Most reliable F/I kit?

[official_george]

Originally Posted by Le86

Yeah bud, you got the basics down but installing a turbo or any FI kit is far from basic.

If you're not comfortable doing the install then DON'T DO IT. Simple as that. Take it to a reputable shop in your area or if you have some mechanically inclined friends, have them lend a hand.

Oh and DO YOUR RESEARCH before starting any major work on your vehicle. I learned this the hard way during my 1st motor swap.

Good luck.

How would you rate the difficulty of the install, 1 to 10?

Also, how exactly does "tuning" works? If for example I got my friend to install the kit successfully, do I use the EcuTek to collect sample data, send it over the to master tuners, and have them tune it for me?

[official_george]

Originally Posted by Gixxersixxerman

No.. Not even close.. I'm a ASE tech, and this is some advice I can give you... If you have to ask, then your not ready.. Doing things like this, even if you've never done it before, should be.. Like common sense.. I can look at a part and after examining it, know what it does, where it should go and how it should function.. Being around this stuff for so long teaches you it.. It's YOUR car and YOUR engine.. If YOU was going to install any FI then the vortech would be the only kit I'd suggest you go with.. Not that the turbos are not easy to install, but you have a better chance of botching a TC kit then a sc kit.. Mess a vacuum line up on a turbo, and I've seen them go boom.. Even tho all the kits are very user friendly in my eyes.. Doesn't make them that way in a guy who has never done anything like this...

If you want your car to last, want it done right pay someone.. If you wanna take a chance, the maybe go the vortech route

Not trying to be disrespectful in any way.. Just putting it out there.. Even kits that are being installed by professional shops, are on here with blown motors.. Guy had a shop here install a kit and lasted 10 mins, and this shop knows what they are doing, have many many high HP built subies and evos and Hondas, a handful of well known race cars.. And something went wrong there

So remember, if you wanna go FI, there is a chance, how ever small it might be, but there is a chance it goes all wrong.. Gotta be ready and willing to accept that.. If not then bolt ons are the way to go

My 2 cents

Gotcha. Thanks. I've the same "builder" mindset, though, being a software programmer and an avid computer builder, but I guess it will not be the same.

[EAGLE5]

Part of the fun is doing it yourself. Cars aren't that complex. I wouldn't create a custom kit, but the Vortech kit I believe comes with a 40-page install manual. The first time you do something, you just skin your knuckles a few hundred extra times. Oh, and be sure you have a backup car.

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by official_george

Gotcha. Thanks. I've the same "builder" mindset, though, being a software programmer and an avid computer builder, but I guess it will not be the same.

Like I said its your car to do with as you please, but my best advice is to use a shop.. And better yet if you can find one that will let you at least watch.. Most will not, but some will let you stand around and watch your build.. IF and a huge IF you find a shop that does.. DO NOT under any circumstance, bug the tech.. Nothing is more annoying them working on a car with the owner over your shoulder ask a bazillions questions.. Talking and BS is one thing.. Giving advice and asking, what's that do and whatcha doing drives us crazy... At least me lol

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by jsimon7777

the Vortech kit I believe comes with a 40-page install manual.

And yet you still see threads on people asking.. "How does this go on" "how does that go on" " I seen in the instructions that I'm suppose to do this.. Well it's not working for me"

Some of the "fun" is doing it your self.. Untill you 3 miles from home or where you did it at waiting for the flat bed to pick up your car with a freshly ruined engine

[campy]

Originally Posted by official_george

Care to elaborate?

The FBM guys are getting 600hp on their $6000 stage 2 kit, and that's with everything else being stock I believe (but don't quote me on that)

Other kits usually get you around 300hp at roughly $4000-$5000.

[official_george]

Originally Posted by Gixxersixxerman

Like I said its your car to do with as you please, but my best advice is to use a shop.. And better yet if you can find one that will let you at least watch.. Most will not, but some will let you stand around and watch your build.. IF and a huge IF you find a shop that does.. DO NOT under any circumstance, bug the tech.. Nothing is more annoying them working on a car with the owner over your shoulder ask a bazillions questions.. Talking and BS is one thing.. Giving advice and asking, what's that do and whatcha doing drives us crazy... At least me lol

I really, really want to do this myself for the experience. I read the AVO installation manual and I haven't really seen something specific that I haven't done before. Mostly involving screwing on/off and a bit of dremeling, which I've experience with.

