CX Racing Turbo Kit - Owner Review (results unsurprising)

[BRZoomTX]

Please keep comments such as "cheap crap" and "I told you so"s out of this thread. Every other kit on the market has threads here with valid, mature opinions. CX deserves no less regardless of what people think of the kit quality, and regardless of how right the comments are. This is being posted mainly as an informational source to refer people to, as previously there was little to no information on this kit outside of two build threads and random comments mentioning crappy CX quality with no information backing the claims.

I went with the CX Racing kit to piece together everything with different parts. I was initially only going to purchase the hot side parts with the intercooler, leaving out the turbo. CX had a nice 4th of July discount so I went ahead and purchased the full kit so I could leave feedback here regarding the complete kit and installation. They have had a lot of positive reviews for parts on other cars so I figured I'd give them a chance. I'll be going over my experience start to finish to give people an honest idea of what to expect.

First off, ordering through their site I can say was a terrible experience. They are in need of a serious update there. Email support is non-existent. I emailed them at the end of June prior to ordering, and to this day I still have not received a response. The only support you'll get from them is via telephone, which from my experience I have a 50/50 chance of actually getting a technician on the phone (versus someone from sales who cant really help anyway). On two occasions I was promised a call-back since no tech was available. Both times I waited two hours with no return call. One instance, which I'll explain later, I was put on hold by a tech looking in to an issue, and the call disconnected. I had to call back again, wait another 30 minutes on hold for another tech, to be told they couldn't fully resolve my issue (again, I'll explain later).

Anyway, I got the order placed and waited. The parts got here within a week via FedEx. Packaging quality was completely terrible. There were holes in the boxes and the boxes themselves were very beat up. Pictures below as links to keep the post easier to read.

http://i.imgur.com/GFGMxKQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/seLTujG.jpg

Few parts quality pics:
http://i.imgur.com/pc9TkRc.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/t5dYnn2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Je8KvF1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YFNCeaD.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/M2lPUTH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aWTP6f1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/z38dJiY.jpg


From the contents, I was missing the following:

* Oil return line
* 2 v-band clamps for the exhaust
* Turbo compressor fitting for the compressor to wastegate line.
* Proper length bolts for the downpipe. They included a bag of generic bolts all the same size, which were too long for the holes on the turbine to mount the downpipe.

I was able to get them to send me the v-band clamps and compressor fitting. For bolts, I just went to Lowes for proper sizes. The bolts they include are extremely poor quality, and I had two of them snap on me without even being torqued down. I'll also add in a gripe here about the t-bolt clamps and v-band clamps. Both types have extremely poor quality metal. In total, I've broken 3 t-bolt clamps they include for the charge piping, and both initial v-band clamps. The nut one one v-band clamp stripped and wont back off, and the second clamp's bolt was too short to fit the metal cap on to (prevents it from splitting). The clamp split over the bolt, which I completely expected. Both are being replaced with better quality clamps, and I will be replacing the entire set of t-bolt clamps on the charge piping with higher quality ones.

Anyway, the few install pictures I took are linked below.

http://i.imgur.com/gyMB942.jpg - Header flanges cause exhaust leak, covered below in install issues.
http://i.imgur.com/3fbMe7h.jpg - Side by side of exhaust piping
http://i.imgur.com/VeLt8yU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HfVnIp2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qTSCASF.jpg - Getting an idea of intercooler fitment with my aftermarket crash bar
http://i.imgur.com/deQfG8n.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZTqSuql.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IFHUVBu.jpg - Used metal cage brackets out of a police car. Worked perfectly. My welding isn't the best though.
http://i.imgur.com/xCMEFzE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6jv199y.jpg

Let us start the install issue list.

* The header flanges are poorly shaped. I have seen this complaint from other CX kit buyers. CX recommends to use RTV, which I eventually did. I ordered thicker gaskets from Rallysport Direct to use instead of the replacement gaskets CX includes. These still did not work, and resulted in an exhaust leak on the passenger side flange. I used RTV to fill this on top of the gasket and have had no leak since.

* The compressor does not clear the fan shroud. This required trimming of the shroud to fit the compressor. Yes, I loosened the compressor brackets to spin it in to position. Where the charge piping comes up to the compressor, the angle causes the compressor to rub the shroud. I was able to trim the shroud little enough so that it did not affect the plastic strength. Still worth noting since they advertise this as a 100% bolt on kit with no modification.

