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Old 09-25-2018, 07:32 PM
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Sebastian777
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Default Tips for buying a used supercharger

Toying around with the idea of going FI, but don't have the budget to drop $5k on a SC kit. Any tips on what to look for, and what to look out for, when buying a used kit or even just a used SC?
Old 09-25-2018, 10:05 PM
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bealljk
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Save your money until you have $5k ...

The SC kit may or may not cost $5k but everything that is required to go with it will cost $5k and by $5k I mean $8k ... and thats if you want 400hp, semi-reliable, and everything goes right ... which it won’t (read build threads of people that have been down this road)...

oh? and go turbo, the SCs aren’t that strong on these cars...nothing against Vortech, ATI, Stillen, HKS...
Old 09-26-2018, 01:50 AM
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BluestreamDE
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Originally Posted by Sebastian777
... but don't have the budget to drop $5k on a SC kit....
Save your money like Bealljk said. Research what others have done on here in the forum, look at their part selections and make an educated decision once you are ready to pull the trigger on your build.

I would also research differences between turbo and supercharger because it produces different performace behaviors and horsepower gained. You may buy a supercharger and regret the purchase because it didn't meet your goal expectations and vice versa.
Old 09-26-2018, 05:00 AM
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Cracka350
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Crushing your dreams.


Old 09-26-2018, 05:07 AM
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Sebastian777
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This is strictly a street car, I'm only trying to get into the 350-400 hp range. My shop can do it with Vortech, but the cost is over 8k installed and tuned. To spend that or more, I would be leaning toward getting another car instead. Just trying to find budget options.

Was toying with the idea of finding a used one, having local mechanic install most of it at a much cheaper rate, (or doing it myself) then taking it to shop to finish install and tune.
Old 09-26-2018, 05:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Sebastian777
This is strictly a street car, I'm only trying to get into the 350-400 hp range. My shop can do it with Vortech, but the cost is over 8k installed and tuned. To spend that or more, I would be leaning toward getting another car instead. Just trying to find budget options.

Was toying with the idea of finding a used one, having local mechanic install most of it at a much cheaper rate, (or doing it myself) then taking it to shop to finish install and tune.
save up and do it right ... not sure there is shortcut to anywhere worth going ... fast/reliable/cheap

I say that, but look into what iideadeyeii did with his budget turbo-setup ... you might get some ideas
Old 09-26-2018, 06:20 AM
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iideadeyeii
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https://www.ebay.com/itm/T3-REV9-60-...9ao6Op&vxp=mtr

$1740 for turbo kit
$400 for utec(If you can find one)
$50 550cc injectors
$800 tune
Leaves 2k for installation
Old 09-26-2018, 08:35 AM
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Sebastian777
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Originally Posted by iideadeyeii
https://www.ebay.com/itm/T3-REV9-60-...9ao6Op&vxp=mtr

$1740 for turbo kit
$400 for utec(If you can find one)
$50 550cc injectors
$800 tune
Leaves 2k for installation
I know you have had good luck, but I'm optimistically wanting another 100k miles out of my engine. Don't really have faith in that turbo lasting that long before nuking my engine. This isn't my only car, but is my daily driver.
Old 09-26-2018, 08:42 AM
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bealljk
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Originally Posted by Sebastian777
I know you have had good luck, but I'm optimistically wanting another 100k miles out of my engine. Don't really have faith in that turbo lasting that long before nuking my engine. This isn't my only car, but is my daily driver.
Giggling on the inside...

do you understand you are completely contradicting yourself?

you want a healthy upgrade in power
you want it to last 100k miles
you want to do this on the cheap

Id happily take a well-supported, well tuned, we’ll maintained ‘ebay’ turbo setup (in-fact, that’s pretty much what I have if you wanna boil it down) versus a high end turbo on a dollar-store tune, unsupported, neglected and abused setup...

if you want faith it’s $15k to $20k

Last edited by bealljk; 09-26-2018 at 08:46 AM.
Old 09-26-2018, 08:58 AM
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Cracka350
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For the money, get a turbo that you've researched and get it rebuilt. If it's longevity you want, run relatively low boost as not to wear out the system. I hope you love this Z because there's no cheap way about it.
Old 09-26-2018, 09:02 AM
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iideadeyeii
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I've never seen an eBay turbo "grenade", but I have seen seals blow on eBay turbo's(Honestly I think it was user error). Just leaks oil into intake and even if it did "grenade" it's going to get caught by the intercooler.

350-400whp Is a risk on a stock motor. I don't care how good your tune is. People have blown 350'z motors as low as 350whp which is why I choose to go below that. A 12sec car is fast/fun enough for daily driving IMO and I did that on 295whp 330tq at about 5-6psi

SC is NOT the way to go for cheap. If you're worried about the turbo then build a custom rear-mount set-up. You can budget $1k for the turbo, couple hundred for pump and the rest for piping/fittings.
Old 09-26-2018, 09:10 AM
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Alternatively you can build a reliable 500whp civic for 5k including the price of the car.
Old 09-27-2018, 01:46 PM
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