02-12-2014, 12:00 PM | #281 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 623
Thanks: 243
Thanked 263 Times in 157 Posts
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
This is true. But also keep in mind i am pushing the kit much further than the base kit. What i would say about the AVO kit, and pretty much any kit, is to double check all preassembled fittings...that would have solved many of my issues.
I also picked this kit because i wanted UEL header, as well as the location of the turbo. Any and every kit can and will have issues. I believe that a very few minority will be active on the forums and speak up. I am possibly more vocal about things, as was @Sportsguy83 before he sold his avo kit. I actually know of a few other manufacturer kits, with blown engines, failed compressors(sc) and blown out turbo bearings. I have spoke to these people and even seen first hand the blown motors. they do not post on these forums and i am not trying to call out these people or the manufacturers for those that do. What i can say is that pretty much all the major players have a failed kit/car out there, just not all are known. While mine never failed, i had a few hurdles during the install and after, that i think are normal. Not everyone documents everything, and not everyone posts pictures and stuff online. I happen to sit in front of a computer all day, with plenty of free time, so i have time to jot down my thoughts and post pictures. I tend to post heavily as i am looking for knowledge and information, and like to document things for others to learn from. I also am an enthusiast so reading about others mistakes, problems and success helps me and inspires me with my build. What i have noticed with the Avo kit, is that myself and @Sportsguy83 were posting the most regularly on it, and we are also the ones that seemed to be pushing it the furthest. So those that are simply bolting it on and going with the canned tune or non-aggressive tune...seems to be running well for these folks. Paul even recommended (and now i wish i had listened to him) to get a feel for the base kit, run the stock tune for a bit before upgrading injectors, adding boost controllers, etc...unfortunately i listened to my tuner, who was never able to get things right and went forward upgrading injectors, adding boost, etc...the more i added, the more pieces that could fail. I seem to remember on another post, something like 150 avo kits have been sold. Of those i would say it looks like 3-5 have been on these forums and vocal about the pros/cons. So i still think the Avo kit is a good buy for the money, depending on your goals. and if you like the placement and want uel. The last thing to mention, is that through this whole process, Paul has been very good at getting me replacement parts whenever anything seemed to have failed, or even just sending me a new part to replace an old part. the unfortunate thing for him, is that he gets stuck in the middle some times with waiting for the factory to get back to him, and to ship out these parts. As some saw, my warranty has since passed, but he has still helped me out with parts and such, so he does stand behind his product. |
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to gdrider77 For This Useful Post: |
02-12-2014, 12:37 PM | #282 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Drives: FR-S
Location: Texas
Posts: 106
Thanks: 18
Thanked 169 Times in 45 Posts
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Thanks for the great write-up and response!
The reality is that you and sportsguy83 are the most visible members of the AVO turbo family in the forum, and if someone reads through both your build threads they will come to the conclusion that the AVO kit has a boatload of problems. Quote:
It's important for the consumers of the community to ask tough questions like, "why the hell would gtrider recommend this kit when he has had so many issues?" In this case, the AVO kit gets nothing but a reinforced positive review. In other cases, other kits have been revealed to be not worth the money. Thanks again for the write-up. Balanced and honest consumer reviews are the best resource we have. |
|
02-12-2014, 01:43 PM | #283 | |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Drives: 2013 "AVO Orange" FR-S
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,067
Thanks: 69
Thanked 2,277 Times in 636 Posts
Mentioned: 108 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
And people usually only post on the forums when they have issues. Every automotive forum in the world makes their particular car look like a hotbed of issues because of that. |
|
02-12-2014, 02:14 PM | #284 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 623
Thanks: 243
Thanked 263 Times in 157 Posts
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
Just to help reinforce what i was trying to say. I am not trying to bash the avo kit or any others. What i am trying to say, is that in my experience, nothing is ever plug and play and usually that simple, and that there will/can always be issues that will come up.
I bet there are many other kits out there from all manufacturers that have small exhaust leaks, or boost leaks, etc..how many people really even notice, or care? Hoe many actually go through and do leak tests, pressure test, etc.. Unless you are installing yourself and really anal about things, probably wont even notice. Or your tuner/installer is catching these things and fixing as they come across them, and maybe not even telling you about it. honestly. a loose hose clamp is probably not even something most shops would think to mention, they would just tighten it/replace it and move on. I replaced most of my large worm drive clamps because i liked the look of the other clamps better, and i felt them to be a stronger piece and cheap upgrade. Needed? Probably not, but what i wanted, and so mentioned it in my build thread. For the record i have never had to pay any shipping for any part that Paul has warrantied. Even this header, i have a pre-paid return shipping tag to send it back. While the inevitable issues have crept up, its something that can happen with any aftermarket part. |
02-12-2014, 03:20 PM | #285 | |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Drives: 2013 "AVO Orange" FR-S
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 1,067
Thanks: 69
Thanked 2,277 Times in 636 Posts
Mentioned: 108 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
Thermal coating issues have been taken care of, we had to switch to a different coating company that has been much better. We've had issues, we've addressed them. |
|
02-12-2014, 03:53 PM | #286 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Drives: UM86 - 6MT
Location: CA (elevation 85 ft.)
