STS turbo kit...worth it? [Archive] - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

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12-02-2009, 03:11 AM

JSPERFORMANCE

12-02-2009, 06:44 AM

The rear mounted turbo is just a bad design in my opinion..
Any little exhaust leak affects the turbo
Ground clearance is horrible and one of the main thigs that hits is the turbo itself
There are too many places in the cold side to leak as well
There is about 60-75 pounds of weight that gets put on one back axhaust hanger
The air filter is in a position that it picks up road dust and debris.
Its ugly

If your budget does not allow for a front mounted turbo then I would suggest going with Nitrous Oxide if you want some major gains..

HardcoreZ28

12-02-2009, 07:25 AM

Sounds like good input from Josh on this one. I've been wanting to hear some real world experience on these setups......have a plan in the recesses of my brain for a 6 cyl Caddy CTS with a turbo.

GrandmasterCow

12-02-2009, 07:32 AM

STS are nice but you want to use stock manifolds without cats with an STS, not long tubes. Holding heat in is the best way to spool a turbo, but long tubes loose heat in the length of tubing. Also by having the turbo as close to the engine as possible it improves spool time dramatically.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/forced-induction/1207555-boosting-347-newbie.html
just some good info in that post.

12-02-2009, 09:16 AM

ah ok, JS thanks, that does all make very good sense.

it was one of my ADD moment ideas. id love a procharger setup but the 6k price is still holding me off...for now.

LTb1ow

12-02-2009, 10:18 AM

And you would def wanna swap you cam for a more boost/N20 friendly one.

GrandmasterCow

12-02-2009, 10:36 AM

And you would def wanna swap you cam for a more boost/N20 friendly one.

exactly, i went with a 03-04 LS6 cam which is great. if i keep car i want to go with a larger boost cam. If the future i'd love to build custom turbo kits affordable but with basics what you would need.

BonzoHansen

12-02-2009, 10:44 AM

ah ok, JS thanks, that does all make very good sense.

it was one of my ADD moment ideas. id love a procharger setup but the 6k price is still holding me off...for now.

Magnussen? (sp?)

Anti_Rice_Guy

12-02-2009, 11:58 AM

Mtg6486 loves his and he's had it for a while if you want to talk to him. And firebirdcrazy just got his setup.

NastyEllEssWon

12-02-2009, 12:15 PM

new jersey doesnt seem like a good place to live if you wanna hang a turbo out back....id be way too paranoid that its gonna get ripped off....ive also heard bad things about the leaks on both sides of the turbos too...js seems to be pretty dead on

12-02-2009, 12:29 PM

well i def have clearance issues already, so that puts it out of the questions already, plus i know i have exhaust leaks around my y pipe still and that was anothe rone of my concerns. so based on JS's stated facts, i will not be getting a rear mount turbo setup.

and like i said before, id like to go supercharged, and id like to stay away from vortech and powerdyne. I would really LOVE to do a whipple style/roots supercharger that replaces the intake but apparently nothing will clear the cowl of the f-bodies. If there is a kit that does such, PLEASE point me in the right direction.

Pampered-Z

12-02-2009, 12:47 PM

Since your not looking for big power gains you should be able to find a used P1 fairly cheap.

12-02-2009, 01:38 PM

if i can find an LSx based whipple style for a good price, ill look into cowl modifications....

JL8Jeff

12-02-2009, 02:00 PM

Here you go Paul. Scroll down after the page loads. I think it uses spacers and minor cutting to the cowl which really isn't too big of a deal.

MTI Racing magnacharger F-body (http://www.mtiracing.com/camaro-supercharger.html)

-

creeper

12-02-2009, 04:33 PM

there's a used sts kit for sale on tech(in delaware) for $2k, just throwin it out there

Ispooledurmom

12-02-2009, 07:03 PM

http://www.ky-turbo.com/turbo.html

GP99GT

12-02-2009, 08:52 PM

whats wrong with Vortech? Powerdyne is junk, i know that...but Vortech is one of the better centrifugal blowers out there imo

12-03-2009, 06:24 AM

that kentucky site is good, but the kit after the options id choose comes to at least 5500... thats procharger price range, lol.

