It's different and has it's pros and cons... but you cant ever deny that it gives you as good a power/dollar ratio and certainly "an ease of install" standpoint (or perhaps better) then most new turbo kits out there, and can certainly keep up with the supercharger prices. And sure it could be better, but it's still a rather new idea! How long as Vortech been making LT1 kits?

Personally, for the crap I'm still dealing with making my own under-hood non-log manifolds, I still sometimes think twice about just throwing my hands in the air and getting an STS kit...

I'm looking to put out a bit more power so its not quite what I'm looking for, but you cant complain - it does what it says it does.

Props to STS for ATLEAST going against popular opinion, taking a lot of grief, to do something mainstream that hadnt been done for the fbody community before. More props for doing a decent job.

 

Bruce-

I just started looking at the STS system myself (for the LT1 I'm planning on building), and the neat thing is that they don't require intercoolers. The STS is a remote system that puts the turbo back under the car, near the pumpkin. Because the air is pumped the entire length of the car, it has time to cool and become a bit more dense, removing the need for the intercooler alltogether. Its an interesting idea, and while there are a lot of people who arent fond of it, it seems to be very effective. By eliminating the intercooler, STS has lowered cost, bettered weight distribution, and increased fuel efficiency. From what I've seen so far (realize that this is from research, not experience with the system), the main problem that I have with the system is the low boost that it runs. As advertised on their site, www.STSTurbo.com, both the LT1 kits and the LS1 kits run at only 6 psi. While it may be possible to up the boost without changing any parts, I would think that they'd list that information on the website.

OK, I'm rambling. Long story short: No intercooler, not needed.

-T

 

actually I think they do somewhere...the standard turbo will support 15psi but won't be the most efficient doing it. They offer upgraded turbo's with the kit for those who want to put out some serious power. I think the main kit was designed with the basically stock LT1 in mind.

 

HAHAHA I would love to see someone try and run 15#s through that 8ft "air cooler" under the car.

 

I wouldnt say an intercooler isnt required. The use of an additional system (such as methanol, water etc) is reccomended. If you read "Maximum Boost" by Corky Bell and read on intercoolers, the intake charge temp for this setup is still rather high. Granted, the turbo itself is cooler, oil is cooler and all that jazz, but the air is only in this 8ft pipe for a very short amount of time. Honestly speaking, adding an intercooler of some sort would be benefitial, and ALWAYS is, until you get to nearly ambient temps. Adding an air/air to this setup would increase lag a hair, but is it worth the gains? If you notice how much power people pick up on the STS kit by adding some form of cooling, then yes, it certainly would be in the long run. Methanol of course has it's downsides, aside from re-filling the tank, it is not totally friendly on normal parts, but that's a whole nother story.

I think the main reason the kit was never really meant to go over 10-15psi is that even with turbo cost aside, an intercooler would be mandatory, as well as some different designs in the setup. At that point it's a whole nother ball game.

But for 6-8psi, were you to add an intercooler, the setup would probably do dang well. I'm hoping they'll make some creative improvements over the next few months/year.

 

STS has turbo upgrades depending on the boost/hp you are interested in. I am going to be upgrading as soon as i get to my bottom end build. The meth/water works great for temp and squashing knock.
What are average intake temps for a conventional front mount set up?

 

Sooooo last year. They already were running 14+#s in the LT1 system late last summer. No problems!

BBB

 

Ahh, so they must be pushing close to 600rwhp on stock motors now I guarantee thats with alk injection and not their "under the car air cooler" that they advertise.

 

LukeZ28

Tried to pm you on "PM me for details on STS kit discounts." Pm box is full

PM me with a price if you can.

Kevin

 

so, you can bolt on this turbo kit to a completely stock motor, and run 5-6lbs of boost and gain 75-100 hp? Without even changing the inectors? Must be why other turbo companies have made similar kits.

 

How is your car doing? Are you still happy with the setup? I am still talking to John at Woodbridge about doing an install for me.

 

Car is running great. I did have to take it in to the dealer because I had a oil leak. The leak was a known problem with LT1's with the intake gasket. John did a goog job tuning, no SES light, no missfire, no engine knock. I am glad he did the work. Next upgrade is gear in the rear to keep it in the sweet spot.

 

I would still like to meet up with you and here your car. If you do not mind, pm me your telephone number and I will give you a call. I will meet you up there and we can check out each others cars. Thanks

 

Actually that is pretty accurate. If you went to their website you would see the latest dynojet numbers.

What is your Freaking attitude problem? Have you just spent too much money on something that doesn't make as much power and you feel ripped? Yes, the system uses methanol. That is a trick the Buick guys have been using for years. If you didn't know most of the turbo Buicks didn't have intercoolers. Alot of guys use methanol or rubbing alcohol for additional fuel/octane and the cooling effects. Was there a law passed against it in your small, well inside the box world?

If it wasn't for guys like the STS crew we would all be driving horse/buggy. There wouldn't even be a discussion about "cars" and "turbos" over the"internet" on "computers". You really need to let your hate and negativiy go and let these guys do their thing.

BBB

 

Yes they use Methanol. If you were to subtract that methanol and use nothing, you'd be in for a world of hurt. And also if I remember correctly, some of their dynos werent done on stock lt1 rods and pistons...

STS is unique, creative, and outside the box. In that regard they get nothing but compliments from me. However I am a bit concerned when you ask "what other mods were done to the car instead of your kit at such PSI?" and you get NO answer at all.

There is some gain for doing it by the STS method, and there are of course better ways to do it.

Either way, this thread is turning into every other one that's been beaten to death.

Fact: STS makes power.
Fact: STS uses Methanol to do it.
Fact: Some of those dyno numbers on their website werent done on stock longblock lt1's - and they dont tell you that, sometimes even when you ask.

Fact: STS is the cheapest "complete out of the box" turbo kit for lt1's at this time.

Fact: STS is a unique kit for our cars - every other kit puts the head unit in the engine bay.

Fact: The lt1 wasnt meant for boost, and putting any amount of boost on the stock longblock is eventually asking for it to die a painful death, no matter what you do. Hypo pistons werent engineered to withstand those forces and conditions.

Otherwise, can we please stop flaming each other? It's been beaten to death...