I just recently purchased a 99' trans am with 46K miles on it for 11K. It has 3.23 gear ratio 4 speed trans automatic and is completly stock.

I took it to the track and ran constant 13.6's which Blew away 2 corvettes and started a new goal in life for me. I want this car to still be my daily driver. I've ran across a few street races and didn't like the way Z28's wasted me. so here's what i need to find out. i've looked everywhere online for suggestions on packages to go with and can't seem to find any solid complete info. I'd like to run mid 11's if possible and still pass emmissions in the end. Money is available but i'd like not to go too insane with this if possible so a budget of around 5-6K is in mind to start.

I've recently came across this STS turbo system and at first glance it looked like the answer to everything but the more i read these post the more i feel i'm back where i started again. "Lost" some say H&C is better bang for buck and others say FI. I have a million questions and would like to get something underway ASAP before spring hits. I cannot do any work myself as im' an idiot when it comes to cars right now so i'll be having all work done by someone. who? i don't know but somone else.

i guess a few questions about the STS rear mounting kit are a place to start but all other help is greatly appreciated and wanted.

1st, can/should nitrious be used with an STS turbo kit?
2nd, is this kit going to stop me from passing emmisions in IL?
3rd, what kind of ET's should i realisticly expect with just the Turbo?
4th, would i be better off just putting more into it and getting a Supercharger?
5th, do i need to do any other mods to go along with the STS?
6th, would using a 3200 torque convertor or nitrious help turbo lag?

last but not least, Am I putting dead money into this car or is there a market where i can sell a modified car like mine without losing too much money on these mods?

As you can see I have many questions about what is capable and have no clue what i'm doing. So any help you have is appreciated greatly.

 

I spoke with LS1speed today and they told me that just putting on an STS turbo rear mounting kit on would give me at most a 2 year life expectency. IS THIS TRUE??? are all FI kits this severe on the life of your engine? what can be done off my completly stock 99"s TA with 3.23 gears auto to make this a daily driving 480+ HP car that will last for a long as i keep it?

 

Sorry, I'm not the one to provide the answers to your other questions...
Gosh, this is hard for me to believe, and I would like to know more about what they said, what basis is used, and whether it's true. Sounds like b.s. to me. I am under the distinct impression that 5 PSI with a professional dyno tune is perfectly safe for a stock LS1.

 

I've had a procharger p1sc on my truck for 2 years running 9 lb's of boost. Over 50,000 miles and the engine runs as good as ever. I can't imagine that an sts kit is that hard on an engine, but I don't have any turbo expierence...only s/c. The truck "ls1's" are iron blocks, but I don't think that would make too much of a difference. As far as FI or h/c, I'd have to say FI is the way to go. It's a " bolt-on" that doesn't require opening up a low mileage motor like you have. Now I know I'm giving you MY gains here (in a truck not a f-body) but the intercooled p1sc knocked 2.5 seconds off my 1/4 mile time. If you should end up going this route, I suggest getting the d1sc upgrade as it allows for future mods without any sacrifice. It's $300 more, but money well spent. Anyhow, I am not trying to "sell" you on procharger, I just thought you might like to hear some real-world experiences. P.S. Talk to some of the sponser to the right...these folks have real fast cars and LOTS of experience. They won't steer you in the wrong direction.

 

p.s. those 50,000 miles were 50,000 miles of beating the **** out of it. (poor thing)

 

I decided to go the heads/cam route although I could have afforded the sts turbo kit. I see you are in Chicago, so familar with our streets and such. I just couldn't gamble the possibility of tearing crap underneath the car to give the kit another look, plus maybe I'm stupid but I don't think 10.5:1 compression and boost have any business together no matter what the tuning (with 93 octane). Pretty expensive to lower compression. I would just take your 5-6K and go the heads cam, although my goal is no where near mid 11s. Best of luck.