But that does not mean I wasn't listening to your advice. I am, and I will do a comprehensive research on what needs to be done and read and ask experts first.

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by official_george

I really, really want to do this myself for the experience. I read the AVO installation manual and I haven't really seen something specific that I haven't done before. Mostly involving screwing on/off and a bit of dremeling, which I've experience with.

But that does not mean I wasn't listening to your advice. I am, and I will do a comprehensive research on what needs to be done and read and ask experts first.

One thing I've learned from being apart of forums for over ten years.. When someone comes on and makes a thread but already has it in their mind what they are going to do.. Hey let them have at it.. Some, and I'm not saying you are, but some are just looking for enough people that agree with them to justify their decision.. Some want real advice.. Some want to troll.. You know which one you are.. You keep doing research, reading, asking, discussing and learning.. That's the best you can do and make your decision based on your knowledge when the time comes

[official_george]

Originally Posted by Gixxersixxerman

One thing I've learned from being apart of forums for over ten years.. When someone comes on and makes a thread but already has it in their mind what they are going to do.. Hey let them have at it.. Some, and I'm not saying you are, but some are just looking for enough people that agree with them to justify their decision.. Some want real advice.. Some want to troll.. You know which one you are.. You keep doing research, reading, asking, discussing and learning.. That's the best you can do and make your decision based on your knowledge when the time comes

:happy0180:

I posted this thread with a 50/50 on whether I should do the install myself or pay a shop to do it. It's still the same as I'm writing this reply. I will do more research.

[Carlitoz3]

If you want to do it yourself, do it! Like someone else mentioned, that is part of the fun. It can be a life learning experience and sure you might run into some problems or get stuck doing something, but this is what this forum is for; to help each other out! I've learned a lot ever since I joined and I'm sure other members that have experience installing SC or TC can give you great advice/tips to help you along the way.
With the right research, paper/video guides, friends/ local shops advice and the help of this community, you can do it!:happy0180:

[EAGLE5]

Just don't go for big power on your own. A SC should be a lot easier than climbing underneath and going turbo. Have another car for hardware store runs. Plan on it taking an entire open weekend. Make sure you have your ecu flashing software up and running beforehand. Get all the tools ready. Go through the instructions to make sure you understand them. Get gloves. Identify every part beforehand. Buy some beer. Call a friend over. Read some guides. Print them out. Put the laptop in your garage. Buy from a local or well-known place with good support.

Then tell us all the things that went wrong so we can learn.

[EAGLE5]

Originally Posted by Gixxersixxerman

And yet you still see threads on people asking.. "How does this go on" "how does that go on" " I seen in the instructions that I'm suppose to do this.. Well it's not working for me"

Some of the "fun" is doing it your self.. Untill you 3 miles from home or where you did it at waiting for the flat bed to pick up your car with a freshly ruined engine

Dunno. I've had to redo the work of pros in other fields. Even reputable shops make mistakes. Both the BMW dealer and a well-known (and frankly great) local speed shop missed the blown suspension bushing (liquid filled) on my 550i when I specifically asked for them to look at the suspension. A third shop found the problem.

And don't even get me started on the construction industry. Oh god.

[Tradewind]

Originally Posted by Evasive Motorsports

Supercharger is your best bet for reliability. HKS, Vortech, and a few other off the shelf kit. I like the Rotex supercharger then centrifugal more. We hit 300whp with our HKS on different type of gas but we feel that with a few changes we hope to hit it on pump gas.

-Randy

I think if you are clued in you will understand the Rotrex brand is a centrifugal supercharger with a proprietary friction drive transmission.

The compressor end is no more or less different to a Vortech for all intents and purposes, except that the Rotrex started out with Holset turbocharger impellers and comp covers due to the high speed friction drive.

[NickFRS]

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