Turbo Kit

[Greycobra_03]

Well, the turbo kit, the fuel system and the MAF are ordered. Now I need to pony up for the cheaper stuff, Pistons and rings and someone to do the machine work. I've been quoted between $800 and $1500 for the machine work required. What is a good price for this?

Also, Brian, I am not going with the Anderson PMS. Everyone recomends the SCT Proracer Xcal2 and I will just use RWTD to help me tune it up via the internet. Link http://rwtd.com/detail.aspx?ID=29

[Greycobra_03]

Oh, and does anyone have a better price than this http://dagostinoracing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2678_122_1428_1434&products_id=9117 for diamond pistons? I also need to get rings.

[jzcobra]

Damn that thing is gonna be nice when its done. Which kit did you end up with HP or hellion?

For the pistons, go VTengines.com and go to their online store. They are running a 10% discount right now off most of their stock and those psitons cost 535 right now. If it were me, i would have them do the work, they are very good and well known for what they do. The only thing that may make it a bit more pricey is the cost to ship. I would say its worth for a quality good.
Sadly that 10% isn't off shortblocks, but if you talk to Scott or one of the other guys that works there, they may cut you a deal.

Also SCT has some new software thats either out or coming out very soon. It maybe worth looking into http://www.sctlivewire.com/
I have just the regular Xcal2 and i am very pleased with it, so going with SCT i think is a very good desicion.

Can't wait to see that thing man

[jzcobra]

Oh ya i would strongly recommend upgrading the oil pump gears while your there. Very good investment to keep your engine running.

[Greycobra_03]

Yeah, I'm going Hellion. I'm not doing anything but the pistons internally, everything else is pretty freakin' solid. Up to 800 RWHP everything should be fine. That's the goal, so no need to overbuild it. With the tuner, I want to go with a proven system tuned by a reputable tuner. I'm going to be using James at RWTD, he did my predator tunes and did a great job.

JZcobra, what is your first name? I might know you man :)

[jzcobra]

Yeah, I'm going Hellion. I'm not doing anything but the pistons internally, everything else is pretty freakin' solid. Up to 800 RWHP everything should be fine. That's the goal, so no need to overbuild it. With the tuner, I want to go with a proven system tuned by a reputable tuner. I'm going to be using James at RWTD, he did my predator tunes and did a great job.

JZcobra, what is your first name? I might know you man :)


Jeremy

[Greycobra_03]

Looks like I will be changing my mind again, going with the Livewire tuning device, so I dont have to run a laptop in my car. Great little tool, and cool looking as well. http://www.sctlivewire.com/

I will need to start thinking about a nice boost controller, not quite sure what I will be going with. I will be starting the boost out at like 5 lbs, and moving up to 15 or so before I get everything all finished. Once I have a snows boost cooler and a boost controller, as well as a built auto transmission and am sure of my tune, I will probably end up with around 21 PSI. This should make around 800 to the wheels. With some good track prep and a nice launch, this should be high nines. I will be very happy to break into the nines on a daily driven, quiet, full interior, AC car that my wife can easily drive.

Any suggestions? I still need to buy pistons and multilayer gaskets, studs, possibly a new KB BAP, machine work for the block, and all the misc. stuff you always have to buy when you do a big project like this. Hurrah for spending money.

[Silver R/T]

will it be pump gas friendly?

[twotons]

Adrian, as far as the machine work goes i would not even think twice about having Cassel do it, he has been really reliable and i have not had problem one with him, and the head gaskets and all the bolts and studs have been found just not bought, say the word and kick some money and we are off.

as far as the tunning goes, lets do something that is tuneable via laptop, that way we can tune the whole thing at the shop and not have to have to wait on anyone else.

[Greycobra_03]

We can tune via a laptop, and also have custom tunes made and sent to us, this unit is very flexible. This car should be pump gas friendly, I would use race gas when I turn the boost up to be sure.

Right on Brian, I am just checking all my options out. I will let you know when I get everything in. PM me the price of the head gaskets etc. and I will order them :)

[twotons]

I believe Jeff said total cost would be between 2000 and 2500, pistons, Multi layers, all bolts and studs for heads and assembled, included machine work on block, and some clean up on heads.

