sts turbo vs. headers cams...
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Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
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sts turbo vs. headers cams... would it be better if i got an sts turbo in a z28 or go the exhaust headers cams... route? they would end up to be about the same price, i think, and i have a feeling the turbo would make better power. which do you think is a wiser choice. thanks
jake
jake
Originally Posted by j1263b
would it be better if i got an sts turbo in a z28 or go the exhaust headers cams... route? they would end up to be about the same price, i think, and i have a feeling the turbo would make better power. which do you think is a wiser choice. thanks
jake
jake
You mean HEADS, right? Also, you mean A CAMSHAFT (singular, cam), right? Wait, do you mean exhaust headers? Whatever, forget I asked. We're talking LS1's right?
If you're thinking about heads and cam, there are endless combinations to maximize NA power with different characteristics of powerband, drivability, etc, something that should be carefully researched... Boost is much easier, IMO.
On a stock displacement, there's no way even a highly aggressive NA H/C set-up can make the power that a high, but safe, boost level (~550 rwhp?) achieved with a turbo can on an otherwise completely stock LS1.
NA H/C plus a 100 shot of nitrous, now that's a different story...
If you're thinking about heads and cam, there are endless combinations to maximize NA power with different characteristics of powerband, drivability, etc, something that should be carefully researched... Boost is much easier, IMO.
On a stock displacement, there's no way even a highly aggressive NA H/C set-up can make the power that a high, but safe, boost level (~550 rwhp?) achieved with a turbo can on an otherwise completely stock LS1.
NA H/C plus a 100 shot of nitrous, now that's a different story...
What he said. And like everyone says...if your even considering going FI then just hop into the search function of this site and you will find everything there is to know. You can find the full price of forced induction, what a standard STS kit really puts out and what a comparable heads/cam will not only cost but how itll drive and what it takes to make power. Check out the dyno section for #s.
You need to figure out what your goals are. Daily driver? How much power? Budget?
You need to figure out what your goals are. Daily driver? How much power? Budget?
another comparison between oranges and apples, you should search around in the FI section to find out about people's set-up's and how they liked the change. i WAS going to go H/C, but AFR wasnt going to ship for like 4 months, so i backed out on that and found me a nice STS kit on ebay. and now im making just over 500rwhp with 5.5 psi. theres still another 2 psi left in her 
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2006
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I have always contemplated on a setup like this as well...until more than several experienced ls1 enthusiasts advised me to stay away from purchasing an sts kit. Ultimately the decision is up to you, and not what everyone else thinks; remember that! If you are to go the forced induction route, I would lean more towards a front mount turbo, or a supercharger IMO. Forced induction seems to be "well behaved" when it comes to daily driving, and has plently of power there when you want it.
I have been researching for over a year now on what I want to do, and I am still not totally convinced. I have driven these cars with both superchargers, and turbos (including the sts kit) as well as H/C setups. Just take your time, do the research, and in the end you will be more than happy.
Good luck!
I have been researching for over a year now on what I want to do, and I am still not totally convinced. I have driven these cars with both superchargers, and turbos (including the sts kit) as well as H/C setups. Just take your time, do the research, and in the end you will be more than happy.
Good luck!
I'm completely happy with my STS kit. If I had more money to spend, I could have made my car more of a drag setup even with the STS kit...you know, 12 bolt, strong clutch, drag radials, 2-step rev limiter, etc. I kind of ran out of available funds at $5500 or so and I'm "stuck" with a totally pimp daily driver street car. At the track, I sucked, but that's not what I was looking for.
IMO, the STS kit with everything you need to make close to 500rwhp would take a lot less time to install than your typical H/C setup and front mount turbo setups. I'm not sure out superchargers...they "seem" pretty straight-forward but as with any setup, fabrication will be needed and it will take a lot longer and cost more money than you think.
I'm completely satisfied with my purchase considering all the variables. If I had more money, more time, etc, I probably would have gone with a front mount turbo kit that still kept my A/C...b/c most front mount kits do not...keep that in mind
IMO, the STS kit with everything you need to make close to 500rwhp would take a lot less time to install than your typical H/C setup and front mount turbo setups. I'm not sure out superchargers...they "seem" pretty straight-forward but as with any setup, fabrication will be needed and it will take a lot longer and cost more money than you think.
I'm completely satisfied with my purchase considering all the variables. If I had more money, more time, etc, I probably would have gone with a front mount turbo kit that still kept my A/C...b/c most front mount kits do not...keep that in mind
