Question for a friend...
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From: Scottsdale, Az
Question for a friend... Ok, so a buddy of mine had a 1999 Vette/non Z06 and is looking for a little boost/supercharger. He has 10k to drop and is wondering what he should get. Here's the kicker... Another buddy of mine can get a good deal on Garrett turbo's and we are looking for a kit that we can buy minus the turbo or whatnot. Sorry, I know its random but its our little situation. Any information you guys could give would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.
If he's going SC then there's only two good options (and a third in about 6 months)... an A&A or ECS SC kit. The ATI kit is JUNK so don't even think about using their kit. The third option is to use a KB TS. KB will be releasing this kit sometime this winter and it could be nice, BUT they've been heavily draging their feet for a LONG time now (plus you have to do a hood swap$$$). You can also use the Maggie, but it's limited to about 500 rwhp and has the same hood problem.
The turbo kits are a LOT of money for a C5, all of the base TT kits are at least $8500 for the basic stuff with no frills (not including labor which is about another $1500). You could probably save $1000 by supplying your own turbos. If you want SS pipe and good components add more $$$. TT kits are not cheap for these cars and all of them have some 'issues'.
FWIW, I have an A&A SC kit and made close to 700 rwhp on a 100% stock Z06 before I ran into major fuel issues. The A&A kit kicks major *** and has none of the problems the F body guys have. Although I have not advertised it yet, I'm very seriously considering selling the kit minus the head unit which would allow the buyer to choose any ATI head unit (new or used) or even go to a Vortech since Andy is now making brackets for those as well. With my kit and a used ATI head unit he could have a complete A&A SC (w/ FMIC) system for about $3k... very tough to beat that and it leaves $7k for MANY other mods!!!
Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions about the C5's, I know there are very few FI C5 guys here.
The turbo kits are a LOT of money for a C5, all of the base TT kits are at least $8500 for the basic stuff with no frills (not including labor which is about another $1500). You could probably save $1000 by supplying your own turbos. If you want SS pipe and good components add more $$$. TT kits are not cheap for these cars and all of them have some 'issues'.
FWIW, I have an A&A SC kit and made close to 700 rwhp on a 100% stock Z06 before I ran into major fuel issues. The A&A kit kicks major *** and has none of the problems the F body guys have. Although I have not advertised it yet, I'm very seriously considering selling the kit minus the head unit which would allow the buyer to choose any ATI head unit (new or used) or even go to a Vortech since Andy is now making brackets for those as well. With my kit and a used ATI head unit he could have a complete A&A SC (w/ FMIC) system for about $3k... very tough to beat that and it leaves $7k for MANY other mods!!!
Please feel free to ask if you have any more questions about the C5's, I know there are very few FI C5 guys here.
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From: Scottsdale, Az
ok, so if you personally were to do it again, and you had 10k to spend. What kit would you do? SC or Turbo? and what kit?
Edit: Sorry I didn't get the end of it. So you would do the 3K for the fmic and SC? how much fabrication do you need or will it bolt up to the stock locations?
Edit: Sorry I didn't get the end of it. So you would do the 3K for the fmic and SC? how much fabrication do you need or will it bolt up to the stock locations?
Last edited by GhettoTy; Aug 31, 2005 at 12:49 PM.
It depends on your goals.
For an all out max effort I'd go with big cubes and TT's, but that's going to cost a LOT more than $10k. You certainly can't find a better bang for the $ than a used A&A kit (no real wear items) and the ATI head unit of your choice. If you get the kit for $2k and spend another $1200 or so for a used D1SC (about $2300 new I believe), this will take you to 800 rwhp... if you want more than that go with a F1R (about $2200 used) which will get you over 1000 rwhp. So for under $4300 you have a trouble free SC system which leaves you $5700+ to do heads and cam or even a complete forged engine if he doesn't have one.
If you go TT it's going to cost every bit of that $10k just for the basic FI system and certainly won't make the power the above will.
I guess it all boils down to what he wants and what he already has. If he only has a stock long block, he isn't going get any more than about 550 rwhp (if he's lucky) out of either system. Even with adding heads and cam to make more power, the stock bottom end is marginal above 600 rwhp.
If he only has $10k to spend I'd highly suggest he find a used A&A or ECS SC kit and spend the rest of the money on putting in a forged SB (which should even leave a few $ for heads/cam)... With this he could easly (and safely) go over 700+ rwhp. With the TT's you're stuck with 600 rwhp MAX and a SB which will be on barrowed time.
For $10K I'd highly suggest the ECS or A&A SC kit and use the remaining money for either a forged SB and/or H/C.
Just my 2 cents.
For an all out max effort I'd go with big cubes and TT's, but that's going to cost a LOT more than $10k. You certainly can't find a better bang for the $ than a used A&A kit (no real wear items) and the ATI head unit of your choice. If you get the kit for $2k and spend another $1200 or so for a used D1SC (about $2300 new I believe), this will take you to 800 rwhp... if you want more than that go with a F1R (about $2200 used) which will get you over 1000 rwhp. So for under $4300 you have a trouble free SC system which leaves you $5700+ to do heads and cam or even a complete forged engine if he doesn't have one.
If you go TT it's going to cost every bit of that $10k just for the basic FI system and certainly won't make the power the above will.
I guess it all boils down to what he wants and what he already has. If he only has a stock long block, he isn't going get any more than about 550 rwhp (if he's lucky) out of either system. Even with adding heads and cam to make more power, the stock bottom end is marginal above 600 rwhp.
If he only has $10k to spend I'd highly suggest he find a used A&A or ECS SC kit and spend the rest of the money on putting in a forged SB (which should even leave a few $ for heads/cam)... With this he could easly (and safely) go over 700+ rwhp. With the TT's you're stuck with 600 rwhp MAX and a SB which will be on barrowed time.
For $10K I'd highly suggest the ECS or A&A SC kit and use the remaining money for either a forged SB and/or H/C.
Just my 2 cents.
Originally Posted by GhettoTy
Edit: Sorry I didn't get the end of it. So you would do the 3K for the fmic and SC? how much fabrication do you need or will it bolt up to the stock locations?
A P1SC is about $1000 used (good to about 675 rwhp), a D1SC is about $1200-1400 used (800 rwhp max), and a F1R is about $2200 used (about 1000 rwhp). New they are about $2000, $2300, and $2800 respectively I believe.
It bolts up to the stock locations basicly. The hardest part is pinning the crank which should be done with any SC, the rest of it is a cake walk. The install is certaily a DIY job if you have basic mech. skills.
Send me a PM if you are seriously interested (although I also have a friend that asked me about it). I have not advertised it, but it will sell as soon as I list it (if I choose to)... they always do on CF.
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Originally Posted by GhettoTy
Thanks for your imput man, very appreciated.
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