* Wastegate position is poor. With the nipple for the boost source on, it sits against the dipstick tube pushing on it very slightly. Wastegate dump tube clearance was fine.

* MAF pipe does not have an ideal MAF location (at an angle in a bend). The MAF sensor also does not sit in the pipe completely. With the screws completely tight, the MAF would wiggle. I used a custom cut gasket to get an air-tight seal (tested).

* The intercooler piping was a very tight fit. I did not have as much trouble because I have an aftermarket crash bar. I can tell based on my changed intercooler position that if my intercooler was going on the stock crash bar, the charge piping would not fit. When I had the intercooler sitting where it would be with the stock crash bar, the charge piping coming from the intercooler on the passenger side would require cutting to fit. With my custom brackets and ability to mount it anywhere, this wasn't an issue for me, but is worth noting since again this is advertised as 100% bolt-on.

* Intake piping from the compressor inlet to under the core support is an extremely tight fit. So much so that the core support has left cut marks on the intake piping. I can get over this since they took the time to design the intake to go behind the bumper. There is little clearance in that area and they fit the biggest intake possible for a true cold air intake rather than letting the intake sit in the hot bay like other kits. It would clear fine with minimal cutting on the core support, but again, "100% bolt on".

* Coupler included for the turbo inlet to intake was too small. Had to replace this with a Spectre coupler from autozone.

With the install issues out of the way, below are the remaining problems or complaints I have regarding the kit.

* The knock-off BOV is set too stiff. For proper BOV function, I completely removed the adjustment nut for the softest setting. This leaves the BOV closed at idle, while immediately opening when letting off the throttle. Function works great, but I doubt it'll last. Found this out after the run video I have later in this post.

* CX included 3" from the turbine housing to the end of the overpipe (factory cat-back position). The shape of the front pipe causes the factory cat-back position to be slightly changed. I do not know if this would affect the factory axle-back as I had a custom muffler delete on the car. The slightly changed position caused my tips to go uneven. This was fixed by cutting and welding new hangers to level the tips back out. Considering with this kit you only need to purchase 3" from the catback, this is a small issue if an issue at all. Picture of before the new hangers: http://i.imgur.com/LbMOgXp.jpg

* The intake intake or cold piping has no location for the factory breather hose. I bought a filter from autozone to temporarily cap this off until I get a catch can.

* The overpipe due to being 3" will rattle against the sub-frame. You can avoid this by twisting the overpipe towards the driverside as far as you can, then clamping it down. This coud be the cause of my cat-back position problems, however it is the only way to make it fit without rattling. Not really CX's problem as there is not a lot of clearance in this area. I've heard and have witnessed other company's 3" overpipes also having clearance issues and rattling against the sub-frame.

* The cheap turbo included with the kit blew out the oil seals within a week. Yes, the turbo was properly primed via cranking with no fuel. Even cranked for 10 seconds, removed the oil line to verify it was getting oil, then cranked for ~30 seconds before the first start. Oil seals went out I believe on the 3rd WOT pull during tuning, as that is when I started noticing the smoke. Picture: http://i.imgur.com/XHCBU86.jpg

CX does not warranty anything. The best they offered was a 50% discount on a replacement turbo, which would come out to $200. Not too bad, but you'd expect more from their end when a brand new kit fails. You get what you pay for guys.


Conclusion:

CX is a cheap, bare minimum kit. If you go with them, plan on replacing bolts and clamps with higher quality, stronger pieces. Plan on replacing the turbo, BOV, and wastegate as all three are knock-offs. Apart from the turbo, all three mentioned parts at least function. BOV works when adjusted and wastegate properly holds boost at WG pressure. Wastegate pressure is 5-6psi. No power numbers from me as the oil seals went out during street tuning. If I had to guess, you could probably make ~250whp easily on this kit. If the turbo would actually last, this is a very viable solution for a turbo build shooting for less than 300hp. Overall I feel the money spent on this versus another kit is worth the additional time it took to work around the issues. I'm still coming out spending ~$2,500 less than the original FBM kit I was going for. The headaches may not be worth the money savings for other people, however.

You will also need to budget for tuning. I was tuning mine myself, but again the turbo went out before I finished. MAF scaling in open loop is a bit off, though fueling throughout WOT is hitting AFR targets, verified by wideband. If you want the base map, send me a PM. EcuTek only, sorry OFT guys.

