Sorry guys, I should of given a little more info on my goals here. I am not trying to shoot for the fastest car in my area or anything like that. I just want to hit around mid 4's hp and decent track times. Plus, I just wanted a turbo for the fun factor of having a turbo on an LT1 and the fact that driveability isnt changed much if any at all until I actually get on it. Like I said at the beginning of this thread I know nothing about turbos or which one is better, I just chose the STS kit because I can buy it right down the street from my house at my buddies shop and have it installed without much downtime. I really appreciate everyones input on the subject though, I am actually learning somewhat about turbos from reading everyone's post, lol. Sorry again for not being more specific with my goals.

Thanks again,
Brenden

 

If you want to learn more about turbos try this link....

Click here

Jose

 

Cool, always up for learning more. Preciate it.

 

given your goals, the STS kit is probably what you want.

 

I'd still get a full PTK with the T70....it's what $3800-3900 which is what you're going to pay for an STS kit with methanol anyway.

 

I would too, but I saw an easy way to do my good deed for the month, and make a post recommending the STS kit, that way I can always say in the future that I recommended the kit to someone

Cant wait for the "Two Guys Garage" episode on that one.

 

Hahahahahahaha.....well I guess I could recommend it to someone too.

coughifididn'tlikethemandwantedthemtowastetheirmon eyIMOcough

 

At 4500 ft, I went from 15.1 quarter-mile stock to 13.1 with 7 lbs of boost. I've since turned it up to 8.5, but haven't run again. Altitude probably affected the original # more than the latter. Those are G-tech #s. I know probably all you guys are faster, but I'm all stock internals and wheels (traction). I needed something to push me over the edge of modding my slow car. The ease of entry on this kit was just the ticket. But I didn't want a dead end, so checking out Brandon's 600hp STS camaro, which runs low 11's helped me believe there was room to improve.

My supercharger comments were based on my friend's experience with his Vortech (albeit on a Mustang). At 10psi, intercooler, 305 drag radials, 4:10 rear-end and new 6-spd tranny, cold air, dyno tune, exhaust, he was running 13.0s in his '98 Cobra. It was a sweet car (he sold it), and very fast for up here (stock Vipers are lucky to crack the 12's). He was making 436 rear HP before the headers. With the headers he blew into the 12's, with several 12.8s. I haven't touched that, but there was a lot more invested in that supercharger kit. It seemed like a never-ending battle.

Sorry I haven't dynoed my car yet. When I do, I'll post the #'s. You guys ought to relax a little. Remember, we're doing this for fun.

 

And when did Brandon's car run a low 11? I'm talking RMR, not Gtech. The last thing I heard is, "I can't run at RMR because I'll hit 9's and I don't have the safety equipment required".

Unless he ran these last midnights or plans to run on the next midnights (which I wasn't there for) he refuses to run at the track.

 

I totally understand the altitude game you're playing with, but G tech numbers arent going to impress anyone. Take it to the track and try it out

 

And video tape it............

 

I hear you. I need to do it. G-tech was good to measure relative performance gain on my car, but there's nothing like a few time slips.

 

I've looked over this post & several other STS posts. I had a P600B/8 rib setup and it was indeed a never-ending battle getting everything to fit . Due to keeping the AC, the Be Cool Radiator, and a Fluidamper (had to space out the P600B about 5/16" away from the block to align pulleys), I had to make up a custom fan setup using two 12" Perma Cool fans. The car overheated at idle with or without the front mount intercooler with the AC off. I even opened up the foglight openings on the TA & ran 5" diameter hoses to the front of the radiator. Trying to duct a 3" ID hard pipe on the passenger side of this setup was an exercise in futility (I did it, albeit with .000001" clearance between the pipe & the AC compresser). The air intake for the P600B was another problem, as was the boost- 2 PSI w/ the 8# pulley, 6 w/ the 12 # pulley. My target boost range was 6-8 PSI.

Where does the PTK kit mount the turbo? I've looked at the one website photo & it looks like it is at the bottom of the driver side header towards the front of the motor. Does this require a new exhaust system as well? How close to the cooling fan is it? How about the air intake? It looks like it has to cross in front of the motor & fits in the opening under the coolant tank. The IC pictured looks to be an A/W unit. I'd like to hear some feedback from those that are running the PTK kit as to how tough the installation was, any problems encontered, & how they like the kit.

I'm open to either kit, as my motor was built for a blower & I still have that nice -8 fitting on my oil pan for a drain. I just don't want another engineering nightmare like I had with the P600B, so here are my Pros and Cons:

PTK:
Pro-
Closer to exhaust/intake
More power possible

Con-
More expensive
? if I can reuse my FMIC
Need to remove & replace both headers
? as to rest of exhaust system
More heat in engine bay

STS:
Pro-
Lower cost
Can reuse FMIC
Taps into exhaust at rear of car, headers retained
Less heat in engine bay
Good feedback from end users

Con-
Will not make as much power
Lots of plumbing
Electric pump for oil drain

At this point, I'm looking at the STS kit since it can meet my boost requirements and for the apparent quickly ending battle .

 

You can do what I did and just by the PTK hot parts - and fab up the rest of the kit yourself (no major fab work really... just buying parts that work together) for a rather reasonable price. The turbo on my kit (PTK lt1 gen 1, slightly different then the new one) is a master power GT45, and honestly it's not the best turbo out there - but it is quite large, and "cost effective". The driver's side fan has to go. End of story. The turbo mounts just below where the air pump goes. The "header" install was cake, plug access is good. Welds are clean and smooth. Could it be better? Sure! For under $1400? No way. The hot parts took care of the fitment issues I was worried about. Left me alone to do the cold side, which doesnt need much in welding or bending.

Get the hot parts and have Jose from Forced Inductions help you out. He's been there 110% of the way with any question I had. Get the turbo blanket PTK uses.
Exhaust? I'm re-using my own Corsa, but with a cutout in the downpipe for when I really mean it. You do have to do a little fab work in that when you buy the hot parts - but it's not hard at that point, and it's just a couple mandrel bends.

My setup was less then a PTK OR STS by buying the hot parts and other things myself. It means some more research and thought, but I've followed your story and I dont think it's above the stuff you've had to deal with... You CAN reuse the Front mount. You CAN keep your exhaust. By doing the cold side yourself - your options are vast. Also PTK now offers a FMIC, so there might be more there to help you (and advice/pics to see what parts you might need) I've seen GN guys use turbo blankets like ptk's - rip down the 1/4, come back to the lanes, pop the hood, and put their hand on the blanket and not get burned for atleast several seconds. That says a lot when the turbine housing is probably glowing under that blanket. And with STS - you should ditch those headers, as they'll flow more but will slow down the turbo. Only thing I think you really ought to get is a tubular K-member. Is it 100% required? I'm not sure. But if you dont have one, you really might want to dish out the extra dough to make life easier. And it lets more hot air around the engine . My setup isnt done yet - but when it is I'll put up all the pics and all the numbers and let people make their own decision. Give me a few more weeks to post that stuff and get the finishing details done.

 

Thanks for the info, Geoff.

Here is the killer to your idea:

The rest would certainly be feasable, but running w/ one fan only along with the extra engine bay heat from the turbo would put me back to square one.

I've thought this over, and suspect I could recycle the FMIC regardless of the turbo.

I installed a PA Racing K-member with the 383. I like it.

I'm looking forward to see your end results.