Anyone gone turbo?
11-15-2007, 06:01 AM
#11
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: California
Posts: 4,132
RE: Anyone gone turbo?
That wouldn't happen to be Adam (ST Motorsports) & Tony (from Larry's Transmission) would it??
ORIGINAL: fordfanboy
There is no doubt for ultimate track performance a turbo set-up is better suited, but none of you guys are going for 'ultimate track times'.
If you want to be deep in the 10's and that's your goal (it should be for most cause once you hit 9.99 - the requiremnts on the car practically kill it for a street car anymore) than a TS blower is the best choice IMO.
I drive my car everyday and I am in the high 9's. Granted my car is pretty unique but there are several TS guys From Adam's (ST Motosports) shop with 10 sec daily drivers.
I only know of 2 S197 turbo cars that can run the numbers I do and neither of them can daily drive their car like I do with big power...
Personally, I wouldn't consider a turbo set-up unless I wanted a trailer car for 8's or better.
There is no doubt for ultimate track performance a turbo set-up is better suited, but none of you guys are going for 'ultimate track times'.
If you want to be deep in the 10's and that's your goal (it should be for most cause once you hit 9.99 - the requiremnts on the car practically kill it for a street car anymore) than a TS blower is the best choice IMO.
I drive my car everyday and I am in the high 9's. Granted my car is pretty unique but there are several TS guys From Adam's (ST Motosports) shop with 10 sec daily drivers.
I only know of 2 S197 turbo cars that can run the numbers I do and neither of them can daily drive their car like I do with big power...
Personally, I wouldn't consider a turbo set-up unless I wanted a trailer car for 8's or better.
11-15-2007, 10:09 AM
#12
I ♥ Acer
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Posts: 1,527
RE: Anyone gone turbo?
In addition to them, let's not forget, Dean, Ken, and Paul - and these are just the local guys. He's got cars on the east coast too...
Let's be clear, I'm not 'against' turbos! Many of you know I had 2 different turbo set-ups on my car. The problem with turbos is always going to be heat, pure and simple. Heat is the reason there will never be a turbo set-up in alcohol and top fuel racing classes.
The problem is if you want a good turbo set-up - NONE of the kits out there are worth a crap IMO. Sure, most all of them will work fine for 400ish HP, but when you start looking at a rebuild and going for big power then 1 factor all the kits share that sucks is they are AIR TO AIR COOLED. That is the flaw of the turbo kits. If you look into the NMRA and the bog power turbo kits - They are all custom kits and NONE of them are air to air cooled like all of the S197 kits are.
If you are serious about power, then you shouldn't be looking at any 'kit'. You should be consulting with a turbo race shop to custom build you a system that is both inter and after cooled.
Once you have a trailer car, I hate to tell you but 9's aren't impressive at all. What's impressive is if you can drive the car to the track and run 9's. Once you go on a trailer, you're 'expected' to be fast so you might as well go big or not even bother IMO.
Let's be clear, I'm not 'against' turbos! Many of you know I had 2 different turbo set-ups on my car. The problem with turbos is always going to be heat, pure and simple. Heat is the reason there will never be a turbo set-up in alcohol and top fuel racing classes.
The problem is if you want a good turbo set-up - NONE of the kits out there are worth a crap IMO. Sure, most all of them will work fine for 400ish HP, but when you start looking at a rebuild and going for big power then 1 factor all the kits share that sucks is they are AIR TO AIR COOLED. That is the flaw of the turbo kits. If you look into the NMRA and the bog power turbo kits - They are all custom kits and NONE of them are air to air cooled like all of the S197 kits are.
If you are serious about power, then you shouldn't be looking at any 'kit'. You should be consulting with a turbo race shop to custom build you a system that is both inter and after cooled.
Once you have a trailer car, I hate to tell you but 9's aren't impressive at all. What's impressive is if you can drive the car to the track and run 9's. Once you go on a trailer, you're 'expected' to be fast so you might as well go big or not even bother IMO.
11-15-2007, 10:41 AM
#14
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Redding, CA
Posts: 4,552
RE: Anyone gone turbo?
I do like my STS also. However I do not plan on being in the 9's or even 10's. Maybe high 10's when I'm all done, but I love driving around town so much now, I would be heart broken if I got frustrated just driving around and I had issues.
The turbo on my car now will max out @ 16 psi. I'm at 9-9.5 on the high boost setting. I'm not planning on ever running 16 psi with this motor. Eventually when I get a built motor, I probably will get a different turbo, another Garret, that is probably a tad larger. If I ever start running into issues with drivability on the street, I will back track and turn down the power.
I agree with Fordfan, TS is the way to go to make really big power that is streetable.
The turbo on my car now will max out @ 16 psi. I'm at 9-9.5 on the high boost setting. I'm not planning on ever running 16 psi with this motor. Eventually when I get a built motor, I probably will get a different turbo, another Garret, that is probably a tad larger. If I ever start running into issues with drivability on the street, I will back track and turn down the power.
I agree with Fordfan, TS is the way to go to make really big power that is streetable.
11-15-2007, 11:15 AM
#15
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 11,278
RE: Anyone gone turbo?
ORIGINAL: Simon1
There aren't as many of us that have gone the turbo route. It seems to be a little more expensive than S/C's and more complicated than most can handle.
There aren't as many of us that have gone the turbo route. It seems to be a little more expensive than S/C's and more complicated than most can handle.
11-15-2007, 12:06 PM
#17
I ♥ Acer
Join Date: Aug 2006
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RE: Anyone gone turbo?
Agreed. I can't strees enough that I am not 'anti turbo' at all. I actually like them.
Let's keep this thread in perspective. The OP is not aksing about a turbo set-up for some great street power. He is specifically asking for a built race/street set-up and that's where my opinions are coming from. For normal (stock motor worthy) power, most of the turbo kits are just fine and the STS seems to be a good buy. The big heat concerns of the turbo kits aren't really an issue until you start wanting to push 15+ psi. In the 7-12 psi range, most of them work just fine. My comments in this thread are my opinions based upon what the poster is looking for.
Let's keep this thread in perspective. The OP is not aksing about a turbo set-up for some great street power. He is specifically asking for a built race/street set-up and that's where my opinions are coming from. For normal (stock motor worthy) power, most of the turbo kits are just fine and the STS seems to be a good buy. The big heat concerns of the turbo kits aren't really an issue until you start wanting to push 15+ psi. In the 7-12 psi range, most of them work just fine. My comments in this thread are my opinions based upon what the poster is looking for.
11-15-2007, 06:37 PM
#18
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location:
Posts: 245
RE: Anyone gone turbo?
My turbo kit has been extremely streetable. No driveability issues at all (other than being sideways at 60mph). My wife drives it all the time and has no issues. Tuning also hasn't been bad. I will be upping to a 76mm this winter and shooting for 650-700rwhp next spring. I may have a different opinion then
11-15-2007, 10:38 PM
#20
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Providence Forge, VA
Posts: 750
RE: Anyone gone turbo?
With what you are looking to do I think you only have 2 options. Get the TS setup from Adam at ST Motorsports with his big throttle body and inlet to run that hp on the street or go with a twin turbo setup. As Mark states when you start getting into the boost levels needed for the power levels you desire on a single turbo setup you start running into inlet temp and drivability problems. I think a TT is the way to go as it has more potential for future power increases if you decide you want to go faster. Give Jim Napier at turbohorsepower.com a call and talk to him about twins. Jim can answer all you question and build you whatever you need.
Earl
Earl