 

for 5-6k, you could get 6.0 heads AND a FI kit. FI likes the stock cam profile so the fi and 6.0 heads would get you into the 11's (with dr's) I would think fairly easily.

 

BS. I've had my procharger on my car for 70K miles and NEVER had my engine fail because of boost(or at all I should say). When working with a blower/turbo/nitrous...you need to have the following
1. fuel system to support it
2. keep the engine from knocking...aka...have a good tune(vital)
3. use good fuel(no crappy gas...eh..what do I say..I'm running on 91 here in Las Vegas.)
4. keep up on oil changes/etc(maintanence).
Again, I have never had any problems with my engine(stock LS1) while having the blower on it. I run 7# of boost with a P1SC intercooled.

EDIT: Sorry if I sound/come off as a cocky bastard, I just get sick of hearing ........"if you go boost you'll blow your engine up" or "the engine will only live (short time) with boost". If you do it correctly, you'll be fine. :EDIT

As far as your other questions/concerns....

You can add an STS kit if you want. Do the 5# kit. If you want more boost, you have to do one of the following.

1. fuel system(inline fuel pump should be good up to 10# and injectors).
2. methane injection..which is an option on the STS kit
3. intercool it even more with a front mount.
4. Tune. Tuning is everything. Who ever does it, make sure they know what you're doing.(FYI, I would do this no matter what boost level you run)

I run around with 373s and a 6 speed with the car and its been a daily drive most of its life. I and my friends installed the 12 bolt in June.

With the auto, no matter what you do, I would suggest a stall converter and suspension(If you have not done so already)...then, when the boost and the power really comes on, you can put it to the ground and it really gets fun then.

 

First thanks for all the replies!

I spoke with Speed one more time and had a package made up;

Pacesetter long tube headers coated
Patriot LS6/LQ4 stage II heads, Chrome moly push rods, any comp or lunati frind, felpro Head gasgets/bolts and GM crank

Dyno tune
BMT square SubFrames
BMR Tubular adjustable Torque arm
BMR Controll Arms with poly

Vililante 3000RPM converter
Transgo Shift Kit 4L60E
BM 24000 GVW Trans Cooler

misc. stuff plugs, wires...

Total came out to around $6,700
And i should expect HP of around 420HP realistically they say.

Now with the STS Kit;

basic STS rear mounting kit 5 PSI $4,400 (Installed price)
Vililante 3000RPM converter $699
Inline Fuel pump $300 (installed price)
Transgo Shift Kit 4L60E $110
Instalation $375

grand total $5,884
I should expect up to around 500HP - 520HP


As you can see with the turbo i'm getting 100HP more than the H/C set up for less $$$

My inner child tells me to do both setups and have over 630HP and have the strong engine that will be able to handle it for a long time to come at max performance.

While my more laid back older self tells me that the turbo is a better Bang for the buck. (I just hope it don't really go BANG)


The suspension mods and dyno tune would bring me up to the same price as the H/C route but will have up to 100HP more with the turbo...

Hey, what happened to the old days when you could modify a car for next to nothing?? this stuff is EXPENSIVE!!

this is what i got to look at for right now. i'll be making my decision in the next couple weeks to come...

Any other input is greatly appreciated. Any Horror stories with turbos on an F-Body LS1?

Jon

 

Jon, in the old days we would take a high 14 second car and spend like $2000 and go high 13's.

You are talking about going from 13.6 to like 10.9.

 

This statement is definitely BS. I've had my Whipple Supercharger on the truck for over three years and it currently has 120K miles on the odometer. Only thing I have had to do is change the belt. Like stated above, it's all about proper tune,fuel, and maintenance. I personally am still not a big fan of the STS kit. If you want a budget major HP increase without the hassle of doing a turbo kit I'd definitely go heads and cam. Great bang for the buck. If you want to the big dog in your town do the turbo.

 

I think I want to be the big dog for around the same price...

