Drift-Office : Re-Introducing the NEW HEXON RR350 Turbo Kit!
 

Let me first preface the article by saying that this isn't meant to discredit any specific brand or highlight any deficiencies with any one specific kit since this offering from Hexon is a variant of 3 others currently on the market. While some might feel that "JDM brands" are superior to those that of ones coming out of say China or Taiwan, that's not to say said JDM brands aren't made there as well. Regardless of which, there will be natural comparisons o I will do my best to showcase the differences within the text herein. As always, it will be entirely up to you, the reader to decide what you will.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psr3oclntb.jpg

I will also say that I had never been much of a fan of top mounted turbo setups. You'll find in the pages of this forum and elsewhere that I'm generally adverse to these setups only because I look at things from a shop perspective firstly, to which what we provide for all shall not be a liability on the street (and on the track) and secondly, from a long term reliability standpoint. Many of you here know that I have a pretty kick-ass AVO setup in my “whip”, but no means would this be the final word. After all, everyone is different and their needs have different expectations.

It's with these different expectations was what brought an existing supercharged customer of ours back to us in hopes of having us find a solution for his needs. He's typecasted as the weekend track warrior with an emphasis on a “show” setup. Previouly before, I've done several top mounted turbo installs and tunes on the GT86; 4 Greddys and 3 others, notably the SBD, RP400 and FA20 Club variants prior.

By the time of this writing, we would have also completed our 25th AVO turbo kit install and tune and that was one of the explicit reasons why a different offering was sought. Since the customer already had the supporting mods (upgraded clutch, radiator and oil cooler,) we looked into the Greddy but I had felt that the turbo was a tad small and secondly, I wasn't too impressed with the charge pipe layout. We had toyed around with getting one from Greddy or SBD and then modifying it to meet our expectations, but that would come at a prohibitive cost to the customer.

What if, however, we were able to find a manufacturer that was open to make the modifications for us?

Enter Hexon Autowerks. On a recent business trip to Taiwan, Drift-Office had visited Hexon's establishment and met with founder and owner Wayne C and a conversation ensued. When asked why we didn't favor top mounted kits like theirs, we pointed out that with the high static CR of this vehicle and given our much lower octane (91-92) here in the US, several issues would probably surface especially for those constantly in traffic / gridlock and in higher heat and or higher humidity conditions.

We highlighted the above mentioned points as well as the oil return hose commonly featured in these kits that we've seen get brittle and crack over constant use - to say nothing of metal heat shield that the other kits utilize which would exasperate rising IATs in the summer time. It's been from my experience that most companies don't really care too much about what we think since their job is to sell product, not assume the liability like we do as tuners. Unlike other companies though, Hexon / Wayne had already addressed some of these points and unbeknownst to us, was taking mental notes and was planning to make subtle changes based on our discussion.

Imagine our surprise when we received a single communication from Hexon that the kits based on our recommendations were ready to be shipped. When we first saw pictures of the alterations that made it into production, it peaked our interest. Here's a fresh idea – a manufacturer who listened and was willing to try our new ideas! Somewhere in the discussion and translation that followed, a challenge was then issued and we were asked to do our best (or worst depending on how you look at it) and put the kit thru it's paces. A few short weeks later, we had installed our first HEXON RR350 kit and these were the results on a 6MT 92 Octane setup...



http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psoopg9frf.jpg

Here's a few bits of the changes / features :

• A redesigned equal-length manifold, providing for more room between the turbo and the engine, thus allowing for a larger turbos as opposed to one specific T2. This also yields better airflow and performance in higher boost.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...pslirzj26s.jpg
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psxfvrnqi1.jpg
  
• Reducing boost creep common in current offerings by running the wastegate pipe directly into the header. More commonly, other kits are internally gated.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psry3jfe5n.jpg
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psedeofj6u.jpg
  
• AN oil line and fittings to ensure maximum reliability and eliminating the inferior oil return hose wrapped in heat cloth. This is a Drift-Office exclusive offering during in-house installs.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psx6okvkgm.jpg
  
• TiAL Wastegate Standard.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps9ad9ruwo.jpg
  
• TiAL Blow-Off Valve Standard.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psxnntigpy.jpg
  
• Thermal Turbo Blanket Standard. (PTP Upgrade Offered!)
  