Matt, i dunno, just a personal preference against vortech and some of their earlier designs, plus like every fox body has one. lol

Jeff, i REALLY like that MTI setup, but not for a price of 6,000

JL8Jeff

12-03-2009, 07:45 AM

I know, the price is a bit too much. There is a Corvette setup on Ebay right now and it's basically that with a different TB adapter. You can get a better angled TB adapter from Lingenfelter I think. The brand new Corvette kit costs $5500-6500 so the $6000 for the F-body falls in range. But it's too high priced IMO.

LTb1ow

12-03-2009, 11:07 AM

For the price tag on the rear mount... why don't you just pay for a shop to weld you up a kit?

I mean the big part is the turbo, and if you can score one for cheap you are ahead of the game. Ebay cold side kit, figure out an oil return system, a nicer IC, and then have the shop weld up your exhaust and make a good hanger for the turbo.

MonmouthCtyAntz

12-03-2009, 11:09 AM

Believe theres some guy on tech selling a sts w/ not many miles at all in the eastern section...believe hes from Dover DE.

LTb1ow

12-03-2009, 11:09 AM

http://www.supermotors.net/articles/sts-a1-1.php

I mean, just looking at that... I can't see that being very hard at all to recreate.

NastyEllEssWon

12-03-2009, 11:30 AM

there's a used sts kit for sale on tech(in delaware) for $2k, just throwin it out there

Believe theres some guy on tech selling a sts w/ not many miles at all in the eastern section...believe hes from Dover DE.

read up^^^

For the price tag on the rear mount... why don't you just pay for a shop to weld you up a kit?

I mean the big part is the turbo, and if you can score one for cheap you are ahead of the game. Ebay cold side kit, figure out an oil return system, a nicer IC, and then have the shop weld up your exhaust and make a good hanger for the turbo.

in the research ive done on them i saw that a lot of people were using catch cans, electric fuel pumps and the like to make their own self contained oiling system that they mount in the trunk of the car for the rear mount.

LTb1ow

12-03-2009, 12:19 PM

read up^^^

in the research ive done on them i saw that a lot of people were using catch cans, electric fuel pumps and the like to make their own self contained oiling system that they mount in the trunk of the car for the rear mount.

That is what I would do, separate cooler, lines, pump and tank. I'd rather lose the turbo than the turbo and engine.

MonmouthCtyAntz

12-03-2009, 12:23 PM

read up^^^

Yea im at work dont have time to read through everybodys posts.

sweetbmxrider

12-03-2009, 12:29 PM

ahhhhh little dry sumpish action sorta. i dig it.

EODMonkey

12-05-2009, 06:43 AM

i'm running/ was running one and theres a guy on here with a t/a that has one. love the sound and the rear mount as it is tricky to install doesnt have alot of additional drawbacks.

GrandmasterCow

12-05-2009, 08:46 AM

http://www.supermotors.net/articles/sts-a1-1.php

I mean, just looking at that... I can't see that being very hard at all to recreate.

Here's a HOW-TO: http://www.junkyardturbos.com/Rear-Mount-Turbo.php

LTb1ow

12-05-2009, 09:02 AM

Awesome link!

firebirdcrazy

01-27-2010, 12:38 PM

im considering doing a mild turbo addition to my SS. I'm not looking for maximum boost keep in mind, just a little more "umpf".

Of course the STS is the first consideration. pros? cons?

...also i see "kits" for front mount setups all on ebay, and i assume those are worthless.

Is fabbing up your own kit with truck manifolds possible? i kinda like my Stainless steel LT headers though. lol.

The STS kit is 3995... which i think is reasonable. Only upgrade i think id still need would be a racetronix fuel pump kit and tuning...

I put a 1000 miles on my Sts Turbo kit right off the bat and havent had any issues with the kit itself. I have the upgraded version with the intercooler and a 67 mm Turbo. Its set up for 500 rwhp due to not having forged my engine yet. TTP did a good job on that aspect to take there time and doing it correctly. Clearance issue was definately a big concern of mine especially since my Car is tipping the scales at 3966 with me in it. I also have a ground effects kit as well. STS Redesigned the set up which now hangs higher and features a dual exhaust set up as well and hides the air filter. I carefully selected new suspension components to protect my investment. I went with strano springs with KYB AGX adjustables which was spot on with the 1.2 ride height as stated. The Eibachs are garbage and have a drop rate of 2 inches in my case a little more. I also added rear air bags to the springs to ensure ride height especially if I have passengers. These air bags raise the car higher then stock if you want it to. One of the biggest reasons for getting my STS was the issue of heat. You have seen my paint job and its one of a kind. Not taking chances on anything melting, warping, catching fire, or blowing up in my engine bay damaging my hood and paint. I am happy with it and its fun to drive. Meet me at a show in April and will be happy to take you for a spin so you can feel it your self.

oh one ls1 SS

02-09-2010, 01:18 PM

noboundreez2345

02-09-2010, 06:32 PM

X2 I definately just fell in love with that supercharger.

