STS kit or H/C/I?
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From: Tomball (H-Town), TX
STS kit or H/C/I? Motor has 39k on it.. looking to get around 4xx/4xx.. car is a daily 300 miles a week
H/C/I is going to run me around $2,900 can get a kit for $2,200 barely used.. how long do motors last on 5 psi?
Have LT's, ORY, Pulley, Cutout Already
H/C/I is going to run me around $2,900 can get a kit for $2,200 barely used.. how long do motors last on 5 psi?
Have LT's, ORY, Pulley, Cutout Already
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Charlotte, NC
Just My Opinion What type of performance, feel, driveability are you looking for? HCI would be sick with a nice rough idle and off the line performance. I am a fan of induction obviously, but I really dig the LS1's when you throw a good H/C kit in them and the get that nice choppy feeling. The LSx respond better to cam than Cobras, which sound great with cams, but don't produce the same numbers. The LSx engines were not designed for induction. They do very well, but don't have the compression ratios or forged/ iron internals like the Cobras. In the long run, though, which will last longer? An aluminum engine or iron? I would go with the H/C. I think that would satisfy your power urge.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 14
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Heads and Cam should be more reliable. It all going to depend on your tune. I have had my STS kit for 2 years love it and it runs great but you should run an intercooler and in my opinion Meth as well. My IAT's were super high at first with the STS and I know 4 other people that had the same thing. Your stock block should be fine with those systems in place to run a lot more than 5 or 7 psi. You should call Chris Martinez at STS he runs over 12psi on his stock block from what I remember with a meth kit.
This is a tough one, cause for one the H/C/I will likely cost less to start up but obviously with a heads/cam car you will suffer a noticable decrease in gas mileage and whoever tells you it wont be that bad they are wrong, plan for a 5-9mpg decrease depending on if you do more city driving or not.
The sts will cost more to start and more parts but will retain stock mpg until obviously you go into boost. But you will lose some gas by switching to larger injectors. My car did 10 psi stock block for 40,000 miles and was running strong, until stolen
The sts will cost more to start and more parts but will retain stock mpg until obviously you go into boost. But you will lose some gas by switching to larger injectors. My car did 10 psi stock block for 40,000 miles and was running strong, until stolen
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My thoughts exactly.. I'd go FI since it's a DD and gas mileage and drivability is a factor...
Damn this is tough... I'd say H/C/I/n2o (which will cost more) however you could have that power for less. My vote goes to STS for this one or just save up for a front mounted Turbo setup...
either way your going to need to build your bottom end if you plan on going 500+
good thing about heads/cam + nitrous is you can run N/A and make good power, or turn your nitrous on and make SICK power. i think heads/cam + nitrous would be the most reliable thing you could do... just dont push it
good thing about heads/cam + nitrous is you can run N/A and make good power, or turn your nitrous on and make SICK power. i think heads/cam + nitrous would be the most reliable thing you could do... just dont push it
I did heads and cam first and Im making good power with the combo and I daily drive it about 300miles a week too. I just bought a d1sc and am waiting for more funds before I put it on, Im thinking I should make some decent numbers.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,501
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From: Ft. Irwin, California (But Virginia is home)
I vote H/C for you since you dive the car 300 miles a week. Despite the "haters", you will NOT make the power of a STS (or other FI), but 4xx/4xx is definetly doable, and can be built reliably on a H/C car. The STS isn't really a bargain after adding the fuel system, valvetrain upgrades, FMIC, and other crap not mentioned, but really needed 
. As example I have about $7500 rolled into my STS, not counting suspension and other mods.
I wouldn't trade my turbo car for anything, but I don't drive mine every day. If I did, I'd probably be wishing for N/A H/C/I car.......so, there's my $0.02
. As example I have about $7500 rolled into my STS, not counting suspension and other mods. I wouldn't trade my turbo car for anything, but I don't drive mine every day. If I did, I'd probably be wishing for N/A H/C/I car.......so, there's my $0.02
well either way with a powerful H/C setup or a FI setup you're going to need a strong valve train. and if both make good power then you'll need suspension & driveline upgrades for both setups to get it rolling on the ground.
I vote H/C for you since you dive the car 300 miles a week. Despite the "haters", you will NOT make the power of a STS (or other FI), but 4xx/4xx is definetly doable, and can be built reliably on a H/C car. The STS isn't really a bargain after adding the fuel system, valvetrain upgrades, FMIC, and other crap not mentioned, but really needed . As example I have about $7500 rolled into my STS, not counting suspension and other mods.
I wouldn't trade my turbo car for anything, but I don't drive mine every day. If I did, I'd probably be wishing for N/A H/C/I car.......so, there's my $0.02
. As example I have about $7500 rolled into my STS, not counting suspension and other mods. I wouldn't trade my turbo car for anything, but I don't drive mine every day. If I did, I'd probably be wishing for N/A H/C/I car.......so, there's my $0.02
A good heads cam and a spray combo would make more power than an sts kit on low boost. If were talking stock bottom ends.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 7
From: Ft. Irwin, California (But Virginia is home)
As far as my car, I have to use TRT's estimate (they installed the heads/cam in 2007)t hat I'm putting down approx 500RWHP. I'm getting the car dynoed at Va Speed by the end of March and will then have a graph to back it up
As for H/C...I've seen people get on average 400-425 or so RWHP on a H/C car...as high as 460RWHP on a really aggressive cam. Add spray, and sure you can hit 550RWHP or so on 100-150shot and be at the same limit as a turbo or SC car running 6-8PSI. But, you can use boost 24/7. Cant say that w/ spray.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 188
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From: Kemah TX
I vote H/C for you since you dive the car 300 miles a week. Despite the "haters", you will NOT make the power of a STS (or other FI), but 4xx/4xx is definetly doable, and can be built reliably on a H/C car. The STS isn't really a bargain after adding the fuel system, valvetrain upgrades, FMIC, and other crap not mentioned, but really needed . As example I have about $7500 rolled into my STS, not counting suspension and other mods.
I wouldn't trade my turbo car for anything, but I don't drive mine every day. If I did, I'd probably be wishing for N/A H/C/I car.......so, there's my $0.02
. As example I have about $7500 rolled into my STS, not counting suspension and other mods. I wouldn't trade my turbo car for anything, but I don't drive mine every day. If I did, I'd probably be wishing for N/A H/C/I car.......so, there's my $0.02
Schantin is right on this, If you are on a tight budget, witch it sounds like, I would go with H&C. There is ALOT more to FI than just the kit.
I bought my procharger used for like $3,500. But it took double that to realy get it going