  
• 2.5 inch Cross-Over pipe Standard. I don't think any of the other kits offer this as part of the base package.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psyzuemima.jpg
  
• V-Band down pipe with an extra 02 / EGT bung Standard. Not having a downstream 02 bung is one of my pet peeves while tuning on the dyno. If you didn't have one and because some cars are catted, 02 readings sniffed from the exhaust tips would be different from the one on board, but not anymore with this setup.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps4omyurgu.jpg
  
• Thermal coating on charge pipes and FMIC.
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psmsr46ixp.jpg
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps8c1ulctm.jpg
  
• Vented Crank Case Filter System
  
• Perrin Intake Filter
  
  http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...psl14xy5fd.jpg

Here's the obligatory YT Link...

[ame]http://youtu.be/k-dQI9s_hQ8[/ame]


MSRP : $4,000.00

Considering that you get OVER $1k of accessories with this kit (TiAL WG / BOV / Thermal Coating / Turbo Blanket / 2.5 Inch Overpipe) that makes it less susceptible to heat, this I feel is really the best solution for those looking for something more than a "sleeper" setup!

Professional installation is highly recommended as this isn't something people should attempt to do unless they've got access to a lift, a full compliment of tools or bring it to a shop familiar with working in tight spaces!

As always, we'll be testing out more upgrades in the coming months and will be pushing it further via E85. Stay tuned for those results!

Regards!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

Reserved for UPGRADES... stay tuned!

Wow, I haven't seen you around these parts in months. Welcome back.

That is a beautiful torque curve.

Would the thermal coating on the intercooler prevent cooling?

No thermal coating on header / down pipe?

Nice! The kit looks great!

Yeah, that is gonna pass right by the pass side cam sensor harness, if it gets too hot your gonna have a bad time :) My fa20club header melted mine, but it was catted and the cat sat right by the harness reducing clearance. Exhaust wrap is cheap though, and it shouldn't cost much to have the pipe coated.

Been super busy on 2 different platforms, plus with the various different headers that's been introduced and this kit, I did't really have a lot of time to update my findings. :)

As far as the FMIC goes, the logs would show that the IATs were lower and sustained better cooling than the non coated ones from the other kits that came in that same week.

That's a possibility, but in trying to keep costs lower, we elected to not do so. Then again, I don't feel the heat generated there is as critical as up top where the intake / charge pipes are.

Not sure about that since it's up to us as the installer to look out for that sort of thing. We've done 2 kits, this one the 6MT doesn't show any signs of "a bad time" while the other, a 6AT drove from Seattle to LA to MI and it doesn't have any issues with the harness that you speak of.

Figure another $200 - $300 for exhaust coating, or if it's a must have for you guys and you can do it cheaper, then I suppose you might as well find your own source and have it done before installation. :)

Regards!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

If you want someone as a tester for the kit, I am more than willing to be that guy! haha

by the size of the turbo and dyno, id say its a 20g variant? Although I never asked you what size it was at the show haha.

The 2 spots for 1 MT and 1 AT tester was filled within 4 minutes of my posting it on the local 86 FB group. :)

Thanks though!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

Is it safe to say you can get the same power out of 91 octane that you are getting out of 92? Or is there that much of a difference?

I am waiting for the day that 300whp on 91 is a solid and tested claim!

There is that much of a difference. We're further up North, cooler climates, less heat, better gas - I doubt this will be good for 91 Octane setups. It'll run, but it won't be no 300WHP.

I'll be doing some lower octane setups later, so more on that when it happens!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

what would this kit, install and a tune run?

UGH. I know I was reaching with that one.