BlackTopKing

02-09-2010, 07:36 PM

I think the STS does have a alot of Pro's and aloth its said the turbo needs heat to spoll up- heat also robs power and I dont know if anyone has seena turbo over heat- but they get red and that type of heat in F-Body is too much, the motor is hot and so is the turbo...

The air filter issue- I have seen the vettes with a relocation kit- brining the unit inside- dont know if that helps, but i would say atleast a sheld of some kind and maybe a skid plate for the turbo,

But for the turbo to hit, if its tucked up right- seems odd, put new shocks and struts on...

i dont know I have seen them and think for the price the pro's are great and the cons can be delt with some thought.

for example- the leaks...weld the unit it up! i mean 2000.00+ investment for a 100.00 fit would only be simple.

I would love to get one but I more wonder about the tuning issue....

No one mention that yet- what PSi is it set at prior to tuning?

mtg6486

02-10-2010, 06:50 AM

on a non intercooled car they will put in a 5psi spring in the waste gate. they can even go lower. i run a 7 but i also have an intercooler along with optional meth .

firebirdcrazy

02-10-2010, 07:52 AM

Here are some pictures of my set up. I think you can figure out by the pictures how much clearance you get!!. This turbo is capable of 750 Horsepower to the crank and can be set tp 15 psi. Not bad for th emoney. And leak issues as was said if done properly and welded in the right places it will never be an issue.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00711.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00706.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00712.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00748.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00745.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00874.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00873.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00875.jpg

BlackTopKing

02-10-2010, 10:59 AM

mc73nova

02-12-2010, 04:05 PM

:drool: i want it! can any sponsors get these kits?

We can!

Here are some pictures of my set up. I think you can figure out by the pictures how much clearance you get!!. This turbo is capable of 750 Horsepower to the crank and can be set tp 15 psi. Not bad for th emoney. And leak issues as was said if done properly and welded in the right places it will never be an issue.

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00711.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00706.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00712.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00748.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00745.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00874.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00873.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa76/Firebirdcrazy/DSC00875.jpg

I love it. Mike's T/A is sick too. If I ever got an LS1, I would love to get that kit. A lot of bang for the buck. Their TT set ups(not made for an f-body) are pretty crazy too.

firebirdcrazy

02-13-2010, 06:53 AM

FireBirdCrazy,

Wow Great pics....I didnt think it would hang so low and it looks like you got it tucked up there really tight...On the down pipe-are those scraps? road rash? lol, so you have touched there, huh.

I wounder if there would be a better route for the kit or maybe turbo location...?
Dont get me wrong I still love the deal and looks great (UR TA is Bad), but I guess it aint going any higher with the Tank still in the car.

MTG6486,
5psi with no intercooler? what would the increase be at that level? or even with your set up at 7psi?
Deff think the intercooler and meth is worth the added upgrade.

Those are actually my headers that have the scrapes. They hang lower then the charge pipes as you can see. The turbo is quite high actually off the ground. The lowest point measured by a ruler is 4 inches which is the pipes that tucks underneath the axle portion. How many sportcars on the road that are standard 4 inches from the ground out of the factory? Corvette Guys? So clearence really isnt to bad yes you still have to be careful. But if you keep your stock springs you dont have to worry much at all about clearence.

Mike

02-13-2010, 07:43 AM

aj your car is lowered correct?

firebirdcrazy

02-13-2010, 09:09 AM

Yeah I have a 1.2 drop with Strano Springs. I have a hook up at STS now if anyone has any interest

EODMonkey

03-20-2010, 02:25 PM

i'll be rejoining the ranks of sts users soon. had some problems with a piston ring and a rod bearing after my install. but my 383 stroker from scat should be in sometime next week and installed and tuned this summer. once i get home from this dirty rotten ***** hole (i'm sure your familiar with the 38SMB 28671 80650 area) she'll be out n about. its the 60-1 so it's only gonna put out 500 which i fully intend to peg. maybe i'll upgrade after i buy my jeep