Posts: 518
Thanks: 383
Thanked 249 Times in 126 Posts
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
@jamesm @husker741 @CSG Mike @Frs300 @CSG David @nelsmar @Sportsguy83 @King Tut
Given what these kits include for their base prices, which is the most sound to go with? Its not so much a superiority question, but more a question surrounding what can someone get the most out of since they are relatively around the same prices (and arguably, similar reliability). This is also relative to your suggestions regarding kit + supporting FI accessories. I know a few of you have stated which one you would go with already, but given that some of these come with wideband, or gauges etc. is there one with a better value than another? Lets leave the headroom portion out of this, if possible AVO stg1 ($4,400) > http://www.avoturboworld.com/avoshop...ual-p-191.html JDL stg 1 ($3,349) > http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...74&postcount=1 Full Blown stg1 ($3,995) > http://fullblownmotorsports.com/full...base-turbo-kit *last note, I do really like and appreciate @AVOturboworld write-up of the FA20 and its capabilities to handle increased power, etc. - it helped me to really understand how whoreish (positive connotation) this car can be Quote:
Last edited by 1086; 02-12-2014 at 04:27 PM. |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to 1086 For This Useful Post: | JDsThatGuy (04-15-2015) |
02-12-2014, 04:16 PM | #287 |
NASA SpecE30 Racer
|
Damn. Brandon gets a mention, and I don't. I would have a hard time choosing between the JDL and the Full Blown, but I would still probably go back to LJ @FullBlown.
__________________
- King Tut
Street/Track Car: 2006 Honda S2000 TT3 || Race Car: 1987 BMW 325is SpecE30 || Tow Vehicle: 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Sold Cars: 2012 BMW M3 || 2013 Subaru BRZ || 2012 Porsche Cayman R || 2009 Chevrolet Z06 || 2009 BMW M3 || 2004 BMW M3 || 2004 Nissan 350Z |
The Following User Says Thank You to King Tut For This Useful Post: | 1086 (02-12-2014) |
02-14-2014, 04:46 PM | #288 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Drives: UM86 - 6MT
Location: CA (elevation 85 ft.)
Posts: 518
Thanks: 383
Thanked 249 Times in 126 Posts
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
The Kraftweks and Jackson Racing kits are very similar, other than the placement of the S/C, which is more off to the right on the Kraftwerks. Between these two what is the best value considering everything that is included in each kit? Also, does it matter the placement considering it is not much of a difference? Both using Rotrex right?
|
02-14-2014, 04:53 PM | #289 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Drives: 2014 Scion FR-S|Whiteout
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 1,006
Thanks: 502
Thanked 478 Times in 313 Posts
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Forced Induction Buyer's Guide | $5,000 +/- (otd) | Daily Driver Spec
Quote:
JR Kit is CARB Approved (if that makes a difference) and uses a single belt (I believe). The CARB approval is what's leaning me towards the JR kit. It will be a nice sticker to have. We recently had an "Emission Check-Up" around the corner from my house in Irvine. Granted, those are volunteer only (from what I'm told) but if I had an SC kit and no CARB sticker... it would be an expensive ticket! Kraftworks isn't CARB approved yet and uses a separate toothed belt drive in addition to your stock belt system...
__________________
My 2014 FRS build thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52071
“You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.” - Frank McCourt |
|
02-14-2014, 04:55 PM | #290 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Drives: UM86 - 6MT
Location: CA (elevation 85 ft.)
Posts: 518
Thanks: 383
Thanked 249 Times in 126 Posts
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
So is belt snapping/replacing more likely to possibly occur with the Kraftwerks? CARB is a nice perk, especially since CA is the gestapo when it comes to traffic laws lol
|
02-14-2014, 05:00 PM | #291 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Drives: 2014 Scion FR-S|Whiteout
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 1,006
Thanks: 502
Thanked 478 Times in 313 Posts
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
In all my research, I don't think I've seen a post about a belt snapping on either JR or Kraftworks kit... Regardless, once I move to the FI realm... I'll carry an extra belt in the trunk regardless of what SC kit I pick...
__________________
My 2014 FRS build thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52071
“You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.” - Frank McCourt |
|
The Following User Says Thank You to *LongFella For This Useful Post: | 1086 (02-14-2014) |
02-14-2014, 05:10 PM | #292 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Drives: 2014 Scion FR-S|Whiteout
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 1,006
Thanks: 502
Thanked 478 Times in 313 Posts
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
The CARB sticker is a huge plus for us CA folks trying to avoid hefty fines...
My plan is to install the JR CARB Legal Kit. Enjoy it for a few months and then get a custom E85 tune I can switch to when I want a little more hp/tq. I've got an E85 station down the street from work which makes it a nice little perk if I'm feeling perky
__________________
My 2014 FRS build thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52071
“You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace.” - Frank McCourt |
02-14-2014, 06:04 PM | #293 |
Junior
Join Date: Aug 2013
Drives: a car
Location: Probably at school
Posts: 4,341
Thanks: 3,184
Thanked 2,512 Times in 1,502 Posts
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Better to have options, than not!!
__________________
"Ah! What music! They could have never imagined, those pioneers who invented the automobile, that it would posses us like this, our imaginations, our dreams. Men love women, but even more than that, men love CARS!"-Lord Hesketh
|
02-14-2014, 06:23 PM | #294 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Drives: UM86 - 6MT
Location: CA (elevation 85 ft.)
Posts: 518
Thanks: 383
Thanked 249 Times in 126 Posts
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Wise words my fellow 86er
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
FT86 Buyer's Guide! FRS vs. BRZ Differences Detailed! [Video + High Res. Stills] | Rosso_Corsa | Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum | 23 | 11-03-2013 04:10 PM |
First time buyer - help! | chotemaamu | Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum | 27 | 02-27-2013 12:21 PM |
FRS as a Daily Driver? | Pake1 | Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum | 104 | 08-15-2012 11:48 PM |
Will the BRZ be your daily driver | WRXGuy1 | BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics | 47 | 05-23-2012 12:15 PM |
The daily driver | KiingDavid | CANADA | 25 | 02-06-2012 01:14 PM |