[Greycobra_03]

I believe Jeff said total cost would be between 2000 and 2500, pistons, Multi layers, all bolts and studs for heads and assembled, included machine work on block, and some clean up on heads.


Alright, if he can keep it under $2000 then I can definately do that. The quotes that I was getting plus the components were right in this area. Can he port my heads while he is at it? Ported '03 cobra heads flow a massive ammount of air. If he needs a diagram for best porting areas, let me know, lots of pictures on the internet. I should have all the materials ready other than the stuff you just mentioned, and the tuning system in the next 2 weeks, and as soon as the s10 sells I will have money to pay you and Jeff. Sound good?

[jzcobra]

Alright, if he can keep it under $2000 then I can definately do that. The quotes that I was getting plus the components were right in this area. Can he port my heads while he is at it? Ported '03 cobra heads flow a massive ammount of air. If he needs a diagram for best porting areas, let me know, lots of pictures on the internet. I should have all the materials ready other than the stuff you just mentioned, and the tuning system in the next 2 weeks, and as soon as the s10 sells I will have money to pay you and Jeff. Sound good?


If you decide to have him port them, let me know how they turn out. I was going to be sending mine off to Boss 330 racing, if i can save the cost of shipping it would be great.

[Greycobra_03]

Sounds good.

[KryptoSol]

I'm kind of confused why the Hellion kit costs so much? according to the web site you get a turbo, some shiney pipe, and 39lb injectors, and misc stuff. And no Fuel management?? $4900 yikes!

Well it looks like the Cobra kit gets 42lb injectors... but i don't think those will support the 800whp goals you'd like to see.

All the parts look like off the shelf items, since there dosn't seem to be much R&D into the kit why not peice it together yourself for a fraction of the price?


The LiveWire unit dosn't look very tunable, its got a bunch of cool displays and stuff, that looks about it though. For your power goals, why not go with something a little more robust and tuneable?

[Greycobra_03]

It's pretty expensive because it's all mandrel bent by Bassani. I have a vehicle that I paid alot for, and I want a quality kit, not a tiernan jerryrig. When you decide to do it right you spend the cash needed.

I won't be using 42lb injectors, I will be using 83 lbs. Dual Ford GT pumps, modded FDPM, new fuel lines, rails, etc. The best tuning you can get is available through the livewire, you basically jump on the dyno and on the street, datalog and send your results to someone who tunes only '03 Cobras. They work up a custom tune for you and you flash it into your PCM.

There was quite a bit of R&D into this kit, and everyone that has it has no problems with it. That's more than can be said of any turbo kit I know of, period. You pay the price for quality. I'm not running a low budget import, my requirements are more than just a race car. I want something that my wife is comfortable driving, idles around 750RPM, docile street manners and deadly once I spool the turbo.

Almost all Cobra kits are over $6000 all told. You need more volume which means bigger pipes, which means a more expensive mandrel bender, which increases the price. Stainless Steel, increases the price. T76 turbo, full suspension, precoated materials, all of which would cost extra. Lifetime warranty which is unheard of, and a giant list of satisfied customers. I feel that I am purchasing a quality kit, not some hose clamp piece of crap that will always leak and be a headache. Plus, I retain full emissions, full AC, dont have to cut my car's body, and still have the street manners that I bought the car for.

If you can find a kit that does all that for less, let me know. But dont tell me I am getting ripped off unless you can offer an equal, less expensive solution. Don't tell me I should just turn my headers over and start welding...

Sorry for the disorganized, run on rant. I need sleep.

[Greycobra_03]

http://www.hellionpowersystems.com/kit_0304cobra.php

[KryptoSol]

If you are happy with the kit then i think thats great.

I was just wondering why it costs so much.

I'm a DIY geek so i just look at turbo "kits" as a bunch of over priced mandrel bends and pipes. I guess years of owning/driving low budget imports forces you to think outside of the box.

[Silver R/T]

I believe Jeff said total cost would be between 2000 and 2500, pistons, Multi layers, all bolts and studs for heads and assembled, included machine work on block, and some clean up on heads.


how much does he charge to port heads?