I think the demand for a 91octane turbo setup is big though. Maybe we'll see a dyno chart soon? :)

Looks interesting, but the overall layout and design makes it pretty obvious where it was derived from. I'm not saying that's a good or a bad thing. I like the Tial Wastegate and BOV, but do not like the non-recirc dump tube.

What type of thermal coating is on the charge pipe? It looks like wrinkle black paint.

Any specs on the turbo?

Fair enough, as I mentioned, the pipe i had experience with was catted and that put it an inch closer to the harness and hotter than a cat-less pipe would be.

As you said, If people want thermal insulation they can have thermal insulation :party0030:

BTW, looks like a vary nice kit, glad they took your feedback and revised the offering.

@Drift-Office, what are the specifications of the turbo used ? Is this the billet wheel TD05 20G ?

I'd like to know as well

Whoa you can run this kit catted?

This is my favorite line. Makes it sound like an open dump tube is a huge innovation. :lol:

It's not, but then again, it's also not offered on the other kits. :)


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

Define other kits? My favorite one uses an external wastegate and has an open or recirculated dump option. Which kits are you seeing boost creep on?

A Non-Recirc option is available, I just didn't go that route.

It's a TD05 compressor housing with an 11 blade billet wheel with a custom 12 blade wheel... this is from Hexon in regards to specifics :

• Compressor Size 56/49mm
• Trim 55
• Turbine Size 68/50.5mm
• CFM 590
• A/R 60

Purportedly, it uses "a BN Bison nitrite thermal coating and mixed with zirconium oxide, titanium dioxide and surface finished with wrinkling paint."

^^^I don't know what all that shit means to anyone else, but to me - it certainly helps with keeping the IATs cooler! :)

Why not? Just not at very high boost! (<10PSI)

Regards,


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

Greddy and the like, we are talking about that family of 4 commonly produced kits in this case. I've even seen them on other top mounted setups not within that specific 4.

Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

[ame]http://youtu.be/SO1OF10x1qY[/ame]

This from my recent remote tuning session...


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC
http://www.driftoffice.com

Any new info or updates?

What fuel was used for the dyno run above?

Hope that answers your question.

RP hasn't answered my emails. See you soon Bob :)

Any news??

E85
 

Any thoughts on doing e85, would extra parts be needed, what kind of hp/tq would you expect?

I would be interested in this too

Would this kit without the over pipe bolt up to the stock exhaust? I'm looking at an aftermarket full exhaust kit that includes a 2.75 overpipe that bolts up to the stock header. So in theory, it sounds like it would work.

On or about? It's here, we're up to #5 now, what sort of news are you looking for? :)

The usual suspects - FF Kit + Quality Injectors and a proper tune, 400+ isn't an issue. The real question is how much the stock engine would hold, so everyone should keep expectations in check. Either way, it's not being offered as a DIY kit currently, only thru professional installers.

I dunno, I've never tried that without the supplied OP so I can't really say. And this is how assumptions work and when stuff doesn't fit, people complain. :)

Regards!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC

True story haha. Thanks for the reply!

Just wondering if you had pushed 85 yet, and if any of your customers are tracking with this kit

Hi Bob

Have you done any lower octane setups yet ? In my country our 95 RON fuel is like a 90 - 91 ACN type equivalent, so just trying to see how this setup will do with "poor" fuel.

What boost level do you estimate will be required on the above fuel, 7- 8 psi ?

I'll either run some Ethanol or an Octane Booster for spirited days and higher boost, but the daily map will have to be on the 95 RON.

Starting on one tomorrow, should have some results next week. :)

I am working with something in that range, but given previous experience, running about 6-7 PSI would be about the octane limit, to say nothing about your environmental conditions (humidity, temperature, et al.)

Blending some Ethanol works, but it's not an instant process, and Octane Boosters only improve the situation by... a point. That's a decimal point. IE Octane booster + 91 = 91.1 or 91.2 Octane. :)

Stay tuned!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC

Thanx for the reply, I'll watch this space :thumbsup:

Updates on the E85?