Question of the DAY:
IF:
Universal Single Turbo System - Tuner Price: $2,995.00
The STSUniversalTurbo System comes complete with everything you need to install the turbocharger in a remote location on virtually any vehicle.
Universal Turbo Systems require fabrication and do NOT include intake or exhaust tubing, fuel management or tuning.
THEN:
- Fabrication = $500-$2000 (parts and labor)
- Fuel Management System = $1000-$3000
- Tuning = $500-$1500
TOTAL RANGE of ADDITIONAL EXPENSES:
$2000-$6500
That's a BROAD RANGE, but I would like ANYBODY here with TURBO experience to dispute the LOWER LIMIT BEST CASE SCENARIO of $2000 ON TOP OF the $2995 kit price....
NOW, MOST IMPORTANTLY!!!!!
Any vehicle modification needs to consider BALANCE as a complete SYSTEM. When you add several pounds of BOOST to a NORMALLY ASPIRATED DESIGN motor, you now require either:
- LOW BOOST set-ups --> say up to 5 PSI (THick head gasket for reduced compression, various other considerations... labor and "know-how")
- MODERATE BOOST --> say up to 10-15 PSI related modifications such as Thick Head Gasket, "ring/seal" heads, chrome moly studs, ground washers, timing control, cam timing gears, fuel system upgrades... inlucing pump, rail, pressure regulator, injectors, (have you PRICED a good injector lately?)
- HIGH BOOST --> getting over 15 PSI, into the high teens or TWENTIES, even... MAJOR ENGINE BOTTOM END MODS, PISTONS, GAPLESS RINGS, LUBE SYSTEMS, INJECTORS, IGNITION, FUEL, etc, etc, etc.... not to mention all the BRAKING, SUSPENSION, etc, etc... necessary for ALL of the above.
(I'm not EVEN going to get into engine mounts, CV/LSD units, TRANMISSION VALVE BODY, clutch packs, converter, etc... strengthening...)
So, lets say you are HAPPY with a LOW BOOST add... I would say at 5 PSI on a REMOTE turbo setup, the first indication of how much POWER you were making would be forshadowed by THE WORLDS'S LONGEST TURBO LAG, followed by a "good rubber band tug" on your vehicle... besides, basic formulas will put you in the 7-15HP per lb range with a 3ish liter engine... that's 35-75HP or so gain... that's between $150-$400 per HP... and this ratio will INCREASE IN DOLLAR/HP the further you push it... NOT TO MENTION you are still on STOCK and UNWORTHY suspension, brakes, and OTHER systems that now need upgraded...
...anyway, just CONSIDERING a $5000.00 minimum bid for pulling this system off makes me CRINGE when I think of the OTHER vehicles out there that are MUCH MORE WORTHY of the investment, and out-of-the-box capable of STOMPING your BIG MONEY PIT project...
man.... do I sound a little OVERLY PESSIMISTIC?
I guess MANY MANY MANY THOUSANDS of dollars into a car DESIGNED to be turbocharged but "pushing it" just a LITTLE, has taught me a thing or two about taking on what you are describing...
Let's see, where did the WRAITH project link go? JUST BUY THAT! A BARGAIN for all that he's STARTED on the project... no doubt, about $10-$20 LARGE to put it on the road yet...
Good Luck!
BTW, I intend to pursue MAXIMUM RELIABLE PERFORMANCE from my '04 Solara as well... I'd SUGGEST starting with the CP-e MAFci TUNEABLE... if you can GET one. BEST bang for the buck is the 15 or so WHP you can gain from the CP-e. (Actually, I believe it is making nearly 25HP at the crank IF NOT MORE from this mod... the effects are super, and UPWARD compatible)
At LESS THAN A GRAND for intake, fuel management, and a TRD exhaust, you are gaining about 1HP/$60-$80 dollars... a fraction of the cost, very little RISK to durability and efficiency, and GREAT RESPONSE, I BET BETTER THAN THE LAG you get from the 20 or so additional horsepower you just paid several thousand dollars for in your STS option....
On the OTHER hand.... do what makes YOU happy... just make sure to let us know how it comes out!
(Personally, I'd LOVE to read about a testimonial on STS showing a Solara turn them over so hard the hood disappears into a cloud of smoke and the car crawls its way to a several dozen yard black strip under acceleration... I just don't see it happening...)
BY THE WAY, there is this TORNADO thingy you can STUFF into your INTAKE PLUMBING that helps air magically ACCELERATE and DENSIFY causing INCREASED HORSEPOWER for about $100 bucks... (....er... was that $29.99 for 6 monthly payments + S&H&tx as SEEN ON TV.... after 2:00am... when the MUNCHIES have run out...)
.... i just KNOW some moderator is going to PM me or beat me up publically for being such a downer!!! I don't know what got into me!
....must be the FUMES from burning all those X-BOX GAMES!!!
-crisp
