AVO Base kit Review/Thoughts...

[Pete156]

Originally Posted by deucethemoose

I enjoy the stock-like installation and smooth power delivery that this kit provides, which is why I am buying it.

DITTO

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by tech4pdx

Will make more sense for me to just start with a bigger kit. Unless AVO wants to accomodate those looking for more power (different kit than offered). When motor breaks, rebuild stronger shortblock.

I understand what you mean. You can contact Paul and see if they have any other options right now (or soon down the road).

Really strong sticking points IMHO aside from HP figures are turbo placement, OEM look, fast spool, nice low RPM torque, unique mechanical oil pump design, UEL and keeping HP where you don't need to go crazy about the car dynamics (that to me is under 300 whp). No wrongs here, we are all right :happy0180:

[Coheed]

I really wish this kit was street legal.

[Drift-Office]

Originally Posted by deucethemoose

I enjoy the stock-like installation and smooth power delivery that this kit provides, which is why I am buying it.

If I want something a bit more harsh on power delivery I'll just drive my MR2. Short gearing makes for one hell of a ride.

Just ... you... wait...

Better pucker up and strap yourself in cuz you're in for one helluva ride!

Check for new AVO TURBO thread coming REAL SOON. I'll post my review comments here when that happens.


Regards!


Bob @ Drift-Office, LLC

[seven]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

I understand what you mean. You can contact Paul and see if they have any other options right now (or soon down the road).

Really strong sticking points IMHO aside from HP figures are turbo placement, OEM look, fast spool, nice low RPM torque, unique mechanical oil pump design, UEL and keeping HP where you don't need to go crazy about the car dynamics (that to me is under 300 whp). No wrongs here, we are all right :happy0180:

I can say that a 20G should bolt right on and that'd add about 50whp to the ceiling on the turbo.

However, any bigger turbo is going to add to lag/not be as responsive. The nice thing about this kit is how responsive it is, hence why I said "OEM" like. It's not some setup where it's laggy like a big aftermarket turbo and it's not going to have a hockey-stick like dyno.

You should be able to push an 18G on most other cars to the 350whp range (much beyond that you're blowing hot air with the turbo and not making much hp per psi as you're out of the efficiency range), I'd anticipate that with this car as well... Basically the testing just hasn't been done yet (with tuning/fueling and also with the motor's resilience).

(This next part hasn't been said by ANYONE besides me)...
I could see/understand people wanting to upgrade to a 20G or some sort of ball bearing turbo (30R variant perhaps) in a year or more with this kit if they want more power (and if testing shows the motor can handle it -which a year might not be enough time to tell). However, while I LOVE LOVE LOVE power... I realize that the sweet spot is 275-325 whp. I'm crazy so I want 350whp. I'd say over 350-400whp is going to be unruly and laggy. Over 400whp will be very laggy and when boost comes on, probably somewhat undrivable - mainly because that power level will require a very big turbo, probably a 35R variant or bigger.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Ugh I'd never go larger than an 18G or GT28 on a 2L engine. Lag city/top-end monster.

[seven]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Ugh I'd never go larger than an 18G or GT28 on a 2L engine. Lag city/top-end monster.

I agree. I have no problem with the idea of putting a lot of boost thru an 18G or GT2871R/GT2876R but beyond that, you had better be building a drag car IMHO.

[OrbitalEllipses]

High boost small snail > low boost big snail!

[DriftEightSix]

Originally Posted by Coheed

I really wish this kit was street legal.

... why wouldn't it be street legal... unless you live in some fucked up state (guessing California) ((I'm not from the states)).

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by DriftEightSix

... why wouldn't it be street legal... unless you live in some fucked up state (guessing California) ((I'm not from the states)).

I'm sure it has to do either with CARB approval and/or removing the header Cat.

[thebear21]

CALI law states that any tampering/ removing or relocating the STOCK catalytic converter immediatly makes the car illegal and eligible for impound or "fix it" ticket and possible suspesnion of license. will they do all of those? probably not... depends on how "**** headish" your car looks and how you treat the CHP or who ever pulls u over.

[mechaghost]

Since seven started this thread, I guess I should chime in too...

I was able to drive the AVO car as well during Bob's Gymkhana drift event. I only drove it once and spun it out twice and I pretty much stayed in 1st and 2nd gear.

1. There is definitely more oomph in the car(more on that later), like seven said you won't really hear any exciting noises coming from the engine.

2. 2nd gear felt like it was 1st gear torque wise, the wheels were spinning happily at half throttle (the tires were 235's i believe...)

3. I drove Bob's MT FRS and my AT BRZ during the event, and the AVO car definitely felt like it was a different machine. In fact it threw me off quite a bit because I was not used to breaking traction with much less use of the right foot

4. I also rode it a couple of times with Bob drifting the car and even Bob had some trouble adjusting to more powah!

I'm confident in saying that the Turbo added more to the car, but will require driver adjustment for the increased torque especially in drift and autox events.

[seven]

Originally Posted by mechaghost

4. I also rode it a couple of times with Bob drifting the car and even Bob had some trouble adjusting to more powah!

I'm confident in saying that the Turbo added more to the car, but will require driver adjustment for the increased torque especially in drift and autox events.

I love when people say "powah" !

Also, yes I'd say for auto-x, probably keep it very low boost or go all motor as the table top of torque will make the car a little tail happy. HPDE/open track, drift, and street will just be more lively and likely more managable.

[diss7]

I've modified (ruined) too many street cars by putting large turbos on them. There is obviously a few other people that have done this also, and are attracted to the AVO kit.

What I think what keeps getting misunderstood is that more power does not equal faster car. ESPECIALLY on the street. While your waiting for your turbo to spool, the better setup car with a smaller turbo and probably lower top end is already been boosting and is well ahead of you. You now need the top end just to try and reel him in. That's if that sudden whack of power hasn't broken traction.

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

High boost small snail > low boost big snail!

This.

I think too many are looking at this kit and thinking that $5k for only 50 more horse power is not a good deal. Remember this is the BASE setting.

There is no reason this setup can't see 300whp. It just needs more boost/fuel. And who cares about the peak power anyway, street cars need power down low.

Based on my experience with boosted 2 litre engines. Get a kit like this, run it at near its safe max boost level (with supporting fuel mods obviously) which I would pick to be around 1 bar. (Not a fan of running things right at their limit) At 1 bar, it will have 300whp of thereabouts, and a massive power spread. If you can drive that and then comment that its not quick enough, swap the turbo out for a 20g. You will get more lag but probably get 340-360whp. If its a track car you will appreciate this power, if its a street car, you will most likely hate the extra lag, although it will be minor.

IMO, this kit running 1 bar is far more car than 90% of people could properly drive anyway. Probably a over-generalisation, but I bet I'm not far off.

Regarding OP's comments. Great honest feedback. All I would comment on, is that test driving a car around the block and living with it day to day are two different things. Agree that if you have driven 400whp cars, this kit obviously wouldn't blow your socks off. But, if you've had 400whp cars, the level of supporting modifications required to utilize that much power on the track (clutch, suspension) then makes the car less fun on the street.