I have a very low mile (10,000) MINT all black 6-spd. 96 Z-28 I'm looking into adding an STS turbo kit on. It's definitely NOT my daily driver but just want to add some HP to my Z for a little more fun. I've no intentions of taking it to the strip, as it's just a sunny day weekend "toy". I want it to be number 1 reliable and don't want to have to wrench on it all weekend just to take it out for a cruise... but want it to definitely JUMP when I stand on it (compared to stock) but don't need 800+ HP initially at least anyway. I intend to keep my drivers license intact if possible. Has anyone just done the basic kit on a stock car?? and what problems were incurred? any reliablity issues? are there any additional mods that really should be done for longevity or operational ssues?? Higher flow fuel pump? MSD or ingition upgrades? drivetrains/clutches hold up OK?? ANY input from you Forced Induction experts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

I'm no expert, but I do know that boost on a stock LT1 is a recipe for disaster. Either the head gasket blows, or the ring lands on the pistons fail from too much heat and the motor eats itself. The stock compression ratio (10.5:1) is too high for boost, and the pistons aren't up to the task either. In short, you'll have to rebuild the bottom end of the motor minimum to get any sort of reliability. With a car like yours I'd put a few bolt ons and 100 shot

Most turbo setups don't "jump" when you smash the loud petal, there is turbo lag to consider. Superchargers and nitrous on the other hand will.

-Pete-

 

I'm running the STS kit on my 94 z28 6 speed. The kit is awesome. My car is mostly is driven on the weekends also. Only thing that I did was upgraded the fuel injectors, fuel pump and had the car dyno tuned. I'm running 5psi on my low boost set-up and 7psi on my high boost set-up with the meth.injection kit. I'm making 400rwhp/408rwtq with this kit on my stock engine. It's defently worth the money. Your car will drive like it is untill you floor the pedal. I recommend a msd 2-step also. It will allow you to launch your car on boost kinda like having a supercharger. Defently recommend one of those. But other then that just make sure you upgrade the fuel injectors,pump and have it dyno tuned and it should last you a very long time. -

 

i use to have the STS kit on my 95 T/A.. well i still have it on the car until i get home and buddy picks it up.. anyhow i made just shy of 400RWHP with 42lb injectors. with the stock injectors i made 360RWHP. i already had a ram powergrip HD clutch and 12 bolt so i wouldnt know the wear on them but im sure you will need a better clutch. i would also say go ahead and get a bigger fuel pump like a 255lph and 42lb injectors. when you buy the kit you can add that stuff in also. you should also get a blow off valve. if you choose to order the BOV than the pipe will come with the flange already on it. the kit is very easy to install i did it in like 5hrs drinking been in my garage with just a jack, ramps and normal hand tools. if you have a lift and some highspeed tool and you are a good mechanic then id say about 3hrs or so. good luck oh yea take a look at my sig for some pics and what not.

 

Im not trying to bash sts like everyone else does, but in your position that kit is that last thing I would put on my car. the 400rwhp/rwtq can be achieved by heads and a cam. And its not going to be constantly on the verge of blowing up. I know there are guys who run boosted stock motors for 1-5yrs but they are far and few. The majority of guys who put on a blower or a turbo build the motor for it. (forged shortblock or at least pistons and rods, 9.1 comp). Those who don't quickly and unintentionally join the club once they have some fun with their new setup. So i see no need for you to spend 5gs on the kit, blow the 10,000 stock shortblock. The 5gs could be spent on a le2/AI setup, and maybe a rearend(buget?). Which would put down the same power but with much much more reliability. And if you still not happy with that, drop another g on a nitrous kit and all the safety goodies.
But this is your money and your car so i would do what makes you happy. But if it were me and i spent 5k on the kit and blew the motor 3 months later i would not be too happy. good luck with your decision.

 

i will agree that he could make the same HP as us with prolly 1/2 the price or less but going FI is cooler lol. if its a turbo you have your heart set on and want a easy install than the STS is for you. if you dont mind doing a few mods to the car for a frount mount than a frount mount would be a way better choice (i did sts b/c i didnt know much about FI at the time and didnt wanna deal with the mods to do a frount mount). if its just FI in general that you want than you could go with a supercharger like a procharger or something that is pretty easy to install as well. reguardless of what kind of FI the motor isnt going to last as long as a NA car unless your FI car never sees boost. if you want a car that acts stock most of the time until you hit the throttle id go with turbo but thats just me. anyways its up to the owner when it all comes down to it. also take everything as a grain of salt while reading on sites like this. once again good luck.