Most reliable F/I kit?

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by NickFRS

No one has gone over 15k miles.... so that being said.... who knows whats reliable.

well, avo is 12.5 including 4k track so that is close enough so far.

[OmarGC]

Think this thread is stupid... Most reliable FI setup is the one with a solid tune period and the right fueling. I'm sure we'll see avo kits popping motors at 250whp fresh and others going 500+ whp for thousands of miles. Doesn't mean one is less reliable then the other...

[Kodename47]

Originally Posted by robispec

I'll be installing the inovate kit next week I'll let you know how easy it is to install.

Am I the only one that saw Robi's post??

This would be my one to watch. For me a S/C will be the easier to maintain and less likely to go wrong....

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by official_george

Newbie question: if you have a F/I kit, can you install other aftermarket intakes and exhausts along with it?

(Looking at that AVO kit that utilizes the stock intake and exhaust..)

I have the AVO kit, and Perrin's CAI (since it connects in the same stock box position) works with it.

I did the install myself. I'm a mechanically inclined person and IMHO, the install is not hard.

My advice would be to go over the instructions a good number of times, prepare for the unexpected and understand 1000% everything before venturing on it. Please keep in mind that when doing involved work on the car there is ALWAYS something that will not go as planned. Another good piece of advice is to STOP at any point during installation if unsure, and contact your company rep to get the explanation of what needs to be done.

It is fun to do it by yourself, but it can turn into a big nightmare full of regrets if not done properly. Although I am very mechanically inclined, my AVO kit was my first turbo kit install and I survived

[Pablitomarrero]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

I have the AVO kit, and Perrin's CAI (since it connects in the same stock box position) works with it.

I did the install myself. I'm a mechanically inclined person and IMHO, the install is not hard.

My advice would be to go over the instructions a good number of times, prepare for the unexpected and understand 1000% everything before venturing on it. Please keep in mind that when doing involved work on the car there is ALWAYS something that will not go as planned. Another good piece of advice is to STOP at any point during installation if unsure, and contact your company rep to get the explanation of what needs to be done.

It is fun to do it by yourself, but it can turn into a big nightmare full of regrets if not done properly. Although I am very mechanically inclined, my AVO kit was my first turbo kit install and I survived

This. Do it yourself! But never go in blind, make sure you go over and understand what needs to be done. The first time you pull something of this magnitude, set aside at least the whole weekend including friday

[lexusb3]

Originally Posted by official_george

Newbie question: if you have a F/I kit, can you install other aftermarket intakes and exhausts along with it?

(Looking at that AVO kit that utilizes the stock intake and exhaust..)

I'm running the stock exhaust ! For now just to show progression and I'm also only at 5psi and make 286hp just want you want with already 6000 miles on it so for now I can say that its realible lol 5psi is nothing haha but I will up the boost soon just been busy and ill deff have another 5miles in about 2 months so ill def let u know how its runs

[xxscaxx]

Originally Posted by Kodename47

Am I the only one that saw Robi's post??

This would be my one to watch. For me a S/C will be the easier to maintain and less likely to go wrong....

you beat me to it...was going to quote him

[charged86]

Stage 5 turbo kit. With nitrous

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by Kodename47

Am I the only one that saw Robi's post??

Waiting silently and cautiously - don't want to jinx it! I already went a different FI route, but I'm still interested in how that kit plays out.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Pablitomarrero

This. Do it yourself! But never go in blind, make sure you go over and understand what needs to be done. The first time you pull something of this magnitude, set aside at least the whole weekend including friday

Yeah, definitely give yourself plenty of time. Also have a friend with another car so you can run to the local tool shop when you realize you need that one socket that you don't have.

I only have experience with my Vortech supercharger kit, so I am not an expert by any means, but this is how I see it. I went with a supercharger over a turbocharger for ease of install, maintenance, and reliability. The gradual onset of boost with a centrifugal supercharger is less stressful on all of your drive train components. A supercharger is also easier to install by a long shot since you do not have to mess with the exhaust piping and the whole system is just less complex and requires less supporting mods. A boost controller, engine oil lines to the turbo, oil pump, replacing the headers, etc. is not necessary with a Vortech kit.

If you do go with a turbo, I am a fan of the AVO kit. They have been around for a while, have an excellent product, and there will be plenty of people who have the same thing to share advice with you.

Whatever you go with, good luck and enjoy! Adding power to this car is an experience I have found to be rewarding.

:happy0180:

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by robispec

I'll be installing the inovate kit next week I'll let you know how easy it is to install.

You better let us know more than how easy it is to install! I expect a full review!

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by OmarGC

Think this thread is stupid... Most reliable FI setup is the one with a solid tune period and the right fueling. I'm sure we'll see avo kits popping motors at 250whp fresh and others going 500+ whp for thousands of miles. Doesn't mean one is less reliable then the other...

i'll have to disagree that just a solid tune and right fueling = reliability. reliability of mechanical devices depends a lot on the mechanical stresses/wear and tear inherent in different designs. the closer you are to the edge of the operating envelope of a mechanical device, the more you have to contend with, and solve additional issues, which can introduce complexity into the system. addition of complexity can reduce reliability given everything else is equal (quality of materials etc).

[2forme]

Originally Posted by Pete

I only have experience with my Vortech supercharger kit, so I am not an expert by any means, but this is how I see it. I went with a supercharger over a turbocharger for ease of install, maintenance, and reliability. The gradual onset of boost with a centrifugal supercharger is less stressful on all of your drive train components. A supercharger is also easier to install by a long shot since you do not have to mess with the exhaust piping and the whole system is just less complex and requires less supporting mods. A boost controller, engine oil lines to the turbo, oil pump, replacing the headers, etc. is not necessary with a Vortech kit.

This isn't entirely accurate.

The Vortech kit isn't the easiest to install. There's a lot of drilling. There's hacking up your MAF harness and soldering an extension in place. Then replacing your washer fluid reservoir. And then there's messing around with the throttle pipe so that it doesn't rub against the pulley. Since you mentioned the AVO kit, that involves removing the header (not hard), routing the piping, installing the oil pump (bolt on), and running the coolant lines. Not as much modification is necessary. It's a very well designed kit and easy to install by turbo standards.

Maintenance, the Vortech requires it's own oil changes with it's own special oil. Couple that with risk of blowing seals if you overfill (if just by a little) like what happened to Gem. Turbos run off engine oil. Use a good quality, heat resistant oil, and a turbo timer (either human or electronic) and you should never have to worry about lubrication maintenance with the TC. Going further on to regular maintenance/work... Need to change the alternator? Remove the supercharger. Need to change the AC? Remove the supercharger. Engine water pump/oil pump? Remove the supercharger. Want to install an AOS? Remove the supercharger. Want to install a pulley? Remove the supercharger. See a pattern?

Reliability is still left to be determined. Remember that the Vortech builds boost gradually, BUT it also pushes more pressure through the motor than a TC for similar power. Aside from seals blowing on the superchargers, there's not much to go wrong with the unit itself. Likewise, an improperly installed/tuned turbo will easily blow stuff up as we've seen. Still. IMO, 10-12 psi through a 12.5:1 CR motor is rather risky for the long haul, but time will tell.

All in all, if you're considering FI, then you have a power goal in mind. No one throws an FI kit onto an NA car for reliability or maintenance. They want power and delivery. The type of power delivery you want should determine the type of FI system to get. Then, you look at those types of kits for the rest of features (install, maintenance, reliability). Whichever way you go, happy boosting!

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 2forme

Since you compared it to the AVO kit,

I never made any comparison, dude. Re-read my post. Also remain calm, I am allowed to have an opinion just like anyone else.