Americanized FR-S | Vortech Build Drama | Trailer
 

Americanizing the FR-S: Part 4 Vortech Supercharged - Coming Soon

VIDEO:
[ame]http://youtu.be/1__lzWQX-4Y[/ame]


In this video and article the viewer will get the most detailed info available on the internet, from research, buying installing and all the drama and true costs of doing a forced induction setup on the streets and for the track on the FR-S and BRZ.

We look at whether or not you can actually make these level of modifications and drive year around.

From beginning to end the video and article will break down where the problems are, and if the vendors are capable of supporting their products.

The entire project has taken months and is privately financed.

Non-vendor sponsored or biased.


http://www.veloster.org/docs/images/v2.jpg
http://www.veloster.org/docs/images/v3.jpg


Obviously feedback is welcome so we can tweak or change anything for the final video.

Looking forward to seeing the final video. Looks like a well polished effort.

Thanks man getting there!

Can't watch it yet but subbed for tonight!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

Dude.... You are the man. This is a crazy project. Can't wait to see what happens.

Didnt you also do a video review of the frs as well a few months back?

Yeah kind of started off as a joke honestly.

I'm in for the full video, looks like it should be fun.

good stuff, gonna add your build to the vortech build thread :thumbup:

And that one was effing funny, can't wait to see this one, good job man.

Thanks all the info you need is in that build thread as well.

thanks dude, hope it winds up being helpful

Kinda surprised to see how much trouble (based of the trailer) you had with the install.

I'll admit I haven't done the install myself BUT I have helped remove it from a car and I can't really see 30 hours being legit.

I wonder if he added exhaust and radiator to the total time

Oil cooler, radiator, exhaust, supercharger, catch cans, and flashing, issues with OBDII.

This is not counting dyno, data logging re-flash support requests.

30 hours is actually being nice considering other issues.

If this were only the SC install and zero issues it would have been about 10 hours.

Have enjoyed your videos. I look forward to your honest appraisal of installing the SC and ancillary items.

Maybe I missed the post but when will you be releasing the video? I really enjoy your videos! I would imagine the car is quite fast now :)

this is what I thought 30 hours is pretty impressive. on my kit it was 4 for just the blower and 10 I think for the rest. I ran into same issue with the washer pump connector I think I have it orientated so its not rubbing but if I hit something hmm.

Really excited for your video. I thought the last one was really good. The ones before that were kind of "eh", I guess I didn't really get your humor. But I love how honest you are about the car and unafraid to "bash" certain aspects of the car and not completely head over heels in love with it like a lot of reviewers.

Can't wait for your thoughts on the car post-boost.

Yeah my sc install alone was 12hours for the install, 6 hours for a running map (AFR) (note I did not go with who originally sold me the sc kit. Issues arose...) 4 hours drive around fine tuning(AFR), 3 hours dyno time (32 pulls) actually making the power.

So just SC + tune was about 25hrs.

Some of that mirrors mine. I had different things go on that I will detail.
Basically there is a whole hell of a lot that will be talked about in the video that no one talks about let alone Vortech or their documentation.

It list 4-6 hours on their website. Which is probably fair if they sent you cyborgs from the future to install it for you.

I look forward to the video. It is nice to see other people telling the whole story of the install.

Are you going to post your true costs? Like what you actually paid for what with the final output in HP TQ. Invoices maybe? I don't think anyone with a vortech kit has posted what the out the door cost was and what power they ended up making.

Yes you can count on complete transparency, all costs, real time invested, before and after power, and problems detailed.

Great, this is what the community needs. You can get quotes all day but until you know the true cost of going FI it's all a gamble.

desire to buy vortech kit suddenly gone

Why? There are dozens on people on this site with nothing but complimentary things to say about their Vortech systems, the install time being simple and quick, and that our customer service is top notch. Sometimes there are issues, but we resolve them. I am sure you can expect some comedy satire aimed towards us and the other companies in his video, but in the end it will show the products are solid and the power gains are there...and it will probably make you laugh in the process. Over 2 dozen positive threads, and then 1 that has troubles and your desire is gone?

So what kit do you plan to purcahse instead?

My install went relatively painless, I did it completely by myself and took a lot of breaks throughout the day. Started it in the morning at around 9AM, would have been done before I ran out of daylight but I encountered an issue which I created myself on a part not even included in the Vortech kit, so I waited until the next morning to start with a fresh perspective.

