I'm looking to go forced induction. From what I have read here, the safest bet seems to be the stillen. I like the engine warranty, I like the fact I can build it in stages, and it seems like a project that I can handle (hopefully).

My questions are: How much power am I looking at at the wheels with a stage one? I don't mind upgrading stages over time.

I don't really like the hood, but what additional costs am I looking at with the purchase of the raised hood? (I don't want the carbon add-on)

And finally, after the purchase of all of the extras, how does the costs weigh out in comparison to the ATI or the Vortech?

*I basically want "plug and play". I don't want to deal with tuning, air fuel, and all of that. I want to install it and go. Is this realistic with any of the systems out?

I have searched the forum many times for info on this and all I seem to find are tuning issues with most brands, and articles on stage II kits and up stillens. Not much info on stage ones.

Just need a little help!

Thanks,
Jay

 

Go straight to the stage 2 kit with the intercooler, you will not be disappointed. If you start with stage 1 you will have to pay extra later to have the intercooler system installed.

 

I agree, start with the stage-2.
But here are some official numbers just released from stillen. These are from a stock Z with the Stillen cat-back exhaust.

Flywheel Wheel
Baseline 287hp 238hp

Stage 1 369hp 305hp

Stage 2 384hp 317hp

Stage 3 410hp 339hp

 

I think that from a perspective of price, the Stillen kit is a good choice. Heres some price work from their site.
Stage 1 $3795
Stage 2 $5239
Stage 3 $5328

Fiberglass hood $649
Carbon hood $795

And heres the best part. Where as most kits require 20+ hours for the install (40 hours for the Greddy TT kit), The Stillen kit only calls for 12 hours on a stage 2 with intercooler. Thats less than $1000 at most shops. Stage 1 is even cheaper.

Stillen is an excellent choice!

 

Go with stage 2 or 3. Install is easy and very reliable. I install it at home and I never did anything like this. PM if you need tips.

 

I HAD MY 2 buddies install it for me because it they owed me, I started with teh stage 2 and as soon as it came out, the stage 3 (did the stage 3 myself!)

power was perfect, no tuning required, just felt like an all new car

and I havent heard one story about a stillen blowing a motor, it seems impossible with that little amt of boost!

but anyway, get it, got it, good

 

I bought the carbon fiber hood and it looks awesome, I had many compliments on it. so go ahead and buy it and enjoy.
C5DEMON don't get it from Stillen, their tech support SUCKS...
save your self some $ and buy it from other venders.

 

hood is gonna cost you about 750-800 delivered, and 200-400 for paint. As Rogue said, dont buy it directly, their customer service sucks. Tech is pretty good for me, but when my intercooler pump went out a month ago, I called for a price on a new one, and am still waiting Dean's callback. (I bought the kit used, so no warranty, but I got the pump elsewhere in a day) You can also get a better price on the kit through another vendor like jason@performance or avalon racing.

 

Go with the Stage 2..... I had my work done at Stillen and could not be happier with the time spent on the car and the service before/after. Steve Millen came out to make sure I was happy with the work I had done and took the time to show me a couple of other projects in the shop at the time.

As for perfomance, I have to agree with axxizzer's post above, it feels like a new car!