Quote:
Originally Posted by BigFatFlip
@ AVOturboworld , been following this thread for a while, checking once in a while, and getting really excited seeing the whole kit come along. One thing I'm really curious about is how the kit change the dynamics of the car. I really like the low position of the turbo, keeping the weight nice and low. I've tried searching the 60+ pg thread with all sorts of key words, but without much luck. How much weight does the kit add? Have you guys done any corner weighting (ie weight distribution front-back/left-right).
Also, how much clearance is there between the kit and the skid plate? I feel like I'd want a thicker plate or some bar to protect the turbo. |
We've not had time to do corner weight, very honestly. It's not adding that much, though - because we are replacing the exhaust manifold + large cat + heat shielding with our lighter exhaust manifold + turbo, the weight gains there are not large. Maybe another 5lbs, and it's in the same location as before. The FMIC will add a few pounds of weight, but thanks to the aluminum construction, is not that heavy. Overall effect to the balance is minimal, honestly.
What does change is how ferociously quick it is. We had a quick 1-2-3 pull with a 400 odd whp turbocharged wagon that is much heavier than the FR-S, and even with us two, uh, chunkies in the front seat + boatload a gear, walked away from him.
I'm also not sure where all this worry about mid-corner histrionics that a turbo is supposed to add to this car. That's a left-over from the old Porsche Turbo days (which, admittedly, could leave a scar on anybodies memories). There's a reason all the top time attack cars are turbocharged (AWD or RWD), and mid-corner throttle modulation is not an issue there.
Forgot to talk about space. The current size turbocharger has quite a bit of space, it's the exhaust manifold that's the closest to the skid plate. About the same as the OEM exhaust manifold in that regard, if you look under there close, it's almost touching the plate as well.