I understand that there will be problems and issues with both the installation as well as product defects (hey, it happens), but for the most part, the kit is what it is - no big surprises. If you've done proper research, you already know what to expect.

Like I said in another thread - a bunch of us have gone through this installation and are more than happy to provide any guidance or advice to anyone thinking about getting the kit or going through the installation process.

Why?

Easiest FI kit I've ever installed, with everything included in the box.

Look at the costs of the vortech kit by any number of vendors on here. Factor in the cost of the tune (if not included in the kit).

Thats how much it costs to install. Thats it. Give yourself a weekend and you will be just fine. I installed mine in maybe 8 hours total taking my sweet sweet time.


The biggest factor for me what that I did not have to tap the oil pan/worry about oil feed/return lines like on a turbo. Also I've only had turbocharged cars in the past with FI, and the instant throttle response of the supercharger is VERY fun.

oh it'll be back in like 2 weeks

This video and article is not aimed to bash or to cause problems. In fact, any issues I have had thus far all vendors have helped to resolve including Vortech.

Just wait for my final product before reading too much into this. The goal is to educate and also provide some non-marketing related information and to help existing owners and future owners.

When you quoted vortech as the kit being the easiest to install, you then shot over to grinding the alternator boss. I actually used a file on that boss, and it only took 30-45 seconds of filing. Any of the "remove material" instructions were done with a file in less than a few minutes.

I still think the kit is a very straightforward install, and there is no "Drama" surrounding it.

If the point of your video is to be dramatic à la togear when they modify a car, then I think you nailed it... the music was very dramatic, it set an undertone of "this was way more trouble than I thought" and "everything has gone wrong".

I can see why the vendor may be upset with the tone of the video

I would be interested in the final video though, as well as your costs/time dedicated. Maybe I am just seeing this in the completely wrong light.

It's not a marketing or promotional video for the vendors. It's a showcase of the entire experience. There will be plenty of issues I raise about certain aspects of the entire kit. But there are also plenty of good things to say as well.

Objectively:

• Walk through of the buying and selection process
• Potential problems
• Actual problems
• Documentation problems
• Cost
• Time investment
• Support Experience

Subjectively:

• Was it worth it?
• How is the car?
• Pros and Cons
• Overall Impressions
• Would I do it again?

Just noticed you are in IL, are you by Chicago by chance?

Burbs, PM me if you want to meet up namely if we are running the same setup.

This might be a bit off topic, but why should he care if the vendor is upset with the tone of a video a customer made related to their product? Why are we worried about tip-toeing around the vendors and not making them upset? Are we afraid to call out a given vendor or product as lacking in whatever aspect?

So far, everyone is making comments about a snippet of an undoubtedly much longer video. This is in essence, a trailer, of something more to come. People need to unwad their panties and wait for the full video before making any judgments. If you're still upset after the seeing the final video, too bad? If something is not factual, then you have something to complain about.

Woah.

I'm speaking from installing the kit and comparing my experience with his trailer.

Lets not start up an internet shouting fest, because once someone complains about someone getting their panties up in a bunch it usually just results in an internet yelling contest.

Your post is exactly what I mean about people getting the wrong idea. You are getting the wrong idea from my posts.

A trailer shows what is forthcoming, and I already said I was interested in viewing the finished work because I was getting bad vibes from the trailer.

There was a poster earlier who said the desire to buy a kit was gone.
I think the trailer sours the kit for anyone who is considering buying one, which is my only problem (and may just be an opinion)

I'm just trying to say that the trailer might be putting people off on the kit for valid/invalid reasons. Another reason why I dislike "teaser/trailer" films/photos, they can almost be as sensational as news headlines.

I'm running a vortech kit, if thats what you mean

I'm really excited for the video. Honestly though, the Vortech kit is looking worse and worse as time goes on. Innovate is going to sell for $3500 and looks much much easier to install, which is one of the main advantages to a supercharger (for me). That's >$2000 more than the lowest price I've seen the vortech go for...

Vortech does look good at higher PSI with e85, but other than that its looking less impressive as time goes on IMO. High price tag, install issues, and doesn't look like a lot of potential outside e85.