As for the status of my car, it is currently down from the oil leak. Taking it to the shop tomorrow to finish up the build, mainly for downpipe fabrication, fixing the manifold flanges, and tuning with fuel upgrades for e85. ATS Racing for you guys local to DFW. The turbo, wastegate, and BOV will all be replaced.


So, should you buy this kit?

Simple answer is no. There are much better quality kits on the market now for the $3000~3500 price point if you want a budget build with quality parts that will actually last. If you enjoy doing things yourself, don't mind the issues, and have plans to fit a bigger turbo without wasting money on a kit which includes a more expensive turbo in the base cost, then you already have the knowledge to draw your own conclusions on this kit. CX Racing offers no warranty whatsoever.


I will update this thread regarding reliability on the remaining CX hotside parts and intercooler as I am able to put more miles on the car. Below are final pictures and a couple videos I was able to get pre-exhaust leak.

First pull hitting wastegate pressure:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO_nbw5GtGQ"]CX Racing Turbo BRZ - Test hit on wastegate pressure - YouTube[/ame]

Pull after adjusting BOV to fix the compressor surge in 1st video:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWGrMoXAK7s"]CX Racing Turbo BRZ BOV - YouTube[/ame]






Edit-
As a quick addition, I'll add in threads I come across made by other buyers of the CX kit. These can be used just for quick reference to find issues or questions other people are having.

Wastegate and other general questions: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...hp?p=2477035#1

[Freeman]

Well someone had to try it. Thanks for taking one for the team. Hope you get it all sorted out

[BRZoomTX]

Thanks! Not really "stuck" or anything, just took time to schedule things with the shop. Its still driveable but the oil leak gets steadily worse. Luckily it only leaks in to the turbine and not the compressor, so it burns straight out of the exhaust.

Car should be 100% mechanically here in a couple weeks.

[gl2filmerguy]

Ah, sorry to hear about that! At least you're sticking with it and improving on the flaws...

[BRZoomTX]

Originally Posted by gl2filmerguy

Ah, sorry to hear about that! At least you're sticking with it and improving on the flaws...

If CX offered a warranty on parts the kit itself wouldn't be too terrible. Fitment would still not be "100% bolt on" as advertised but you'd at least be covered when something fails.

They instead leave you in the dark and offer no warranty. Shit way to run a company to be frank, but I guess it works for them. They don't care about their reputation.

[Lonewolf]

Thank you OP for taking the time to detail the issues.

I hope people will actually start heeding some advice about this "kit."

[spdbydesign]

Thanks for the review, bummer experience and I wish you the best in the future.....

[BRZoomTX]

Forgot to mention, CX also has no instructions. You're on your own for the entirety of the installation.

[915boosted]

Any updates

[BRZoomTX]

The car is currently at ATS Racing waiting on parts. We're looking at a late September finish date. I won't have anything else to add regarding the CX kit. The following parts are being replaced:

* Turbo
* Wastegte
* BOV
* Oil feed line
* Intake may get changed
* Downpipe is being modified with a v-band flange to match the new turbo.

Everything else will be kept from the CX kit with no other modification apart from smoothing out the header flanges. I'll follow up with updates as I have info or once the car is finished. Trying to keep this as a direct review on the CX parts so it doesn't turn in to a build thread.

[NyC Zn6]

so basically you are paying the same amount/similar of a fullblown kit for all the issues you are having with the shit kit?

[BRZoomTX]

Originally Posted by NyC Zn6

so basically you are paying the same amount/similar of a fullblown kit for all the issues you are having with the shit kit?

Not really. I'm a good amount under what an equally part matched FBM kit would be. That is with a ball bearing 5558 and ID1000's.

Not looking to save money here anyway really, but it does make the kit issues less annoying. Its money I can throw towards a good oil cooler setup once I have the car back so I can't say that isn't nice.

[xuimod]

You paid $3000 for that turbo kit? Damn, I feel bad for you. We all make bad decisions sometimes.

[BRZoomTX]

Originally Posted by xuimod

You paid $3000 for that turbo kit? Damn, I feel bad for you. We all make bad decisions sometimes.

Nope, I paid $1600 before shipping. Not sure where you got the $3000 figure from.