 

Do headers/heads/cam/converter and baseline the car there. Then start building up your drivetrain - rear end, driveshaft, SFC's, etc. Once you get that done, you should be in the 11's, and traction is going to be your biggest issue. Then can decide if yo uwant to drop another $5k on the car.

It's my experience that trying to do too much at once can lead to frustration. I have had a blower and a turbo kit, and I liked my car the best with just the heads and cam.

-Geoff

 

But you just spent my $5K! And I had to open the motor!! What we are trying to decide is whether it makes more sense to spend that $5k on the STS setup INSTEAD, and have presumably better results!

And another huge issue is emmissions. To get to the 11's with H/C I assume will not be emmission legal, which is a huge problem in Ohio.

Also, the STS kit is reported to actually INCREASE fuel economy, whereas the H/C will kill economy (depending on what you're trying to accomplish).

Those of us that are debating these options appreciate all the continued input!

 

I think you are making a big leap thinking that an STS car will get you in the 11's on mostly stock car. The only guy who I have heard of was hitting it with nitrous too. There are many proven combo's to go 11's on heads cam. Do a little research in that forum and you can probably find some that are emmissions legal too.

-Geoff

 

1st? I wouldnt use nitrous, unless it was VERY little, just enough to cool the intake charge.
2nd? I dont know the emmisions in IL so i cant help you there.
3rd i would expect low 12s if that is all you do maybe a high 11.
4th well i am going with a d1sc, but i have a buddy that has this kit and he loves it so it's kinda up to you.
5th Tune, injectors, stall, 12bolt and some really good tires. That would get you around mid 11s. You will be over the 5 or 6k mark. Also sometime you should beef up the trans if you want it to last.
6th yes on the stall no on the nitrous.

Personally I would never buy a modded car. I prefer to know exactly what my car has been through. Most likely you will not get your money back unless you find someone who is looking for a car exactly like yours. Thats it from me good luck. Later

 

Now the replies are more to what i am looking for. For the most part i'm sure there are a bunch of LS1 owners pondering the same questions as I am. FI or H/C. I've made my mind up to go with a rear mounted turbo. Rebuilding the engine does seem stupid at this point since i'm not a race car driver and i only want to have an extra thump to show off with around the boys. aslo i think having the STS kit will help me stand out a little from the other TA's in the hood. im' not going to go above the stock 5PSI for now because it seems to me if that's what i want then i want a pure race car and i should do the engine up stronger as well as every other little mod that goes along with that set up.

I'm going to do Rear turbo (I may upgrade it to a higher end turbo for $400 more) which means a bigger turbo than the STS that is supposed to be better performing according to LS1Speed.
Vililante 3000RPM converter
Shift Kit
Nitto's
Inline Fuel pump (only if the Dyno says it needs it)
Dyno Tune
BMT square SubFrames
BMR Tubular adjustable Torque arm
BMR Controll Arms with poly

And expect mid to low 12's at around 480 HP with a cool sounding turbo backing me up!


Later mods in order,
Sound system
Custom or painted air vents to a royal blue color
I still want the duel exuast look so i'll have the second side put on and routed
LSX intake
Free mods
3.73 Gear
H/C and other builds to make the engine stronger (Pistons etc...)
Nitrious system

Any problems forseen with this set-up or anything i'm missing?

I'm going to call Speed monday to make my appointment...
So i got till then to make my adjustments.

BTW PROSTOCKJOHN I'd like to thank you for your conversation the other day on AIM. it is appreciated...

 

I'm messed up now...now i hear that i'm only loking at 420HP either route. there's too many variables with this decision...


By the time we were done finishing the package for the turbo set up we got to around $7,800. now call me crazy but 8K for 100HP sounds INSANE!!!


Beating my head in the wall
Jon

 

Booost is a sickness. It is definitely not the most cost effective way to get into the 11's. Like a said a few posts back, do heads, cam, convertor, and headers and that will get you pretty close to the 11's for under $5k.

-Geoff