don't have to tap the oil pan or remove the blower to repalce the air filter.

 

thanks for the great info, so ok I am asking now...

this does make me feel like the ATI has an advantage over the Vortech with it being able to run at more ease.

whosdady, how much would you say that the ATI tuner kit, plus technosquare and PE? What all have you done with your kit so far to take precautions on running high boost, i see you are going to be at 10PSI soon...

thanks!

 

If the choice were that obvious to everyone else, there wouldn't be any Vortech owners or Greddy owners or PE owners. It is obvious that sending your ECU across the country for tuning is quite simply a fundamentally unsound idea.

Enjoy what ya got, sing the praises of what ya got, but please don't keep trying to convince everyone that it's the only logical choice. It's a great choice but not the only choice.

--Steve

 

The TS ECU reprogram can be customized to take out timing (i.e. advance timing less than normal) at higher RPMs. This is, obviously, available to everyone with forced induction and not just ATI owners.

Whosdady, how much timing did TS take out for you and at what RPMs?

--Steve

 

fyi::

changed my filter this weekend....

blower didnt move at all...

redesigned offset filter solves this issue now (thankfully...)


and YES, i did speak to vortech in regards to upgrading...

here we go again...

 

P.S. I'll bet the recently announced Vortech tuner kit will have a lower street price than the ATI tuner kit!!!

--Steve

 

Hmmm,

Anyone know about the HKS??

 

Zimbo,
It must have been obvious enough for vortech to offer a new tuner kit to compete with what ATI has been offering from day one. Obviously vortech realized there are better ways to tune than what was offered a year ago.

The full ECU flash does not work with the complete vortech kit. IE SS box. You would only be able to get the spec flash, which is at an additional cost to the current vortech kit and does not offer all of the benefits of the complete flash.

The ATI tuner kit IMO is the best option for those considering superchargers. If I recall correctly you have chosen to ditch the vortech and get a turbo? I'm assuming you decided to do this because you want to produce more power than what the vortech kit is capable of? If not what is your reason?

As far as me convincing others that ATI is the only logical choice... I have simply backed my logic with several facts. I didn't criticize you for stating the positive aspects of the vortech kit so don't criticize me for doing the same.

Will the vortech kit have a lower street price than the ATI tuner kit? Sure!!! The vortech is less because you are getting less

As far as the HKS kit I have not seen one in person. I know they have a small I/C and the increase in power is similar to that of the Stillen kit. (weak) If I had to chose another kit besides ATI, I would either go turbo or wait for the dreamworks supercharger.

 

dream workes, hmmm, I called a 2 month ago, and they actually told me it would be out in 60-90 days, then i called 2 days ago, and they said the same thing....
I would love to get the dream workes kit, but I don't feel like sitting around forever.

 

nothr FYI::

vortech has offered different trim blowers for over 10 years.....

you can change the compressor if you like, but they (engineering) decided the v2 was best suited for our application (power and quietness)

my v2sc is 100% quieter than the v1 i had years back.... (a common thing to miss on the install is to overtension the cog belt, which makes the compressor sound ALOT louder/echoes thruout the gousing.... try loosening the cofbelt about ½ " of play and observe the sound output.... no more metal sounds!!!)

S

 

I'd like to go turbo at some point because modifying my car has become a hobby in and of itself. As soon as I stop making changes I'll sell the car and move on to another hobby. At one point you decided to sell your car. Were you unhappy with your ATI kit?

I'm not criticizing you. I'm simply pointing out that the wording of your statement that the ATI kit is the only logical choice is sorta like saying that John Kerry is the only logical choice as President in the next election. I respect your opinion, just not the jingoistic wording of it.

--Steve