After the mossy meet, I met up with Brad, Vice President of Turbonetics, and we gave each other the opportunity to "check out" each others turbo'd 350z!

As most of you know, I have just completed my APS Twin Turbo Install, the night before mossy so I didn't get too much time on it, but I got enough to "know" what the kit is doing for me.

Apparently I am the first Non-Employee to drive this car, so I was honored that Brad allowed this.

I don't know enough, but there is a lot of issues/concerns/negatives that I have seen with single turbo setups, unfortunately I don't "know" how much of it is accurate.

Also I'm certain this car is setup in some way that is not going to be equal to a "real car" setup, but from my experience, the kit was very similar to what I am getting from mine.

There wasn't anything that I would say was "lag", there was a delay of course in comparisson to my car with the APS (smaller turbos, faster spool) on it, however it wasn't something that needed to be tolerated or anything.

Once the turbo was spooled up, the kick and power delivery were very nice. As it wasn't my car, and as the car is still in "testing" I didn't push too hard, but I got over tripple digits there fast enough, on a couple freeway runs to know the kit is delivering great power.

Drivability was equal to my car, and they were currently on the stock clutch/flywheel which is nice. I don't know how long they would hold up.

I'm in a pinch for time right now, so I'll have to come back to his later.

I just thought it was very cool of Brad, and I appreciated it very much. Good experience.

 

Alpine:

That is big of you to post this and based on the ride in your APS I got which is awesome, it speaks highly of Turbonetics kit. My experience has been after driving the Vortech, ATI, Stillen, APS, and GReddy is that they are all very fast.

 

Thanks for the write up!

I am sure that kit is going to be a big bang for the buck witch will be one of its biggest selling points.

 

Plus dont forget the install time is 10 hrs, hugh advantage.

I hope Turbonetics can get CARB. within a years time. This is a key issue for those of us in Ca. Providing good service with a dependable product are also key. These things are really important for the more moderate group of owners willing to go FI. I want power but I also want a motor that runs in 100K.

 

Thanks for review... now I'm more convince of the kit

Thanks again!

 

How's the spool up? At what RPM do you start to see boost and at what RPM does it make full boost? Thanks for the review.

 

I want to make sure that people take this thread with a lot of caution, and as always do lots and lots of research before going with any product.

It took me 6 months to get to where I am now, and I still don't know anything in comparisson to most of the people on this board with FI.

As I mentioned previously, there are differences in the way a single turbo works, in regards to installation, and operation.

This differences need to be discovered, noted, and compared in detail to determine what is the best way to go for each individual car, owner, and desired performance.

There is no ONE solution for ALL needs, someone commented to me the other day if a single turbo setup was such a great idea (same power and half the cost of complete twin setup) why isn't everyone jumping on that.

Now from a business stand point, that makes sense. As invidiuals in a given industry, will tend to duplicate another idea within the same industry if it's profitable/successful.

Don't run out and buy this kit because of price, before you consider the entire scenario.

Don't run out and buy ANYTHING without doing your homework first and make sur that it suits ALL of your needs, or will allow for your future goals.

This is going to be interesting in the next few months as more kits hit this market, and there are more real world miles and experiences to compare.

 

Alpine:

Your comments on the Turbonetics kit become more valid since you own an APS kit and are happy with it. It is nice to see positive comments made and not being one sided and just trying to promote the exact product you decided upon.

Your last post also shows you have done some homework yourself and have learned enough to know not to over simplify the topic and decision process.

I am excited myself with the Turbonetics, APS, and long awaited JWT kit soon to be released. It is going to get interesting...

Jeff

 

This was a casual test drive here people, I didn't really get a chance to take notes, so I don't want anyone taking this as "gospel".

Boost was appearing after 3k, exactly when did it get there, I have no idea. It pulled very well through all situations I was in.

I know I had more power, I know I got it sooner, because of the fact I have pushed mine through 6500, I know mine continues to pull hard.

I do NOT know this about the Turbonetics.

I was driving it up into the upper 5's but I didn't want to slam this car, or go near the rev limiter.

Driving someone elses car, specially under these conditions / circumstances, requires more care about the car and traffic than gauges/speedometer.

This is also something you pick up in track conditions. So sorry I am unable to "report" this accurately, this was not my goal to begin with as this was a courtesy.

That is why I am stating the experience is similar.

I have a dyno from the Mossy Meet, although I don't think it looks right, someone pointed out the scale seemed to be off.

More later

 

thanks for the write up that you have been able to give us. we apprieciated it. one other question, was the BOV noticiable?

 

BOV was noticeable. for me it was actually "loud" however I do NOT know enough, have enough experience with other BOV to know what is considered loud.

I don't know anything about how the Turbonetics BOV works in comparison to anything else out there. I did ask brad if there was something they did to make it "loud" and he answered "no it's from our standard line up".

I believe BOV affect is based on plumbing, configuration and obviously boost.

So if you want "noise" then yes it makes more noise.

As far as the turbo itself running, it is not as noticeable as my APS.

I love the way mine sounds when boosting, and the BOV affect sound is unique.

I have had several people in/around my car, with considerably more turbo experience than I do, and they all commented equally on the "sound" experience being very gratifying, and were impressed with the drivability and performance of my car with this kit.

 

That is the truth of the matter in any FI product.

So if you want to go fast, you can go with any of these products you mentioned.

There is more theory than fact out there at this time with our Z's, so we still have a ways to go.

You just need to consider quality of the product, the company standing behind it, the operation of the system, performance, and as you mentioned the longevity of it and impact on your engine.

These are the points that are crucial and most be considered before going forward with any of it.

 

one of the best posts ever!

 

Nice to see Brad gave you the oppurtunity to check it out. I went for a rather lengthy ride in this car and was VERY impressed with the set up. I should have my own kit on my car soon and many of the SD Z guys will be going for a ride/drive to see what they think. That was one nice thing about riding in this car compared to driving. That was that Brad FLOGGED it while I went for a ride so I got to see what ths thing could do first hand. It will be nice to do a little comparison test early next year to see how they stack up.

 

Alpine I assume your APS kit is running as out of the box and has not had the unichip tuned yet?

 

Actually at the show he mentioned that it had been tuned already...Either way the kit currently on the Turbonetics car is how they will all come tuned.

 

MIAPLAYA, I cant wait for you to get your Turbonetics kit.

Jeff

 

Me neither.

 

There is a place for all of these kits....APS, GREDDY, JWT, TURBONETICS. So I tend to agree that you its not as simple as saying this kit is better than that kit.

If money is no object, then the BEST kit will be different from the person that is on a budget.

One thing I'd also recommend is to tally up ALL of the things you'll need with your F/I kits...not just the price of the kit. Some kits may appear less expensive on paper, until you add in all the other features that would make the kit better or more complete.

That is why, even though I have the Greddy kit...I've been advising people to get the APS kit instead...if they can afford it. At the end of the day, the APS kit is the most complete and best development F/I setup out there yet. But is is also the most expensive...so make sure to add up all your costs before taking the F/I plunge.

Good luck!

PS: Different types/manufactures of BOV's make different levels of blow off noise. Turbonetics make some really loud BOV's...cant remember the name..but something like a "Monster" or "godzilla" or something like that. Anyways, thats probably why their BOV sounds louder.

I will likely be upgrading my Greddy Type-S BOV to a Race version, to support the 15-20psi I plan on running with the built motor. I dont think the Greddy Type-S will adequately handle that much boost without leaking or surging.

 

The do have one called the Godzilla but the one with this kit is the Raptor..

Link...

http://www.turboneticsinc.com/wastegates.html