Congrats on the blower Leo

Cool article Tom!

Nice numbers Jon!

And congrats Bill!

Cool banner Dave!

Have a great day everyone! Time for me to go to sleep

 

+1...

 

Vortech should be here mid to later part of next week.

Intercooler
I've been flip flopping on this today. After talking with the guys at Brenspeed they've said I don't need one unless I plan on going with a bigger pulley and chasing bigger numbers. Tom281, the previous owner of the kit and several other people with the base vortech have reported having no problems without an IC. All the shops in Socal though have insisted I get an IC. With that said I've gotten stuck in my head that I need/want an IC. Knowing myself I know even if didn't do it at the same time of the install a month or two down the road I'd decide to get one. Which would cost me even more because I'd end paying for install and tune all over again. So more than likely I'll just get the dam IC now and call it good.

Methanol Kit
Not an option only because I don't/can't give up the trunk space for my track events.

KB BAP Vs. GT500 fuel pump
All the shops uninanmously agree that I don't need the GT500 fuel pumps for the kind of power I'll be putting down and that a BAP will more than do for my setup. Plus they've told me that even if my BAP were to fail the car would just shut down. So an essence it's not something that could make the engine go BOOM!

Shop choice
I've spoken with the "BIG 3" (ST, GTR and RET) here in Socal about what I want.

Price-Got them to all offer the same price. (Note ST was the one to originally give me the lowest qoute)

Comfort level after talking with shops (In order from 1-3)
1)Greg at RET
2)John at ST
3)GTR Can't remember name

Most likely to go with RET or ST. GTR lost me only because they wanted me to either switch to Diablosport or they had to bring in some dude that doesn't work for them but know's SCT. Tune is not something I want chance.

God thing is I've still got plenty of time to choose a shop.

I'm all ears to opinions or suggestions on all of the above.

Couple of questions
1) Is it possible to powdercoat/paint a SC?
2) Assuming I get the IC can/should I run a 10lb pulley?

 

You can always bust out the Mothers polish and a Powerball/Dremel and polish that sucker up yourself.


2).. I would. By the time you push air through the IC, you'll probably be at 8-9 psi... exactly where you would be without an IC and stock pulley.

 

Wow Leo, welcome to the family of SC, huh?


Jed... I want your opinion, please chime in, thanks!

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/showthread.php?t=473120

 

The research has begun

 

Congrats again Leo! if you're eventually going to get a intercooler, you are right..you might as well
put it in during the main install/tune

You probably could get the head unit powdercoated, but I think it would be costly. I agree with Bill...polish and some elbow grease!

+1

I left my vote

 

I don't think the finish on the satin vortech is polishable.

I knew you were going to say that.
This was one of my main reasons for avoiding the FI club. To many decisions to make and to many opinions to base it off. Not to mention the bite it takes out of your wallet.

 

+1 on that. Doesn't look like it atleast..

 

It's all part of the experience.

Wait til the gauge research starts...

 

That's the easy part IMO. I'm planning on a three gauge pod from either SOS or Autometer. Using the following three Autometer Ultralite gauges Wideband A/F, Boost/Vac, and Fuel Pressure. Then maybe later on down the road getting water, tranny, and oil in a CDC gauge pod.

 

Well the most important part is that you are doing the research and asking questions from multiple sources then making your own decision. That is the hardest part, but the more work you put into it now the less you'll regret the decision.
As far as shops, IMO, between RET and ST you aren't going to go wrong. Both shops have a great reputation and do great work. I know and beat the ST drum because it's my experience and how happy I have been with the trouble free end-result (can't blame the SCT on them) has been

Gauges... don't get me started on gauges. And talk about $$$$ that is not cheap at all

 

I was referring to the creative finance research part of how you're going to get it past the gatekeeper.



Sorry Jed, GTR didn't make Brian's cut.

 

Yeah, what's up with that?!

 

That wasn't your vote.





I thank you and the Jaster!

 

They have meth kits that use the windshield wiper fluid tank as the meth tank instead of having a dumb box in the trunk (uh, Bill...) so I wouldn't rule that out.

Def do the BAP, as we talked the other night......

Stay with the 3.8 or 3.6 pulley at the smallest......until you get a cooler.

Make sure you get HTO plugs........

Get a base tune file from Brenspeed, or someone that has turned a non-cooled kit- use RET if they tune Bill's car before yours, atleast then they have experience. Tuning a non-cooled kit is NOT the same as tuning a 'cooled kit. The first time a tune for a 'cooled kit was loaded in my non 'cooled system, it melted a couple of plugs.

 

At least your pistons and valves are now heat treated.

 

BAP and HTO plugs-No brainer

I'm 99.9% sure that I'll be doing the IC/SC install together.

 

sounds like a good plan

 

Take lots of pics. Show your install.